Vampire Diaries - Bad Moon Rising, S02E03

What are vampires without werewolves? The two have become so intertwined, I can't think of a major vampire or werewolf horror story, movie, or TV show of late which hasn't incorporated both. Oh, and witches. Those are also pretty common these days. But the idea of a doppelganger as a mythical or legendary creature, now there is something unique and very interesting to think about.

The original concept that Elena (Nina Dobrev) looked exactly like Katherine seemed rather like a cool choice to complicate things rather than a decision based on folklore or research. Last season, her resemblance was strange, but the question asked was how Elena, a Gilbert, would look like Katherine, who was not her relative. The answer was that Katherine was in fact a relative. But that never explained the exactness of the similarities. I do hope that this concept continues to be played with.

The werewolves, of course, had a far more prevalent place in the episode. We now know what they are, and hopefully Tyler (Michael Trevino) will now learn what he is so that he is better able to cope. Of course, him seeing Stefan (Paul Wesley) move the way he did, and his reaction of protectiveness for his friends despite the weirdness of it all was particularly moving. Though poor guy, having a girl come onto him and then reject him for Matt (Zach Roerig). I felt worse, however, for Matt when Caroline (Candice Accola) behaved like such a crazy bitch so that he would break up with her and therefor be safe. Naturally, he has no idea what she's going through, and while she is only trying to protect him, losing him may be Katherine's key to manipulating her into losing her humanity.

Finally, I pity Damon (Ian Somerhalder), and am frankly annoyed at Elena about it. Oh sure, there is a great argument that he is a complete and irredeemable jerk. After all, he is really lucky that he did not kill Jeremy. He meant to, and he tried, but the thing is that he did not succeed. Jeremy is still alive, but Elena refuses to forgive the mistake, refuses to remember that Damon is so fragile, so very capable of going off the edge and being crazy. Her mistake was to forget that when she became his friend. She trusted him as she would trust a normal person, and forgot to be careful that he could at any moment turn back into a murderous psychopath. Did she really think that he had transformed so completely, so solidly that quickly? And now, refusing to allow him to redeem himself, she may well force him to become what she hates all the more since what point is there in him remaining good? Then again, she's only 17. What does she know?

How badly will all this work out? We can only wait and watch!

Vampire Diaries - Brave New World, S02E02

When last week's episode ended, with Katherine (Nina Dobrev) killing Caroline (Candice Accola) and making her a vampire, I was concerned that she would be killed off quickly, as happened the last time a citizen of Mystic Falls was turned. I'm very glad that, instead, we will get to see Caroline adapt to the change and discover whether she will be able to continue a "normal" existence or not.

The thing I liked best was how they explained away the lack of confusion. Caroline never consciously knew that vampires existed, but as soon as her transformation began, she understood a lot more than Vicki had. Thank you, Damon (Ian Somerhalder). All the mind control he had used on her previously really saved her when it came to waking up a vamp in a hospital room.

I also loved the battle between her desire to eat and her desire to be a good person. Caroline may be neurotic and all, but she is a sweetheart, and she certainly doesn't want to hurt people. Watching her with Matt (Zach Roerig) in that final scene, where she gained control over her hunger, now that was just beautiful.

Meanwhile, poor Bonnie (Katerina Graham). Boy is that girl full of hate, and all of it is directed at Damon. I was glad Elena (Dobrev) stopped her from setting him on fire, even though Elena still hasn't forgiven Damon for trying to kill Jeremy. If anything, Bonnie may well still regret such a malicious act when she is not so marred by grief.

Finally, I actually really enjoyed the end of the episode. Not a true cliffhanger for once. Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Elena got to share a lovely moment as a couple, but the ominous future where those sweet moments can no longer exist is coming on quickly.

Vampire Diaries is definitely making up for my current disappointment in True Blood.

Vampire Diaries - The Return, S02E01

Vampire Diaries continually has me on the edge of my seat. The season finale left me so concerned about what the return would bring, and it brought me excitement and surprises which I did not expect. I'm not surprised that Kevin Williamson continues to write so excellently, but it is quite a delight to get to watch it all.

It started with the surprising survival of John Gilbert (David Anders). We were convinced Katherine (Nina Dobrev) had succeeded in killing him in the finale, but when Elena (also Dobrev) found him, he was still alive and, indeed, survived the entire episode. Next, we discover that Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen)'s attempt to become a vampire was unsuccessful, and that, instead, he is still alive. I cannot express my relief over this as I think it would have been a waste to so transform him. That left only Caroline (Candice Accola) still in danger, but after Damon (Ian Somerhalder) gave her blood at Bonnie (Katerina Graham)'s request, she too would live.

None of these survivals took away from the continued dangers of the show. After all, all the tomb vampires were killed, as well as Anna and Mayor Lockwood. I haven't stopped believing that we could lose someone unexpectedly at any moment, a feeling which makes me want to continue watching since the likelihood of something surprising me continually looms.

As for the body of the episode, with Katherine succeeding in F-ing everything up for Damon and Stefan (Paul Wesley), I was again most pleased with Damon's continued reactions of anger and vulnerability. Sure, Katherine can get under anyone's skin, but her comments to Damon found their mark all the more easily. And when she told him that it had always been Stefan, it was the perfect set up. Elena loves Stefan, not Damon. Notice I do not say "too". Who knows if Katherine is even capable of love. She is far more capable of destruction.

