My 12 favorite Damon & Elena scenes - Part 2
I'm back to try to post the second part of this (fingers crossed that it works, as my laptop is stilling suffering some residual damage from the fricken virus).
I have enjoyed revisiting the pretty faces and great talent of Ian and Nina. Thank goodness the hiatus is almost over!!! I can't wait to see The Last Dance and have all my The Vampire Diaries gang back on my TV screen.
As usual, comments are welcome and appreciated. I hope you enjoy this.
Bad Moon Rising (2 x 03) - Isobel's office at Duke University (NC)
youtu.be/Q7lpSfxjGHI
1:46 - 2:43
Set during the "Elena is justifiably pissed at Damon" period of Season 2, I was struck with the bare, potent truthfullness in both of their characters in this short scene. Elena is open in her hositility, but still can't stop herself from trying to influence Damon's behavior. She also shows her deep understanding of Damon in the way that she interacts with him. Her whispered "Okay" relayed how much she read in Damon's expression. Despite being snarky on the surface, Damon's still trying to touch Elena whenever possible and underneath it all he wants Elena's friendship and approval and ultimately does what she asks.
Ian's delivery of the line "Watch me." was positively sinful. Elena's expressions before she pulls the arrow out are enjoyable, as well. And, of course, there is the awesome physical chemistry between these two. Things may not be so good between them, at the moment, but that doesn't detract from the sparks that fly between them every, single time they are onscreen together.
Fool Me Once (1 x 14) - Boarding House parlor "We have something" scene
youtu.be/e3yByZ3R9iw
entire video
I love how this scene starts with Elena and Damon divided and progresses to them working together and trusting each other. Damon starts off at his most self-defensive and it gets me every time how Elena intuitively knows how to get through to him. The expression on Damon's face when she removes her necklace spoke volumes. He was so conflicted in wanting to trust her but also wanting to protect himself.
Her willingness to be vulnerable in his presence was the only thing that could bring him to her side of the divide.
This is also the first time in their relationship that she openly admits that their friendship is special. There are many friendships on this show but not one of them has the understanding and intuition of Damon & Elena. This scene makes it clear just how much they care about each other.
Also, Elena's expression when he puts the necklace back on showed just a hint of attraction. She briefly looks at his lips then flicks her gaze back up to his eyes. This was the first glimpse of something more on Elena's part that we (the viewers) were privy to.
The Sacrifice (2 x 10) - The Tomb
youtu.be/9_q2D1Fx3jI
4:34 - 5:18
This short scene made my list mostly for the jump-off-the-screen chemistry. Their physical closeness, and Elena pummelling him in frustration only heightened their sparks. Also the overall tone of their fight was like an old, married couple.
Another major factor was Elena showing just how much she relies on Damon by asking the question, "How could you let this happen, Damon?". Aside from her frustration, we get another small glimpse of a different emotion entirely on Elena's face once she stops hitting him. I so, very much want Elena to get to a place where she can examine her feelings towards Damon.
Then, there's Damon's remarkably expressive face showing how much it's costing him (emotionally) to restrain her. His loyalty and devotion are adorable and he consistently puts her needs first. *oh, to find someone with those qualities in real life*
The Return (2 x 01) - the hospital
youtu.be/p7Zgj3JuJh4
0:00 - 2:02
I love how much went down in this short, powerful scene. It has concern, contempt, confusion, determination, disbelief, and heartfelt emphasis all packed into it.
Damon's immediate concern when he sees Elena and Bonnie, Bonnie's determination to make Caroline better (and her calling Damon on his feelings for Elena), Jenna's (& Elena's) confusion, leading to Damon's realization and disbelief, not to mention Damon's heartfelt emphasis on his reaction to the kiss - all grabbed me and drew me in.
Poor Elena's head must have just been a-spinning. Like she didn't already have enough to deal with.
The clincher for me was how clear it was that Elena's wishes are very important to him (his top priority, actually).
