Vampire Diaries-Daddy Issues-2.13
Okay, so there was no 'vampire daddy' issues this episode, and the whole daddy thing referred entirely to John and Elena, but still-a damn good episode.
So, usually we do the WTF, MEH, ZOMG things, but that format doesn't really work for this episode. Let's just go point by point, okay?
Werewolves
-There are a lot of damn werewolves for a supposedly dying race. Katherine really couldn't find one before, or was she just looking for one easy to control?
-We meet Brady (finally) and he's a bigoted wolf with a penchant for torture. I like how the show is slowly easing us into this werewolf/vampire thing, so that we're getting as much information about it as the actual vampires on the show. We learn Brady hates vampires, that he thinks the best thing to do is to kill one, and we watch as he tortures a vampire with apparent expertise-and that's all we get.
-Jules has PLANS people. She's not just there out of werewolf solidarity or whatever. She had been keeping Mason around for some reason, and she flat out tells Brady she just wants 'the boy'. Why she wants Tyler, it's unknown, but the girl has something to do with the moonstone. When Tyler reveals that Mason came to town looking for it, Brady gives Jules such a disappointed look, and she gets immediately defensive. Is Jules the reason Mason was keeping the moonstone in the vervain well? Was Mason going to doublecross Katherine? Why did the writers send Taylor Kinney away when he was too cute for words and drool-inspiring half-naked?
WHEN WILL ALL THESE QUESTIONS BE ANSWERED?
Damon is regressing, y'all
-So last week, we get some character development for Damon. He shows real emotions in dealing with the loss of Rose and finally admitting to himself that all he wants is to be human-but he can't be one. It was looking pretty good until he laid himself out on an empty road and ate poor little Jessica Cohen. This week, Damon watches the news broadcast of poor little Jessica Cohen being declared missing, and there is a flicker of remorse and conflict on his gorgeous face before he turns off the TV.
Oh, and he was dripping wet, half-naked, and barely covered with a towel. This is important, not for plot, but you know, for character development. The writers want to start off every episode with Ian dripping wet and barely covered in a towel, I'd be okay with that.
-Also, Elena. A lot of Elena for Damon this episode and she seems to be tiptoeing around him. I think she's kind of waiting for him to explode or do something destructive because she is constantly telling him to 'be the better man'. This, of course, causes Damon to snap at her because he hates that she thinks he'll change his ways just because she's the one that's asking. On the other hand, we all KNOW that he'll change his ways or curb his nature just a bit because Elena's the one who's asking, but I just found it funny that Damon called her on it. It's a tad emotionally manipulative, and I don't think Elena is doing it consciously, and I understand that she wants him to keep on this road, because this is the Damon that was her friend. She and Stefan see potential in him and I believe half of Damon's problems are due to his desire to fulfill that potential to please these two and his desire to show everyone that he's his own damn man and he doesn't have to change for anyone. Also, Katherine has fucked him up forever, and this dragging his feet on change is totally linked to Miss Pierce and the soul-crushing revelation that she cared little for him while he cared too much and gave up too much of himself for her.
-And we end with Damon getting himself a new chew toy. It is such a deja vu from last season with Caroline that I forsee our Vampire Barbie hitting him on the mouth when she finds out. Also, Andie is Jenna's friend and she's undisturbed with the notion of being Damon's booty call, and I kind of likes her A LOT because she's so shameless and proud of it. BTW, Jenna's lackluster introduction of the two made me laugh-our poor funky guardian is surrounded by the mens that she doesn't like/trust, but at least Alaric is still sexing her on a nightly basis, so she's still winning at life, right?
Damon's bathtub confessions were deep, and I had to pay extra attention to his words because the fact that he was in a bathtub and covered with bubbles did little to help me FOCUS! Sidenote: if the writers want to end each episode with Damon naked in a bubble bath, that would be okay with me.
I like how Andie had some good advice to offer when Damon started going off on his emotional baggage. His desire to change, his love for the unattainable woman, and his desire to give into what his nature is. He flat out says he likes killing people, which I think is a croc. I believe that it's easier for him to kill people than to deal with him, but I don't buy that he actually enjoys killing now as much as he did back when the show began. He certainly kills without hesitation, when the situation calls for it, but I don't think he's going back to killing for kicks. He is, forever, going back to compelling a zombie girlfriend for him to chew on, and I dislike this regression for a multitude of reasons, but the biggest being that he still hasn't learned that when he does this, IT IS WRONG AND IS DEFINITELY A FORM OF RAPE. Show, do not try to make this okay in any way. Yeah, she wanted to be his booty call before, but then he told her he killed people and she wanted out of there, but he FORCED her to stay and be okay with it.
