"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 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.

"1912" is a great year for The Vampire Diaries

This week's entry of the CW's The Vampire Diaries is called "1912." Sheriff Forbes (Marguerite MacIntyre) arrests Alaric (Matt Davis) for the serial killings happening in Mystic Falls. Elena (Nina Dobrev) is convinced that Dr. Fell (Torrey DeVitto, Pretty Little Liars, One Tree Hill) is the actual guilty party, so she and Matt (Zach Roerig) break into Dr. Fell's house to search for evidence. Damon (Ian Somerhalder) would also like to help Alaric, but becomes more concerned with Stefan (Paul Wesley), whose cold turkey method of quitting blood drinking is brewing trouble. Damon's memories of 1912 tie Stefan and the killings together via Sage (Cassidy Freeman, Smallville), an important vampire in the brothers' lives.

While flashbacks are important in the story of The Vampire Diaries, they haven't made for the best episodes. They reveal important milestones in the growth of who Stefan and Damon are, but are rarely exciting on their own. "1912" is a little different because of the addition of Sage, and the point in the personal history of the Salvaores that it chooses to show.

Damon and Stefan both struggle with the urge to drink human blood with varying degrees of success. Fans know that both have gone through differing periods where their personalities have changed. Stefan's issues stem from a tendency to swing to the extremes, whereas Damon, while complex, remains more consistently true to himself. However, that doesn't mean that Damon isn't capable of growth or regret. Feeling guilty for failing to stop Stefan's mistakes in the past, "1912" finds Damon stepping up, taking a proactive role to keep Stefan from having another freak out.

Sage is a mysterious lady, with her intentions for Mystic Falls remaining a mystery. She helps Damon see what feeding should be to vampires, and a way to do so without turning into the hunted monster of the town. But why she does so isn't clear, nor is what happens to her after her brief story in "1912." Luckily, she will be returning to present day events in The Vampire Diaries next week. It's lucky, because Freeman proved her skills as an actress in another CW series, especially in mixing threatening, sexy, and vulnerable, and it's wonderful to see her bring those talents to bear again.

There is also some great Damon / Rebekah (Claire Holt) interaction in "1912." He may treat her poorly, but there are indications that they could possibly have a real relationship, once Damon begins to get over Elena. Not saying they're going to get a happy ever after, but they could make a go of it for awhile.

In the present, much is made over the Gilbert tendency to go insane, not unlike Stefan, but through no fault of their own. Samantha Gilbert is the serial killer in "1912," so it's not without merit that one may begin to wonder if Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen) has returned to town, and is behind the latest slaughters.

Alas, no. The Vampire Diaries has done a masterful job, yet again, of tossing in the unexpected twist. The latest being that Alaric really is the one responsible, and Dr. Fell is going to great lengths to help him. Which makes her a character very much worth having around, and hopefully, she will stay in town. Of course, why she didn't just come clean in the first place doesn't make a lot of sense. But still...

It's very possible that the fault lies in Alaric's ring, but will removing it stop him from killing? And no ring leaves Alaric highly vulnerable. The Vampire Diaries has a history of killing off any human who isn't supernatural or has major supernatural help. Alaric isn't as valuable to the Salvatores as Elena, so he could be screwed without that ring, unless he wants to hang up his vampire hunting ways forever. No matter how awesome it is to see Alaric getting some meaty screen time, it's not worth it if it takes him off of the show for good.

Most episodes of the series are terrific, but sometimes it is nice to slow down the action and let half the cast take a week off. This week's episode is the perfect example of that. "1912" is great because it takes the time to focus intimately on a couple of characters and plots, rather than trying to fit in everyone.

One will not want to miss what happens next! Watch The Vampire Diaries Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET 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 haunted by "Ghost World"

     This week's entry of the CW's The Vampire Diaries is called "Ghost World." Damon (Ian Somerhalder) is surprised to be attacked by Mason Lockwood (Taylor Kinney), whom he killed. Then other ghosts begin showing up. Elena (Nina Dobrev) is pleased to see Lexi (Arielle Kebbel), who agrees to help Elena try to get through to Stefan (Paul Wesley). Stefan is still out of touch with his humanity, thanks to Klaus (Joseph Morgan). The deceased tomb vampires terrorize the town again. Bonnie (Kat Graham) is jealous of Jeremy's (Steven R. McQueen) closeness to his dead ex, Anna (Malese Jow). Luckily, Bonnie's grandmother, Sheila (Jasmine Guy), returns to help her send the ghosts, including the tomb vampires, Mason, Lexi, and Anna, back to the other side.

