Blu-ray Review: 'The Vampire Diaries - The Complete Series'

Article first published as "Blu-ray Review: 'The Vampire Diaries - The Complete Series" on Blogcritics.

The CW, once a struggling also-ran broadcast channel, though still lower than its peers in the ratings, has established itself pretty firmly as a network this past decade or so. One of the series instrumental in building that brand was The Vampire Diaries. Throughout its eight years, it mixed soapy teen angst with a supernatural fun ride. These are the two primary genres that the CW has become known for. This melding of story is not unusual right now in pop culture, but rarely is it done as well as it is here. You can see what I mean as The Vampire Diaries – The Complete Series is now available on Blu-ray and DVD.

Love Triangle

The Vampire Diaries began as a love triangle between two brothers and a girl. Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley) was the ‘good’ guy and the obvious choice. Damon Salvatore (Ian Somerhalder) was the brooding bad boy. The Salvatores were vampires, so of course they’d done horrible, murderous things. But Stefan was sorry for them, while Damon seemed completely unapologetic. Elena Gilbert’s (Nina Dobrev) choice was clear, right?

Of course not. As the series went on, layers of complexities were added to all three that muddy the waters. Sometimes it was predictable, the show firmly playing to tropes and familiar conceits. But other times, it found its own unique footing, and had some surprises. Over the course of eight years, the relationships between all three were explored in-depth, and romance was merely one facet of a messy grouping.

Fleshing Out the World

The Vampire Diaries wasn’t just about three people, though. Magic, witches, doppelgangers, family and local history, and werewolves were just some of the elements added as the program went on. Dobrev also played the role of Katherine Pierce, a vampire the Salvatore brothers had history with. Among the main cast members were Bonnie Bennett (Kat Graham), whom found power within herself, Tyler Lockwood (Michael Trevino), who became a furry beast, and Alaric Saltzman (Matthew Davis), a teacher and historian.

Some of the characters seemed to be a stereotype, but went through major growth arcs. For instance, Caroline Forbes (Candice King) was just the pretty, popular girl at first. Then she hooked up with the wrong guy and became much more interesting. Matt Donovan (Zach Reorig) was the safe, nice guy who stayed away from the supernatural for the longest time, but eventually found his place in the crazy. Ancient, ‘original’ vampires like Klaus Mikaelson (Joseph Morgan) seemed very mysterious at first, but eventually were fleshed out and went over to their own spin-off.

So The Vampire Diaries may have seemed relatively familiar in makeup at the start, but with the longevity of the series, it had the freedom to go quite a bit further, and it did.

The Blu-ray Release

All eight seasons are packaged in this latest set, on shelves just in time for the holidays. Inside the outer shell, a tasteful design featuring most of the show’s longest-serving leads, there are separate sets with the artwork used when first marketing each season, though the cases are uniform. The appearance is pleasing and looks like it was just put together.

Start opening them up, though, and it’s clear that the older releases were just boxed together. For example, season one contains an insert for The Secret Circle ‘Thursdays this fall.’ That was a short-lived series from many years ago. That in of itself isn’t much of an annoyance, but the fact that only two of the eight seasons contain codes for digital copies is. There are a plethora of bonus features, the same ones previously available, seemingly nothing new added for the incarnation.

The Verdict

The Vampire Diaries was an excellent show, this is a good looking set, and there’s a lot here. The episodes alone will keep you busy for months. Add the extra features, and you’ve got an extensive collection. The disappointing thing is that they didn’t include digital copies for all the seasons. And there is nothing new to make this set worth it if you already own most of the seasons. I do recommend getting The Vampire Diaries. But I only recommend The Complete Series if whatever seasons you don’t already own price at more than this package. Hopefully, one day we’ll get a more retrospective set; this one is just to complete your collection of episodes.

The Vampire Diaries – The Complete Series is available now.

"Summer" Over for THE VAMPIRE DIARIES

Article first published as "Summer" Over for THE VAMPIRE DIARIES on TheTVKing.

The CW's The Vampire Diaries returned this week with "I Know What You Did Last Summer." Picking up months after the end of last season, most everyone has been enjoying the warm months with a lover. Now, school is starting and reality is setting in, with some things going back to normal, and some moving on to the next part of life.

The biggest change is Elena (Nina Dobrev) and Carolina (Candice Accola) moving hours away from Mystic Falls, heading off to college. It's nice that The Vampire Diaries doesn't do the typical-teen-drama-show thing and reveal a never-before-mentioned college in the city viewers have gotten to know. Though, it continues the trend of unrealistically-large dorm rooms seen on screen, perhaps even raising the bar in that regard. The move does segment the cast, as it means that plot arcs don't involve everyone, at least not right away, but that's a good thing, breathing fresh life into the show in its fifth year.

