<P> Matt forces Elena to leave Mystic Falls with him to keep her away from the vampire attacks that have recently put her in harm's way . On the way, Elena realizes she loves Stefan and between her love for him and for Damon, she chooses Stefan, claiming that perhaps if she had met Damon first, things would be different (however, in a flashback it is revealed she did meet Damon first although he compelled her to forget the encounter). Rebekah, enraged and desolate, decides to kill Alaric by killing Elena and causes them to drive off a bridge . Alaric dies in Damon's arms after Elena drowns, but appears to Jeremy as a ghost to say goodbye . Damon realizes Alaric's death means Elena must have died and rushes to the hospital where Meredith Fell (Torrey DeVitto) reveals that when Elena was in the hospital earlier in the day, she had suffered from cerebral hemorrhaging so Meredith had given Elena vampire blood to heal and save her . The consequences of the vampire blood treatment and Elena's drowning are then revealed as Elena opens her eyes in the hospital, in transition to becoming a vampire . </P> <P> The episode marks a pivotal point in the series; where Elena begins transition marks a change in the series' dynamic . The plot to turn Elena had been in the works since the series began, where executive producers Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec had signed on to the project and agreed that at some point, she would be turned . Initially, this plot was to be used by the end of the second season . </P> <P> The episode's initial airing attracted 2.53 million viewers . The episode received critical acclaim, with most reviewers attributing success to the final act . Diana Steenbergen of IGN praised the episode and the writers for clearing up a couple story lines and making all of them come to a head . She also praised Dobrev's performance in this episode, addressing her behaviour as another reason the final revelation from Meredith was more shocking and believable . Similarly, Mandi Bierly of Entertainment Weekly review praised the writer's skills in creating the more unexpected final twist . </P> <P> Several reviewers also addressed the dynamic of the show may change now with the character of Elena being transitioned . Keshaunta Moton of Poptimal refers to the upcoming changes as "huge" and notes the change as something that'll affect her relationship with other characters . Other reviewers, like Matt Roush of SeattlePi and Ben Lee of Digital Spy, refer to the finale as a "game - changer" and one to set up a completely new storyline for the fourth season . </P>

What happens in season 3 episode 22 of vampire diaries