NOT COOL.
Werewolves Vs. Vampires
-Werewolves kind of pwned the vampires last night, but in all fairness, there were tons of wolves, all who apparently have experience with killing vampires, and only two and a half vampires ('cause Caroline was out of it until the end and more than a little injured).
Oh and DAMON: We can take them, right? and STEFAN: *WTF FACE OF DOOM*-too damn funny.
So our boys tried, and they tried hard. Damon still went for Jules right away (yeah, I believe you're unaffected by what happened to Rose so much Damon) and Stefan tries really hard to hurt but not kill, but eventually gets really annoyed that the wolves are trying to stake/set him of fire, so he goes all BAMF and lights up those doggies and takes out the crossbow guy (he's not playing-they've got his vampire BFF all locked up and tortured and he's so NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT). Damon is ripping out hearts and swatting away wolves like flies, until alas both brothers are taken down and about to be staked . . .
BUT they have their asses saved by Jonas. Jonas! I almost forgot this guy existed, and ho lordy is he one BAMF warlock. Also, Elijah is mentioned but not shown and I likes him too much for him NOT TO BE SHOWN!
Jonnie happened off-screen?
-While I was happy to have both Jeremy and Bonnie back this episode, I did noticed that Jonnie seems to have progressed massively in their absence and WTF show? I wanted to see that on my screen!
But, Jeremy still smiles like the cutest little puppy whenever Bonnie's around and it makes me want to hug him and kiss him and cuddle him for an inappropriate length of time.
Elena and John
-So, emotional manipulation points go to John this week with his whole 'this bracelet belonged to your mother, Miranda, and I want you to have it and try to remember that I lost my brother too and we're family and blah, blah, blah', 'cause then the sneaky bastard turns around and goes to see KATHERINE and we find out that he and Isobel are still Katherine's bitches and hello, doesn't he remember the knife in the gut and all the missing fingers? I'd hold a grudge at that, but he's all 'I'm going to get you out because Isobel told me to'.
That, right there? Also, NOT COOL.
-Major points for Elena, though, because John was trying his damnedest to screw with her head and she STILL doesn't trust him. She's got good instincts and she's going with them and the way she threw herself into Stefan's arms at the end made my STELENA fan cheer like mad. They are so cute together, and so real! She draws strength from him, and he never interferes but waits for her to be ready for him and I JUST LOVE THEM TOGETHER AND THEY NEEDS TO BE A FOREVER THING!
Also, the fandom secret person who trashed softly_me STELENA Manifesto needs their eyes checked and their brains scanned-this is NOT a mess of a relationship; it's the strongest one of the show.
Caroline, She's not that girly Caroline anymore
-All the trauma drama is reserved for Caroline this year. First, she's in a car wreck and nearly dies. Then, she recovers but is smothered to death by someone she thinks is her best friend. She wakes up and is confused, disoriented, and has a taste for blood. She spends a whole day by herself trying to figure out what's wrong, departs to find some normalcy, and ends up killing a guy. Then her former boyfriend, whose abuse she remembers in real live technicolour thanks to her transformation, tries to kill her and Bonnie, her best friend, is disgusted with her new vampire status and things suck! She ends up biting her boyfriend and then making him break up with her, her mother finds out she's a vampire and basically disowns her, and then when they finally have progression in their relationship and mother and daughter are both coming to a better understanding of each other, Caroline has to sacrifice and erase all of it from her mother's mind for the safety of her friends.
And now, THIS.
She gets vervain to the face and shot in the head with a wooden bullet. Then she's tossed in a cage and TORTURED for hours because Jules thinks Tyler is being held hostage by the vampires and why the hell didn't the little bitch check his house before taking Caroline? Overreaction much?
And to top off the nightmare day, Tyler lets her out but doesn't lift a finger to help her when Jules has her face-first against the trailer side and a gun to the back of her head. I get that he was confused and didn't know what to do, but Caroline is right. Friends help each other, and she's put herself in more danger for Tyler than she has for anyone else, and he just let Jules do that without even trying to help. He stood there and watched when she's spent all this time trying to help him and, yes lying to him, but only to make sure that Damon didn't kill him (because he totally would and Caroline has no hope of stopping him).