College does not mean the girls are free of the supernatural world, though, as much as they might want to be seen as typical students. Their new roommate, Megan (Hayley Kiyoko), seems to know about vampires, and then is killed by one, whom makes it look like a suicide. "I Know What You Did Last Summer" would be boring if it didn't kick off a new mystery off for Elena and Caroline, but one does wonder long they're going to be able to stay at college, given the constant danger they face. Buffy the Vampire Slayer made it less than a year. Will The Vampire Diaries follow that example?

I did love the glimpse viewers get of Bonnie (Kat Graham) at school with the other two, even it is only briefly. After all, they can't see Bonnie, she being dead, so what's the point of her staying there? But at least she gets to be with them for a moment on a special day they had all been looking forward to.

Carolina expects Tyler (Michael Trevino) to join them, but is sorely disappointed when he tells her in a voice mail that he has decided to continue helping a werewolf pack instead. One begins to wonder why the show even keeps Trevino on contract, considering the number of episodes he sits out every year, only his voice being in "I Know What You Did Last Summer." Will he return to get involved in things, or stay MIA for awhile longer?

Back in Mystic Falls, Damon (Ian Somerhalder) is acting the father towards Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen). This is a shift in their dynamic, certainly a fun one. After a year with no real parental supervision, it's satisfying that Jeremy has someone looking out for him again, and it provides Damon with some depth he hasn't really displayed. Being in love suits him, and his relationship with Elena is prompting changes in other ways, too.

Jeremy needs looking after because his Hunter skills are still sharp, and he's now being picked on as the weird kid at school. His friends were really his sister's friends, and they're all gone, leaving him isolated and alone, save visits from ghost Bonnie, which, were they observed, and they probably have been, would make him even more of an outcast. It takes no time at all for him to beat up some bullies defending himself and get suspended.

I don't know where the show is going with Jeremy, but he seems likely to get good material this year. By putting him so far out on his own, he gets an even bigger chance to figure out what his strengths are and how he fits in the world. McQueen has grown into the role well, and this story should make fans happy that The Vampire Diaries didn't leave him dead.

Speaking of dead, Stefan (Paul Wesley) keeps drowning and coming back to life, an endless, miserable cycle. It's interesting "I Know What You Did Last Summer" spends so much time with him, having Stefan imagining Damon telling him to turn his humanity off, so he doesn't feel so much pain, and Elena arguing for him to keep it on. This points to Stefan being rescued sooner rather than later. Otherwise, what's the purpose of showing him?

Stefan isn't included because Wesley needs to keep working; the actor is now pulling double duty as doppelganger Silas. Silas neatly fills the void left by the departure of the Original vampires, quickly setting himself up as a worthy opponent when he threatens Liz (Marguerite MacIntyre), executes the mayor (Ricky Worthy), Bonnie's dad, and brainwashes the town into helping him find Katherine (also Dobrev). This is a cold, calculating creature, totally unlike even the evil version of Stefan, and one of the most dangerous beings to ever come to Mystic Falls.

Which makes one wonder how anyone might possibly stop him. Damon is clueless as to how to threaten Silas, and the humans don't stand a chance. My guess is other supernatural help will be needed, whether that includes Stefan, Elena, and / or Caroline, it's unclear right now. The heroes will definitely have their work cut out for them.

Katherine is part of Sila's plan, and she's never been more helpless. Now a human, she actually goes to Damon for help, being super desperate, but he refuses her, as he should, after all she's done. With everyone in Mystic Falls looking for her, Katherine as she is now doesn't stand a chance. I guess she'll have to catch a break here soon.

And now we sit and wonder how long it will be before Damon's doppleganger shows up.

Lastly, we have Matt (Zach Roerig), who refuses Rebekah's (Claire Holt) offer to leave town, then runs into a girl he and Rebekah had a threesome with during their travels. This girl, named Nadia (Olga Fonda, Real Steel), steals the Gilbert ring, then has a companion do something to Matt when she returns it. So I guess Matt didn't run into her by coincidence on vacation. What's her deal, and what is she doing to Matt?

It's a little sad that Rebekah and Matt, who clearly have a great few months together, split so suddenly and completely upon returning home. I kind of wish Matt went over to The Originals spin-off with her so they could stay together. But I guess not all love lasts, and even calling what exists between them love might be stretching it. So now they both get a clean reset.

"I Know What You Did Last Summer" is an intriguing episode. Not a lot really happens, other than Silas making himself known, but there are plenty of arcs kicked off or continued, and it promises to be another high-octane season, with at least the usual amount of character development.

The Vampire Diaries airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on the CW.

The Vampire Diaries skipped right over "Growing Pains"

Grade: 90%

The CW’s THE VAMPIRE DIARIES ended on a huge cliffhanger last spring. The main character, Elena (Nina Dobrev) is killed with vampire blood in her system meaning that she either feeds on someone, turning into a full vampire herself, or dies permanently.

As season four begins with “Growing Pains,” trying to save Elena from this terrible choice is at the forefront of many of her loved ones’ minds. There aren’t any known instances of an almost-vampire avoiding this fate, however, so the only thing anyone can think of is to ask Bonnie (Kat Graham) for help. Unfortunately, it’s not that Bonnie can’t do what they’re asking, but it’s that she shouldn’t, as there will be grave consequences should she succeed.

