The Vampire Diaries: 1.06 "Lost Girls"
Oct. 16th, 2009 04:52 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
xerinmichellexI read The Fury, Book 3 in The Vampire Diaries, a couple days ago. I found no mention of a pocket watch, so still stumped on that front. Reading the book has me a little freaked out about Matthew Davis being cast as Alaric Saltzman. I do not see it. I am scared. Also making me scared is how far they can continue the television series. I see three maybe four seasons before the stories run out. That's being generous. Hell, I don't even know how L.J. Smith wrote Dark Reunion considering how The Fury ended.
Previous Episode
Previously on So You Think You're Dating A Vampire, Elena thinks she's dating a vampire. Actually, she suspects that something is off about Stefan. From his vague answers, super fast healing abilities, showing up on a news reel from 1953, and having a bad reaction to blood in general, I'm surprised Elena doesn't realize Stefan's a vampire. Yes, I know, it's suppose to take place in the "real world". Even so, my first and natural reaction would be I'm dating a vampire. Then, I would put a call into Buffy and see if she's free for a quick staking. Don't get me wrong, I love vampires. There's just no way in hell I'd date one.
So, the episode picks up sort of where it left off last week.
Elena is putting things together: the bodies with all the blood loss, bite marks on Caroline, Stefan's ability to heal fast and freak out whenever blood is present. Meanwhile, Stefan is really pissed from finding Zach's body (count me in, too). He's determined to stake Damon like there's no tomorrow and runs out of the house to do so....
....And steps right into 1864. Mmmm...costume porn. I'm a sucker for period pieces. Corsets, bustles, gentlemen in suits, antique oddities, I can even live with a few "Fiddle-lee-dee's". What I am not digging is the pancake make-up they slathered on Paul Wesley's face. Instead of making him look like he's alive, he looks more dead than he does a vampire. Also, High Ho Cleavage! thatElena Katherine is sporting. Yes, folks, this is the first time Stefan and Katherine met. Semi-keeping with the novels, Katherine has come to the Salvatore Manor (pre-Boarding house) to live and feast on the Original Salvatore Brothers. Do I spy with my little eye a sun blocking amulet around Katherine's neck? Could she really be a vampire and that whole burning down the church business is a cover for the Original Secret Guild of the Pocket Watches taking out the vampires in Mystic Falls? For those inquiring minds who want to know, no Bonnie is not one of Katherine's slaves. I thought for sure we'd see her like that because that always seems to be the case with these reincarnation type of things. Perhaps Bonnie's out in the woods playing with her My Little Salem Witch set.
After the title card pops up, we go back to where we were before that nasty flashback popped its head up. Take it away, Elena:
Elena: "What are you?"
Stefan's face is about as readable as the big E on an eye test board. He is sooo tired of keeping his secret. Course, he can't outright tell Elena what he is...for some reason...and proceeds to tell her to use her brain. Yeah, Elena, stop being so stupid. Once she does use her brain, suddenly she doesn't want to know anymore. Should have thought about that before you marched over to the Salvatore Boarding House and up to a grief stricken Stefan. By the way, Stefan, maybe if you get rid of your fangs you're coming out will go better. As soon as the sentence, "I'm a vampire" comes from Stefan, Elena apologizes for coming over and bothering him and starts to back away. Oh, girl. Stefan tries to keep her there. "Please don't be afraid of me." Says the guy who has not retracted his fangs in the presence of a very much alive, blood rushing mortal girl. Smooth, Salvatore.
Elena finally books it out of the Salvatore residence and goes home, because she doesn't know the rules yet. After freaking out and checking to make sure Jeremy isn't smoking up (I'm sure Elena would have asked for some, considering the night she's having), she believes shutting her door will keep the boogeyman out. It would have too, if Elena's window wasn't open for Stefan to climb through. He corners Elena in her room and tells her, "I would never hurt you. You're safe with me." When Elena brings up everyone who was attacked, Stefan admits it was Damon who did it. Damon's bad because he drinks human blood.
Stefan: "I'll explain everything to you. But I beg you, Elena, do not tell anybody."
Like, don't seek revenge and read his journal in front of everyone at a big gathering, say The Founder's Day Celebration.
In a Thank God! moment, Elena asks Stefan to leave. She needs time to think, and I suspect a MAJOR! conversation is in order the next day. A round of applause for the VD producers for none of that slowmo-speed up crap we see in most vampire flicks when Stefan leaves. Though, the one minute he's there, camera focuses on someone else, and the next he's gone trick is what Supernatural does. Here's your warning slip, Kevin Williamson.
While Elena has a full meltdown that sheis was is dating a vampire, Damon is finishing his supper--which is Vicki's friends in the cemetery. As he hums Paul Cole's "I Don't Wanna Wait", he pours alcohol all over the site. So now we want to cover our tracks, Damon? Gee, being locked up in that cellar has made you all responsible. Damon puts a call into Stefan--who, now dealing with Elena finding out his secret, isn't in the mood for Buffying his older brother (boo!). The purpose of Damon's call? To get his ring back. When Stefan asks where he is, charming Damon replies, "At The Sizzler. I had a buffet. And still Stefan doesn't want to stake him? Get some morals, Steffy, will ya?! Stefan tells Damon he needs to chillax and he'll give him his ring back as soon as possible.
Damon: BUT I WANT MY RING BACK NOWWWWWW!!!!!!
Stefan: *click*
Damon: Dammit!
He lights all of Vicki's friends on fire--really, we ARE covering our tracks? Turns out Vicki isn't amongst the roasting mortals. She is not all the way dead. "You just don't want to die, do you?" (Damon)
Vicki won't die and our two lovebirds can't sleep. There's a montage of longing looks, shadows crossing over their faces, and literal music. Blah, blah, blah...
The next morning, Elena tries to go through her normal routines, but brushing her teeth makes her angry. She decides to continue her conversation with Stefan about him being a VAMPIRE in a PUBLIC place. Which, you know, could be so Stefan doesn't attack her. But if he wanted to, he would have done it at the Salvatore Boarding House or in Elena's room when they were alone.
