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

[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

[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.

[upupa_epops]

I'm with you. Which you know. What the fuck was that?

[youcallitwinter]

WELL, I AGREE WITH IT ALL. I don't think it's okay to introduce this, no matter how it's resolved. gtfo show.

[dante_kent]

YES, THIS. Everyone seems to be trying to justify this by saying the sire bond doesn't make a difference with how Elena feels about that Damon, but the thing is, IT DOESN'T MATTER. Even if (when) it turns out that Elena wants Damon despite whatever sire bond fuckery exists, it doesn't erase that moment when the show reduced Elena's entire character arc to being brainwashed and/or roofied. Not ok, show, and it will never be ok. No matter how this is resolved, the damage has already been done.

[wheatear]

I thought I had something more to say, but I can't think of anything. I totally understand your problem with it though. I never liked the sire bond plot with Tyler, and there's no need for it with Elena either.

[dante_kent]

Yeah, the sire bond is entirely unnecessary. There are so many better ways to tell this same kind of story without casting doubt over the characters' growth.

[catteo]

I do not understand the need for this sire bond nonsense. I agree that it totally undermines Elena's growth and agency. Even if it's not true and just Caroline and Stefan grasping at straws, it's still going to prompt episodes worth of "but she's only doing it cause she's sired to him". I have to say that I'm not altogether surprised that this is the route that the show has taken, but I'm disappointed too. I don't really see the need for it, and I certainly don't like how much it's upsetting all my peeps. Come, get drunk with me!

[dante_kent]

Precisely. Listen, I'm all for a storyline about Damon being unsure about Elena really wanting him, and for the two of them to angst it out. I expected and hoped for it, really. But this sire bond business is the worst, because it's not just a ship issue. It's a CHARACTER issue. The show pretending, even for just a second, that Elena growing up and standing up for herself and finally accepting herself all amounts to something being wrong with her, as Caroline so delightfully put it, literally makes me want to smash my TV.

YES LET'S GET DRUNK I'LL BRING THE RED WINE YOU BRING THE VODKA, Y/Y?

[catteo]

Yes, yes, YES. I hate this sirebond so much. I hated it with Tyler and I hate it more now. I can't understand why any showrunner would think that it was a good idea to remove agency from their characters. The only people that seem to not have a problem with the episode were the Klaus stans. Cause, really, he has a special hummingbird. Remind me again why Katherine was terrified of this man?!

ARE WE MIXING THE RED WINE AND VODKA? PERHAPS WE COULD DO RUM AND VODKA INSTEAD. Red vomit is not good.

[dante_kent]

I literally can't with Klaus and his hummingbird. The writers are just trolling us with him now. There is no other option.

But yes, this sire bond is exhausting, to say the least. Because I can deal with them all working out their feelings for each other, but the sire bond goes much further than that. I can almost handle Elena not being sure about her feelings for Damon, but I cannot handle Elena not being confident in her opinions about herself and her own strength.

GOOD CALL ON RED WINE AND VODKA. RUM AND VODKA WORKS. OR RUM AND WHISKEY. OR JUST A TON OF TEQUILA.