It’s cool that THE VAMPIRE DIARIES has consequences for the characters’ actions. It’s not exactly a new concept in storytelling, by any means, but for a show about a bunch of teenagers, it’s important to keep that in mind. Even those with supernatural powers are far from invincible, and they must carefully balance what they do with what will happen because of it.

Bonnie has grown quite powerful as a witch, but to keep her from always saving the day, she has to have obstacles to limit her. “Growing Pains” brings her to the brink once more, tempting her sorely to use dark energies that she doesn’t fully understand or control. Needless to say, it’s a bad idea for her to give into this, no matter how good a justification she is able to come up with.

Even better, Grams (Jasmine Guy), a character who had to be killed off, but was done so way too son, returns as the face of Bonnie’s warning. This is a wise woman who knows lots about magic that Bonnie isn’t mature or experienced enough to figure out yet, and as Bonnie does trust her, she is a reasonable representation of good sense, whether she’s really there, or just in Bonnie’s head. Grams also serves another purpose, allowing Bonnie to be punished without hurting any of the major characters.

Of course, Bonnie can’t just be left alone to do her magic, and the other characters aren’t going to sit around for an hour. Enter the new villain, Pastor Young (Michael Reilly Burke, Vegas, Revenge). Pastor Young sweeps into town and, lickety split, fires the Mayor (Susan Walters) and the Sheriff (Marguerite MacIntyre). He tosses Stefan (Paul Wesley), Elena, and Rebekah (Claire Holt) into cells, and sets traps for the others.

Pastor Young is a neat bad guy. He’s got the religion thing, bringing to mind the Priest (Nathan Fillion, Castle, Firefly) from the final season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He’s devoted to his mission. He has very loyal followers. He’s intelligent and has resources. His sneak attack on the supernatural residents of the town and everyone connected to them goes off quickly and easily, crippling a number of offenses.

But then he’s wasted, blowing himself and his group up. Is this a sign of just how intelligent he really is, knowing that making himself and his people martyrs, probably framing the vampires for the job, will be a huge influence, with tons of other rising up in his stead? Even so, considering how much he is able to accomplish in such a short time, isn’t it a little early for such a Hail Mary play? Why not keep him around for at least a few episodes? And does this mean that Carol and Liz can return to their jobs now?

Because Young is out of the game by the end of “Growing Pains,” it’s hard to tell just where that plot might go now. Yes, he will probably create a threat for the main characters that exists long after his death. But the nature of that threat is still a mystery.

Dealing with being a vampire will not be easy for Elena. We’ve already seen Caroline (Candice Accola) and Vicki (Kayla Ewell) go through the change with varying results, but Elena is even more central than they are, and THE VAMPIRE DIARIES intends to take its time exploring that. We get to see what she’s feeling, and in Elena fashion, she expresses the moral implications of this change.

However, unlike Caroline and Vicki, things should go pretty smoothly for her because she has something they didn’t have: Stefan. Stefan who is in love with her, and Elena has clearly chosen him. Being back in control of himself again, being free from evil influences, Stefan will do everything that he can to smooth her transition, and this should help immeasurably.

Elena does get a glimpse of how noble Damon (Ian Somerhalder) can be when she recovers a lost memory, but she still chooses Stefan, knowing that he is the one who respects her. Damon has blind devotion, but Stefan lets her make up her mind. That is important to anyone, and Stefan will be a kind mentor and partner who doesn’t force her to do anything that she doesn’t want to do. This represents a clear choice between the brothers, and truly for the first time, there can be little argument that Elena has made the right decision. Even Damon fans will have to see that now.

Finally, Klaus (Joseph Morgan) forces Bonnie to put him back in his body, leaving Tyler (Michael Trevino) alone. This comes too quickly and too easily, barely giving Klaus a partial scene to toy with Caroline, and wrapping up what could have been a long, interesting arc. Sure, this prevents Morgan from going to waste, but it really is regrettable that it plays out so swiftly.

Overall, a terrific start to another season. THE VAMPIRE DIARIES airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on the CW.

The Vampire Diaries says goodbye to "The Departed"

CW's The Vampire Diaries ends its season with "The Departed." Big bad vampire vampire hunter Alaric (Matt Davis) resists the others' attempts to fool him, and locates Klaus (Joseph Morgan). With the Original who turned the entire main cast of vampires staked, everyone awaits their deaths, and begins saying goodbye. This is surely the series finale, right?

Not so fast. With the popularity of The Vampire Diaries, it's hard to ever build suspense over whether Stefan (Paul Wesley) and / or Damon (Ian Somerhalder) might die. They won't. Tyler (Michael Trevino), sure, and maybe even Caroline (Candice Accola), but never the brothers. Which means that either Klaus lied about creating their bloodline, or he isn't really dead.