Grab your game boards, kiddies, it's time to play Catch Up The Female Lead with the Audience:
Elena: Does the sun hurt you?
Stefan: Not when I'm wearing my bitchin' ring.
Elena: Crucifixes?
Stefan: Not really my decorative taste, per se.
Elena: Holy water has to cause you some damage.
Stefan: Actually, I bathe it in. It's how I lost all my weight from Episode One to Two.
Elena: Mirrors?
Stefan: Have you seen my hair? This doesn't happen on its own. 100 brushes on each side, every day--
Elena: Fine! I got it!
To score some points, Stefan tells Elena he only drinks animal blood. He has to confess that Damon doesn't; which opens up a whole can of worms when Elena brings up Caroline. This is how it should be done: Finding out your boyfriend is a vampire shouldn't make you turn your back on your friends. Elena is not happy that Stefan allowed the Damon-Caroline relationship to carry on, and Stefan is re-thinking this whole honesty bit. Again, he reaffirms the necessity of Elena not telling his secret, not telling the whole town vampires are back. Stefan sticks on the "for a day" clause. Ooooh, I'm sensing more flashbacks!
Out in the cemetery, Cop Mom and Logan are inspecting the burnt bodies. They know it's the vampire, but to everyone else it is going to be a drug deal gone wrong. Wow, Mystic Falls' reputation is starting to slide. Logan's all giddy that he has the watch. Looks like we may be getting our answers to what it actually does. Cop Mom finds Vicki's ID, which is a nice time to see what Damon is up to.
Damon's back at the boarding house. Actually, he's stuck there because he doesn't have his ring.
Damon: *leaving message for Stefan* Hey, bro, what up? You know what isn't up? ME GETTING MY RING BACK!!!! YOU BETTER GIVE IT BACK BEFORE I GET VERY, VERY ANGRY. M'kay? Peace out.
That done, he plans out what he's going to do with Vicki, who he dragged back with him. She's bleeding pretty bad, so she’s in no shape to have any fun. Unless... Damon figures out what he's going to do today: He feeds Vicki his blood. Well, this is just going to end so well.
What do you do if find out your boyfriend is a vampire? Why, you drive out to the middle of nowhere with him. Elena, I'm growing concern. I'm hoping it is because you trust him when he says he won't hurt you, and not because you have some kinky fantasy. I also notice you are wearing a red shirt, Elena. Why don't we better coordinate our outfit next time, okay? The middle of nowhere turns out to be the Original Salvatore Boarding House (the Salvatore Manor, let's say). They are there for Stefan to give a rundown of his family's long, long history.
Stefan: "I've been 17 years old since 1864.
Twihards: No! The line is, "I've been 17 years old for A WHILE."
Vampire Diaries Fans: STFU, tweens.
Stefan is really riding The Truth Train hard and is determined to tell Elena everything. Including how he and Damon were originally best friends.
[Insert flashback of Stefan and Damon playing football on the Salvatore Manor front lawn] Katherine ruins the Kodak moment by showing and opening her mouth. I am not good with accents, I don't claim to be. But Nina Dobrev's attempt at a Southern accent--key word, "attempt"--is not all that great. It sort of floats in and out as she speaks, when I would think it would be pretty strong. Wait, now that I think about it, Stefan and Damon's accents aren't all that great either. Maybe we should just drop them all together?
[Back to flashback] Whee! Katherine's such a free spirit. Stefan and Damon are caught, hook, line and sinker. Heehee, boys are so easy to nail!
In real day time, Elena can't believe that Katherine was alive 140 years ago, since Damon made it sound like she was a recent ex. Well, duh! That was back when you didn't know Stefan was a vampire. Stefan is a better person and doesn't point that out. Instead, he explains to Elena it was Damon's way of trying to turn her against him. I...okay? It's like Katherine pitting the two Salvatore boys against one another for her love and affection, highlighted by another flashback. Stefan ended up "winning" by escorting Katherine to the first Founder's Day Party. "I didn't even care if I hurt him [Damon]." Stefan just wanted Katherine! Oh, and there's this little fun fact provided by Stefan: "Damon doesn't get mad. He gets even."
*Cut to Damon getting even*
Vicki's up and about with a few blank spots in her memory. Damon fills in the blanks before he mind freaks her into liking blood. It's a blood letting party at the Salvatore Boarding House!
Back to Stefan and Elena, Katherine was a hussy! The night she went with Stefan to the Founder's Party, she also hooked up with Damon. Oh no! Stefan ruefully explains, "Turns out she [Katherine] wasn't ours to steal." Ooooh, Victorian porn scene starring Stefan and Katherine! Boiling it down to its essence, it is just a bunch of rolling around, petticoats exposed, and breeches. Aaaand....Hallelujah! Praise The Lord! Katherine IS a vampire! It is proven as Katherine feeds off of Stefan.
The next morning in 1864, Stefan wakes up not digging Katherine so much. He realizes Damon should have taken her to the Founder's Party. Biting isn't Stefan's thing. Before that, though, Katherine does her best Scarlett O'Hara, getting laced up into her corset. You'll pardon the running "Fiddle-lee-dee's" that are in my head during this. Katherine pulls her mind freak to make Stefan keep their secret blood swap (what goes around, comes around, Stefan). She then laments over the future she's already planned out for them...which includes Damon. I'll give credit to the VD producers for showing Katherine's a tad bonkers. In the first two books, she's portrayed as not too bright, selfish, and little over dramatic, what with her suicide to bring Stefan and Damon closer together. Here, she's clearly insane. Which makes sense why her suicide has probably been edited out.
So, to conclude our flashback experience, Katherine had all three's futures planned out, where she will play Mommy and the two Salvatore Bros. will be Daddy/Love Slaves. It's going to work out for the best. I mean, Katherine just wants them all together for forever. What could possible go wrong?
Present Day Ahoy! Stefan hid Damon's ring at the old Salvatore Manor. (Damon couldn't figure that out himself because....?) Elena does the smart thing and pleads with Stefan not to give it back to Damon. Stefan has to; otherwise Damon's going to take his hissy fit over to the Gilberts' house and retaliate there. Unlike Katherine's plan for a bright, fun future, this present day future isn't looking so hot. Woe!