Rose (2 x 08) - Elena's bedroom
youtu.be/XVDOTnXmdBQ
0:31 - 2:33
Do I seriously need to write anything for this one???? Sure, I do ;o). This has to have been the most utterly romantic and heartbreaking scene EVER!!!.
There are so many layers to Damon in this scene. The need to say it out loud to her and being so selfless in not wanting to put her in a difficult spot are just a couple of those layers. Elena listens intently and her face only gives a ghost of clue to her reactions, whereas he's searching her face to read her expressions carefully. I love that she knew instantly what he was speaking of, and upon closer inspection, her physical reactions were telling: She looks directly at his eyes until he moves in to kiss her, then she blinks and closes her eyes, after she looks at his lips. Also, she opens her mouth while he's kissing her, then closes it a moment after, like she just realized it was open. This says to me just how caught up in the moment she was, and unable to keep her face neutral (as is her custom).
Capped off with the perfect music, Ian's performance was spot on, and that tear ... simply heart-wrenching.
Someone needs to give that man's face an award ... Seriously.
The Descent (2 x 12) - Boarding House parlor
youtu.be/4HluWyhPOXY
1:56 - 3:41
Another emotionally powerful scene in which they show just how much they care about each other. The interplay between them is gripping and beautifully done.
Elena knows how hard this is for Damon and wants to help and support him as much as she can but is unknowingly making it harder for him while he teeters on the edge. I can't help but feel that part of his motivation to "keep himself together" is because he doesn't believe he has the emotional strength to cope with Rose's death as well as the depth of longing he has for Elena. As much as he wants to accept Elena's comfort, he wants so much more than that. So, he opens up to her as much as he can, and tells her the tip of his existential crisis but also tries to get Elena to face the fact that she is giving up.
It's just amazing to me how natural and believable Nina and Ian portray their characters. They both nailed this scene. I can't watch it without getting a lump in my throat.
Elena has so much compassion for him. Damon's expression is once again heart-wrenching and Elena responds to that with a small, choking sound as she hugs him. GAH.
So, there you have it, my friends. Believe me when I say it took some doing to whittle it down to these 12 scenes. I live in hope that there will be more Damon & Elena greatness in the upcoming 6 episodes.
I have enjoyed revisiting the pretty faces and great talent of Ian and Nina. Thank goodness the hiatus is almost over!!! I can't wait to see The Last Dance and have all my The Vampire Diaries gang back on my TV screen.
As usual, comments are welcome and appreciated. I hope you enjoy this.
Bad Moon Rising (2 x 03) - Isobel's office at Duke University (NC)
youtu.be/Q7lpSfxjGHI
1:46 - 2:43
Set during the "Elena is justifiably pissed at Damon" period of Season 2, I was struck with the bare, potent truthfullness in both of their characters in this short scene. Elena is open in her hositility, but still can't stop herself from trying to influence Damon's behavior. She also shows her deep understanding of Damon in the way that she interacts with him. Her whispered "Okay" relayed how much she read in Damon's expression. Despite being snarky on the surface, Damon's still trying to touch Elena whenever possible and underneath it all he wants Elena's friendship and approval and ultimately does what she asks.
Ian's delivery of the line "Watch me." was positively sinful. Elena's expressions before she pulls the arrow out are enjoyable, as well. And, of course, there is the awesome physical chemistry between these two. Things may not be so good between them, at the moment, but that doesn't detract from the sparks that fly between them every, single time they are onscreen together.
Fool Me Once (1 x 14) - Boarding House parlor "We have something" scene
youtu.be/e3yByZ3R9iw
entire video
I love how this scene starts with Elena and Damon divided and progresses to them working together and trusting each other. Damon starts off at his most self-defensive and it gets me every time how Elena intuitively knows how to get through to him. The expression on Damon's face when she removes her necklace spoke volumes. He was so conflicted in wanting to trust her but also wanting to protect himself.
Her willingness to be vulnerable in his presence was the only thing that could bring him to her side of the divide.
This is also the first time in their relationship that she openly admits that their friendship is special. There are many friendships on this show but not one of them has the understanding and intuition of Damon & Elena. This scene makes it clear just how much they care about each other.