The final moments of the episode, I was not expecting. Damon's anger, his attempts to make himself hated, his regretful move of breaking Jeremy's neck, all these things were so powerfully portrayed. I was so grateful that Jeremy was wearing John's ring. I did not believe he would remain dead, but was glad that he did not become a vampire either. And for that to be so quickly followed by Caroline's murder, which would result in her being a vamp. Frankly, the part that hurt the most about that was how hard it will be on Liz Forbes (Marguerite MacIntyre) if she ever discovers her daughter has been turned.

It looks like we will have a second season that is equally intense and equally unpredictable. I can't wait till next week.

Vampire Diaries - Founder's Day, S01E22 - Season Finale

This is the way seasons should end. There was drama, there was bloodshed, there was an epic massacre, and there remain a great number of unknowns going into next season which make me SO angry that September is so far away. Of course, I then think about the warm summer temperatures and realize I will survive, but, still, I hate the wait.

We knew a massacre was coming. The vampires had been planning to decimate Mystic Falls, the humans had been planning to stop them and kill them in return. It turned out that Bonnie (Katerina Graham)'s decision not to deactivate the anti-vampire device actually saved the town. Lucky for her - Elena (Nina Dobrev) couldn't be too upset about it.

Still, despite knowing it was coming, I had no idea how it was going to go down and who would end up dead by the end. Despite my love of body counts, there weren't any characters I actually wanted to see gone. Villainous or kindly, they are all awesome and interesting.

When the device worked, and the vampires were dragged to the basement of an old shop, I was concerned to see Damon (Ian Somerhalder) being captured by John (David Anders), but far more upset to see Anna (Malese Jow) pulled from Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen). He knew they were going to kill her, but he was too run down to fight them for her. I loved that Alaric (Matt Davis) prevented Stefan (Paul Wesley) from being taken, and I suspect if he had been in the position to do so, he would have done the same thing for Damon.

Mayor Lockwood also ended up in that basement, though he was definitely not a vampire. I guess there was a flaw in the plan, since one of the people implementing it ended up dead (and I loved that a vamp simply broke his neck rather than having him wait for the flames). Worse, though, was that poor Tyler (Michael Trevino) was equally affected, causing an accident that has Caroline (Candice Forbes) in critical condition.

Other major highlights for me were:

- when John killed Anna before the fire. Perhaps he should have done the same to Damon, but there was a certain amount of increased protectiveness for Jeremy. Elena loves Stefan, not Damon, after all.

- Bonnie helped Damon escape the flames. Perhaps simply for Elena, but probably also because Damon thanked her for saving his life when she had not in fact done so. Some part of her realizes that he is not so evil after all.

- Damon and Jeremy's conversation which led to Jeremy possibly turning himself into a vampire. A little weird that he would try to die by drug overdose - usually that's more a female thing...but it was probably the easiest way to leave us uncertain of whether he will still be human next season.

- Damon confessing to Elena that he was confused by his new desire to protect Mystic Falls. It was friendly, while emotional, and when he kissed her cheek, it was the innocent act of a friend. But her body language, her attitude, transformed that innocence into the desire to act on something he did not mean to act on, and Damon leaned in for the kiss. I was annoyed when Elena kissed back, glad when Jenna (Sara Canning) interrupted them and ordered Elena inside, and finally freaked out when I realized that Jenna had just given permission to Katherine to enter their house.

- When John confessed to Katherine, thinking she was Elena, the feelings he had had for Isobel, and what he was doing and why, my heart broke to think that Elena would never hear her birth father say those words to her. John should have been far more careful in the presence of a woman wielding a knife, but his ring made him sloppy. And he paid for it.

With a fantastic body count, the introduction of a villain far more awful than anyone we've met until know, the presence of werewolves as well as witches and vampires, and 2 lives which hang in the balance, next season promises to be as excellent as this one was.

Vampire Diaries - Isobel, S01E21

Penultimate episode WIN! The second last episode of the Vampire Diaries' first season continued to make things more interesting and more complicated leading up to the finale.

First, Isobel (guest star Mia Kirshner) showed up to break Alaric (Matt Davis)'s heart just a little bit more and prove herself a real bitch to her daughter. Focused on getting the device back from Damon (Ian Somerhalder), Isobel threatened everyone Elena (Nina Dobrev) loves. After breaking Matt (Zach Roerig)'s arm, she kidnapped Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen). And she did get what she wanted.

What's worse is that the thing was not disabled, as Bonnie (Katerina Graham) promised. The little witch betrayed Elena by saying she had removed the device's ability to hurt vampires when she hadn't, rather than simply refusing to do the task. Somehow I feel this was the worst thing to happen in the episode.

But Isobel did do some good deeds while she was around. Although Alaric will not remember it, she glamoured him into getting over her, so he should be able to move on with his life. She also forced Matt to rely on Tyler (Michael Trevino)'s help when he was hurt, which may allow the boys to reconcile.

Otherwise, Jeremy finally confronted Elena about the whole vampire thing, furious with her for invading his privacy by making him forget Vicki, as well as not trusting him with her secrets. He also told her that his feelings for Anna (Malese Jow) ran deep, knowing that she was a vampire and knowing that she had once been planning on killing him.

I'm interested in seeing how this and his new bond with Uncle John (David Anders), who hates vamps, will play out in the season finale.

Uncle John, by the way, is Elena's real dad, making her just as much of a Gilbert as Jeremy, even if he is not her blood brother.

Oh, and Damon is in love with Elena (duh.)

With all that excitement, what is waiting for us in the finale? Who will die now that John has the vamp killing device, and what sort of terror does it promise us for next season.

I just hope that the cliff hanger isn't so cliff hangery that I can't stand the summer for preventing me from discovering what happens next!

