Photo Credit: The Vampire Diaries / The CW

The Vampire Diaries Season 4 kicked off with an intense premiere that left viewers craving more. Elena became a vampire, an intense new Council order took over Mystic Falls, and Klaus was solemnly up to no good once again. It’s safe to say that “Growing Pains” had it all: Drama. Action. Suspense. Haunting tunes. And one of our favorite things about the first episode? Every character had such unforgettable lines. Check out a list of our top 25 favorite quotes from TVD episode 4.01 below!

1. “Your choice Elena. As always.“ See what Damon did there? Double entendre. Leave it to a clever vamp to get the quote party started!
2. “You know what. You weren’t there the day Elena looked me in the eye and told me she absolutely never wanted this.” ‘You don’t know her the way I do, brother,’ is a more pithy way of saying this but Stefan is not one to edit in the heat of the moment.
3. “And now the world has one more quarterback. Bravo brother.” Here’s Damon demonstrating how big a fan of Friday Night Lights he’s not.
4. “I made a choice that I will regret for the rest of my life. Now let me try to fix it.” Well, technically, if you fix it Stefan, you won’t regret it. Just saying. But you didn’t…so you probably will. That sure sucks.
5. “I watched Vicki go through this. She was a mess – her emotions were all over the place. All these old memories came flooding back.” LOL. Jeremy is blaming Vicki’s perpetual emo status on vampirism? That’s a good one!
6. “You act like everything’s okay so no one worries about you but you need help.” Smooth, Jer, real smooth. Although we wouldn’t normally recommend agitating a hungry baby vamp like that, Jeremy is just worried about his sister is all.
7. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.” Oh boy. Leave it to Elena to spiral out of control Jessie Spano style over a corny pun.
8. “Yes, when I assumed I’d be a pile of ash. But apparently faith and oxygen intervened, and there I am. Put me back.” Klaus is not only good at being charming and ruining lives, but he also knows a thing or two about chemistry as well. (Then again, he predates most scientific discoveries so technically he should at least know the basics of oxidization.)
9. “Elena’s dead and no longer my concern.” And the “Most Tactless Comment” of the year award goes to Niklaus Mikaelson!
10. “If I can keep Elena human, then you’ll still have an endless blood supply to make your hybrids. Isn’t that what you really want?“ As always Bonnie proves that sometimes the right words speak louder than magic.
11. “The blood in this place has the habit of flying off the shelves.” Pastor Young acknowledges that blood bags are to Mystic Falls what pumpkin spice lattes are to Starbucks.
12. “I need my sister. Not another one of THEM.“ Way to cheer Elena up, Jer! Unfortunately, when it comes to “comforting” people, Jeremy takes the Cordelia Chase approach: ‘Take is just not saying true stuff. I’ll pass.’
13. “I’d say you have less than three hours to feed before I get to watch you die all over again. My day just got a whole lot better.” Rebekah finds a silver lining in her horrible, miserable, son-of-a-gun day.
14. “Easy, love. Wrong time, wrong place, wrong equipment.” Oh, sweet Klaus. How is it that so many wrongs can feel so damn right?
15. “Shh. Cool it on the “v” word.” I’m a fugitive, remember? I’m supposed to be halfway to Florida by now.“ The word “vampire” has become taboo in Mystic Falls much like the name “Voldemort” did in the wizarding world. Moreover, considering how Dexter Morgan resides in Florida, we’re thinking it’s best Caroline steer clear of the Sunshine altogether.
16. “You incessant woman! [Picks up phone] Hey Mom! What’s up?“ Klaus may be evil but — damn — he’s very well-trained in undercover operations. He basically could star in his very own version of The Parent Trap!
17. “You can’t arrest me. I’m the mayor.” All people are created equal — some more than others — is what Carol Lockwood is really trying to get at here. Bitch please!
18. “I never thought I’d be saying this but I can’t stop thinking about blood.“  Funny…that’s the exact same thing we say when we try to resist the urge to gulp down an entire pint of Haggen Daz coffee ice-cream. Elena finds the perfect way to let Stefan know that his little homemade turkey sandwich just won’t cut it. When you’ve got a craving, you’ve got a craving, dude.
19. “The Council. What exactly do they think they can do to me?“ Oh boy. Rebekah really learns to understand the concept of jinxing one’s self.
20. “You don’t have to live with that; you get to live with that. Every morning you get out of bed you sure better earn it.” Whoa there, Stefan. Clearly, he received an invitation to Matt’s pity party and declined.
21. “So the mayor and the sheriff never contemplated a backup plan, Liz?“ Damon does the math and things don’t quite add up. Damon for Mystic Falls Mayor 2012 anyone? He doesn’t even need to campaign — just compel everyone!
22. “You’re miraculously alive. We’re fugitives on the run. All signs point to hot hybrid-vampire sex.” Freak-a-leak! She may be the worst survivalist ever, but Caroline Forbes definitely knows how to get down and dirty much to Klaus’ excitement.
23. “Well, I know that wherever you go, Salvatore vampires seem to follow.“ Pastor Young keeps things honest and diplomatic when talking to Elena about her love interests. Unfortunately, he doesn’t mention who he ships. That’s one secret this holy man will never tell…Xoxo.
24. “You can’t possibly hate me more than I hate myself.” Poor Matt needs a lesson or two in self-empowerment. Either that or he needs to listen to R. Kelley’s “I Believe I Can Fly” on repeat.
25. “We all know the way. You feed or you die, there is no door #3.” Just Damon, y’all, keeping things simple and uncomplicated.

What was your favorite quote from The Vampire Diaries Season 4, Episode 1? Post it the comments!