Stefan will undoubtedly come back. He is one of the big three main characters. Damon or Katherine will notice that Silas is not Stefan and Stefan's friends and family will find him.
I don't think it will take longer than 3 to 5 episodes, if even that long. Don't forget, there are people who reallllly know Stefan in Mystic Falls: brother Damon, ex Katherine, ex Elena and best friend Caroline. Although Caroline and Elena will be off at Whitmore College, it will not take long for everyone to see that "Stefan" (Silas) is not Stefan. Damon will be the first to see it, if not Katherine, or both. And since Damon knows where Stefan was planning on dumping Silas in the quarry, it likely won't take long for them to find him once they realize he is missing.
Another thing that will be interesting to see is how he will cope with knowing he is Silas' doppleganger. Especially with Silas being a lot more lethal than anything we have seen in the show before.
Oh, for sure! For the Salvatores to find out that they descend from him is going to be a great story arc. We're going to find out a LOT more about the Salvatore family in season five, according to Julie Plec.
I think Silas is taking over Stefan's life to continue searching for a way to accomplish his original goal, now that the cure and the veil being lifted are off the table. I also wouldn't be surprised to see Silas cozy up to Katherine....or at least try to. I truly believe that Kat and Damon will be the first to notice that isn't Stefan....
I think that Damon will be the first to know that Silas is not Stefan. Also, Silas has a lot of malicious evil in him that he will want Damon and those close to Stefan to "know" that he is Silas and not Stefan. But, he will also use missing Stefan as leverage by not telling them where Stefan is located. But, I also think that since Damon knows that Stefan was going to drop the body in the quarry, they will find him (I hope) sooner than later.
I would love him to come back as well, but excited with the twist of Stefan being the villain because of Silas. However I still want Elena and Stefan at the end since the title itself is for them, they are somewhat like the author of their diaries.. Make sense? :)
^ I think we're taking the alternative and letting Silas take his doppleganger's vengeance. Also, why is everyone saying Silas is evil? This is almost exactly what Damon did in S1 except on a larger scale.
No he won't. He'll have a spin off called "Stefan's Diaries" which will take place around 10 years from now with Stefan and April lead characters. The series starts with random scuba divers opening Stefan's safe thinking it's a treasure chest and end up resurrecting him accidentally. Meanwhile April will have become a PI who mainly takes paranormal/supernatural cases. She will think Stefan is Silas and try to hunt him, but will realize the truth and knowing he is a good one, she will help him out. Then together they will start searching for Silas.
What do you think?