Original Air Date: 12 January 2012
Storyline: Although Caroline is in no mood to celebrate her 18th birthday, Elena, Bonnie and Matt surprise her with a small party in an unusual location. Damon and Stefan disagree on the best way to handle Klaus, and a reckless Stefan decides to test his theory by taking things to dangerous extremes. Bonnie is concerned when Elena tells her about Jeremy's new plans. At a Founder's meeting, Alaric once again runs into Dr. Fell, who is in the middle of an argument with her ex-boyfriend, the medical examiner. Tyler refuses to go along with Klaus' latest demand, and is surprised when Klaus seems to accept his decision.Best Quote:
Damon: It's right. It's just not right now.
Damon's Best: Those hybrids. They're really bringing the neighborhood down.Review: Despite rooting for Spike towards the end, I've never hates Angel. Not as his broody, tormented self, nor as Angelus, the soulless vampire. That's because Angel was never boring and that's only in part due to David Boreanaz' looks (did I ever tell you he was my first celebrity crush?). Angel was dark and dangerous even when he was (sort of) part of the Scooby gang and though his personality never matched Blondie bear's, having him on that show definitely made things better.
That being said, I find his recent methods of getting back at Klaus cool. Though it is a little unrealistic for a billion-old Original to be afraid of someone who isn't even the tenth of his age, what Klaus is really fearful of is loneliness. That's the main reason he hasn't gotten rid of what's left of his family, despite all the betrayals, and why he needs his hybrids. So playing on that fear was amazing from Stefan's part (despite, I say again, the horrible methods he used) and it's no wonder that made Damon a little bit proud. Plus, decapitating that Mindy girl was as awesome as she was annoying. But my favorite scene has to be Stefan speeding on the bridge with Elena ready to become undead if Klaus didn't send his hybrids away. What an adrenaline rush!
This was surely an action-packed episode and it's what I expect from my supernatural shows. I haven't had a moment's breath with all of Stefan's doings and kidnapping Elena was so unexpected that I gasped loudly. Luckily I was alone when I watched this.
It was also lucky I was alone because some parts were pretty tear-jerking. With Caroline's birthday coming up, one would expect crazy parties, right? Instead, she was depressed about being stuck at 17 for her entire existence - something I'd be depressed about as well. My perfect age to become a vampire would have been 23. That was a crazy one!
But it wasn't only Caroline's birthday funeral that got emotional, it was Elena's as well. She's stuck between accepting her new life, where things are not as black and white as she thought, and being stuck in her old self, one that was infinitely more boring. Though I found the little bridge ceremony over the top, that was a good Elena/Matt moment.
But let's return to Caroline and talk about another love triangle involving her. It's not only Matt and Tyler anymore. Can you guess who else seems to be falling for vampire Barbie? I'll give you a hint, he's an Original. OK, that wasn't hard to guess, especially if you saw that gorgeous bracelet he left for her and after you heard his beauty of the world speech. It's been hinted for a while that Klaus will find his romantic side and fall for someone, but I would have never expected that someone to be Caroline. I only half buy it, probably because, knowing Klaus, I'm always thinking he has an ulterior motive. And you can't say he saved her life, therefore he must like her; after all, it was he who sent Tyler out to bite her (and that answered my what happens if he bites her during sex question).
Joseph Morgan has become one of my favorite actors in a very short period of time. He's absolutely superb in his performance, it's not easy to play the part of a virtually unkillable supernatural being who also has a sensible side.
Other stuff: we finally said goodbye to Jeremy, after Bonnie making sure Elena knew she didn't agree with taking away her brother's free will. It looks like underage kids can get tequila anytime, which would normally lead me to do another rant about the bad example these shows are giving to the teens who watch them. I'm just too tired to do that now. And what do you all think about Meredith Fell? Honestly, I think she's a cold-hearted bitch who kills her boyfriends, much like a black widow. If she goes after Alaric, I'll kill her with her own stake.
I'll just end now with Damon's most simple yet sensitive words ever: "It's right. It's just not right now." I had to give him his weekly mention, even if his part in this week's installment was less of a lead one.