     "Ghost World" is thrilling because a number of characters fans think they may never seen again pop back up. Anna has been around for a handful of episodes now, but seeing Lexi, Mason, Sheila, and others is a fun diversion. The notable absence from all of this crazy is Jenna (Sara Canning). Not that there isn't enough going on already, but it would be nice if she appeared, considering how Elena, Jeremy, and Alaric (Matthew Davis) are still struggling to cope with her loss.

     Mason is the most surprising of the ghosts who invade Mystic Falls. When last seen, Mason is kind of a bad guy. But death changes him, making him realize what is really important in life. This time, Mason's biggest concern is helping his nephew, Tyler (Michael Trevino), who is Klaus's new hybrid vampire / werewolf. As such, Mason is able to put aside his differences with Damon, as he realizes that Damon is his best shot at taking out Klaus, thus freeing Tyler from very negative influence.

     Damon continues to struggle with whether he can be good or not. With Stefan going evil, there is a vacuum of positive vampire influence in town. Damon resists filling that gap, and yet, cannot help doing so to some extent. He's not warm and cuddly, barely apologizing to Mason for killing him, and only because he is forced to. But his friendship with Alaric, well on the way to a true bromance, feels more real, even if Damon won't verbally express his feelings. And, of course, he has true affection for Elena, which motivates him into helping her whenever possible.

     When Stefan returns to his right mind, will Damon go back to being bad? It seems like one of the Salvatore brothers must be somewhat ornery, because, despite their brotherly love, they can't stand being on the same page too often. Or, at least, Damon can't. He may be changed significantly by his time being the good brother, which he has been in the past, but this is unlikely to cause a permanent light to grow in Damon's soul. He struggles with both sides of his personality, and neither will ever win completely.

     Stefan was bad long before The Vampire Diaries begins, but within the relatively short span of a television series, he may not be able to get back to as truly good as he appears in the first couple of seasons. He kills too many people and acts like such a jerk to Elena, it's a wonder that she can maintain her love for him, under the circumstances. Sure, she realizes intellectually that Stefan isn't completely responsible for his actions. But he isn't completely innocent, either. Elena' determination to save Stefan's soul is likely to rob her of many of her feelings for the guy, even if she is convinced it isn't right to stop working to save him.

     Jeremy's love triangle with Anna and Bonnie is equally complicated. Bonnie has every right to be jealous that her boyfriend is spending romantic time with his ex. Yet, it's hard to blame Jeremy in "Ghost World" because of the circumstances. After all, he is still in love with Anna when she dies. How does one choose between a woman with whom his relationship is never resolved, and the one he is with now? Under normal circumstances, Jeremy's actions would be inexcusable. With such a complex set of happenings, though, it's hard to find fault with Jeremy as he sorts through the dilemma as best he can.

     That does not mean that Bonnie does not have a point when she gets angry at Jeremy. She is right when she says that Matt (Zach Roerig) lets go of his sister quicker than Jeremy can dismiss Anna. That means there is something wrong between Bonnie and Jeremy. Jeremy should have gotten over Anna by now, and be moving on. Or else he should not be with Bonnie. This calls into question whether Bonnie is some sort of rebound for Jeremy, rather than true love. If Jeremy is into Bonnie as much as she is into him, he wouldn't let anyone stand in their way, even someone from his past.

     Though Anna steals the necklace that can send the ghosts home in "Ghost World," she isn't a bad guy. Her actions are because she doesn't want to lose Jeremy again. Considering that their breakup is against both of their wishes, a second chance is something they deserve. But they cannot have it. Anna realizes this, after innocent townspeople are killed by the tomb vampires, and hands the jewelry back over to Bonnie. She is a good girl, and will not let others die just so she can be happy. It makes her return to the other side almost as tragic as the first time, albeit more noble.

     Bonnie is becoming downright scary in The Vampire Diaries. Her magical abilities raise Jeremy from the dead and allow ghosts to come through to this world. Considering her emotional reactions, Bonnie doesn't seem stable enough to be trusted with such awesome power. One who can command elements with that much far-reaching consequence should be wise, not a young girl who can't make up her mind about important matters. Sheila is kind to her granddaughter when helping clean up the mess, but maybe she should be a little more stern. Bonnie needs to stop messing with things she doesn't fully understand, at least until she gets a better head on her shoulders.

