TVD, why you gotta be SOOOOOO good?
So, I figured something out just now, watching this episode, and I figured something out about this season earlier when reflecting on a scene from an earlier episode.
So, the reminder that the most important relationship on this show is between the Brothers Salvatore came through loud and clear. Elena's erasure of her memories isn't just to put some good ol' conflict or angst into the Delena relationship; it's to clear the way for Damon and Stefan to finally reach the plane TOGETHER that they've attempted to get to over 152 years. Stefan now understands HIMSELF so much better, which is going to help him in the long run, when he inevitably tries to redeem himself in Caroline's eyes. And I'm so looking forward to seeing this growth in him.
What it means for Damon is that he will be loved, by someone other than Elena. And perhaps, for a while anyway, not by her at all. Which will allow him to see his worth outside of her. Which will allow him to be Captain of The Rescue Bonnie Project, and bond with Jeremy more and just in general be a guy who isn't so solely focused on THE ONE THING that makes him happy. Instead, his happiness can be spread around.
And Elena can finally have the CHOICE that she really has never had clearly since the Salvatores came into her life. She's made choices all along, but after she'd been lured in on other levels. This is her chance, to be completely WIDE EYED as she walks into eternity. And maybe she'll have to try on a few Liams before she figures it out. But I'm not worried.
The other thing I realized earlier today stems from when Bonnie was playing the "C'mon, hope with me, Damon," game and she asked him what he would say to Elena when he first saw her again. She didn't play any such game back, however, like Well, I'm going to tell Jeremy, blah, blah, blah....
Because Bonnie has been thinking all along...if she can only get one of them out, she knows who she'll pick. Because she already died. She accepted it a long time ago, and she wants to go home, but she, above everyone else on this show, really is always thinking of all the others.
That's why Bonnie's my favorite character now. Yes, of course she's good, and all that, but considering how much I love Damon, it's not like I need her to be good to love her. But what I love about her is how pragmatic she is. How truly selfless; and not selfless in the Damon/Elena/Stefan way--they are the epitomes of selfishly selfless. The ultimate results of most of their "sacrifices" aren't actually for the benefit of other people as much as it is themselves. [Now, before you stake me, I'm not saying they haven't had true selfless moments because each of them has, but they are also dicks for the most part. And yes, I think that of Elena, too.]
But Bonnie genuinely thinks of herself last, which in and of itself is pretty flawed, just ask Jeremy [SHE TOLD HIM OVER THE PHONE!!!!ELEVENTY11], but it's just so Bennett-y of her, and it's exactly why Damon will not be able to just let his new bestie suffer back in 1994 with Kai the Serial Killer.
But speaking of Kai....I thought he was having some pretty great hate!eye!sex with Bonnie in this episode. Not that Bonnie would ever have hate sex with him...but if he's the only guy and she's the only gal, and he's not her best friend's soulmate...and they're there for a long time....I'm just sayin'. A girl has needs.
Furthermore, how did Tyler and Liv become like this epic ship? IDEK, but it's time for them to schmoosh faces already. But kudos to Tyler for going for the Damon Salvatore Hand Grab. I'm sure Liv will be grabbing him and throwing him up against a wall Elena Gilbert Style real soon.
But you know where all the ANGST lives? IN STEROLINE. Seriously, I feel like I LIVE FOR THEIR SCENES AND THEY ARE TOO FUCKING SHORT AND TOO FUCKING GLORIOUS FOR ME. Remember how Damon and Elena fought and acted like a couple WAY BEFORE THEY WERE A COUPLE? Yeah, I'm having deja vu all over again. AND I LOVE IT.
So, we are five episodes in and I'm about ready to forgive them for all of S5. Yeah, baby.
I liked Jo this episode, too, which was nice. She'll never be Meridith though. And I'm super curious as to why she can't be compelled.
I just have this vision of Damon being all, You forgot about me? No problem. *swagger, swagger* and just having all the confidence in the world coming off this experience. Because he knows how much Elena loved him; where before it might have hurt him that she did that, I feel like he came so far, that perhaps some of the middle-Katherine-crap of last season can be a point of reference for him, can cause him to never give up. Because who is Liam? He's someone she's known for FIVE MINUTES, and she only likes him because he likes her. Come on. It's not real. With Damon, it's fucking real, remember?