Vampire Diaries - Blood Brothers, S01E20

In Blood Brothers, we finally got the entire story about Damon (Ian Somerhalder) and Stefan (Paul Wesley)'s transformations from men to vampires. I was pleased both to finally have the answer and to find that the answer fit perfectly with all the knowledge we already had about the incidents.

I love watching the flashback segments. Watching Stefan and Damon choose to die, though Stefan seems less in love with the idea, and Damon only wants it because he sees no reason to live without Katherine, and that having that choice changed helped explain their current dynamic. That Stefan's first kill was his own father, a father who ensured that his sons were remembered as heroes and humans, not as the traitors he saw them as, undermined a lot of our preconceptions of Stefan, as his blood addictions has been doing. And for him then to coerce Damon into joining him...the pain of the love those brothers have for each other, completely embittered by their jealousy over Katherine...no wonder they hate each other so much.

And if awesome flashbacks weren't enough, we got to see more of Damon and Alaric (Matthew Davis) working together. Best conversation? "You tried to kill me," accused Damon. "Well, you did kill me," returned Alaric. They have a great dynamic, and despite all the reasons they have to hate each other, I hope a friendship develops and we continue to get to see them working together.

And despite all the drama of Stefan's choice to live and Alaric's to give up on Isobel, that wasn't enough. We then had to watch Anna (Malese Jow) lose her mother, killed by Johnathan Gilbert (David Anders), and have the surprise of seeing Isobel finally showing up. With only two more episodes of the season left, I am at the edge of my seat and certain that I will hate the summer months.

Vampire Diaries - Miss Mystic Falls, S01E19

Excitement and anticipation are coming to full boil as the first season of Vampire Diaries rapidly approaches its finale. What exactly the focus of everything it has been building towards will be, I cannot say. Will Elena (Nina Dobrev)'s mother appear and bring chaos? Or will Katherine make her first appearance in Mystic Falls in 150 years? What about Johnathan Gilbert (David Anders)? And what will be the result of the relationship between Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen) and Anna (Malese Jow)? So many questions, and we aren't even focused on our leads, Stefan (Paul Wesley), Damon (Ian Somerhalder) and Elena.

At the beginning of the episode, Stefan seemed much more himself...well, mostly. He was more amusing, more charming, more fun than he had been, but he wasn't on edge anymore. Mostly, that was because he was giving into his cravings. The problems only came when he saw blood. And then he had a hard time controlling the lust he had let burst forth.

Despite Stefan's addiction problem, Vicki's death (so recently discovered), and Johnathan Gilbert's crazy and unknown plans, things in Mystic Falls continued to go along happily, as they do in small towns. Miss Mystic Falls had to be elected for the Founder's Celebrations, and Elena and Caroline (Candice Accola) had to go head to head in the competition. During their presentation, Stefan disappeared, kidnapping one of the girls whom he deemed would make a good snack, and Damon was forced to fill in for him. Despite Damon's ease at giving into his own cravings, he is in control of himself most of the time, and he is very very charming when he wants to be.

Stefan's issues were not the only painful confrontation Elena suffered through. Bonnie (Katerina Graham), finally returned after her lengthy absence, blames Stefan and Damon for her grandmother's death and has therefore removed herself from Elena's life. I can't help but consider this a little bit stupid. Bonnie's grandmother took the risk knowing the risk. She died, and perhaps she died in vain, since the rest of the vampires escaped the church, but she did not get involved expecting things to be easy. Bonnie's alienation of her best friend, whom she supported through the death of loved relatives, is only more ridiculous considering her developing powers and ability to control Stefan when no one else could. Then again, she's a 17 year old high school student. I should expect anything more from her.

And so the episode ended with Elena tricking Stefan into being pumped full of vervain and locked in the basement. We all know how well it worked when Stefan did the same thing to Damon...I just hope that whatever transformation Stefan goes through on his road to recovery - we've got to get him back at some point - that it is believable.

Otherwise, I'm just really excited to see everything come to a head. And to be annoyed that I won't get my answers or find out what happens for an entire summer.

Vampire Diaries - Under Control, S01E18

While the Founder's Day celebrations continue in Mystic Falls, things continue to go from bad to worse. I can't help but pity all the innocent townsfolk who have no idea about the constant dangers that surround them. But perhaps it is worse for all those who have some idea of how bad things are.

The arrival of John Gilbert (the delicious David Anders, whom you may recall as Sark on Alias) carries more danger than Damon (Ian Somerhalder), the recently relapsed blood-addict Stefan (Paul Wesley), and all of Pearl (Kelly Hu)'s recently released vampires combined. I'm not actually certain whom he poses the most danger to - the vampires or those innocent townsfolk - but it won't end well for someone.

Perhaps that someone is Jenna (Sara Canning). She's smart and beautiful and fun, and has worse taste in men than I do. Her attraction to Logan was clearly a disaster, her relationship with Alaric (Matt Davis) is overshadowed by his once-thought-dead-but actually-now-a-vampire wife, and now we learn that she slept with her sister's brother-in-law. And he clearly is not the kind of man who has respect for anybody.

Still, I am deeply interested in discovering what exactly John Gilbert has planned. He knows so much, and yet is telling Damon and Alaric, rather than the town council. I'm not sure how he thinks he can manipulate them, but he must want something...or is he just the kind of prick to revel in monologuing to his enemies because he knows he can't be killed.