     During the town crisis in "Ghost World," Caroline (Candice Accola) saves Carol Lockwood (Susan Walters) from the tomb vampires. Will this mean a whole new relationship for Caroline and her boyfriend's mother? Carol is getting over Caroline's vampire status, after seeing that Tyler is also a supernatural being. But there isn't a lot of affection between the two women. Watching Caroline risk her life to save Carol's should help Carol change her tune. Even if it isn't totally believable that Caroline can take on a bunch of older, more powerful vamps on her own and triumph for very long.


     Watch The Vampire Diaries Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET 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 to here.

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

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 - "As I Lay Dying"

     The CW's The Vampire Diaries did most of its blood shedding last week, killing off four characters, including poor Aunt Jenna (Sara Canning, who will be missed), an original series regular. So what was left for the season finale, "As I Lay Dying," last night? Instead of massive amounts of death, Damon (Ian Somerhalder) slowly grows weaker as the poison of the werewolf bite consumes him. His brother, Stefan (Paul Wesley), goes to evil original vampire/werewolf hybrid Klaus (Joseph Morgan), quite likely the most dangerous being on the planet, as Klaus's blood is the only thing that can cure Damon. But Klaus will only hand it over if Stefan gives up the restraint he has carefully constructed and go wild evil himself. It's a tough decision. Can Stefan save his brother knowing that the consequence may be Stefan will not be able to stop killing innocent humans?

     Long have viewers heard of the "evil" Stefan, who is a ruthless hunter, ripping out scores of throats of hapless victims. Never has he been seen. Klaus begins activating him by forcing Stefan to chug blood bag after blood bag, sparking the lust and powerful instincts within him. There is no telling if Stefan can come back from this. He has before, but it is unknown how. It is easy to believe Stefan is just playing along at first, knowing his limits. But to save Damon's life, Stefan may have passed what he can handle.

     At first, it is easy to believe that Stefan is just playing along with Klaus's game. He has to drink, or Klaus would stop humoring him completely But at some point, it must become more than Stefan can handle. How else to explain Stefan chasing down and killing an innocent human woman at the end of the episode? This is not a price the Stefan featured these past two seasons would deem acceptable. Yes, it is his brother's life on the line. But Stefan has always been a pacifist who would find another way. This is a sure sign that the blood has taken over, and a different Stefan has emerged.

     As for Damon, no surprise, he is healed. Damon is one of the "essentials" in The Vampire Diaries, and is in no way expendable. Katherine (Nina Dobrev) brings him Klaus's blood after she escapes Klaus. What is interesting is that Katherine goes to Damon at all, instead of selfishly fleeing. She obviously cares for him somewhat, a fact that has been in doubt for quite some time. It is unlikely Katherine is looking to stick around with Damon for any length of time, but she has some respect for his life, or she wouldn't even have taken the time to stop by.

     Elena (also Dobrev) cares for Damon while he's sick, and even kisses him as she believes he is dying, just before Katherine shows up. The show has always had some romantic tension between Elena and Damon, but this is the first time she has really allowed herself to return any of his affections. One wonders how involved Elena may get with Damon next season, as they will surely by looking for Stefan, spending long hours together, and the more she hears about what Stefan is doing now, the less she may want to see her boyfriend. His brother is sweeter.

     In "As I Lay Dying," an extremely important series of events occurred that will have long last effects on the entire cast of The Vampire Diaries, and has nothing to do with the Salvatore brothers or a Dobrev character, believe it or not. Sheriff Liz Forbes (Marguerite MacIntyre) aims her gun at Damon, but instead fatally shoots Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen). Bonnie (Katerina Graham) does a magical spell to bring Jeremy back, angering the witches and upsetting nature. Because the supernatural saves an innocent, Liz is able to begin to accept her vampire daughter, Caroline (Candice Accola). But Jeremy is soon visited by two dead ex-girlfriends: Vicki (original cast member Kayla Ewell) and Anna (Malese Jow).

     There is no telling what Vicki and Anna are or what they are doing here. Are they ghosts? Figments of Jeremy's mind? Can he now see the dead because he was dead and some part of his brain remains tuned into death? Will they just appear to him? Will others see them? Will they be nice or mean to Jeremy? Will they help or hurt people? Will others follow them? The questions are endless.