Another black spot is the Secret Guild of the Pocket Watches are having their weekly meeting. Today's meeting has a special speaker. Dun dun duuuun! It's The Gilbert Pocket Watch! Mayor Smallwood takes the watch and starts breaking it up. Noooo! You serious just wanted the watch so you can dismantle it? Oh, is there something hidden inside of it? Inquiring minds want to know. Mayor Smallwood takes the face of the watch out and replaces it with something he pulled out of a top secret box. (You can tell it's top secret because it has a strange design on it. Chinese instructions, perhaps?) That thing is...a compass? Really? All that trouble to outfit the pocket watch base with a compass? Let me guess, it's a special compass that tracks down vampires; but so the vampires didn't find it and destroy it, the first chapter of the SGPW broke down the compass-watch into a compass and a watch for safe keeping. And The Gilberts were original members--I'm also assuming--which is going to be very awkward for Elena and Stefan if that ever comes out. I had such high hopes for what the pocket watch would do. I thought it would be equipped with a laser beam. Ah well, there's always Damon's necklace in Caroline's possession to wish upon.
Speaking of Damon, the Blood Letting Party of '09 has turned into a Vampire-Mortal Dance Off. Where is Dance Dance Revolution when you need one? Vicki's bouncing around in her underwear (a tank top and...is that a THONG? Ewwwww....) and yelling how she's "so over Tyler!" Not to be outdone in the less is more department, Damon has unbuttoned his shirt. It's still on him, but you can see abs for all the pre-teen ladies out there! Woohoo, now it is a party! Vicki makes the mistake of mentioning Jeremy, Elena's little brother, in Damon's presence. I hear the gears spinning in his head. As Damon plots, the whole scene morphs into a montage of dancing. I'm not even kidding. It is very reminiscent of the scene in Hannibal where an uncredited Gary Oldman goes batshit crazy and dances around, but without Vicki slicing her face up with shards from a mirror. The party migrates over into Stefan's room, where Vicki and Damon trash the place. Oh, you are both so hardcore. /sarcasm
Trashing Stefan's room works up a sweat and Damon and Vicki turn their manic flouncing around into a slow dance. Is that Green Day I hear? Why, oh why?! Actually, it's pretty funny. So funny, I had to pause the tape because I was laughing so hard. Once composed, I was fine. I swear. But...MOTHER FUCKING GREEN DAY, Kevin Williamson? Unless Damon and Vicki are about to die in a hail of bullets, I see no need to play "21 Guns".
Back to the scene, Vicki is coming down from her vampire high. She's crying on Damon's shoulder over her daddy issues. Not shockingly, Vicki's father left when she was young, explaining why she's a druggie and seeks relationships with unattainable men. "When I think about my future, I just come up blank."
Damon: Do you now?
Vicki: *nods head*
Damon: *breaks Vicki's neck*
Vicki's neck: CRAAAAAAAAACK!
Well, Vicki dear, you did invite Damon to do that with your whining and moaning about having no future.
Sadly, though, Vicki's newfound drug of choice--vampire blood--makes her death like Teflon. She revives herself after the commercial break. Damon really wants to have the responsibility of a protege? Judging by his teasing that Vicki's dead, but not really dead, I think not. Just wait until Stefan hears about this. (Little reminder, Damon, your younger brother still has your ring--the one you are so desperate to get back.) Vicki storms off, not liking Damon anymore and under the coaxing that she should go pay Jeremy a visit. Wonderful...
The Secret Guild of Pocket Watches has decided to take their Go-Go-Compass Watch out into the woods to track down the vampire. Cop Mom passes Logan a gun with wooden bullets. The bullets aren't going to kill the vampire, but they'll slow him down. Which is good, until his brother gets involved, then you've got issues. I'm predicting today's top story will be: "Local News Reporter and All Around Man Whore Found Dead in Woods of Animal Attack"
Vicki arrives at the Gilbert House sporting a new pair of shades. Caroline gets the fancy scarf, Vicki gets sunglasses. Should have thought about upgrading, Caroline. Jeremy lets her into the house (nooooooo!). Vicki marches into the kitchen craving...something. I don't think you're going to find it in there, Vick. Jeremy, bless his heart, thinks she's just hung-over. Yeah, he'll think that until Vicki tries to take a bite out of him.
You know what would solve this issue? Stefan. Unfortunately, he is getting railroaded by Elena. Realizing Katherine mind freaked Stefan into keeping her secret, she wonders if Stefan ever mind freaked her. I'm pretty sure he hasn't, so no red flags when he says, "No." He confesses to Elena that her necklace protects her from the vampire influence. It's why he gave it to her. In a surprise move, he says the vervain is for double protection from Damon and himself. My heart breaks with, "Elena, you should never take that necklace off. Because no matter what happens after today, no matter how you feel about me, you'll know you were free to make your own choice." God, I am such a sucker.
With Vicki eating him out of a house, Jeremy calls Matt, protective brother of Vicki, over. So it's going to be a two-for-one special tonight. Awesome. Vicki's dead-over has migrated to her mouth, where she complains her gums hurt and there's something up there. Aww, Vicki's getting her first set of vampire teeth. Right as Matt and Jeremy see the report on Vicki's dead friends, Elena and Stefan arrive home. Stefan takes over, telling Matt and Jeremy to take Vicki upstairs. Elena asks what's wrong.
Stefan: "She's transitioning"
There's only one way, as told by Stefan, to complete the transition. Yup, Vicki needs to feed on human blood. Bet you're real glad you figured out Stefan's secret, Elena. An even harder kick comes as Stefan reveals if Vicki doesn't get human blood into her, she'll die. By his calculations, Vicki only has a couple hours. Adding to the fun, Elena figures out Vicki's "to drink, or not to drink" dilemma was one Stefan faced as well. With his gorgeousness standing before her, it is obvious which direction he chose. To think, Stefan was doing so well....
