More thoughts: The Salvatore Brothers and Elena
After reading my f-list's posts and re-watching The Murder of One several times, I am back with more thoughts about the Salvatore brothers and Elena.
While I enjoyed seeing Stefan and Damon working together (with Ric and power tools, as well :), overall I was left saddened by the idea that the reciprocity of the level of brotherly love seemed to be missing in this episode. Sure Stefan went to rescue Damon eventually, but it wasn't until he witnessed Damon's condition first hand that he had a visceral reaction. After Bonnie calls, Stefan's first priority was killing Klaus. While I'm sure his desire to save Damon was in there too, it was a distant second. Then right after that, Stefan was more interested in solving the mystery of Sage and Troy's death than getting his vampire ass over to Klaus' mansion. That puts Damon's life pretty low on Stefan's priority list, from my perspective. His love for Damon was evident on his face as he watched Klaus compelling his brother. I understand that Stefan is limiting the amount of emotions he allows through, but I would have liked it much better if Stefan's reactions had more of a sense of urgency in saving his brother.
Stefan really is all Damon has, but in some ways he's all alone. Damon is badass, strong, used to getting out of his own scrapes, and doesn't want anyone to see him as a victim. Just once, I would like someone to give to him on the same level as he gives to those he loves.
Elena wanting to change the plan and save Damon was heartening to me. It showed that she had some concern for the life of her friend, even if they are not on the best terms at the moment. As arabian wondered, when did Stefan have his 'aha' moment when it came to realizing that Elena is in love with his brother? Was the conversation about doing what Damon wants versus what they should do enough to convince Stefan? I didn't really feel that. Also, their conversation at Abby's house didn't seem like it was sufficient to be Stefan's turning point. Yes, he would have been surprised that Elena kissed Damon, but was that enough for Stefan to conclude that she's in love with him? *shrugs shoulders* Another TVD mystery.
Another heartening moment for me was Elena's conversation with Stefan in his bedroom. The fact that she could not look him in the eye and give a direct, "No, I do not feel anything for Damon." is the most encouragement from Elena's side that I've gotten for my OTP this season. I'm not gonna lie, it's no where near enough for my shipper heart, but it's something.
Overall, I felt we were told of Elena's resounding compassion a fair amount in this episode. Caroline referring to her as "Savior of the cursed and the damned" and "taking a page from the Elena Gilbert handbook" felt a little heavy handed to me.
Now, for a little shipper rant. This is what caused pain in my shipper heart: putting another meaningful DE moment in a hallucination (or dream). It just felt a little like a tease to me, to take something that I'm sure a fairly large number of fans want to see in canon, and put it in a hallucination. I understand that it showed Damon's desires, but really, we ALL know he's still in love with her. By showing it the way they did, it leaves it open for fans to wonder whether it's ever going to actually happen? I'm not trying to be defeatist here, but the way Elena's character has been evolving, I think it's possible that she may just choose not to even try to get to know what her feelings truly are. I'm sure the show is not dangling this in front of us with the intention of snatching it away. I just didn't see the necessity of putting it in there. Yes, Rebekah wanted to punish Damon for letting Sage get inside her head, but did we have to see it? Couldn't that time have been used to have a DE scene after his torture that had some substance?
Anyhow, I have faith that the show knows what it's doing. I'm certainly very much anticipating the next episode (in 3 weeks, BOO HISS). While I've watched that awesome promo several times, I'm trying not to have lots of expectations so that I won't be disappointed.
While I enjoyed seeing Stefan and Damon working together (with Ric and power tools, as well :), overall I was left saddened by the idea that the reciprocity of the level of brotherly love seemed to be missing in this episode. Sure Stefan went to rescue Damon eventually, but it wasn't until he witnessed Damon's condition first hand that he had a visceral reaction. After Bonnie calls, Stefan's first priority was killing Klaus. While I'm sure his desire to save Damon was in there too, it was a distant second. Then right after that, Stefan was more interested in solving the mystery of Sage and Troy's death than getting his vampire ass over to Klaus' mansion. That puts Damon's life pretty low on Stefan's priority list, from my perspective. His love for Damon was evident on his face as he watched Klaus compelling his brother. I understand that Stefan is limiting the amount of emotions he allows through, but I would have liked it much better if Stefan's reactions had more of a sense of urgency in saving his brother.
Stefan really is all Damon has, but in some ways he's all alone. Damon is badass, strong, used to getting out of his own scrapes, and doesn't want anyone to see him as a victim. Just once, I would like someone to give to him on the same level as he gives to those he loves.
Elena wanting to change the plan and save Damon was heartening to me. It showed that she had some concern for the life of her friend, even if they are not on the best terms at the moment. As arabian wondered, when did Stefan have his 'aha' moment when it came to realizing that Elena is in love with his brother? Was the conversation about doing what Damon wants versus what they should do enough to convince Stefan? I didn't really feel that. Also, their conversation at Abby's house didn't seem like it was sufficient to be Stefan's turning point. Yes, he would have been surprised that Elena kissed Damon, but was that enough for Stefan to conclude that she's in love with him? *shrugs shoulders* Another TVD mystery.
Another heartening moment for me was Elena's conversation with Stefan in his bedroom. The fact that she could not look him in the eye and give a direct, "No, I do not feel anything for Damon." is the most encouragement from Elena's side that I've gotten for my OTP this season. I'm not gonna lie, it's no where near enough for my shipper heart, but it's something.
Overall, I felt we were told of Elena's resounding compassion a fair amount in this episode. Caroline referring to her as "Savior of the cursed and the damned" and "taking a page from the Elena Gilbert handbook" felt a little heavy handed to me.
Now, for a little shipper rant. This is what caused pain in my shipper heart: putting another meaningful DE moment in a hallucination (or dream). It just felt a little like a tease to me, to take something that I'm sure a fairly large number of fans want to see in canon, and put it in a hallucination. I understand that it showed Damon's desires, but really, we ALL know he's still in love with her. By showing it the way they did, it leaves it open for fans to wonder whether it's ever going to actually happen? I'm not trying to be defeatist here, but the way Elena's character has been evolving, I think it's possible that she may just choose not to even try to get to know what her feelings truly are. I'm sure the show is not dangling this in front of us with the intention of snatching it away. I just didn't see the necessity of putting it in there. Yes, Rebekah wanted to punish Damon for letting Sage get inside her head, but did we have to see it? Couldn't that time have been used to have a DE scene after his torture that had some substance?
Anyhow, I have faith that the show knows what it's doing. I'm certainly very much anticipating the next episode (in 3 weeks, BOO HISS). While I've watched that awesome promo several times, I'm trying not to have lots of expectations so that I won't be disappointed.