Meanwhile, Stefan's addiction continues to get the better of him. He's a crack addict and he's just remembered how much he likes the stuff - my suggestion, he spend the next 10 years locked up...he might get it under control again that way. And Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen) has learned everything that Elena (Nina Dobrev) knows about vampires by reading her diary, but he doesn't seem inclined to share his discoveries with her. Might be because she knew that Vicki was dead and she kept that from him. Oh, and Tyler (Michael Trevino) has one heck of a temper that's beginning to show. I wonder when we will learn his secret?

I continue to love this show; it's doing it's mythology perfectly, sticking with mostly known values and explaining additions or modifications with careful precision. Plus, the cast is very attractive.

Vampire Diaries - Let the Right One In, S01E17

And a Darkness fell over the inhabitants of Mystic Falls as the season finale quickly approaches and things start to get a lot more serious, and a lot more interesting.

When Stefan (Paul Wesley) gets kidnapped by the idiotic Vamps recently escaped from the church, Damon (Ian Somerhalder) and Elena (Nina Dobrev) refuse to sit by idol. And since Damon can't get into the house, and he refuses to allow Elena to put herself in danger, they acquire an unlikely ally - Alaric (Matt Davis). And, with a vampire at his side, he makes a good showing, even though not everything goes according to their plans.

The most irritating moment of the sequence was when Elena went in the house after Stefan, even though Damon had asked her not to and explained that it was because he wouldn't be able to save Stefan if he was also worried about protecting her. Stupid women trying to be heroic; she's lucky that it worked out despite her efforts.

That is, if you consider "worked out" Stefan almost dying and being forced (by Elena) to drink her blood so that he might live. Of course, after drinking the blood, he was strong enough to protect them both, though not necessarily with any control.

And while all this was going on, we had some bizarre plot line going on with Caroline (Candice Accola). She got her car stuck in the mud while trying to drive around on back roads. But Vampire Diaries is to clever to do anything that pointless - in her attempt to walk back to town and to help, Caroline fell in the ditch and discovered a body - Vicki Donovan.

While Vicki's disappearance did not cause a great disruption to life, the discovery that she had been dead the entire time will cause painful repercussion to all involved. Matt's bond with Elena is much more poignantly felt, but his relationship with Caroline is still too new for him to trust her with his pain. Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen) has now betrayed Anna (Malese Jow), since she figured out he wanted to be a vampire so that he could be with Vicki, not with her. Regardless of how old Anna is, the pain of feeling used, even if Jeremy is actually confused about his feelings for both women, is likely to have very very bad results.

The only question is, will that be as bad as what is likely to happen to Stefan now that he's fallen off the wagon? Can't wait to know the answer to that!

Vampire Diaries - There Goes the Neighborhood, S01E16

Mystic Falls may have had some vampire problems in the past, but those will not remotely compare to the problems they are about to suffer through...that is, if the humans do make it through.

When Damon (Ian Somerhalder) went after Katherine, the spell that was supposed to keep the vampires locked in the vault did not remain sealed. Not only did Damon, Stefan (Paul Wesley), Anna (Malese Jow), and her mother escape, but so did the rest of the vampires who had been enclosed there. About 20 vampires are currently gathering strength, planning to take Mystic Falls back from the humans.

It's a good thing that not only is their sunlight to stop the vampires without rings, but there is also vervain to counter all of their powers. Balance is very important - there must be a reason why 20 vampires are not able to storm one small, mildly-suspecting town, and that is the vervain, which has been distributed throughout the town, despite its scarcity. It explains why witches and vampires have not teamed up to destroy us all.

But, with the ability to go in the sunlight, and the lack of other negative effects - the souls still appear properly within the undead - it is easy to understand why people are so interested in being turned. First Elena (Nina Dobrev)'s birth mother, and now her brother, Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen), has an interest. I hope that the reasons for his desire to transform with be made apparent to us soon. I was rather a fan of the idea of he and Anna having a human-vampire relationship for a while.

Regardless of the vampire stories, I was pleased that one of the main issues of this episode had nothing to do with those 20 odd vampires who escaped from under the church. Caroline (Candice Accola) and Matt (Zach Roerig)'s relationship is hitting all the snags of a normal teenage relationship. Poor Caroline has insecurities because she feels that she is nobody's first choice. Elena, Matt, and probably her mother as well have too many other people and priorities that they choose before her. Had she great confidence in herself, in her ability to hold Matt's attention, his comments about old times with Elena would not be so painful.

Of course, Elena is a bit to blame. Although Stefan has no issues of confidence, it is obvious she is hurting her friend. She really ought to have tried to direct more of the conversation towards present circumstances, even though it is always easier to talk about shared moments than any thing else. But, she is only a 16 year old, after all. I suppose she ought to show it sometimes.

I doubt we will be able to get too many more tender, normal moments, as the crisis and conflict with the new vampire nest quickly approaches. How are they going to resolve all the plots - Katherine's whereabouts, Elena's mother, Anna and Jeremy, the vampire nest, etc., by the end of the season? And how will they leave us hanging for the summer hiatus?

Vampire Diaries - A Few Good Men, S01E15

Most of this episode was very cool and very exciting, driving the plot forward, and giving us all sorts of discoveries, but it was also badly flawed in one annoying way.

So, we got it, back when Elena (Nina Dobrev)'s birth mother's name was revealed. Isobel was her mom's name, and Alaric (Matt Davis)'s wife also had that name. The only explanation I have as to why the coincidence was considered to be a real possibility was because the town both those Isobel's were from was so small as to make the likelihood of them being the same person a real possibility. But I just did not feel it, and I wish more of an explanation had been made by the characters.