Also, Elena's expression when he puts the necklace back on showed just a hint of attraction. She briefly looks at his lips then flicks her gaze back up to his eyes. This was the first glimpse of something more on Elena's part that we (the viewers) were privy to.
The Sacrifice (2 x 10) - The Tomb
youtu.be/9_q2D1Fx3jI
4:34 - 5:18
This short scene made my list mostly for the jump-off-the-screen chemistry. Their physical closeness, and Elena pummelling him in frustration only heightened their sparks. Also the overall tone of their fight was like an old, married couple.
Another major factor was Elena showing just how much she relies on Damon by asking the question, "How could you let this happen, Damon?". Aside from her frustration, we get another small glimpse of a different emotion entirely on Elena's face once she stops hitting him. I so, very much want Elena to get to a place where she can examine her feelings towards Damon.
Then, there's Damon's remarkably expressive face showing how much it's costing him (emotionally) to restrain her. His loyalty and devotion are adorable and he consistently puts her needs first. *oh, to find someone with those qualities in real life*
The Return (2 x 01) - the hospital
youtu.be/p7Zgj3JuJh4
0:00 - 2:02
I love how much went down in this short, powerful scene. It has concern, contempt, confusion, determination, disbelief, and heartfelt emphasis all packed into it.
Damon's immediate concern when he sees Elena and Bonnie, Bonnie's determination to make Caroline better (and her calling Damon on his feelings for Elena), Jenna's (& Elena's) confusion, leading to Damon's realization and disbelief, not to mention Damon's heartfelt emphasis on his reaction to the kiss - all grabbed me and drew me in.
Poor Elena's head must have just been a-spinning. Like she didn't already have enough to deal with.
The clincher for me was how clear it was that Elena's wishes are very important to him (his top priority, actually).
Rose (2 x 08) - Elena's bedroom
youtu.be/XVDOTnXmdBQ
0:31 - 2:33
Do I seriously need to write anything for this one???? Sure, I do ;o). This has to have been the most utterly romantic and heartbreaking scene EVER!!!.
There are so many layers to Damon in this scene. The need to say it out loud to her and being so selfless in not wanting to put her in a difficult spot are just a couple of those layers. Elena listens intently and her face only gives a ghost of clue to her reactions, whereas he's searching her face to read her expressions carefully. I love that she knew instantly what he was speaking of, and upon closer inspection, her physical reactions were telling: She looks directly at his eyes until he moves in to kiss her, then she blinks and closes her eyes, after she looks at his lips. Also, she opens her mouth while he's kissing her, then closes it a moment after, like she just realized it was open. This says to me just how caught up in the moment she was, and unable to keep her face neutral (as is her custom).
Capped off with the perfect music, Ian's performance was spot on, and that tear ... simply heart-wrenching.
Someone needs to give that man's face an award ... Seriously.
The Descent (2 x 12) - Boarding House parlor
youtu.be/4HluWyhPOXY
1:56 - 3:41
Another emotionally powerful scene in which they show just how much they care about each other. The interplay between them is gripping and beautifully done.
Elena knows how hard this is for Damon and wants to help and support him as much as she can but is unknowingly making it harder for him while he teeters on the edge. I can't help but feel that part of his motivation to "keep himself together" is because he doesn't believe he has the emotional strength to cope with Rose's death as well as the depth of longing he has for Elena. As much as he wants to accept Elena's comfort, he wants so much more than that. So, he opens up to her as much as he can, and tells her the tip of his existential crisis but also tries to get Elena to face the fact that she is giving up.
It's just amazing to me how natural and believable Nina and Ian portray their characters. They both nailed this scene. I can't watch it without getting a lump in my throat.
Elena has so much compassion for him. Damon's expression is once again heart-wrenching and Elena responds to that with a small, choking sound as she hugs him. GAH.
So, there you have it, my friends. Believe me when I say it took some doing to whittle it down to these 12 scenes. I live in hope that there will be more Damon & Elena greatness in the upcoming 6 episodes.