Spoiler alert! It's the latter. But what is really shocking is how he manages to survive. That really is Klaus's body that Alaric stakes, but clever Bonnie (Kat Graham) transfers Klaus's essence into Tyler's body. So it appears that actor Morgan is gone, but the character remains. What an interesting and unexpected way to go!

Tyler is likely chosen because of his bond to Klaus. After all, Bonnie wouldn't do that to one of her friends if she had much of a choice, would she? She allows Klaus to hijack Tyler's body because it saves the life of Caroline and her own mother, primarily. Does it also save Tyler? Is he still aware in there somewhere? Will Bonnie be moving Klaus to a new host? This particular plot point provides much more mystery than anything, and the rules about this transference are not at all known. What is probable is that Klaus is not lying about the bloodline, so he must stay alive somehow in order to keep the main characters breathing.

As Tyler writhes in pain in front of Caroline, one may be forgiven for assuming he's dying. The whole sequence is built very well, to provide maximum ramp up. But there's also a sneaking suspicion that, perhaps by turning into a werewolf, he can somehow avoid the death. It's a very touching moment when Caroline and Tyler must say goodbye, one of the best scenes yet for these two performers. The delight that the characters live on erases any cheapening that might happen because the goodbye is premature.

It is likely that Klaus won't want to leave Tyler's body anytime soon. After all, he is in love with Caroline, and Caroline loves Tyler. It's hard to imagine that Bonnie won't spill the beans, rather than watch Caroline be fooled. Unless Klaus holds some sort of threat over Bonnie, which also seems pretty likely, given his track record.

The simple fact of the matter, though, is that The Vampire Diaries has killed off so many main characters, they can't kill off many more without gutting the cast. Last season's finale is a bloodbath, but "The Departed" can't afford to be. Alaric is permanently dead, sadly, and gets a very sweet goodbye with Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen), though Jeremy is more upset about someone else at the time. But that's it. Though how cool would it be if Alaric could become Jeremy's permanent ghost companion, thus keeping the actor in the series? Alas, that does not appear to be the path that The Vampire Diaries is choosing.

Jeremy and Matt (Zach Roerig) step up to the plate in "The Departed." As Elena's (Nina Dobrev) only human friends left, they decide that they need to remove her from this crazy vampire war, so they drug her and sneak her away in the night. These two have contributed to the good fight before, but somehow this seems more heroic than past deeds. It might be sneaky, but Elena needs protection, and they strive to offer it. Sadly, they fail, as Rebekah (Claire Holt) succeeds in killing Elena, thus removing Alaric's threat towards herself.

Elena is now a vampire! This may just be the biggest twist The Vampire Diaries has ever embarked upon. Watching Elena die is completely unfathomable, and fans wait with baited breath for the other shoe to drop. But to make her a vampire, despite the precedence set by Twlight (and possibly The Vampire Diaries books?), it's still hard to see coming. This will change her life and her character forever. Now, at least everyone can stop whining about protecting her!

What will Elena's transformation mean for her? For one, she will have increased appetites. This just might make her rethink her decision about which Salvatore brother to love. See, earlier in "The Departed," when Elena believes both Stefan and Damon are dying, she asks Matt to take her to Stefan. This is a very clear choice, one made, in part, she claims, because she meets Stefan first.

But Elena did not meet Stefan first. She met Damon, and he (kindly?) erased her memory of the encounter. Being a vampire now, this memory will come back. Also, Stefan saves Matt, leaving Elena to die. Yes, this is Elena's choice, as she signals frantically for Stefan to do so. But might she also hold some sort of grudge that Stefan didn't manage to dive back into the lake and save her, too? Plus, Stefan has vampire strength. After he frees Matt, couldn't he pull Elena out, too, and take them both to the surface at once?

Really, Elena's new self is a total game changer in her relationship with both Damon and Stefan. And without yet seeing this new vampire Elena, which is only glimpsed in "The Departed," it is impossible to predict in what ways the game is going to change. Arguments can be made for her to fall for each brother, depending on which way the writers decide to go with her personality, and how she is affected by this.

Also, it must be said that Damon watching Alaric die, knowing that it means Elena is dying, too, is truly wrenching. Never has Damon been exposed so raw, and Somerhalder really sells the scene. What a triumph for the show!

Huge episode! The Vampire Diaries is known for delivering, and "The Departed" exceeds expectations! Thank goodness it has already been renewed, and will return to the CW next fall!

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Click here to read every review of The Vampire Diaries I've ever written. To purchase The Vampire Diaries books, DVDs, or watch streaming episodes, please go here.

"Homecoming" ruined for The Vampire Diaries (again)

     The fall finale of CW's The Vampire Diaries finds the main characters heading to another "Homecoming" dance. But Klaus (Joseph Morgan) has other ideas, flooding out the dance, and moving the party to Tyler's (Michael Trevino) house. This doesn't screw up Damon's (Ian Somerhalder) plan to kill Klaus so much, and he adapts. But Katherine (Nina Dobrev), fearing for Damon's life, gets Stefan (Paul Wesley) to change the plan, and instead of Damon killing Klaus, Klaus kills his father, Mikael (Sebastian Roche, General Hospital, Fringe). The day isn't a total victory for Klaus when, in the chaos, Stefan steals the bodies of Klaus's family.