It just seemed absurd to me that Jenna (Sara Canning) was telling Elena and Alaric about her suspicions, without having any proof or anything concrete on which to build suspicion expect that both Isobels were mentioned on the same day in a previous episode.

But, if we ignore that, I do think that it is totally cool that she was the same person.

I also loved how crazy/depressed Damon (Ian Somerhalder) was. The anger and obsession he has in regards to Katherine is so intense, and considering that all the thought about for 145 years was getting into her tomb, it's hard to blame her. I just want to know when exactly it was that Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Damon got turned.

The scene where he was teasing Alaric about drinking with his wife, and the pain Elena felt in that moment, and the subsequent sadness that Damon felt when he realized that he had hurt Elena with his comments! I love the depth and variety of Damon's personality.

The thing that I am most pleased about was that Alaric lived. Watching him die on the carpet, with Damon sitting by, nonchalantly ignoring him, was painful and beautiful, but I am not ready for his character to go. I really want him to stick around!

But now, there is so much more turmoil that will come out in the second half of this season, as Elena searches for her vampire mother, Damon searches for Katherine, and the vampires who have recently escaped from the old church search for blood.

Vampire Diaries - Fool Me Once, S01E14

This was a much better place to go on hiatus for over a month than the episode dating from before the Christmas break. How utterly heartbreaking...and what fear for the future it has given me.

I adore Ian Somerhalder. His portrayal of Damon ranges from pure evil, to cheeky bastard, to lost little lamb, and throughout all three, determination and pain prevail. He has been on a quest to recover his lost love for more than 140 years, and the pain of losing her because of his own brother's foolishness has grown with every passing moment. Katherine motivates everything he has ever done since even before he turned, so the discovery that she is not in the tomb, that, worse, she has always known where to find him, but has not, not only forces him to reevaluate all those choices over all that time, but will likely change him entirely. I am very excited to see Somerhalder have even more ammunition to work with.

And if Somerhalder's violent near-temper-tantrum was heart-wrenching, it was nothing compared to Katerina Graham's portrayed grief as Bonnie. Her entire body shook with sobs when she realized that her beloved grandmother had passed. Her desperation was no less than Damon's as she pawed through the grimoire in search of a spell that would bring her back.

But for all the grief and pain present, Caroline (Candice Accola) made up for it with such amusing speeches, giving Matt (Zach Roerig) an escape clause from their relationship, and then apologizing for being lame because she acted bizarrely in front of Damon and Elena (Nina Dobrev).

I can't wait for the show to resume on March 25. What will become of Damon? And are Anna and her mother gone for good? What about all the Vampires under the church - are they going to awaken and walk the earth once more?

Vampire Diaries - Children of the Damned, S01E13

Vampire Diaries is always such a satisfying show to watch. Finally, we got to see a more clear perspective on the events in 1864 which resulted in the Vampires being locked in the church, and after watching it, I have a lot more questions.

We finally learned how the Vampires, including Anna (Malese Jow), were able to walk in the light. Emily, the witch from that era, created a spell connected to the rings to give them this power.

We also learned that Stefan (Paul Wesley) was to blame for Katherine being captured and locked in the church, something Damon (Ian Somerhalder) has never forgiven him for. Perhaps the guilt Stefan feels over this is the reason that over the last 145 years, Stefan has continually let Damon into his life, let his guard down, and had all hell break loose. He feels he deserves the punishment for having broken Damon's trust first.

I can only hope that Stefan's affections for Elena (Nina Dobrev) will prevent him from allowing that sort of havoc to happen again.

I am even more desperate to find out how Damon and Stefan were made into vampires. Unless they had already drunk some of Katherine's blood before their father dragged her away, then how could she be their makers? How did they become Vamps?

The best part of watching episodes with historical flashbacks is the costumes. We should all start dressing in Civil War styles again! Don't you think so?

Vampire Diaries - Unpleasantville, S01E12

Vampire Diaries has the uncanny knack of making me actually think about Vampire lore and its development and place in society.

Last week, Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen) wrote a paper commenting on his great-grandfather's journal about vampires during the civil war, indicating that these monsters were a depiction of the Union soldiers threatening the peace of the area. So this week, when vampire Noah (Dillon Casey) showed up on Elena (Nina Dobrev)'s doorstep, posing as a pizza boy, and thus got her permission to enter, I began thinking about where that part of the lore came from.

Likely, it was a warning - don't let just anyone into your home. How many times, when someone comes to your front door, do you ask them inside? Maybe it's just into the foyer, to keep the cold out, or keep the cat in, maybe they are bringing in a delivery or are there to fix your cable? And you may ask how often that happens after dark, but here, in Canada, in the winter months, dark comes pretty early. And, fine, the likelihood of vampires being real is pretty slim, but does that mean that we should be any less cautious about who we ask in? If Elena, who knows there are vampires out there and knows that one is after her, does not pay attention to whom she lets in her front door, how careful are the rest of us?

On top of getting my mind thinking, Vampire Diaries was also really fun this week. Between the 50s style dancing and the developing love stories, there was a generally happy tone. Elena and Stefan (Paul Wesley) are happily reunited, and past the Katherine thing, Matt (Zach Roerig) and Caroline (Candice Accola) have the beginnings of what might turn into the only normal relationship on the show, and Alaric (Matt Davis) and Jenna (Sara Canning) are going to go on a date, despite his issues about his late wife.