Given Vicki's hungry for blood, I'm amazed Stefan allowed Jeremy and Matt to upstairs to be alone with her. Even if he assures Elena--and the audience--that Vicki has no idea what is happening to her. The tension builds as Matt leaves Jeremy and Vicki alone, right as Vicki leans into Jeremy's neck.
Vicki: Ew, you smell like a marijuana plant.
She resists temptation from Jeremy and flees the house. Matt runs after her, still not informed that his little sis is looking to score human blood. Stefan promises Elena he'll track her down. I don't think it is going to make things right. Upside is that the day can't get any worse.
*Things get worse*
Logan is out alone in the woods with the Go-Go-Compass Watch. Since Vicki, Stefan, and Damon--it is nighttime by now--are all out, the odds of hitting a vampire are like stepping on a landmine in Vietnam. (They're pretty good.) The Compass-Watch goes off (which sounded like a fishing reel), and Logan calls the other Secret Guild to let them know the vampire is in the cemetery. That would be my first place to look, geniuses.
At the Gilbert lair, Elena does her best to fend off Jeremy, who is pestering her with questions about Vicki. There's a moment of reprieve as the doorbell rings.
Damon: Heeeeeere's Damon!
Elena isn't as quick with slamming the door in his face as you want to be in a situation like that. Not like it would really matter, however. Damon's already been invited in by Elena--after Stefan tried to warn her not to. I think it is time to call Willow in Sunnydale and ask her to come out for a revocation spell.
Damon is just out for a quick visit. He's looking for Stefan, who's looking for Vicki, who Damon should have been looking after, but you know how these things go. The unwelcomed visitation looks a little better when Damon tells Elena he has a greater agenda ("I've got BIG plans! BIG, I say!") that do not include Elena's death. For the present moment, at least. Besides, he has an opened invitation to come into the Gilbert House, Elena's bedroom, Jeremy's hidden grow house in the basement, whenever he wants. Elena continues to put on a brave face--cause that's all you have when you are staring down the barrel of vampire fangs--by telling Damon that turning Vicki into a vampire was not cool.
Damon: "The girl's gonna thank me for what I did to her."
Elena: "Did you thank Katherine?"
Ouch. Burn. Point goes to Elena.
So Damon knows that Elena knows about him and Stefan. Trying to remain ahead of the game, Damon dangles in Elena's face that Stefan hasn't told her everything. Of course not. We have a show to run here. You can't let all the cats out of the bag. A few need to remain contained to keep the momentum going. Damon lets Elena chew on that kernel of info in private.
Out in the woods, Stefan finds Vicki in the old cemetery that the Secret Guild is headed towards. Vicki's having a pity party--which is begging to be crashed by some uninvited guests. She's remembering everything that happened to her: from the first Damon attack, Stefan's visit in the hospital, Damon's second attack, where her grandmother stashed the money in the house, Damon's third attack, Damon's fourth attack...
Stefan: Okay, I really should have staked Damon when I had the chance. Point taken!
Vicki knows the choice she needs to make: "To drink or not to drink?" She asks Stefan what she should do. Which is like asking a Catholic Priest if you should have an abortion, in my opinion. As Stefan is the "good" vampire, he tries to lean Vicki towards the fade away route. Oh, sure, now you want to get all moral, Stefan. Vicki seems to accept that and asks to be taken home. The only possible thing that could ruin this touching moment is the Secret Guild's arrival...
Logan: Go-Go-Wooden Bullets!
Stefan: Dammit! I should have seen this coming.
Stefan is shot by Logan'spredictable arrival handy wooden bullet gun. He bleeds and falls to the ground. But, apparently, even if a vampire is shot through the heart with a wooden bullet, the vampire still needs to be staked.
Stefan: Go-Go-Vicki. No, wait, I mean, run, Vicki, run!
Vicki: WAAAAAH!
Logan: Go-Go-Wooden Stake!
Damon: Go-Go-Vampire Fangs!
Logan: *doesn't Go-Go-Anywhere Anymore*
If you think it's a brotherly bounding moment--that Elena brought the Salvatore Bros. together after Katherine ripped them apart--you'd be wrong. Damon's still hung up about his ring. Considering he saved his life, Stefan gives it back. Guess they're even now.
Stefan and Damon realize now that the Mystic Falls villagers know they've returned. Well, not them specifically since they already killed their only witness. Except there's Vicki, too. Hey, where did Vicki go?
Vicki: *drinks Logan's blood*
Busted--and completing her transformation--Vicki runs off. *Sniff* A vampire for 30 seconds and she's already leaving Stefan and Damon with a dead body on their hands. They grow up so fast. Stefan and Damon scatter, with Damon grabbing the Go-Go-Compass Watch.
The Secret Guild arrives to find Logan dead. (What do you think happens when you tangle with vampires, anyway?) They discover they are back to square one, since Damon's run off with their magic compass.
Cop Mom: Well, it's a good thing we had the headline, "News Reporter and All Around Man Slut Killed in Woods by Crazed Animal" already printed up as insurance. We'll just make the morning edition.
Stefan goes to Elena to inform her Vicki's a vampire now, so stay away from her. Stefan swears he will find Vicki and show her the ways of animal blood. Going out on a limb here, I don't think that's going to work. With the closing of the day, Elena makes her choice with what to do about Stefan.
Elena: "I gave you today, just like you asked, and I understand that you would never do anything to hurt me. And I promise I will keep your secret, but...I can't be with you, Stefan. I'm sorry, I...I just can't."
As heartbreaking as it is, I'm glad the writers are going this route. There's none of this "You're a vampire? How sexy" bullshit. Elena is taking the responsible and pausing to think about everything. See girls, it can be done. I'm gonna say it, I kinda like TV!Elena now. Book!Elena accepted Stefan's affliction right off the bat and even gave up some of her blood to him. Then again, TV!Elena needs to carry a 22 episode series, so the VD writers have to drag it out. Whateva, as long as Elena doesn't become a raging nympho and whine about growing old, I'm cool. And anyway, we all know Elena and Stefan are going to end up together. Staving off their relationship for right now, does give new avenues to explore. I'm positive just because they aren't together-together doesn't mean Elena and Stefan aren't going to be friendly. Remember, Elena is the only one who knows about Stefan and Damon's habits. If anything, Elena and Stefan are a lot closer than they have been.