Also, because this is just the hug to end all hugs....
So, the reminder that the most important relationship on this show is between the Brothers Salvatore came through loud and clear. Elena's erasure of her memories isn't just to put some good ol' conflict or angst into the Delena relationship; it's to clear the way for Damon and Stefan to finally reach the plane TOGETHER that they've attempted to get to over 152 years. Stefan now understands HIMSELF so much better, which is going to help him in the long run, when he inevitably tries to redeem himself in Caroline's eyes. And I'm so looking forward to seeing this growth in him.
What it means for Damon is that he will be loved, by someone other than Elena. And perhaps, for a while anyway, not by her at all. Which will allow him to see his worth outside of her. Which will allow him to be Captain of The Rescue Bonnie Project, and bond with Jeremy more and just in general be a guy who isn't so solely focused on THE ONE THING that makes him happy. Instead, his happiness can be spread around.
And Elena can finally have the CHOICE that she really has never had clearly since the Salvatores came into her life. She's made choices all along, but after she'd been lured in on other levels. This is her chance, to be completely WIDE EYED as she walks into eternity. And maybe she'll have to try on a few Liams before she figures it out. But I'm not worried.
The other thing I realized earlier today stems from when Bonnie was playing the "C'mon, hope with me, Damon," game and she asked him what he would say to Elena when he first saw her again. She didn't play any such game back, however, like Well, I'm going to tell Jeremy, blah, blah, blah....
Because Bonnie has been thinking all along...if she can only get one of them out, she knows who she'll pick. Because she already died. She accepted it a long time ago, and she wants to go home, but she, above everyone else on this show, really is always thinking of all the others.
That's why Bonnie's my favorite character now. Yes, of course she's good, and all that, but considering how much I love Damon, it's not like I need her to be good to love her. But what I love about her is how pragmatic she is. How truly selfless; and not selfless in the Damon/Elena/Stefan way--they are the epitomes of selfishly selfless. The ultimate results of most of their "sacrifices" aren't actually for the benefit of other people as much as it is themselves. [Now, before you stake me, I'm not saying they haven't had true selfless moments because each of them has, but they are also dicks for the most part. And yes, I think that of Elena, too.]
But Bonnie genuinely thinks of herself last, which in and of itself is pretty flawed, just ask Jeremy [SHE TOLD HIM OVER THE PHONE!!!!ELEVENTY11], but it's just so Bennett-y of her, and it's exactly why Damon will not be able to just let his new bestie suffer back in 1994 with Kai the Serial Killer.
But speaking of Kai....I thought he was having some pretty great hate!eye!sex with Bonnie in this episode. Not that Bonnie would ever have hate sex with him...but if he's the only guy and she's the only gal, and he's not her best friend's soulmate...and they're there for a long time....I'm just sayin'. A girl has needs.
Furthermore, how did Tyler and Liv become like this epic ship? IDEK, but it's time for them to schmoosh faces already. But kudos to Tyler for going for the Damon Salvatore Hand Grab. I'm sure Liv will be grabbing him and throwing him up against a wall Elena Gilbert Style real soon.
But you know where all the ANGST lives? IN STEROLINE. Seriously, I feel like I LIVE FOR THEIR SCENES AND THEY ARE TOO FUCKING SHORT AND TOO FUCKING GLORIOUS FOR ME. Remember how Damon and Elena fought and acted like a couple WAY BEFORE THEY WERE A COUPLE? Yeah, I'm having deja vu all over again. AND I LOVE IT.
So, we are five episodes in and I'm about ready to forgive them for all of S5. Yeah, baby.
I liked Jo this episode, too, which was nice. She'll never be Meridith though. And I'm super curious as to why she can't be compelled.
I just have this vision of Damon being all, You forgot about me? No problem. *swagger, swagger* and just having all the confidence in the world coming off this experience. Because he knows how much Elena loved him; where before it might have hurt him that she did that, I feel like he came so far, that perhaps some of the middle-Katherine-crap of last season can be a point of reference for him, can cause him to never give up. Because who is Liam? He's someone she's known for FIVE MINUTES, and she only likes him because he likes her. Come on. It's not real. With Damon, it's fucking real, remember?
Also, because this is just the hug to end all hugs....
