Episode 3x01 -- "The Birthday"

"Stefan if this is you, you'll be okay. I love you, Stefan. Hold on to that. Never let that go." ~ Elena

Fans everywhere, regardless of whether they prefer Stefan and Elena, or Damon Elena agreed this scene was beautiful and heart-wrenching. This is the first time we see Paul Wesley really demonstrating intense despair. This definitely set the mood for what the rest of the season was going to be like. "A Drop in the Ocean" by Ron Pope played and has become a reminder of this scene.