SPOILER WARNING: This article contains details about events in The Vampire Diaries book series that haven't been revealed on the show.  Turn back now if you don't want to know more.

Among the many shocking twists and turns on The Vampire Diaries was the return of Tyler Lockwood.  Sure, he didn't do anything other than mock Jeremy, Matt and Caroline while consuming all the booze and drugs he could find, but he was there nonetheless.

Ever since Vicki died, Tyler had only appeared in one episode before "Fool Me Once."  That's a large absence for someone listed in the opening credits, which suggests that maybe Tyler Lockwood might finally get a chance to shine in the final story arc of the season when The Vampire Diaries returns March 25.

SPOILER WARNING #2: OK, this is your absolute last chance to stop reading before the major details get spilled.

If you didn't already know, in The Vampire Diaries books, Tyler's character is a werewolf.  Given the unbelievable success of Taylor Lautner in Twilight, this is a double-edged sword for The Vampire Diaries.  On the one hand, the "vampires vs. werewolves" formula is a surefire hit.  On the other hand, the show wants to avoid just revisiting the same storylines as Twilight.

At this point, it seems fairly obvious that the show will eventually reveal Tyler's secret.  His extended absence combined with his constant self-medicating shows he's leading a very strange and difficult secret life while all the other characters are obsessed with vampires.

The real test will be whether The Vampire Diaries can have a story where Tyler is a werewolf that doesn't feel like something we've seen before.  But if any show can do it, it's The Vampire Diaries.



(Images courtesy of the CW)