     There isn't a whole lot of suspense that Klaus might die, despite Damon's elaborate plan, and the expected number of plot twists, because he is only recently made a main character. However, with so many people with varying motivations, which they all keep close to the vest, it's also impossible to predict how everything will shake down. This, "Homecoming" is quite exciting, and makes for a very entertaining episode.

     The real victor of the day is Stefan. Working with Katherine, he frees himself from Klaus's compel. By stealing the coffins, he also gains an upper hand against a very powerful original vampire that he cannot trust. He may not be back to being good, as Damon and Elena (also Dobrev) hope, he but is making his own decisions again, certainly an improvement over his prior situation. He also realizes that he cares about Damon, so his humanity isn't completely gone.

     It's quite interesting that Stefan's love for Damon is what keeps him from going over the brink, rather than his feelings for Elena. Elena is a girl that he likes, but Damon is a blood relation Stefan has known much, much longer. Damon and Stefan were once quite close, and this comes back out, as Stefan stops being judgmental.

     Elena takes a rather healthy attitude about Stefan, telling Damon they need to move on. Because of the relationship mentioned in the preceding paragraph, this should prove much easier for her to do than him. But will the "moving on" lead Elena into Damon's arms? She keeps softening towards him, and even puts her trust in his during the showdown with Klaus. The way she touches him at the end of "Homecoming" bodes well for Damon. Plus, Elena is becoming more in touch with a darker side of herself, such as when she puts down Rebekah (Claire Holt), a vampire who is being nice to her, to serve a greater good. Thus, Elena may be more willing to look past wrongs than she once was.

     There is still trouble in the couple that is Carolina (Candice Accola) and Tyler. With Tyler being sired by Klaus, made into one of the vampire's hybrids, Tyler is always going to have loyalty towards Klaus. This could be behind the decision not to include Caroline in the plot to kill Klaus. Even though she doesn't actively participate, she probably would if she were asked to. She cares for Elena, Damon, and Stefan. As Tyler cannot betray Klaus, this pits Tyler and Caroline even more at odds than just their original vampire vs. werewolf obstacle. Unless something gives, they cannot possibly last long as a couple.

     The Vampire Diaries will return in January on the CW.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

     Click here to read every review of The Vampire Diaries I've ever written.

     To purchase The Vampire Diaries books, DVDs, or watch streaming episodes, please go here.

The Vampire Diaries celebrates "The Birthday"

     The CW's The Vampire Diaries just happens to begin its third season on Elena's (Nina Dobrev) 18th birthday, hence the title of the episode, "The Birthday." Caroline (Candice Accola) throws Elena an unwanted party, and ends up hooking up there with Tyler (Michael Trevino). Too bad Tyler's mother, Carol (Susan Walters), shoots Caroline with tranquilizers as she tries to sneak out post-relations. Elena doesn't enjoy her party because she's concerned with the still MIA Stefan (Paul Wesley). She's not too happy to learn Damon (Ian Somerhalder) has been secretly tracking Stefan... or rather, the path of bloody bodies Stefan is leaving.

     What may be most shocking about "The Birthday" is that Stefan's actions don't feel so surprising. He's a vampire who is good in every episode of the past two seasons, but going bad suits him. It might help that The Vampire Diaries doesn't actually choose to show Stefan's brutality towards innocent humans on screen very much, saving the torture for a new werewolf named Ray Sutton (David Gallagher, Seventh Heaven). Telling us that Stefan rips bodies apart and puts them back together instead of showing it almost makes it seem untrue. A few tortured glances, and an anonymous phone call to Elena, show that the Stefan that fans love is still in there, so it's not as big a deal as one might think.

     Oh, except for when he kills Damon's "girlfriend" right in front of his brother. That's pretty wicked, and not at all expected of the "nice guy."

     Damon's actions are understandable, as despite being more of a jerk than Stefan, usually, he is a very honest character. What you see is what you get. He has been hiding what Stefan is doing from Elena because he doesn't want to see Elena hurt. Damon genuinely cares for Elena, no matter what he says, and the kiss they share last season makes him act a little more kindly towards her. He probably doesn't really expect to win Elena as a romantic partner anytime soon, but he does want to protect her, and he would like to be with her. Both of those things motivate him to only tell Alaric (Matt Davis) what is going on.

     What is going on, exactly? All that is known for sure is that Klaus (Joseph Morgan) wants to make more of his own kind. Roy becomes the first, presumably, since Klaus feeds Roy his blood, then snaps his neck. By next week's episode, Roy should be the newest vampire / werewolf hybrid on The Vampire Diaries. Whether such a "gift" will win Roy over as an ally, and spur him to lead Klaus and Stefan to his pack, remains to be seen. What Klaus plans on doing with his creations, possibly an army, also remains a mystery thus far.