     Bonnie made the mess, and no matter why the girls have shown up, it is a mess. Seeing dead people is never a good sign in any story, The Vampire Diaries will be no different, and it is inconceivable that it will not have to be fixed. Bonnie has grown arrogant with the great power she now has. Will this be a turning point for her, when she realizes she needs to think about the consequences of her actions, instead of just doing whatever spell she feels is necessary in the moment?

     Liz has been determined to wipe out vampires in her town for a very long time. Her going soft on Caroline could have repercussions. As part of the Council, by now she has to have told others, most likely at least Carol Lockwood (Susan Walters), about Caroline, Stefan, and Damon. So will Liz be able to stand up for her daughter, when everything she has worked for her entire life has been against what her daughter has become? Can she fight against the people that were her co-conspirators in keeping the town safe? It's a very tough position to be in, but at least Caroline has opened Liz up to the fact that vampires are people, too. They are not all soulless, murdering monsters.

     Finally, Alaric (Matthew Davis) hasn't had a lot of self-driven plot as of late. With girlfriend Jenna dead, he seems to be offering Jeremy a father figure. Hopefully, we can look forward to some good development for the teacher slash warrior, who has proven with his large heart and loyalty he deserves a place in The Vampire Diaries.


     The Vampire Diaries has been renewed for a third season and will return to the CW in the fall.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Click here for all of my Current Season Reviews.

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

Article first published as TV Review: The Vampire Diaries - "As I Lay Dying" on Blogcritics.

The Vampire Diaries has "The Last Dance"

     CW's The Vampire Diaries is a fantastic show. It has been having a wonderful year. The cast is great, plot twists come fast and heavy, the threat of death permanently hangs in the air, character growth continues, and twists abound. Yet, last night's episode, "The Last Dance," is definitely a weak point of the season and the series. SPOILER ALERT. If you have not seen last night's episode, do not read this until you do, unless you don't mind spoiled surprises.

     Elena (Nina Dobrev), who is afraid of Klaus (actor not yet seen), an elder vampire supposedly coming to kill her, decides its worth the risk to go to a school dance. This is before Klaus sends her a message that he is attending, and thus necessitates her presence, lest he harm others in her stead. It is easy to understand after she gets the message why she must go. But before that, why even consider taking such a dumb chance? She's certainly smarter than that. Once she gets to the dance, she actually dances, instead of remaining constantly vigilant for the extremely dangerous murderer lurking around. Stupid, stupid, stupid!

     Klaus does eventually reveal that he has taken over Alaric's (Matthew Davis) body. He forces a showdown between himself and Bonnie (Katerina Graham), a witch he knows has the power to kill him. From Klaus's perspective, this makes total sense. Force the witch to use too much power and die while taking out Alaric, and then the real Klaus is free to come into town and do whatever he wants without the threat of Bonnie interfering. From Bonnie's viewpoint, though, she obviously wants to stay alive so she can fight another day. She knows it would be a waste to die here and now.

     So Bonnie and Damon (Ian Somerhalder) come up with an 'ingenious' plan that Bonnie will cast a spell making it look like she is dead, and then Klaus will leave town thinking he has accomplished his goal. Though viewers are not let in on this plan until Bonnie 'awakes from the dead' later, it's very clear that she is smarter than to waste her life on such a foolish feat. Thus, all of the tenseness is taken out of the equation, and it's hard to believe for even a second that she has bitten the dust. So why does Klaus believe it? Is his ego really that huge? Is he so arrogant to believe he has won so easily? If so, he isn't as much of a scary danger, as he has been made out to be, as he carries a huge vulnerability.

     The episode isn't all bad. Damon once more shows that he chooses Elena over anyone else. He is willing to let Bonnie die to save Elena's life, and it is the reason he can sell the Bonnie trick so easily. More and more of Damon's soft heart keeps coming out, and it's almost to the point where one can root for Damon in getting a little of Elena's affection. He is willing to let Bonnie die, but he doesn't want to. He wants to protect the entire little band as much as possible, just prioritizing Elena first.

     Elena is stuck in a very delicate position. She knows that some of her friends may soon die in order to save her. Sure, there is more at stake than just Elena's life, but she is just as willing to sacrifice herself to save the day as anyone else is. Which is probably why she takes the dagger out of Elijah (Daniel Gillies) at the end of the episode. Elijah is dangerous, but Klaus is more so. True, she should have told someone so that she has protection from Elijah, but anyone strong enough to protect her would also have stopped her, so of course she has to go into the dungeon alone.

