Rage, rage against this fucking show.

[dante_kent]

So I've literally just finished the episode. I'm not sure I've ever been so angry at this show (and I've been very, very angry before). It seems like from the look of my flist I am not alone in this. Which makes me love my flist, btw. And hate this show. So, so much.

Comments

[arabian]

I know a lot of people are angry and I don't see it. I really, really don't. For me this episode was all about SHOW, not tell. Stefan and Caroline said that Elena's actions were based on the sire bond, not the show. Everything we've seen going back last season makes it perfectly clear that who and what Elena is is still Elena. That's why we had Matt the voice of reason saying that. Elena is Elena. Elena is still your sister. Stefan and Caroline are saying this. Not the show.

I don't know, I thought it was brilliant and wonderful and all-around awesome. The fact that we got an Elena in 3.19 do essentially the exact same thing with Damon here minus the brother-interruptus makes it clear that, yes, that human Elena is the same vampire Elena who has these feelings for Damon. Nothing she said or did with Damon at any point in this episode (or in the last six episodes) was in any way different than what we've seen with the two in the past when she was human.

Yes, the sire bond is likely in play, but it doesn't even remotely mean that what Damon and Elena share isn't real and everything we've been shown pre and post vampire turn proves that. The sire bond doesn't take away from which that is real either, Stefan and Caroline just desperately hope that is the case. They are wrong. Or rather, not so much wrong so much as... not quite knowing what the deal is (both the audience and Stefan and Caroline) at this point. After all a vampire-vampire sire bond developed through love has got to be different from a hybrid-hybrid sire bond developed through the wolfy-factor.

I think the connection that Elena feels with Damon is driven by her already-there feelings for him and that the bond was formed mostly because of that, and because of it, yes, his suggestions do hold sway but not at all like Stefan and Caroline think. Because there were a lot little things that Damon didn't suggest or that he did that didn't come to pass.

This episode signaled to me even more than any other that Damon and Elena are endgame. That this is their story. I really do not understand why people are so upset about this. I expected it, but I don't get it. I really, truly don't. As a Damon/Elena fan, I'm beyond thrilled by this turn. I know that I'm in the minority, though, but I loved it. So much.

ETA: Just responded to someone else and I thought this might better explain what I mean. The juxtaposition of those two final scenes I saw as being about Elena and Damon giving into their passion for one another while Stefan and Caroline were convinced that, no, Elena can't really like Damon for Damon. Nope, she only thinks she likes him because he sired her. Which creates that juxtaposition because obviously what Damon and Elena have is real because we know it's real, we've watched it grow and develop and become this real beautiful thing, and Stefan and Caroline have just figured something out that could conceivably create a bump in the road because they're misinterpreting the sire bond because they don't get it.

But the reality is that regardless of the sire bond -- which very obviously may be coming into play -- is not what is driving Elena at all. The reality, because again we watched it happen, is that Elena has grown, and she has fallen for Damon.

[dante_kent]

Respectfully, I think you misread my post. I am not the slightest bit worried that Elena's feelings for Damon are not real. The sire bond itself is nonsense. It has nothing to do with Elena and Damon and how they are with each other. I have not doubted that for even a second.

My issue with this move is that it provides a context for others to attribute Elena's feelings and actions to an outside force. Even though they're wrong, it still doesn't change the fact that it is offensive and damaging for Elena to be undermined in this way. I know that it's a red herring of sorts. But it still makes me furious that the show would even introduce the possibility, because the last thing this fandom needs is more Elena hate.

I know this will turn out alright. But I'm still furious that the show is doing this. There were better, stronger narrative choices that would have reached the same conclusion without all the inevitably upsetting and misogynistic reactions that this move is going to generate. That's where my anger stems from. This ridiculous sire bond does nothing to affect the way I understand D/E. It just lowers my opinion of the writers as storytellers.

[arabian]

Yeah, I did misread your point. Sorry. I guess we just disagree on this because, yeah, I loved it. I'm sorry you didn't. :(

[wheatear]

The juxtaposition of those two final scenes I saw as being about Elena and Damon giving into their passion for one another while Stefan and Caroline were convinced that, no, Elena can't really like Damon for Damon.

What I found hilarious about that was the Ominous Dramatic Music that played over their final scene. D/E sexy times? DRAMATIC HORROR.