Still, for the dramatics of television, Elena has to act like her decision to end hers and Stefan's relationship is the hardest thing she's ever had to. Closing the door--literally--behind her, Elena emotes that her heart is breaking with the clutching of her stomach and slowing sinking down to the floor as she cries, beautifully choreographed to the background music. "I know I'm gonna fall down...It's coming down, down, down..." I would care if the scene didn't scream, "For your Emmy consideration."
I do have high hopes now for the series, as it seems like all the "setting up" is done. With Elena in the know, Vicki a newborn vampire, and Damon and Stefan desperately needing to avoid the SGPW, there is only moving forward. Katherine being a vampire was confirmed (because it seriously looked like it wasn't going to happen, based on the first few episodes) has also made me happy. A quick plea--and I can't believe I'm admitting this--do not take the plot in the direction of The Fury. We do not need to go there. I promise.
Episode 7: "Haunted"
Previous Episode
Previously on So You Think You're Dating A Vampire, Elena thinks she's dating a vampire. Actually, she suspects that something is off about Stefan. From his vague answers, super fast healing abilities, showing up on a news reel from 1953, and having a bad reaction to blood in general, I'm surprised Elena doesn't realize Stefan's a vampire. Yes, I know, it's suppose to take place in the "real world". Even so, my first and natural reaction would be I'm dating a vampire. Then, I would put a call into Buffy and see if she's free for a quick staking. Don't get me wrong, I love vampires. There's just no way in hell I'd date one.
So, the episode picks up sort of where it left off last week.
Elena is putting things together: the bodies with all the blood loss, bite marks on Caroline, Stefan's ability to heal fast and freak out whenever blood is present. Meanwhile, Stefan is really pissed from finding Zach's body (count me in, too). He's determined to stake Damon like there's no tomorrow and runs out of the house to do so....
....And steps right into 1864. Mmmm...costume porn. I'm a sucker for period pieces. Corsets, bustles, gentlemen in suits, antique oddities, I can even live with a few "Fiddle-lee-dee's". What I am not digging is the pancake make-up they slathered on Paul Wesley's face. Instead of making him look like he's alive, he looks more dead than he does a vampire. Also, High Ho Cleavage! that
After the title card pops up, we go back to where we were before that nasty flashback popped its head up. Take it away, Elena:
Elena: "What are you?"
Stefan's face is about as readable as the big E on an eye test board. He is sooo tired of keeping his secret. Course, he can't outright tell Elena what he is...for some reason...and proceeds to tell her to use her brain. Yeah, Elena, stop being so stupid. Once she does use her brain, suddenly she doesn't want to know anymore. Should have thought about that before you marched over to the Salvatore Boarding House and up to a grief stricken Stefan. By the way, Stefan, maybe if you get rid of your fangs you're coming out will go better. As soon as the sentence, "I'm a vampire" comes from Stefan, Elena apologizes for coming over and bothering him and starts to back away. Oh, girl. Stefan tries to keep her there. "Please don't be afraid of me." Says the guy who has not retracted his fangs in the presence of a very much alive, blood rushing mortal girl. Smooth, Salvatore.
Elena finally books it out of the Salvatore residence and goes home, because she doesn't know the rules yet. After freaking out and checking to make sure Jeremy isn't smoking up (I'm sure Elena would have asked for some, considering the night she's having), she believes shutting her door will keep the boogeyman out. It would have too, if Elena's window wasn't open for Stefan to climb through. He corners Elena in her room and tells her, "I would never hurt you. You're safe with me." When Elena brings up everyone who was attacked, Stefan admits it was Damon who did it. Damon's bad because he drinks human blood.
Stefan: "I'll explain everything to you. But I beg you, Elena, do not tell anybody."
Like, don't seek revenge and read his journal in front of everyone at a big gathering, say The Founder's Day Celebration.
In a Thank God! moment, Elena asks Stefan to leave. She needs time to think, and I suspect a MAJOR! conversation is in order the next day. A round of applause for the VD producers for none of that slowmo-speed up crap we see in most vampire flicks when Stefan leaves. Though, the one minute he's there, camera focuses on someone else, and the next he's gone trick is what Supernatural does. Here's your warning slip, Kevin Williamson.
While Elena has a full meltdown that she
Damon: BUT I WANT MY RING BACK NOWWWWWW!!!!!!
Stefan: *click*
Damon: Dammit!
He lights all of Vicki's friends on fire--really, we ARE covering our tracks? Turns out Vicki isn't amongst the roasting mortals. She is not all the way dead. "You just don't want to die, do you?" (Damon)
Vicki won't die and our two lovebirds can't sleep. There's a montage of longing looks, shadows crossing over their faces, and literal music. Blah, blah, blah...
The next morning, Elena tries to go through her normal routines, but brushing her teeth makes her angry. She decides to continue her conversation with Stefan about him being a VAMPIRE in a PUBLIC place. Which, you know, could be so Stefan doesn't attack her. But if he wanted to, he would have done it at the Salvatore Boarding House or in Elena's room when they were alone.
Grab your game boards, kiddies, it's time to play Catch Up The Female Lead with the Audience:
Elena: Does the sun hurt you?
Stefan: Not when I'm wearing my bitchin' ring.
Elena: Crucifixes?
Stefan: Not really my decorative taste, per se.
Elena: Holy water has to cause you some damage.
Stefan: Actually, I bathe it in. It's how I lost all my weight from Episode One to Two.
Elena: Mirrors?
Stefan: Have you seen my hair? This doesn't happen on its own. 100 brushes on each side, every day--
Elena: Fine! I got it!
To score some points, Stefan tells Elena he only drinks animal blood. He has to confess that Damon doesn't; which opens up a whole can of worms when Elena brings up Caroline. This is how it should be done: Finding out your boyfriend is a vampire shouldn't make you turn your back on your friends. Elena is not happy that Stefan allowed the Damon-Caroline relationship to carry on, and Stefan is re-thinking this whole honesty bit. Again, he reaffirms the necessity of Elena not telling his secret, not telling the whole town vampires are back. Stefan sticks on the "for a day" clause. Ooooh, I'm sensing more flashbacks!