     As for Elena, it's hard to know what she will do. She seems a bit desperate in "The Birthday," trying to be happy, and also holding out hope for Stefan. She is somewhat warm towards Damon until she discovers the secret he is keeping from her, but still holds her heart for Stefan. Will she blame Damon, the messenger? Will she be able to forgive Stefan? Either is possible, and both are hinted as likely. But it would certainly help her if Alaric didn't move off of her couch, as she seems to need someone else around, and when her friends and family keep dying, the possible list of companions is short.

     Caroline and Tyler are breaking some sort of serious vampire / werewolf hate pact with their sexual dalliance in "The Birthday." Yet, the chemistry between the two, building for awhile now, is strong. This must mean that the hatred between the species is a learned behavior, not the way things must be. That's good news for the happy couple, but bad news for the townspeople who think werewolves are OK, but vampires are evil. Of which Carol must be among the group. Tyler cares enough for Caroline that he will probably defend her from his mother, if he learns what is happening on The Vampire Diaries.

     Which might not be the case. After all, Tyler is sound asleep when Carol assaults Caroline. Since Carol is never involved in the town's anti-vampire stuff, it's kind of unexpected that she takes this action, and definitely knows what Caroline is. What she will do with Caroline is certainly a question left hanging.

     It's a shame, because that sex scene between Tyler and Caroline is all sorts of hot. Tyler needs to get back, immediately! After all, where else will he and she satisfy their "super horny" supernatural urges?

     As obvious from last year's finale, Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen) continues to see dead people. Namely, former love interests Vicki (Kayla Ewell) and Anna (Malese Jow). Is it happening more now because Bonnie (Kat Graham) is out of town, or does that just give Jeremy more time to dwell on it? Either way, it's enough to keep Jeremy's mind off of his dead aunt, and on to more immediate concerns. Hopefully, the horrors won't drive him back into the hard drugs; he already indulges in a little pot in "The Birthday." But there is hope when he finds a brand new buddy to bond with over the whole thing: Matt (Zach Roerig).

     Matt still misses Vicki, his sister, and with the whole supernatural world of The Vampire Diaries only recently visible to him, he surely has lots of questions. Elena is busy, and while there are still some unresolved issues with Caroline, he doesn't want to be around her much right now, understandably. So he finds his way to Jeremy, providing a pairing the series hasn't tried up til now. Considering they are two of the few humans left in the cast, it makes sense. With Matt entering this world with an angry revelation, maybe Jeremy can ease him into things a bit more gently. If Matt doesn't die first, since at this moment, Matt seems the most expendable main character left.


     The Vampire Diaries airs Thursday nights at 8 p.m. ET on the CW.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

     To purchase The Vampire Diaries books, DVDs, or watch streaming episodes, please go to here.

Article first published as TV Review: The Vampire Diaries - "The Birthday" on Blogcritics.

The Vampire Diaries Fall Run

     The CW's The Vampire Diaries completed its fall run this past Thursday with the episode "By the Light of the Moon." The first season left my head spinning a bit with just how much plot and development the show's writers managed to pack in. Judging by the first eleven episodes of season two, they are going to do it again. Which means excitement, twists, romance, and plenty of flashbacks to prior centuries.

     Not quite a teen sap-fast like many of the network's other shows, and not exactly the same as Twilight and the other vampire fare for teen girls, it's also not the bloodbath that is True Blood. Staking (excuse the pun) out a middle ground, The Vampire Diaries deserves its own audience. If I had to compare it to anything, I'd say Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but it takes itself a bit more seriously, stressing darkness over humor. Created by the same man that brought you Dawson's Creek and the Scream movies, Kevin Williamson, those two things will tell you more accurately than any other comparison what the show is.

     Before we get started on the review, I do have one question though: why do all recent vampire stories have to bring in werewolves? Sure, Buffy and Angel went light on the subject, and Twilight's werewolves aren't really werewolves, but seriously. The dog-hybrids are as commonplace as bloodsuckers nowadays. The Vampire Diaries have added some new things, like the fact that a single werewolf bite will eventually, through slow infection, kill a vampire. But, still! Enough already with the werewolf-vampire pairing.

     So, on to the show. As mentioned above, werewolves have arrived in Mystic Falls, courtesy of the Lockwood family. Tyler's (Michael Trevino) dad was killed last season without explaining the family's curse. Luckily, Tyler's uncle Mason (Taylor Kinney) showed up, though he, too, was killed without revealing too much of the mystery. But in this show, death can have far-reaching effects, as evidenced by the woman who showed up in this week's episode looking for Mason, prompting the town to declare him officially a missing person. I like that you can't murder someone, hide the body, and get away with it in this series.

     Caroline (Candice Accola) has had major problems since being vamped, and she has made a nice counterpoint to Tyler's story. Though I do complain that Caroline adapted to the vampire life much quicker than she should have, and unlike others did earlier in the show, her connection with Tyler, both of them accepting such a major life change early in their lives, has been nice. It's too bad their friendship will surely interfere with Caroline and Matt's (Zach Roerig) relationship, which, while currently off, is still important to them.