I must comment on the wife, Isabelle. She was from Virginia and has the same name as Elena's birth mother. Too bad that a simple mention of her name wasn't thought enough for us to notice it; Jenna had to give Alaric a questioning look, as if to say there could only be one Isabelle in the entire world - it is such an uncommon name that your wife must be my niece's mother.

Subtlety people, subtlety!

Ah well, this episode was terrific regardless, allowing most of the characters to shine, even if only briefly. When Stefan and Damon (Ian Somerhalder) tortured Noah, and then killed him, for the first time we really saw Stefan's dangerous side. It's good to know that if any vampire other than his brother threatens Elena, he's ready to protect her. Also, when Alaric was passing by, and Damon questioned him, but he was holding vervain, now that was just a beautiful moment of Damon being over-confident, and Alaric sweating about it just enough.

What was your favourite part of the episode?

Vampire Diaries - Bloodlines, S01E11

In many ways, this intense episode was the perfect welcome back from a short Christmas hiatus, but there were a few moments, and a few reveals, that were wasted and not used for their full worth, to my disappointment.

We will address those first.

Alaric (Matt Davis), the sexy history teacher, who until now may well have been a vampire, revealed to us through an internal monologue that he was thrilled to have finally found a vampire after all these years. He then proceeded to not wear his family ring while in the sun, to prove, once and for all that, whatever secrets he might have, vampirism was not one of them.

Why, I ask you, was there such a set up to have us believe that he might too be a vampire, who could not enter a house uninvited, who could not go in the sun without a magical ring, only to tear the whole thing down so quickly? Yes, the fact that he killed Logan just before the break indicated that he was likely not the vamp who had made him, but that didn't prevent Alaric from being yet another vampire. Mystic Falls does seem to attract the mystical.

My other issue was the reveal of Elena (Nina Dobrev)'s adoption. Did Stefan (Paul Wesley) need to reveal what he had learnt about her in such a way? I realize he was already caught in such a huge lie that to tell her another mistruth did not seem possible, but that just felt like another moment that should have been prolonged was simply throw away. I can only hope that the aftermath and the discovery of her true birth parents (is it too much to hope that she was Jenna (Sara Canning)'s child from a young and stupid misadventure? Though, maybe that wouldn't be a good things since they are only supposed to be 12 years apart; never mind). I do hope that the discovery takes its time and is worth the shock.

Otherwise, I LOVED Damon (Ian Somerhalder) in this episode. It was the perfect demonstration both of how utterly ruthless Damon can be, how perfect a killer, and his weakness for Elena. He rescued her from whatever monster was coming to get her in episode 10, then dragged her to a bar in the middle of nowhere. Why? For the fun of her company and to piss of his adored baby brother.

There, he meets up with a witch from his past (none other than Gina Torres), who immediately betrays him to another vampire, Lexi's boyfriend. Bent on revenge, the vamp covers Damon with lighter fluid after beating him senseless. Elena plays the impression that Damon cares for her and she for him for all it is worth, convincing the vamp to spare Damon where he did not spare Lexi. He does, which is possibly the stupidest move ever.

No, Damon did not kill him then, but some day he will. And he did return to the bar and stuck is arm into the witch's chest.

When will people learn to stop telling Damon that they are full of vervain. If you kept your mouth shut, he would bite you and then fall over, but instead he finds some other way to end your life. He is a killer, pure and simple, a wild cat always on the prowl, the perfect predator. There is no surprise that he killed Alaric's woman, though you have to wonder how he convinced her to let him inside. That should be an interesting show down, but we know that Alaric can't win. Evil always triumphs because Good is dumb...and Damon is oh so deliciously evil.

I also really loved the interaction between Stefan, Bonnie (Katherina Graham) and her grandmother (Jasmine Guy). It's nice to know that the non-humans of the town can at least be open about the nature of their friendships. It's nice to have it, but it only goes so far as our own are protected first.

What were your thoughts?

Vampire Diaries - The Turning Point, S01E10

When I watched this episode, I did not realize it would be the last until after Christmas. That is not a good thing. I should be feeling that January 14th is unbearable far away, that there are so many things at stake and that I have no idea what the outcome will be.

Not that the episode didn't meet my expectations for Vampire Diaries. It is an excellent show, and this episode raised many questions that look like they will develop into exciting plot lines. For instance, who made Logan (Chris J Johnson) a vampire? And what is Alaric (Matthew Davis)? Is he a vampire too? And why did I get the impression that Tyler (Michael Trevino) and his father were somehow connected to werewolves?

Especially exciting was the discovery that Bonnie (Katerina Graham)'s witch ancestor merely prevented Katherine and the other vampires from being awoken in one way, but there are other ways in which Damon (Ian Somerhalder) can recover his lady love.

Still, despite these things, the only part of the episode that created any concern for the outcome of the show was the last few moments. Yes, Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Elena (Nina Dobrev) having sex was touching, and yes, I'll be reminded that, though she often acts more mature, she is still supposed to be a 17 year old, so freaking out and taking off when she discovered that she was the spitting image of Katherine should not be too surprising. Nor was Elena leaving behind the charm Stefan gave her, though it was supposed to protect her from both Stefan and Damon's power of suggestion. But another snag in their relationship does not make an intense situation I can't wait to see concluded.

They are the star couple of a TV show; it is not going to be easy for them.

So then, the only point of concern left is whatever Elena hit while running from Stefan. Whatever it is, I don't get the impression that it will be friendly...but there has never been an ending of an episode of Vampire Diaries that hasn't happened in that cliff hanger sort of way, and since I have no idea if this guy is really an enemy or really dangerous, I'll wait patiently until Vampire Diaries returns in January. And if I miss the first episode, I'll catch up and I won't cry.