Out in the cemetery, Cop Mom and Logan are inspecting the burnt bodies. They know it's the vampire, but to everyone else it is going to be a drug deal gone wrong. Wow, Mystic Falls' reputation is starting to slide. Logan's all giddy that he has the watch. Looks like we may be getting our answers to what it actually does. Cop Mom finds Vicki's ID, which is a nice time to see what Damon is up to.
Damon's back at the boarding house. Actually, he's stuck there because he doesn't have his ring.
Damon: *leaving message for Stefan* Hey, bro, what up? You know what isn't up? ME GETTING MY RING BACK!!!! YOU BETTER GIVE IT BACK BEFORE I GET VERY, VERY ANGRY. M'kay? Peace out.
That done, he plans out what he's going to do with Vicki, who he dragged back with him. She's bleeding pretty bad, so she’s in no shape to have any fun. Unless... Damon figures out what he's going to do today: He feeds Vicki his blood. Well, this is just going to end so well.
What do you do if find out your boyfriend is a vampire? Why, you drive out to the middle of nowhere with him. Elena, I'm growing concern. I'm hoping it is because you trust him when he says he won't hurt you, and not because you have some kinky fantasy. I also notice you are wearing a red shirt, Elena. Why don't we better coordinate our outfit next time, okay? The middle of nowhere turns out to be the Original Salvatore Boarding House (the Salvatore Manor, let's say). They are there for Stefan to give a rundown of his family's long, long history.
Stefan: "I've been 17 years old since 1864.
Twihards: No! The line is, "I've been 17 years old for A WHILE."
Vampire Diaries Fans: STFU, tweens.
Stefan is really riding The Truth Train hard and is determined to tell Elena everything. Including how he and Damon were originally best friends.
[Insert flashback of Stefan and Damon playing football on the Salvatore Manor front lawn] Katherine ruins the Kodak moment by showing and opening her mouth. I am not good with accents, I don't claim to be. But Nina Dobrev's attempt at a Southern accent--key word, "attempt"--is not all that great. It sort of floats in and out as she speaks, when I would think it would be pretty strong. Wait, now that I think about it, Stefan and Damon's accents aren't all that great either. Maybe we should just drop them all together?
[Back to flashback] Whee! Katherine's such a free spirit. Stefan and Damon are caught, hook, line and sinker. Heehee, boys are so easy to nail!
In real day time, Elena can't believe that Katherine was alive 140 years ago, since Damon made it sound like she was a recent ex. Well, duh! That was back when you didn't know Stefan was a vampire. Stefan is a better person and doesn't point that out. Instead, he explains to Elena it was Damon's way of trying to turn her against him. I...okay? It's like Katherine pitting the two Salvatore boys against one another for her love and affection, highlighted by another flashback. Stefan ended up "winning" by escorting Katherine to the first Founder's Day Party. "I didn't even care if I hurt him [Damon]." Stefan just wanted Katherine! Oh, and there's this little fun fact provided by Stefan: "Damon doesn't get mad. He gets even."
*Cut to Damon getting even*
Vicki's up and about with a few blank spots in her memory. Damon fills in the blanks before he mind freaks her into liking blood. It's a blood letting party at the Salvatore Boarding House!
Back to Stefan and Elena, Katherine was a hussy! The night she went with Stefan to the Founder's Party, she also hooked up with Damon. Oh no! Stefan ruefully explains, "Turns out she [Katherine] wasn't ours to steal." Ooooh, Victorian porn scene starring Stefan and Katherine! Boiling it down to its essence, it is just a bunch of rolling around, petticoats exposed, and breeches. Aaaand....Hallelujah! Praise The Lord! Katherine IS a vampire! It is proven as Katherine feeds off of Stefan.
The next morning in 1864, Stefan wakes up not digging Katherine so much. He realizes Damon should have taken her to the Founder's Party. Biting isn't Stefan's thing. Before that, though, Katherine does her best Scarlett O'Hara, getting laced up into her corset. You'll pardon the running "Fiddle-lee-dee's" that are in my head during this. Katherine pulls her mind freak to make Stefan keep their secret blood swap (what goes around, comes around, Stefan). She then laments over the future she's already planned out for them...which includes Damon. I'll give credit to the VD producers for showing Katherine's a tad bonkers. In the first two books, she's portrayed as not too bright, selfish, and little over dramatic, what with her suicide to bring Stefan and Damon closer together. Here, she's clearly insane. Which makes sense why her suicide has probably been edited out.
So, to conclude our flashback experience, Katherine had all three's futures planned out, where she will play Mommy and the two Salvatore Bros. will be Daddy/Love Slaves. It's going to work out for the best. I mean, Katherine just wants them all together for forever. What could possible go wrong?
Present Day Ahoy! Stefan hid Damon's ring at the old Salvatore Manor. (Damon couldn't figure that out himself because....?) Elena does the smart thing and pleads with Stefan not to give it back to Damon. Stefan has to; otherwise Damon's going to take his hissy fit over to the Gilberts' house and retaliate there. Unlike Katherine's plan for a bright, fun future, this present day future isn't looking so hot. Woe!
Another black spot is the Secret Guild of the Pocket Watches are having their weekly meeting. Today's meeting has a special speaker. Dun dun duuuun! It's The Gilbert Pocket Watch! Mayor Smallwood takes the watch and starts breaking it up. Noooo! You serious just wanted the watch so you can dismantle it? Oh, is there something hidden inside of it? Inquiring minds want to know. Mayor Smallwood takes the face of the watch out and replaces it with something he pulled out of a top secret box. (You can tell it's top secret because it has a strange design on it. Chinese instructions, perhaps?) That thing is...a compass? Really? All that trouble to outfit the pocket watch base with a compass? Let me guess, it's a special compass that tracks down vampires; but so the vampires didn't find it and destroy it, the first chapter of the SGPW broke down the compass-watch into a compass and a watch for safe keeping. And The Gilberts were original members--I'm also assuming--which is going to be very awkward for Elena and Stefan if that ever comes out. I had such high hopes for what the pocket watch would do. I thought it would be equipped with a laser beam. Ah well, there's always Damon's necklace in Caroline's possession to wish upon.