     Caroline has had some really touching stuff this year, especially in the episodes when her mother (Marguerite MacIntyre) learned her secret, only to have Caroline wipe her memory. The change has caused her and Tyler, who were both a bit whiny as teenagers, to suddenly grow into adults, dealing with major responsibilities and problems. It's a welcome evolution.

     Both Tyler and Caroline were forced into their transformations by a villain, bent on doing them in for their own purposes. Caroline was turned by Katherine (Nina Dobrev) as a message to Elena (also Dobrev), while Tyler was manipulated into killing an innocent girl just so someone could keep werewolves alive in Mystic Falls. Why that was done remains one of the unanswered questions still to be tackled this winter and spring.

     Speaking of Katherine, it has been awesome having her around this year. Last season was spent wondering why Elena looked like Stefan's (Paul Wesley) ex-girlfriend vampire, and now we're getting a few answers, albeit slowly. Dobrev is proving herself up to the challenge of simultaneously bringing two such different characters to life at once, and even after Katherine was locked in the tomb, there's still a lingering doubt just which one of them is appearing in each scene before some sort of confirmation surfaces. It brings new layer and excitement every time Dobrev graces the screen.

     Elena's brother, Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen), also got to mature as he learned about the secret underworld around him. Armed with his uncle's ring so he can't die, Jeremy has become an integral part to Elena, Stefan, and Damon's (Ian Somerhalder) plans. His only downside is his crush on Bonnie (Katerina Graham), who has taken his place as least likable character. Jeremy can do so much better, and besides, he has plenty of more serious things to worry about right now.

     I know Bonnie is struggling with what she can do, and how her friends are changing, but come on! The witch complains too much, can never make up her mind, and gets a nose bleed every time she does a spell. I believe that the magic involved in the series requires a witch to keep it going, making her indispensable. Still, I find myself wishing that she would be written off and replaced with a more interesting witch or warlock, one who is a match for the other supernatural forces around them. Bonnie is not.

     Competing for uselessness with Bonnie are Alaric (Matthew Davis) and Jenna (Sara Canning). I like them both, and sometimes they add a much needed element to the episodes. However, both are way underused. Alaric has held his own with creatures much more powerful than himself, but more often than not, he is not involved in the main trio's activities. Why not? He's such a great ally! His relationship with Aunt Jenna is sweet, but as long as she's kept in the dark about what's going on in the town, she'll never be more than a liability to Elena. Perhaps Alaric and Jenna should get married and move away. If they took Jeremy with them, I could even see a potential spinoff.

     Damon continues to be a major highlight, with Somerhalder as the good bad boy with just the right amount of sarcasm. How many characters can kill someone in cold blood and remain likable? I know Damon's murder of Jeremy didn't stick, but Damon wasn't aware that it wouldn't when he committed it. Yet, he is probably still my favorite character. Not only that, I feel like he has a bigger heart than just about anyone else. It's those strong emotions that cause such reckless behavior in him.

     The Vampire Diaries will not be back with new episodes until January 27th. However, this week the CW will be presenting a marathon, running season two episodes from 8pm to 10pm Monday through Friday, which covers ten of the eleven entries in this fall's run. The 11th, this week's, will surely rerun as well before the next new episode, so there is plenty of time to catch up.


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Article first published as TV Review: The Vampire Diaries - Fall Run on Blogcritics.

Vampire Diaries back with The Return

*Before you begin, need a refresher on the finale?  Here's my review from last spring.

     Tonight at 8pm is the long-awaited second season premiere of the CW hit, The Vampire Diaries.  In my press materials, I have been instructed not to tell you "who lives, who dies, who remains mortal, who vamps out, etc."  So I won't.  No major spoilers are below, although there are a few minor ones.  There are still a few things I can talk about without ruining the mystery.  For instance, this episode begins on the same night that the season finale ends, and goes through shortly after the mayor's funeral.

     When last season ended, a number of characters were in mortal peril.  Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen) had tried to off himself with a bottle of pills.  Caroline (Candice Accola) was in a car accident.  And Uncle John (David Anders) had been stabbed by the newly returned, but often talked about, vampire Katherine (Nina Dobrev).  I am happy and sorry to report that one of these three appears to make it through their peril, only to be apparently killed before the end credits roll, though I won't say which one.  I also, unfortunately cannot give the fates of the other two.  But I so want to!  Of course, with this show, even seeing someone get killed doesn't mean they are gone for good.  There are too many possibilities.  And the one whose death I referred to up above may not even really be dead, though I suspect that he or she is.

