THE VAMPIRE DIARIES: “The Night of the Comet”
Paul Wesley as Stefan, Ian Somerhalder as Damon in THE VAMPIRE DIARIES on The CW. Photo: Bob Mahoney/The CW
Read on for my recap & review of The Vampire Diaries 1×02, aired September 17th, 2009:
The episode opens on a young couple making out in a tent. There is also more fog—this effect is quickly becoming a scene-stealer on the show. Unfortunately, the fog is a drama queen, and tends to overact its lines. The woman thinks she hears rain, and sends her boyfriend out to make provisions. When she hears a dripping sound, she thinks that she’s been proved right, but instead it’s dripping blood (as every viewer probably suspected—we’ve all read those scary stories).
Elena’s VO begins: “Dear Diary, this morning is different. There’s change, I can sense it … feel it.” Then Stefan’s VO chimes in: more of the same. The VO is cool and all, but I can’t be expected to recap it, can I? Aunt Jenna (my new favorite character) asks Elena if she looks adult enough. An up-do is decided to do the trick. She has to go to the high-school for a parent-teacher conference with Mr. Ass-Hat (actual name: Mr. Tanner). Jeremy lied to his aunt about leaving early for Wood Shop, and instead goes to visit Vickie, as he’s obsessed. Obsessed. But sort of in a sweet way, right?
Back at school, Elena and Stefan are in History class, as that is clearly the only subject that school teaches. Hey, I’m not complaining—I wish that was the case everywhere. Although, I guess they could just have Mr. Tanner for multiple subjects. The two love-birds get called out by (you guessed it) Mr. Tanner for staring at each other. Later, when they’re in the hall, there’s a Wuthering Heights mention (does every vampire love that book?). Stefan lends his early edition, complete with Emily Bronte’s original pseudonym, to Elena. Now that’s the kind of boyfriend I need—the kind with first editions of my favorite books. Stefan just went up a notch.
Bonnie and Caroline walk the halls as well, and we get a little exposition about Bonnie’s supernatural gifts, plus a tease about her grams (to be played by Jasmine Guy). Caroline asks if she’s psychic or clairvoyant, and Bonnie replies: “Technically, my grams says I’m a witch.” I am so down with this storyline—give me more witchcraft please. And oh yeah, the comet is a harbinger of doom, so get ready for carnage.
Meanwhile, Jeremy confronts Tyler, and threatens him on Vickie’s behalf. I’m actually pretty proud of how the little druggie stalker handled the scary attempted rapist. Tyler must go down.
Elsewhere in the school yard, Matt tells Elena that his sister said that a vampire attacked her. He also asks about her and the new guy. Elena says that she doesn’t want to hurt him. I believe her. I always thought that Elena really cared about Matt, despite the lack of passion. On that clichéd note, Matt abruptly leaves to return to the hospital. Meanwhile, Stefan uses his super-vamp-hearing to learn this incriminating bit of news, and hurries to the hospital.
At the parent-teacher conference, poor Aunt Jenna is patronized by Mr. Tanner, who feels that he has the right to tell her what she’s doing wrong with her broken family. Hate him. Mr. Tanner tells Jenna that Jeremy’s on drugs, and asks: “Are there any other relatives in the picture? … Could there be?” While I applaud the fact that he cares enough about his student to step in, he has zero people skills, and is a complete jerk. He also seems to think that four months after both parents’ death is enough time to get over it. I think not. If anyone talked to me about my family like that, I could not be held responsible for the damage I would inflict.
Matt goes to visit Vicki at the hospital, and a creepy scene ensues in which it seems that Vicki has super-speed or teleportation skills. The poor girl is freaking out. When Matt goes to get help, Stefan uses his glamour power to convince her that she was attacked by an animal. As he’s leaving the hospital, he stumbles into the blood-bank. Hmm, not the smartest plan. He resists temptation though. Good for him.
Cut to a little girl talk, between Elena, Caroline, and Bonnie. I can’t possibly recap the inanity, so I’ll spare you all. Suffice it to say, Elena is inspired to go find Stefan.
Cut to poor Aunt Jenna trying to get through to Jeremy, but he walks out on their conversation. I feel grateful that my little brother at least waits until I’m done talking to walk away and roll his eyes at me. Jeremy better be careful how he treats his sweet aunt—I’m watching him.
Meanwhile, Vicki has changed her tune about what attacked her, and tells her brother so. Jeremy interrupts, as he can’t stay away from Vicki for more than five minutes. Matt, still clueless about their relationship, excuses himself. Vicki gives it to Jeremy straight: “I don’t want people to find out about us Jeremy.” She explains that she’s older, and that she thinks Matt and Elena would freak, blah blah blah. She even brings up her attempted date-rapist Tyler’s expanding interest in her as a reason. That girl is seriously damaged. How did Matt turn out so well? And where are her parents?
Elena goes to visit Stefan, and no one seems to be there. The house is a very cool old place, that has a historical feel. Then a crow flies in, and Damon’s suddenly there. Damon introduces himself to Elena, and messes with her head a bit. He tells her about Stefan’s ex, Katherine, which makes Elena feel insecure. When Stefan returns, he’s clearly still affected from his hospital encounter, and is seemingly dismissive of Elena. When she leaves, Damon taunts Stefan about the mind-trick that he used on Vickie: “Remember, if you don’t feed properly none of those little tricks work.”