     Where has Jenna (Sara Canning) gone? She left angry at the end of last week's episode, upset that Alaric and Elena have been lying to her. She seems on the verge of being brought in on the secret world, unless she is killed first. But now that she's become interesting and involved, her presence is sorely missed in this episode, and wonder is sparked about what exactly she is up to.

     How will Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen) contribute to the upcoming showdown with Klaus? While he has no natural supernatural abilities, just a ring that keeps him alive, it is certain that he will be a part of any big confrontation. And what's more, he's finally strong enough to lend a helping hand in some way, even if that way isn't completely obvious yet. The way he hides with Bonnie is incredibly sweet and noble.

     Right now, the biggest unknown seems to be what Matt (Zach Roerig) has told Sheriff Liz Forbes (Marguerite MacIntyre). It looks like Liz now knows that her daughter Caroline (Candice Accola) is a vampire, but has not said anything to her about it. She also knows the M.I.A. Tyler (Michael Trevino) is a werewolf. But has Matt told her about Damon, Stefan (Paul Wesley), Bonnie, or anyone else? What Liz knows will determine if she continues to trust Damon, or what the town council will do. Which means she could interfere at an inopportune time, either hurting the good guys or herself in the process. Liz's reaction has been very different than the first time Caroline was outed to her (Liz's memory is wiped of that incident), so it's very curious what her plan is now.

     The Vampire Diaries continues its second season Thursday nights at 8 p.m. ET on the CW.

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


For frequent mini-reviews and occasional TV news, follow Jerome on Twitter.

The Vampire Diaries Invites in "The House Guest"

     The CW's The Vampire Diaries is taking about six weeks off, as many shows do at this time of year. As such, the series decided to make sure they went out with a bang before their break, and did they ever deliver! Unexpected deaths, secrets revealed, relationship pathos, a singing vampire, and a surprise at the end that perhaps no one saw coming. Oh my!

     While much of the last weeks have been spent dealing with Elijah (Daniel Gillies) and his witch minions, Jonas (Randy J. Goodwin) and son Luka (Bryton James, The Young and the Restless, Family Matters), those three now appear to be out of play, at least two permanently. Elijah is dispatched by a special dagger. Jonas and Luka show some really neat, previously unknown to us viewers, magic, as Luka somehow invisibly manifests himself in the Salvatore house to remove the dagger from Elijah and bring him back to life. Katherine (Nina Dobrev) sees the dagger moving and calls for Damon (Ian Somerhalder), who, even though he doesn't know who the unseen assailant is, fries Luka to a crisp. Jonas then goes on a revenge kick, stirring up all kinds of trouble at The Grill, before Katherine and Stefan (Paul Wesley) permanently take him out of the game in Elena's (also Dobrev) bathroom.

     Luka and Jonas are just the latest non-villains to check in to town and meet their demise. Previously, Rose (Lauren Cohan) similarly died. Whereas Rose's death, though, is not the fault of our band of heroes, Jonas and Luka's somewhat are. It's sad, really. They are sympathetic men. If only they had agreed to help Stefan, as he asked. It really pounds home the point that what is going on is some dangerous stuff. Magic and supernatural creatures are often portrayed as tame on the series, especially the main characters, but flashes of danger and death belay that conclusion. While Jonas's death is really his own fault, his motivation to save his daughter is pure, as proven by his final gift to Bonnie (Katerina Graham). As such, it is hard to blame him for what he does. I am really anxious to see how Jonas's daughter will take the news, and will she turn on the people that will surely rescue her after she learns of their part in her family's death?

     Luka and Jonas, along with Katherine's actions in this episode, also demonstrate complicated characters. The Vampire Diaries prefers shades of gray to black and white heroes and villains, and they are the latest good example of this characteristic. Damon, of course, has always struggled to balance his dark and light sides. But seeing the people that Damon, Stefan, and Elena fight against being portrayed as not necessarily bad guys, too, makes the story so much more intriguing. I look for Klaus, the forthcoming big bad of the season, to be a little more on the villainous side, but we'll have to wait and see.

     Katherine becomes even more mysterious this week, willingly assisting Stefan and Damon in the take down of the male witches, as well as helping in the research that will allow them to kill Klaus. This seems out of character for her, as she often tries to kill the brothers and their friends. I'm not the only one who thinks so, as Damon also finds her behavior strange. Why Katherine is being friendly is not revealed this week, but there is surely a selfish bend to her actions. Katherine has been shown over and over again to care only about Katherine. Surely, she cannot be trusted in any life and death confrontation.

