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Vampire Diaries: Bring It On

“I thought this was supposed to be fun.”

After the previous episode’s cry-a-thon, the TVD writers likely figured we could use a bit of an upper: cheerleaders, a raucous soundtrack, some quality hybrid/werewolf lovin’. Although we’ve had a few weeks off from TVD, the up-tempo (although not upbeat) feel to this episode was rather odd.

From nudity to stealing cheerleaders from the cookie jar to petty revenge against Caroline, Elena’s behavior reminded me of a three year-old child whose parents don’t believe in discipline. Elena may have turned off her loftier emotions, but petty anger, temper tantrums, and boredom apparently stick around regardless of the humanity setting. The analytical part of my brain is struggling with what “humanity” means in this context.

Elena is in a difficult situation. Her life is managed—badly—by those around her. There’s a line between Stefan feeling responsible, and “grounding” her for bad behavior. The best moment of the episode, for me, was Elena deciding to leave Mystic Falls. That seems like a reasonable thing to do, given her circumstances. (Reasonable in the sense of character development. Not reasonable like, “hey, kids, when in grief go to NYC to suck the blood out of random tourists.”)

Elena aside, I loved many parts of this episode: Caroline finally realizing that Tyler really is gone. (Is he really, though?) Damon double-crossing Klaus and Rebekah to keep the cure out of their hands. Even Phoebe Tonkin’s new hair—All pleasurable. And while I don’t like where Elena’s character is going, I continue to be impressed by Nina Dobrev’s acting.

Best part? Caroline and Stefan bonding at the party. I’m not sure if I ship those two, but I do like their friendly relationship, and I wish TVD would find more ways to explore it. Perhaps there will be time for that since Tyler is gone.

Although there are other things to worry about: Silas and crazy Bonnie come to mind. Silas’s hunger has wiped out most of the blood supply in the Mystic Falls area, which must make him super-powerful on or his way there. I wonder if Silas will continue to wear Shane’s body, or if we’ll get to see him in his real face, or if he’ll take over other bodies of people who have died. Lots of potential for fun there.

Bites:

• Damon: “I came up with a list. It’s called ‘Things You Suck At.’”

• Klaus: “Painting is a metaphor for control.” I shouted “show, don’t tell!” at the screen.

• Haley: “So this is your thing? Show a girl a few mediocre paintings, whine about your childhood, and I spill all my dirty secrets?” But this was hilarious.

• Elena: “So you’re grounding me because I dropped Caroline on her thick head.”
Stefan: “No, because you fed on someone. In public.”

And Pieces:

• It was so odd being reminded that many of our heroes are in high school.

• Do you think Damon switched of his humanity to go with Elena? Damon-without-humanity is the vampire who abused Caroline; I hope he’s still humanified Damon.

• And I’d like to know the backstory on Will.

Once again, I have no idea what to rate this episode. How many keggers out of four?

Josie Kafka is a full-time cat servant and part-time rogue demon hunter. (What's a rogue demon?)

6 comments:

  1. Just when you thought it couldn't get creepier than the sire bond, we get Stefan and Damon - who have both had a sexual relationship with Elena - basically in loco prentis, since they're the only remaining adults in her life and she's living in their house. The way the two of them and Caroline were talking about what to do with her at the beginning was horrible. It says something when you're rooting for the heroine to go on a murder spree because at least that way she's be acting off her own bat.

    Damon and Elena driving off at the end was awesome though. They could be the new Spike and Drusilla (I haven't watched season 1, so I'm intrigued to see whether Damon's turned off his humanity or not - though I suspect not, he obviously cared for werewolf-bite-heart-ripped-out guy).

    I like Caroline and Stefan together, though if they slept together, would that leave Bonnie (and the Sheriff) the only regular female character not to have slept with both Salvatore brothers? Even Rebecca's had both of them. They really are anyone's aren't they?!

    I'm not sure what rating to give - like you said, there was something weirdly off about the episode, like ti wanted to let rip but couldn't quite do it. Also, judgment may have to wait until the end of the season. If Elena is saved by her loved for Stefan and Damon is held up as a bad influence, I may just cry, and not in a good way.

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  2. that should say 'parentis'. Never try to be posh and pretentious when exhausted and drinking whisky!

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  3. I cringed when I realized that it was an episode about Elena going back to cheerleading, but I didn't realize she was going to *eat* cheerleaders. That made it okay with me. It's absolutely weird and edgy and I'm not sure I like Elena like this, but Nina Dobrev is doing a terrific job and I was the first one to approve of Buffy acquiring some darkness in season six. So -- three out of four sly Eliza Dushku references, maybe?

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  4. I'm sorry, I got distracted by a shirtless Joseph Morgan and his tattoos, so I have no idea what happened after that.

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  5. I liked the bit where Elena did the climb on the table, laugh enthusiastically at nothing, and then throw you hands about over your head dance. It reminded me of so many 80s teen movies.

    Also, is it just me, or are TV sex scenes becoming too generic? They always seem to start with the couple standing up, then taking turns to strip, and then end with the woman invariably getting thrown onto a bed/sofa/rug. Whatever happened to nervous fumbling, getting your foot caught in the bottom of jeans and falling into a table (sometimes resulting in unconsciousness), and the shame of remembering you're wearing crap underwear?

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  6. Juliette -- your comment is spot on. Creepy is a good word choice.

    Paul -- your comment made me laugh out loud.

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