My heart breaks for my girl, because she's been through so much and still people barely realize what that means for her. She's stronger, not just physically, but she's still vulnerable emotionally. I cheered for her when she slammed the door in Tyler's face, because although I love FORWOOD, he let her down and she's not going to stand for that. She tells him flat out "No one is going to do that to me again" and she means it! She's understanding and she was his friend, but she's not letting herself be run over because he can't figure out if he wants to return the sentiment. Also, poor Matt, who knows she's lying but not why she's lying-and my god, people, she still loves the boy. I still love the boy, and his heartache is easy to see and I kind of want to cuddle him too, and really show, stop making these boys so cute all the time!
And, of course, I've done all my STELENA squeeing up above, but for reals guys? Stefan/Caroline take my breath away EVERY TIME THEY'RE ON THE SCREEN TOGETHER! Paul and Candice have mad chemistry, and it's apparent every time they're near each other. I love that she called him first, because who else would she call? And her utter faith in him, she says only he would be able to explain things to Tyler because he's better with words than anyone she knows and he's honest and reassuring and all that other good stuff. She relies on him and he never lets her down-always backs her up and tries to help.
And when Jules takes her? My god, the look of fury on his face when he figured out what was happening to Caroline. He threatens Jules and I believe him-he will kill her if anything is done to Caroline.
Then he goes to get her, and Damon shows up, which is okay but I think he didn't call Damon at first because he was concerned that Damon might try to punish Caroline for disobeying him or muck up matters so he can't get Caroline back safely. But it's a good thing in the end because Jules is such a devious little bitch and no vampires were supposed to make it out of the woods alive that night.
That scene when he's walking her home-so good! He's worried about her, giving her concerned looks and I know he just wants to hug her until she's okay. And the smile she gives him, it's half reassuring and half appreciation. She says to him "I'm not that girly Caroline anymore", and he already knows it. But he understands her, can't stand the thought of leaving her alone all night after what she's been through. He wants to be there, he could force himself into the house, but he goes, instead, with what he KNOWS she needs. So he comes back, with Elena and Bonnie, and she finally lets herself cry when she has her friends with her.
And BTW, that last scene with my three girls back together again? Too freaking long in the making and thank god they finally got back to this point. They're friends, dammnit!, and that love between them has survived all this supernatural crap and emotional upheavals, and that hug at the end made me teary-eyed.
Whew! What an episode. Of course, next week looks like things will heat up even more and Tyler is going to try his hand at actual homicide instead of just accidental death-which I don't like because why the hell is he after Stefan when Damon's the bastard that ripped out his uncle's heart?
So, usually we do the WTF, MEH, ZOMG things, but that format doesn't really work for this episode. Let's just go point by point, okay?
Werewolves
-There are a lot of damn werewolves for a supposedly dying race. Katherine really couldn't find one before, or was she just looking for one easy to control?
-We meet Brady (finally) and he's a bigoted wolf with a penchant for torture. I like how the show is slowly easing us into this werewolf/vampire thing, so that we're getting as much information about it as the actual vampires on the show. We learn Brady hates vampires, that he thinks the best thing to do is to kill one, and we watch as he tortures a vampire with apparent expertise-and that's all we get.
-Jules has PLANS people. She's not just there out of werewolf solidarity or whatever. She had been keeping Mason around for some reason, and she flat out tells Brady she just wants 'the boy'. Why she wants Tyler, it's unknown, but the girl has something to do with the moonstone. When Tyler reveals that Mason came to town looking for it, Brady gives Jules such a disappointed look, and she gets immediately defensive. Is Jules the reason Mason was keeping the moonstone in the vervain well? Was Mason going to doublecross Katherine? Why did the writers send Taylor Kinney away when he was too cute for words and drool-inspiring half-naked?
WHEN WILL ALL THESE QUESTIONS BE ANSWERED?
Damon is regressing, y'all
-So last week, we get some character development for Damon. He shows real emotions in dealing with the loss of Rose and finally admitting to himself that all he wants is to be human-but he can't be one. It was looking pretty good until he laid himself out on an empty road and ate poor little Jessica Cohen. This week, Damon watches the news broadcast of poor little Jessica Cohen being declared missing, and there is a flicker of remorse and conflict on his gorgeous face before he turns off the TV.
Oh, and he was dripping wet, half-naked, and barely covered with a towel. This is important, not for plot, but you know, for character development. The writers want to start off every episode with Ian dripping wet and barely covered in a towel, I'd be okay with that.