Vampire Diaries - History Repeating, S01E09

I absolutely LOVED this episode of Vampire Diaries. The quality of story telling and acting, the chemistry between the characters, oh boy has this show come together to make something great.

Damon (Ian Somerhalder) and Stefan (Paul Wesley) must have had a blast. They mimicked each other, Stefan all attitude and plotting, Damon feigning wimpyness, yet neither managed perfectly. Exactly what you would expect from two brothers.

The girls, Elena (Nina Dobrev), Bonnie (Katerina Graham), and Caroline (Candice Accola), also got some bonding time. Bonnie finally told Caroline about being a witch, and the reason she was keeping the necklace. It ended up being very high school...but these girls are in high school, so I guess that's actually alright. Most girls, I've had the impression, end up with friendships like this. Wow, reality in a show about vampires - how strange.

These bonding moments were awesome, but the strength of the episode rested in Damon's big reveal - he had known everything that went on with Katherine. Unlike Stefan, he had known. And he had planned to bring Katherine back ever since because his love for her had been real and he could never get over it. For all that Damon is evil, he suffers so much, making him such an interesting, multidimensional villain.

I also have to give the show points for surprises. Jenna (Sara Canning) was obviously going to hit it off with Alaric (Matt Davis), Jeremy (Steven R McQueen) and Elena's new history teacher. And it is strongly hinted at that he is possibly a vampire, what with his father's bizarre ring and his refusal to enter Jenna's house uninvited. So that story line, while a little obvious, is intriguing, and a good way for Jenna to get over Logan (Chris J Johnson). I was not, however, expecting Logan to show up at her door later that night, also being asked to be invited it.

How is he still alive? Is he a vampire? What is going on!!!

Are you as into this show as I am?

Vampire Diaries - 162 Candles, S01E08

Despite Elena (Nina Dobrev)'s decision last week that she would not eliminate the memory of Stefan from her mind, she still could not resign herself to taking him back. He was still a vampire, and dangerous.

But it wasn't long before she was headed back over to the Salvator home to speak to him, and she was both upset and angry when Stefan (Paul Wesley)'s friend Lexi (Arielle Kebbel) answered the door wearing only a towel. Of course, Lexi was greatly disturbed to see that Elena was the spitting image of Catherine.

Lexi is clearly a great friend to Stefan, not tolerating Damon (Ian Somerhalder)'s BS and convincing Elena not to give up the terrific relationship she could have with Stefan just because of what he is. I liked her immediately. So of course I was pissed when I figured out that Damon planned to frame her as the vampire causing problems around Mystic Falls. And I was even more annoyed when he ended up staking her. Sure, it's nice to put the blame on somebody else, but not Lexi! Sigh.

The best part of this episode was Bonnie (Katherina Graham)'s role. Not only did her dream at the end predict some exciting new drama, but her sweetness and dedication to her friends makes her such a perfect best friend. Not only does she comfort Elena over the break up, but she also shows her her biggest secret - that she's a witch. The simplicity and beauty of her lifting white feathers was the perfect way to show off her new skills. It lacked the danger of fire.

Her encounter with Caroline (Candice Accola) was equally touching, when she refused to give back the necklace, while equally refusing to be told she was a bad friend for it. I'm glad someone continues to try to protect her from Damon, and I really hope she manages to get over it. Her mother really ought to give her some vervain.

What are your opinions?

Vampire Diaries - Haunted, S01E07

If you haven't yet watched Vampire Diaries, don't read this post. If you haven't figured out that you should not read any of my posts before having watched the episode, you aren't reading my posts frequently enough, or you did not check out the Read This First entry.

We all knew that it was getting to be time for someone to die on Vampire Diaries. Zach had been killed, but that death was quick, and no one really cared about Logan. I have always given Kevin Williamson credit for understanding the need to kill off characters, regardless of how well liked. Sometimes killed off exactly because they are well liked. Unfortunately for me, I found out before I watched the episode. I hate when people put spoilers in the titles of their articles. It's sort of hard to miss the words "Vicki dies" next to Vampire Diaries when all I was looking for was news of whether Eastwick has been officially not picked up yet. So while I was not surprised or shocked by the death, I was still glad of it.

When the episode started, Tyler (Michael Trevino) was walking through an empty parking lot late at night, by himself. Vicki (Kayla Ewell) is in his car, and she is freaking out, and hungry. It doesn't take long before she tries to tear out his throat with her teeth, but lucky for him Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Damon (Ian Somerhalder) show up to stop her. Stefan holds on to Vicki, while Damon takes care of Tyler...in the way Stefan wants. But who didn't agree with Damon when he asked who would possibly miss Tyler. The guy's a jerk and deserved death far more than Vicki did. Still Damon listens to Stefan and uses his power of suggestion to eliminate the entire memory.

Yes, Damon and Stefan are working together, probably because they have figured out that the town is onto them and if they both want to survive, the town better not figure out that they are the vampires. Still, while Stefan tries to help Vicki and prevent her from taking risks for her own sake, Damon is not as cautious, which is how she escapes their custody to end up at the school Hallowe'en party.

Stefan goes to search for Vicki, but Damon has more pressing matters. He heads to the Mystic Grill where he overhears Mayor Lockwood and his wife discuss the vampire issue. He goes to talk to her, once her husband is gone, and begins to flirt. When he tries to control her mind, it does not work, and so he asks her about the vervain and how much his uncle Zach is supposed to supply - trying to figure out how many people know that Vampires have returned to Mystic Falls. He doesn't get an exact number, but he knows there is a council. He also knows that this council is unaware that he and Stefan have the ability to move about in the light.

