Contributor: John Keegan
Just when I was bemoaning the absence of Caroline, the writers deliver a nasty little plot twist. At this point, if I were living in Mystic Falls, I’d be a bit worried when my birthday came along. They seldom end well. And when you’re a vampire with the prospect of semi-eternal life, I imagine there are a whole lot of birthdays to worry over!
It doesn’t help that Stefan has just about lost any sense of proportion in his war against Klaus. Klaus threatened to kill everyone that Stefan knows if he doesn’t hand over the coffins, and Stefan is more than willing to call that bluff. Understandably, Elena is not amused, since Klaus already tried to kill Jeremy, and has now forced Caroline into becoming a hybrid. The writers have certainly made the case for Elena and Stefan to be on completely different pages. Even Damon thinks Stefan is losing it.
I’m not particular happy with Caroline’s change of status, even if it might lead to her getting back with Tyler and indulging a bit in their mutual lusty euphoria. Whoever is a part of Team Klaus, however involuntarily, has the potential to be cannon fodder. On the other hand, this could be what Tyler needs to recognize that killing off Klaus is likely the only way to break the compulsion.
I really like how this episode tied back into some of the earliest details of the show, and of Elena’s family history. It would be very easy for the writers to lose track of Elena’s psychological state and the reasons for it, but this really proves that all of the elements are kept firm in mind as things progress. And little things like the expiration date on the resurrection rings is another reminder that circumstances change, and tactics must adjust accordingly.
All that said, this episode seemed to make a great deal of effort towards depicting Stefan as a worse problem than Klaus. In fact, Klaus is winning a lot of confidence on the PR front, isn’t he? If we didn’t know just how brutal Klaus could be, who would appear to be the greater villain? Stefan or Klaus? How interesting would it be if Stefan unleashed something worse than Klaus in the process of defeating him?
While Brian’s death seems designed to pull Alaric into a subplot with new hottie Meredith, there may be larger implications. Brian is also the one who has been labeling all the vampire chow as victims of “animal attacks”, so will his replacement be as willing to bend the truth? This feels like a hint towards something nastier in the works.
Alas, the kiss between Damon and Elena in the previous episode was not a sign of immediate escalation, but it does put their feelings for each other front and center. Nothing says frustration like an angry assault on a workout bag, and Elena was definitely going for the kill. I imagine there are plenty of fans equally frustrated, but sometimes a slow progression is all the better for the waiting.
Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4
Final Rating: 8/10