Vicki continues to freak out, despite Stefan’s glamour, and has flashes of Damon’s face, all vamped out. So, was Damon the one who attacked her? Later, she gets some drugs from Jeremy. See, he really cares about her? Sigh. Jeremy has much to learn before he’s ready for a real relationship–such as, don’t poison the one you love.
Meanwhile, at the Comet Festival (what was it called?), I’m overcome by memories of the Stars Hollow festivities during the Gilmore Girl days. Are they using the same set? Elena and Stefan act like the star-crossed lovers they are, and part rather sadly. Side-note: Stefan has mastered “the look.” I believe that he loves Elena, 100%, so Paul Wesley has proved himself to be a good romantic lead in my book.
At the coffee bar, Vicki recognizes Damon. That won’t end well. Jeremy looks for Vicki, and then goes a bit postal, and tells Matt and company that he slept with Vicki. No one seems to have much of a reaction, or to believe him. Matt is now concerned, and prompts everyone to search. In other news, the unfortunate resurgence of plaid clothing continues. Elena takes this opportunity to confront Jeremy on his drug use, but he’s not amenable. Matt confronts Stefan about seeing him at the hospital, but then Stefan runs off, as he hears something in the background.
Stefan looks up to see Damon and Vicki up on top of the roof. Stefan rushes up to the roof, and Damon retorts: “Very good. Have you been eating bunnies?” It’s all in the delivery. Boone who? Damon also offers the following cryptic, and possibly revealing, line: “I don’t need her to be dead, but you might.” Hmmm. The intensity between the two brothers builds, with poor Vicki stuck in the middle. Damon removes Stefan’s glamour, and then convinces Vickie that Stefan was the one who attacked her. Damon stresses the fact that Stefan’s lifestyle has made him weak. He gives Stefan the choice to feed from Vicki and glamour her, or let her run through the town screaming vampire. Stefan doesn’t yield to the ultimatum, so Damon finally glamours poor Vicki, once again. Stefan wonders what Damon’s really after. Damon: “That’s for me to know, and for you to dot dot dot.” Hehe. The scene is pretty awesome, and makes me excited to see more of the dynamic between the two brothers.
Bonnie talks to Stefan and gives him Elena’s number. When she touches him, she gets some kind of vision—a vision of death, one would assume. As Bonnie hurries out, Caroline quips, “Yeah, she kind of wigs out. It’s like her thing.” Ha!
Elena goes home to see Aunt Jenna going through Jeremy’s room, looking for drugs. Aunt Jenna reports to Elena the mess that was her meeting with Mr. Tanner: “Your ass-hat of a history teacher shamed me good yesterday.” Elena: “You got Tannered.” Ha! Elena and Jenna have a good heart to heart, which gives Elena the push she needs to return to Stefan’s. She doesn’t want to be scared anymore.
Jeremy looks on while Vicki and Tyler kiss, and is crushed. McQueen had certainly improved his acting chops from his Everwood days. Outside, Caroline walks to her car and runs into Damon. Caroline: “Cocky much?” Damon: “Very much.”
Elena goes to Stefan’s and they decide to watch the comet together. Elena gives a little speech about how she has been trying to do the safe thing, but she no longer wants to do that. Stefan stares at her adoringly, and returns her sentiments. Finally, they kiss, but the music got so loud at that point that it distracted from the romance. The song was great and all, but it shouldn’t have stolen the scene.
The last scene features Caroline and Damon having sex, when suddenly Caroline is bitten by Damon and screams. Dream? Reality? Will she just be glamored afterward, and thus forget it all?
I must admit that I’m really loving this show–I have re-watched both episodes multiple times, which is a rarity for me. I’m definitely in for the long haul.
good recap. but were you serious when you asked if damon was the one who attacked vickie? also, why do you hate plaid so much, is it because it includes colors other than black??
Ha ha! Regarding Damon biting Vickie, I don’t think it’s obvious at all, despite what Stefan thinks. Damon said the line, “I don’t need her dead, but you might,” to Stefan. I know the answer, since I’ve read the books, but I don’t want to spoil it for everyone. I’m just pointing out that it’s uncertain. Is your feeling that he did?
As for the plaid, I’m just annoyed that fashions from our middle school years are coming back in full force. It makes me feel old. The 90s are the new 80s. Sad.
OK, since the show went a different way with this than the books, you are totally right. See, now you can’t yell at me for spoiling you, since I don’t even know the answers, due to all the changes. Hehe.
As much as you seem to be a “bad boy” girl, I’m a “good guy” girl. Angel? Check. Bill (True Blood)? Check (although Eric is much more attractive). Stefan? Check.
Oh how I love Stefan. Paul Wesley’s acting is phenomenal. Much better than I thought it would be. He’s dreaaaaamy [High School Crush Moment over, I promise].
I haven’t read the books, but it calms me that you seem to be enjoying the series even if it’s a departure (from what I gather) from the books. That is good news.
Can’t wait to continue reading!
.-= Check out Gabby/GloryisBen´s recent blog post: GloryisBen: @heroine_tv OoOo I used to love that show! I might need to re-watch that. One of my best friends is obsessed wit G.H.; enjoy! =-.
Well, somebody has to love those good boys I suppose. My sister Frani is the same way. Actually, I do like the nice guys on occasion: http://www.vampire-diaries.net/tvseries/guest-post-matt-nice-guys-finish-first
I hope that you’ll keep on watching, because the show gets better and better.