-Also, Elena. A lot of Elena for Damon this episode and she seems to be tiptoeing around him. I think she's kind of waiting for him to explode or do something destructive because she is constantly telling him to 'be the better man'. This, of course, causes Damon to snap at her because he hates that she thinks he'll change his ways just because she's the one that's asking. On the other hand, we all KNOW that he'll change his ways or curb his nature just a bit because Elena's the one who's asking, but I just found it funny that Damon called her on it. It's a tad emotionally manipulative, and I don't think Elena is doing it consciously, and I understand that she wants him to keep on this road, because this is the Damon that was her friend. She and Stefan see potential in him and I believe half of Damon's problems are due to his desire to fulfill that potential to please these two and his desire to show everyone that he's his own damn man and he doesn't have to change for anyone. Also, Katherine has fucked him up forever, and this dragging his feet on change is totally linked to Miss Pierce and the soul-crushing revelation that she cared little for him while he cared too much and gave up too much of himself for her.
-And we end with Damon getting himself a new chew toy. It is such a deja vu from last season with Caroline that I forsee our Vampire Barbie hitting him on the mouth when she finds out. Also, Andie is Jenna's friend and she's undisturbed with the notion of being Damon's booty call, and I kind of likes her A LOT because she's so shameless and proud of it. BTW, Jenna's lackluster introduction of the two made me laugh-our poor funky guardian is surrounded by the mens that she doesn't like/trust, but at least Alaric is still sexing her on a nightly basis, so she's still winning at life, right?
Damon's bathtub confessions were deep, and I had to pay extra attention to his words because the fact that he was in a bathtub and covered with bubbles did little to help me FOCUS! Sidenote: if the writers want to end each episode with Damon naked in a bubble bath, that would be okay with me.
I like how Andie had some good advice to offer when Damon started going off on his emotional baggage. His desire to change, his love for the unattainable woman, and his desire to give into what his nature is. He flat out says he likes killing people, which I think is a croc. I believe that it's easier for him to kill people than to deal with him, but I don't buy that he actually enjoys killing now as much as he did back when the show began. He certainly kills without hesitation, when the situation calls for it, but I don't think he's going back to killing for kicks. He is, forever, going back to compelling a zombie girlfriend for him to chew on, and I dislike this regression for a multitude of reasons, but the biggest being that he still hasn't learned that when he does this, IT IS WRONG AND IS DEFINITELY A FORM OF RAPE. Show, do not try to make this okay in any way. Yeah, she wanted to be his booty call before, but then he told her he killed people and she wanted out of there, but he FORCED her to stay and be okay with it.
NOT COOL.
Werewolves Vs. Vampires
-Werewolves kind of pwned the vampires last night, but in all fairness, there were tons of wolves, all who apparently have experience with killing vampires, and only two and a half vampires ('cause Caroline was out of it until the end and more than a little injured).
Oh and DAMON: We can take them, right? and STEFAN: *WTF FACE OF DOOM*-too damn funny.
So our boys tried, and they tried hard. Damon still went for Jules right away (yeah, I believe you're unaffected by what happened to Rose so much Damon) and Stefan tries really hard to hurt but not kill, but eventually gets really annoyed that the wolves are trying to stake/set him of fire, so he goes all BAMF and lights up those doggies and takes out the crossbow guy (he's not playing-they've got his vampire BFF all locked up and tortured and he's so NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT). Damon is ripping out hearts and swatting away wolves like flies, until alas both brothers are taken down and about to be staked . . .
BUT they have their asses saved by Jonas. Jonas! I almost forgot this guy existed, and ho lordy is he one BAMF warlock. Also, Elijah is mentioned but not shown and I likes him too much for him NOT TO BE SHOWN!
Jonnie happened off-screen?
-While I was happy to have both Jeremy and Bonnie back this episode, I did noticed that Jonnie seems to have progressed massively in their absence and WTF show? I wanted to see that on my screen!
But, Jeremy still smiles like the cutest little puppy whenever Bonnie's around and it makes me want to hug him and kiss him and cuddle him for an inappropriate length of time.
Elena and John
-So, emotional manipulation points go to John this week with his whole 'this bracelet belonged to your mother, Miranda, and I want you to have it and try to remember that I lost my brother too and we're family and blah, blah, blah', 'cause then the sneaky bastard turns around and goes to see KATHERINE and we find out that he and Isobel are still Katherine's bitches and hello, doesn't he remember the knife in the gut and all the missing fingers? I'd hold a grudge at that, but he's all 'I'm going to get you out because Isobel told me to'.
That, right there? Also, NOT COOL.
-Major points for Elena, though, because John was trying his damnedest to screw with her head and she STILL doesn't trust him. She's got good instincts and she's going with them and the way she threw herself into Stefan's arms at the end made my STELENA fan cheer like mad. They are so cute together, and so real! She draws strength from him, and he never interferes but waits for her to be ready for him and I JUST LOVE THEM TOGETHER AND THEY NEEDS TO BE A FOREVER THING!