     Katherine is, of course, the focus of tonight's season premiere, and probably the season.  Nina Dobrev gets to stretch her acting skills, proving she can portray two different people in Katherine and Elena, although, you're not always sure which one she is when the scene begins.  Hopefully the writer's will keep it easy to follow.  Fortunately, the secret that Katherine is back is not kept a secret for long, and soon many characters know that she is in Mystic Falls.  Dobrev has plenty of fun, getting into physical fights with both Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Damon (Ian Somerhalder).  Katherine also tells one brother that she has comes back for them, while telling the other that she never actually had feelings for him.  Again, I won't reveal which is which.  But it's good stuff.  Oh, and she stabs one of them.  I will say that "The Return" is a very strong Damon episode, and fans of the bad boy will not be disappointed.  It's some of Somerhalder's best work.

     The other plot point that will surely have far reaching effects in the premiere is the quick arrival in town is Mason Lockwood (Taylor Kinney, Trauma), who has come to grieve his departed brother.  What this will mean for Mason's nephew, Tyler (Michael Trevino) is still up in the air.  And why Tyler and his father were affected by the anti-vampire device last season has not yet been explained, but at least one character seems to know why.

     The Vampire Diaries will be back tonight at 8pm on the CW.

Vampire Diaries spills requisite amount of blood

     The first season of the CW's The Vampire Diaries has just ended with "Founder's Day", and is it just me, or does it feel like it went through several seasons worth of plot?  Don't get me wrong.  It's been great.  I have definitely liked this show a lot.  But so much happened in just the first year, and several of the characters have gone through big, dramatic changes, that it seems like it got started a lot longer than nine months ago.

     The finale spilled more than it's share of blood, which will surely have lasting repercussions.  All of the tomb vampires are dead, bringing to a close the question of when any would return to cause trouble.  Or it is assumed they are all dead.  Perhaps a few didn't return to town.  The most unfortunate of those was the lovely and not evil Anna (Malese Jow).  Poor Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen)!  Doesn't any girl he likes survive?  No wonder he was swallowing pills!  Obviously Jeremy will return next season, but will he be human or vampire?  Uncle Jonathan (David Anders) also bit the dust, and as much as I love that actor, his death was welcome.  And very cool.

     The biggest mystery left unsolved is why the mayor (Robert Pralgo) and his son Tyler (Michael Trevino) were affected by the vampire weapon.  Tyler's eyes flashed, and the mayor was burnt alive.  But they aren't vampires.  This is supremely weird.

     The biggest moment in the finale was Uncle Jonathan's death, because of who did it.  Katherine (Nina Dobrev) has returned!  Season one wondered where she is, what she's doing, and why Elena (also Dobrev) looks just like her.  Now that the evil vamp herself has blown into town, perhaps we can get a few answers.  Also, having Dobrev play her means no worrying about actress availability or an extra salary.

     Fans of the show have taken to the internet, and many of them, myself included, are a bit bored by the Elena / Stefan (Paul Wesley) relationship.  Now that Damon (Ian Somerhalder) has decided to allow emotion and guilt back into his life, she and him would make a much better pairing.  Let's hope the show's second season, which has already been ordered, goes there.

Vampire Diaries bites back

     This past Thursday, The Vampire Diaries returned to the CW.  There's a lot of mystery in the show, and it's interesting to watch it play out.  For instance, this past week Elena (Nina Dobrev) got closer than ever to discovering the secret of where she came from.  She knows she was given to her parents by a woman named Isobel (Mia Kirshner, The L Word) who is still alive but doesn't want to be found.  My question is, why does Elena look so much like Katherine (also Dobrev)?  Surely, it won't just be that she's the great-great-grandniece or something?  I mean, they are identical!  I have high hopes that there will be some awesome explanation, like perhaps she is a reborn version of Katherine, tied into mystics and magic.  But I also have a sneaking suspicion that I may be disappointed.

     Connected to this mystery is Isobel's husband, Alaric (Matthew Davis, What About Brian), who had thought her dead.  Somehow, a ring that she gave him saved his life after Damon (Ian Somerhalder) stabbed him in the lung.  What in the world is it, and how did it do what it did?  And if they are going to pretend that Elena was actually Isobel's birthed daughter, who is the father?  Is it him?

     Also, the vampires that were trapped in the tomb below the town for the past century and a half have escaped.  How did they get out?  Bonnie (Katerina Graham) and her sadly deceased grandmother (Jasmine Guy, Dead Like Me) barely held the seal open long enough for Elena, Damon, and Stefan (Paul Wesley) to make it out.  How did others escape?  Is the seal somehow permanently broken?  I don't understand that bit.

     As far as I can tell, it's a pretty good series.  My only current complaint is that there is so much focus on characters who are only doing limited run, like Alaric, Isobel, and the new vampire group, that several of the main characters get limited development.  For instance, although Bonnie has had some plot, she was not at all relevant this week.  Tyler (Michael Trevino) in particular has had nothing to do for months.  I don't know if the CW was just trying to get the teenage cast in there to attract their typical viewer, and now wants to go deeper into back story, or what,  but if that's the case, it's time to dump a few of the high schoolers.

     The Vampire Diaries airs Thursday nights at 8pm on the CW.