Vampire Diaries 4x10 - After School Special

[butterfly]

New previously! I like this one a lot better. No more cheesy "and mine" bit.

Wow, lots packed into that episode, both character and plot. First of all, Tyler's grief over his mom felt real and tracked with how he's reacted to previous traumas. And I'm glad that Caroline explicitly said that his problems had to come first with her right now. Stefan is going down a very ugly path and I don't really want Caroline to be holding hands and skipping down along it with him.

Aw, Jeremy. Damon does care about you as you. Loved the Jeremy & Matt & Damon scenes.

The Bonnie & Shane stuff is starting to really heat up. I also think that April is being used well. I still need to see more of Bonnie's dad, but I'm interested in how he's going to be worked into things.

So, as it stands, both Damon and Stefan have agreed to work with an Original for the sake of the cure -- the difference being that Damon was railroaded into it while Stefan walked into his deal with his eyes wide open. His interest in finding the cure now appears to be pure spite against Damon and Elena.

(also, it's minor and moot now that she's not in love with him anymore, but I was right about Stefan wanting the cure for himself, too, so I'm going to pat myself on the back about that)

I find it fascinating that even under compulsion Stefan manages to twist the truth to suit himself (saying that he and Elena were broken up because she "slept with Damon" when that actually happened after the break-up). That's... impressive.

So, the show has established that Elena still loves Stefan but is no longer in love with him and that she is in love with Damon -- this tracks with my observations.

Oh, gosh, not sure how I feel about Elena telling Damon "I love you" for the first time over the phone! But she's going to see him next episode. I really hope that the sire bond is shown to be fake, I really do.

ETA: Having been reminded of the phone call in 3x22, I now am fine & pleased with the "I love you" via phone. It's what didn't (couldn't yet) happen last time, when she was driving away from him.

Comments

[scy]

I am thinking there is almost too much going on at this point - their cast is bloated, and it shows.

And, I am so TIRED of Stefan.

Yes, Damon was railroaded into working with Klaus, but I also think he understands Klaus more than Stefan does Rebekah. Which is - interesting.

[butterfly]

I am thinking there is almost too much going on at this point - their cast is bloated, and it shows.

Which is I guess why they're thinking about having a spin-off series. Too many characters in this one right now.

And, I am so TIRED of Stefan.

I really do think we're getting to the heart of his issues now. But that's a very ugly place to be -- Stefan is such an entitled character, even as he pretends to be humble/self-effacing.

Yes, Damon was railroaded into working with Klaus, but I also think he understands Klaus more than Stefan does Rebekah. Which is - interesting.

I agree. Damon, I think, is aware of how deep underwater he is right now (and is probably coming up with plans on how to get out) while Stefan is just wading in deeper and deeper.

[scy]

Oh, a spin off series? WHY? Just have people leave town, it's less bloody, and the Originals don't need to be around anyhow.

I would have watched Damon and Alaric roadtripping for a long time.

Stefan's issues are gross, and there are so many people who don't see that.

Damon is a predator and a survivor, in ways that Stefan will never be, and so he plans, thinks, and makes another strategy- it's one reason why these older vampires are so freaked out about him. He doesn't talk about destruction, he just lets things burn. Because, Damon has known what it's like to not be stronger, not the best, etc, and Stefan has NEVER had to deal with that, and it's about damn time he learned at least a little.

[butterfly]

Oh, a spin off series? WHY? Just have people leave town, it's less bloody, and the Originals don't need to be around anyhow.

For the Originals, yeah. And also, randomly, Hayley. I don't understand why they like that actress so much.

I would have watched Damon and Alaric roadtripping for a long time.

Road trips are fun times!

Stefan's issues are gross, and there are so many people who don't see that.

Yeah. I'm pretty sure it's going to get worse before it gets better, because Stefan is the king of denial. But he doesn't have the excuse of being 'the Ripper' or 'compelled by Klaus' this time. It's just Stefan being Stefan.

Damon is a predator and a survivor, in ways that Stefan will never be, and so he plans, thinks, and makes another strategy- it's one reason why these older vampires are so freaked out about him. He doesn't talk about destruction, he just lets things burn. Because, Damon has known what it's like to not be stronger, not the best, etc, and Stefan has NEVER had to deal with that, and it's about damn time he learned at least a little.

Yeah. Damon has always had to deal with being the brother that people didn't care about as much and Stefan has always been the golden boy. Damon knows how to navigate situations where he's under threat. Stefan makes terrible plans that don't work.

[scy]

And yes, I just accidentally commented anonymously, there you go DW, stop being tricky!