Speaking of Damon, the Blood Letting Party of '09 has turned into a Vampire-Mortal Dance Off. Where is Dance Dance Revolution when you need one? Vicki's bouncing around in her underwear (a tank top and...is that a THONG? Ewwwww....) and yelling how she's "so over Tyler!" Not to be outdone in the less is more department, Damon has unbuttoned his shirt. It's still on him, but you can see abs for all the pre-teen ladies out there! Woohoo, now it is a party! Vicki makes the mistake of mentioning Jeremy, Elena's little brother, in Damon's presence. I hear the gears spinning in his head. As Damon plots, the whole scene morphs into a montage of dancing. I'm not even kidding. It is very reminiscent of the scene in Hannibal where an uncredited Gary Oldman goes batshit crazy and dances around, but without Vicki slicing her face up with shards from a mirror. The party migrates over into Stefan's room, where Vicki and Damon trash the place. Oh, you are both so hardcore. /sarcasm
Trashing Stefan's room works up a sweat and Damon and Vicki turn their manic flouncing around into a slow dance. Is that Green Day I hear? Why, oh why?! Actually, it's pretty funny. So funny, I had to pause the tape because I was laughing so hard. Once composed, I was fine. I swear. But...MOTHER FUCKING GREEN DAY, Kevin Williamson? Unless Damon and Vicki are about to die in a hail of bullets, I see no need to play "21 Guns".
Back to the scene, Vicki is coming down from her vampire high. She's crying on Damon's shoulder over her daddy issues. Not shockingly, Vicki's father left when she was young, explaining why she's a druggie and seeks relationships with unattainable men. "When I think about my future, I just come up blank."
Damon: Do you now?
Vicki: *nods head*
Damon: *breaks Vicki's neck*
Vicki's neck: CRAAAAAAAAACK!
Well, Vicki dear, you did invite Damon to do that with your whining and moaning about having no future.
Sadly, though, Vicki's newfound drug of choice--vampire blood--makes her death like Teflon. She revives herself after the commercial break. Damon really wants to have the responsibility of a protege? Judging by his teasing that Vicki's dead, but not really dead, I think not. Just wait until Stefan hears about this. (Little reminder, Damon, your younger brother still has your ring--the one you are so desperate to get back.) Vicki storms off, not liking Damon anymore and under the coaxing that she should go pay Jeremy a visit. Wonderful...
The Secret Guild of Pocket Watches has decided to take their Go-Go-Compass Watch out into the woods to track down the vampire. Cop Mom passes Logan a gun with wooden bullets. The bullets aren't going to kill the vampire, but they'll slow him down. Which is good, until his brother gets involved, then you've got issues. I'm predicting today's top story will be: "Local News Reporter and All Around Man Whore Found Dead in Woods of Animal Attack"
Vicki arrives at the Gilbert House sporting a new pair of shades. Caroline gets the fancy scarf, Vicki gets sunglasses. Should have thought about upgrading, Caroline. Jeremy lets her into the house (nooooooo!). Vicki marches into the kitchen craving...something. I don't think you're going to find it in there, Vick. Jeremy, bless his heart, thinks she's just hung-over. Yeah, he'll think that until Vicki tries to take a bite out of him.
You know what would solve this issue? Stefan. Unfortunately, he is getting railroaded by Elena. Realizing Katherine mind freaked Stefan into keeping her secret, she wonders if Stefan ever mind freaked her. I'm pretty sure he hasn't, so no red flags when he says, "No." He confesses to Elena that her necklace protects her from the vampire influence. It's why he gave it to her. In a surprise move, he says the vervain is for double protection from Damon and himself. My heart breaks with, "Elena, you should never take that necklace off. Because no matter what happens after today, no matter how you feel about me, you'll know you were free to make your own choice." God, I am such a sucker.
With Vicki eating him out of a house, Jeremy calls Matt, protective brother of Vicki, over. So it's going to be a two-for-one special tonight. Awesome. Vicki's dead-over has migrated to her mouth, where she complains her gums hurt and there's something up there. Aww, Vicki's getting her first set of vampire teeth. Right as Matt and Jeremy see the report on Vicki's dead friends, Elena and Stefan arrive home. Stefan takes over, telling Matt and Jeremy to take Vicki upstairs. Elena asks what's wrong.
Stefan: "She's transitioning"
There's only one way, as told by Stefan, to complete the transition. Yup, Vicki needs to feed on human blood. Bet you're real glad you figured out Stefan's secret, Elena. An even harder kick comes as Stefan reveals if Vicki doesn't get human blood into her, she'll die. By his calculations, Vicki only has a couple hours. Adding to the fun, Elena figures out Vicki's "to drink, or not to drink" dilemma was one Stefan faced as well. With his gorgeousness standing before her, it is obvious which direction he chose. To think, Stefan was doing so well....
Given Vicki's hungry for blood, I'm amazed Stefan allowed Jeremy and Matt to upstairs to be alone with her. Even if he assures Elena--and the audience--that Vicki has no idea what is happening to her. The tension builds as Matt leaves Jeremy and Vicki alone, right as Vicki leans into Jeremy's neck.
Vicki: Ew, you smell like a marijuana plant.
She resists temptation from Jeremy and flees the house. Matt runs after her, still not informed that his little sis is looking to score human blood. Stefan promises Elena he'll track her down. I don't think it is going to make things right. Upside is that the day can't get any worse.
*Things get worse*
Logan is out alone in the woods with the Go-Go-Compass Watch. Since Vicki, Stefan, and Damon--it is nighttime by now--are all out, the odds of hitting a vampire are like stepping on a landmine in Vietnam. (They're pretty good.) The Compass-Watch goes off (which sounded like a fishing reel), and Logan calls the other Secret Guild to let them know the vampire is in the cemetery. That would be my first place to look, geniuses.