     Even more interesting, Katherine decides to make a move on Damon, and Damon rejects her. Damon is in love with Katherine, and has been since they met. Does this mean he is getting over those feelings? I find that doubtful. I think Damon is trying to protect his heart, knowing he cannot trust Katherine. As such, if she continues to be helpful and continues to show an interest in him, I think Damon will eventually act on his feelings for her. I also think this would make a great arc, and would like to see the Salvatore brothers each dating a woman who looks exactly the same as his brother's girlfriend. Do I dare to hope this is what will happen? Of course, Katherine surely is just trying to get in good with at least one one of the group before betraying them all.

     I think the only moment that felt fairly unauthentic this week was when Bonnie asks Elena's permission to date her brother, Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen). Elena's reaction is just plain weird. It looks like the director purposely has her make a face that doesn't seem to indicate she is OK with the situation to build false suspense Seconds later, her blessing seems totally sincere. The two do not match up, and Elena would never keep Bonnie squirming just to torment her. It wasn't the reaction that Elena should have had. Yes, Elena would have conflicting emotions when presented with this arrangement, but it was just so poorly done, in my opinion, which seemed out of step with the usually great execution in the show.

     Bonnie and Jeremy themselves are a little strange. Bonnie is definitely weirded out when she first starts to feel something more than a basic fondness for her best friend's younger brother. While Jeremy is gung-ho immediately, it takes Bonnie longer to warm up. I really like them together, and have enjoyed seeing this natural, organic relationship rise up between them. Any hesitations are beginning to fade away, but not too fast. This was not a plot I was on board with originally, but it has been done in such a way I find it hard to complain. Quite nice.

     Almost every person important to the story now knows what is going on in Mystic Falls. This week, Alaric (Matthew Davis) asks Elena to consider telling her Aunt Jenna (Sara Canning) about the vampires and such, though Elena has yet to make a decision. Alaric doesn't feel like he can have a true relationship with Jenna until he can be honest with her, which is understandable. I kept expecting Elena to invite Jenna in to talk to all of her friends and fill her in on the family secrets, but she never does. It's a shame, as Jenna is in constant danger from the threats, and I really feel she could better handle herself if she knew what she was up against.

     However, I find it likely that the choice has been made for Elena with the surprise visit from Isobel (Mia Kirshner, The L Word) at the end of the episode. Isobel is Alaric's ex-wife, who he tells Jenna is dead. Plus Isobel is Elena's biological mother. I find it highly unlikely that whatever reason Isobel came to town can be disguised from Jenna after such a blatant confrontation. Jenna has already been asking questions after Uncle John (David Anders) drops cryptic hints. I do not see it likely that Jenna will take simple answers and let the subject drop. I'm excited! Jenna will totally be a wild card in the mix, if she survives the season.

     Besides Jenna, Mystic Falls's other character in the dark is Matt (Zach Roerig). It's been a big issue that has kept Caroline (Candice Accola) away from him. She worries about trying to carry on a relationship with someone now that she is a vampire. Yet, she can't bring herself to stay apart from Matt. Caroline sings a declaration of love to him that was a high point of the episode. Accola has a voice! Minutes later, though, Matt is lying on the floor bleeding to death and Caroline must use her blood to save him, though he did not die fully, and thus did not become a vampire himself.

     I thought that Matt was the next death, and I was kind of excited that he should die just after reconnecting with Caroline, but also while still being in the dark about so much. He has become a little boring, written into the corner he is in. However, that all changes in an instant. To say that Matt reacts badly is a massive understatement. He immediately connects vampires to his sister Vicki's (Kayla Ewell) demise last year, perhaps even a little too quickly, as if he has already suspected something along these lines. Just like that, a plot I thought was long over is brought back to life with a vengeance, and sets Matt up to have an exciting spring as he learns hidden details and puts pieces together. How will he react once he hears the whole story? I honestly have no idea. I also worry that he, like Jenna, may not live to see season three.

     Who will indeed live? And where has Tyler (Michael Trevino) gone? Be sure to catch The Vampire Diaries when it returns to the CW on April 7th. The series airs Thursday nights at 8 p.m.



Article first published as TV Review: The Vampire Diaries Invites In "The House Guest" on Blogcritics.

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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.