Also, the fandom secret person who trashed softly_me STELENA Manifesto needs their eyes checked and their brains scanned-this is NOT a mess of a relationship; it's the strongest one of the show.
Caroline, She's not that girly Caroline anymore
-All the trauma drama is reserved for Caroline this year. First, she's in a car wreck and nearly dies. Then, she recovers but is smothered to death by someone she thinks is her best friend. She wakes up and is confused, disoriented, and has a taste for blood. She spends a whole day by herself trying to figure out what's wrong, departs to find some normalcy, and ends up killing a guy. Then her former boyfriend, whose abuse she remembers in real live technicolour thanks to her transformation, tries to kill her and Bonnie, her best friend, is disgusted with her new vampire status and things suck! She ends up biting her boyfriend and then making him break up with her, her mother finds out she's a vampire and basically disowns her, and then when they finally have progression in their relationship and mother and daughter are both coming to a better understanding of each other, Caroline has to sacrifice and erase all of it from her mother's mind for the safety of her friends.
And now, THIS.
She gets vervain to the face and shot in the head with a wooden bullet. Then she's tossed in a cage and TORTURED for hours because Jules thinks Tyler is being held hostage by the vampires and why the hell didn't the little bitch check his house before taking Caroline? Overreaction much?
And to top off the nightmare day, Tyler lets her out but doesn't lift a finger to help her when Jules has her face-first against the trailer side and a gun to the back of her head. I get that he was confused and didn't know what to do, but Caroline is right. Friends help each other, and she's put herself in more danger for Tyler than she has for anyone else, and he just let Jules do that without even trying to help. He stood there and watched when she's spent all this time trying to help him and, yes lying to him, but only to make sure that Damon didn't kill him (because he totally would and Caroline has no hope of stopping him).
My heart breaks for my girl, because she's been through so much and still people barely realize what that means for her. She's stronger, not just physically, but she's still vulnerable emotionally. I cheered for her when she slammed the door in Tyler's face, because although I love FORWOOD, he let her down and she's not going to stand for that. She tells him flat out "No one is going to do that to me again" and she means it! She's understanding and she was his friend, but she's not letting herself be run over because he can't figure out if he wants to return the sentiment. Also, poor Matt, who knows she's lying but not why she's lying-and my god, people, she still loves the boy. I still love the boy, and his heartache is easy to see and I kind of want to cuddle him too, and really show, stop making these boys so cute all the time!
And, of course, I've done all my STELENA squeeing up above, but for reals guys? Stefan/Caroline take my breath away EVERY TIME THEY'RE ON THE SCREEN TOGETHER! Paul and Candice have mad chemistry, and it's apparent every time they're near each other. I love that she called him first, because who else would she call? And her utter faith in him, she says only he would be able to explain things to Tyler because he's better with words than anyone she knows and he's honest and reassuring and all that other good stuff. She relies on him and he never lets her down-always backs her up and tries to help.
And when Jules takes her? My god, the look of fury on his face when he figured out what was happening to Caroline. He threatens Jules and I believe him-he will kill her if anything is done to Caroline.
Then he goes to get her, and Damon shows up, which is okay but I think he didn't call Damon at first because he was concerned that Damon might try to punish Caroline for disobeying him or muck up matters so he can't get Caroline back safely. But it's a good thing in the end because Jules is such a devious little bitch and no vampires were supposed to make it out of the woods alive that night.
That scene when he's walking her home-so good! He's worried about her, giving her concerned looks and I know he just wants to hug her until she's okay. And the smile she gives him, it's half reassuring and half appreciation. She says to him "I'm not that girly Caroline anymore", and he already knows it. But he understands her, can't stand the thought of leaving her alone all night after what she's been through. He wants to be there, he could force himself into the house, but he goes, instead, with what he KNOWS she needs. So he comes back, with Elena and Bonnie, and she finally lets herself cry when she has her friends with her.
And BTW, that last scene with my three girls back together again? Too freaking long in the making and thank god they finally got back to this point. They're friends, dammnit!, and that love between them has survived all this supernatural crap and emotional upheavals, and that hug at the end made me teary-eyed.
Whew! What an episode. Of course, next week looks like things will heat up even more and Tyler is going to try his hand at actual homicide instead of just accidental death-which I don't like because why the hell is he after Stefan when Damon's the bastard that ripped out his uncle's heart?