At the Gilbert lair, Elena does her best to fend off Jeremy, who is pestering her with questions about Vicki. There's a moment of reprieve as the doorbell rings.
Damon: Heeeeeere's Damon!
Elena isn't as quick with slamming the door in his face as you want to be in a situation like that. Not like it would really matter, however. Damon's already been invited in by Elena--after Stefan tried to warn her not to. I think it is time to call Willow in Sunnydale and ask her to come out for a revocation spell.
Damon is just out for a quick visit. He's looking for Stefan, who's looking for Vicki, who Damon should have been looking after, but you know how these things go. The unwelcomed visitation looks a little better when Damon tells Elena he has a greater agenda ("I've got BIG plans! BIG, I say!") that do not include Elena's death. For the present moment, at least. Besides, he has an opened invitation to come into the Gilbert House, Elena's bedroom, Jeremy's hidden grow house in the basement, whenever he wants. Elena continues to put on a brave face--cause that's all you have when you are staring down the barrel of vampire fangs--by telling Damon that turning Vicki into a vampire was not cool.
Damon: "The girl's gonna thank me for what I did to her."
Elena: "Did you thank Katherine?"
Ouch. Burn. Point goes to Elena.
So Damon knows that Elena knows about him and Stefan. Trying to remain ahead of the game, Damon dangles in Elena's face that Stefan hasn't told her everything. Of course not. We have a show to run here. You can't let all the cats out of the bag. A few need to remain contained to keep the momentum going. Damon lets Elena chew on that kernel of info in private.
Out in the woods, Stefan finds Vicki in the old cemetery that the Secret Guild is headed towards. Vicki's having a pity party--which is begging to be crashed by some uninvited guests. She's remembering everything that happened to her: from the first Damon attack, Stefan's visit in the hospital, Damon's second attack, where her grandmother stashed the money in the house, Damon's third attack, Damon's fourth attack...
Stefan: Okay, I really should have staked Damon when I had the chance. Point taken!
Vicki knows the choice she needs to make: "To drink or not to drink?" She asks Stefan what she should do. Which is like asking a Catholic Priest if you should have an abortion, in my opinion. As Stefan is the "good" vampire, he tries to lean Vicki towards the fade away route. Oh, sure, now you want to get all moral, Stefan. Vicki seems to accept that and asks to be taken home. The only possible thing that could ruin this touching moment is the Secret Guild's arrival...
Logan: Go-Go-Wooden Bullets!
Stefan: Dammit! I should have seen this coming.
Stefan is shot by Logan's
Stefan: Go-Go-Vicki. No, wait, I mean, run, Vicki, run!
Vicki: WAAAAAH!
Logan: Go-Go-Wooden Stake!
Damon: Go-Go-Vampire Fangs!
Logan: *doesn't Go-Go-Anywhere Anymore*
If you think it's a brotherly bounding moment--that Elena brought the Salvatore Bros. together after Katherine ripped them apart--you'd be wrong. Damon's still hung up about his ring. Considering he saved his life, Stefan gives it back. Guess they're even now.
Stefan and Damon realize now that the Mystic Falls villagers know they've returned. Well, not them specifically since they already killed their only witness. Except there's Vicki, too. Hey, where did Vicki go?
Vicki: *drinks Logan's blood*
Busted--and completing her transformation--Vicki runs off. *Sniff* A vampire for 30 seconds and she's already leaving Stefan and Damon with a dead body on their hands. They grow up so fast. Stefan and Damon scatter, with Damon grabbing the Go-Go-Compass Watch.
The Secret Guild arrives to find Logan dead. (What do you think happens when you tangle with vampires, anyway?) They discover they are back to square one, since Damon's run off with their magic compass.
Cop Mom: Well, it's a good thing we had the headline, "News Reporter and All Around Man Slut Killed in Woods by Crazed Animal" already printed up as insurance. We'll just make the morning edition.
Stefan goes to Elena to inform her Vicki's a vampire now, so stay away from her. Stefan swears he will find Vicki and show her the ways of animal blood. Going out on a limb here, I don't think that's going to work. With the closing of the day, Elena makes her choice with what to do about Stefan.
Elena: "I gave you today, just like you asked, and I understand that you would never do anything to hurt me. And I promise I will keep your secret, but...I can't be with you, Stefan. I'm sorry, I...I just can't."
As heartbreaking as it is, I'm glad the writers are going this route. There's none of this "You're a vampire? How sexy" bullshit. Elena is taking the responsible and pausing to think about everything. See girls, it can be done. I'm gonna say it, I kinda like TV!Elena now. Book!Elena accepted Stefan's affliction right off the bat and even gave up some of her blood to him. Then again, TV!Elena needs to carry a 22 episode series, so the VD writers have to drag it out. Whateva, as long as Elena doesn't become a raging nympho and whine about growing old, I'm cool. And anyway, we all know Elena and Stefan are going to end up together. Staving off their relationship for right now, does give new avenues to explore. I'm positive just because they aren't together-together doesn't mean Elena and Stefan aren't going to be friendly. Remember, Elena is the only one who knows about Stefan and Damon's habits. If anything, Elena and Stefan are a lot closer than they have been.
Still, for the dramatics of television, Elena has to act like her decision to end hers and Stefan's relationship is the hardest thing she's ever had to. Closing the door--literally--behind her, Elena emotes that her heart is breaking with the clutching of her stomach and slowing sinking down to the floor as she cries, beautifully choreographed to the background music. "I know I'm gonna fall down...It's coming down, down, down..." I would care if the scene didn't scream, "For your Emmy consideration."
I do have high hopes now for the series, as it seems like all the "setting up" is done. With Elena in the know, Vicki a newborn vampire, and Damon and Stefan desperately needing to avoid the SGPW, there is only moving forward. Katherine being a vampire was confirmed (because it seriously looked like it wasn't going to happen, based on the first few episodes) has also made me happy. A quick plea--and I can't believe I'm admitting this--do not take the plot in the direction of The Fury. We do not need to go there. I promise.
Episode 7: "Haunted"