Back at the Hallowe'en party, Elena (Nina Dobrev) is desperately trying to find her brother Jeremy (Stephen R. McQueen) before Vicki does. She knows that Vicki will be confused and unable to control her lust together with her hunger, which will put Jeremy in a lot of danger. She is too late; by the time she comes across Vicki and Jeremy in the school parking lot, the beast has taken over. The fight is on, and when Vicki gets her teeth into Elena's shoulder, Stefan runs her through with a wooden stake. She does not turn to dust, but does fall over looking far more dead than before.

Damon, who was busy trying to get his yellow gem back from Bonnie (Katerina Graham) - which did not work because it scalded him on account of her being a witch or something, took care of the body, while Stefan got Elena and Jeremy home. In the end, Damon helped Jeremy forget all that had happened, only to remember that Vicki left town and that he'd miss her but he'd be okay. Elena wished she could have the same treatment, but she refused to lose the memory of her feelings for Stefan. Looks like they've rekindled.

The big thing I'd like to discuss this week is Vicki's death. Originally, the plan had been for Jeremy to kill Vicki to save his sister. The scene had been shot and everything. Instead, they opted for Stefan to do it, for two reasons. 1. It made him a hero to save Elena. 2. Would Jeremy have known to use a wooden stake?

Frankly, I think Jeremy should have killed her. What idiot does not know to use a wooden stake? I mean, if the Vampire Diaries used different mythology and a different way to kill vamps - like only beheading works or something, well how would Jeremy know that...but any individual out there, when confronted with a vampire, is probably going to try a wooden stake first. Besides that, those were the handiest weapons.

As for making Stefan a hero? He is an older, stronger vampire, but all he can do is stab the woman he said he'd protect and prevent from hurting anyone? Really? Doesn't that make him a little pathetic. Actually, I read the situation that he panicked. Elena was in danger, and he did the first thing that came to mind to save her. Which I understand, and respect him for, but it still doesn't make him much of a hero.

What did you think?

Vampire Diaries - Lost Girls, S01E06

This episode is being hailed by most TV writers as the best episode of Vampire Diaries ever. Considering that it's only the 6th episode and it was terrific, that isn't a stretch to say, but I am still a little disappointed.

This is because of the telling, rather than the showing. The episode started with the arrival of Elena (Nina Dobrev), confronting Stefan (Paul Wesley) about who or what he is, and suddenly we were transported back to 1864 as a human Stefan greets Katherine (also Nina Dobrev) for what seems to be the first time. I expected that we would spend the entire episode in the 19th century, watching as Stefan and Damon (Ian Somerhalder) fell in love with Katherine and out of favour with each other. I expected we'd learn how they became vampires, though I suspected we would not see how that saga had ended (with Katherine burning in a church).

Instead, we got a fantastic story focusing on Vicki (Kayla Ewell) and Damon in the present, while Stefan told Elena about the past and we got a couple flashbacks to illustrate. Come on! It would have been so easy to show the story Stefan told Elena and then to have us return to present with the Vicki/Damon development. But, regardless, I still really enjoyed the episode.

While Stefan told Elena of the friendship he and Damon used to share, as well as their attraction towards Katherine, Damon killed all of Vicki's friends and burnt them to hid the COD. When he got to Vicki, she was still alive. He brought her back to the house (which despite the incident with the vervain, he and Stefan will apparently continue to share), where he drank her blood, and she drank his, and they had one heck of a dance party.

As Damon slowly makes Vicki a vamp, we learn that Katherine was a wanton and a bitch. Playing the brother's off each other, flirted excessively and ended up in bed with each of them the night of the Founder's Ball. Very reminiscent of Ashton Main from North and South. Turns out she was the vampire who turned our boys so that the three could be happy forever. It would have been nice to see rather than be told a little more. Why was Stefan so in love with her, why is he still? She's like a female Damon. Good thing that other than appearance she is completely different from Elena, or rather than Elena is different from her.

Damon and Vicki continue to dance, slow this time. Vicki is telling him her pathetic life story, and he determines that she has no self esteem. Only one thing will help - death. And he breaks her neck.

Don't worry, she wasn't completely dead yet. She could still become a vampire - all she had to do was feed. She leaves Damon and turns up at Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen) and Elena's as if she were utterly high. Jeremy proves again that he's really a fantastic guy and calls her brother. He's super concerned. Stefan and Elena show up - Stefan knows exactly what is going on. When Vicki bolts from the house, refusing to drink Jeremy's blood, he knows exactly where and how to find her.

Unfortunately, the members of the town who are aware vampires exist are out a-hunting. One of them, Logan (Chris J. Johnson), Jenna's former-ex-possibly-current boyfriend, has Jeremy's watch rigged with a Vampire compass (weird, I know, but whatever). He finds them and shoots Stefan with a wooden bullet, preparing to stake him. But no fear, Damon is there to save the day, declaring that he's not going to let anyone spoil his fun with Stefan's death. Then Vicki, who'd been resigned to die, chomps down on Logan's neck and runs off into the woods.

Stefan returns Damon's ring, and returns himself to Elena to admit his failure. She dumps him, breaking her own heart, which reminds me of how very young she is. I wonder how much more likely it is for a high school student and a vampire to make it than two high school students. Just seem like bad odds.

So, despite not getting enough of the 1860s, it was still the best episode yet and I am very excited to see where it will go.