THE VAMPIRE DIARIES: “Crying Wolf”

Yeah, they haven't even been stalked by werewolves yet, and already they look miserable. Stefan and Elena are just not carefree-weekend-in-the-country people. Photo Credit: Quantrell D. Colbert/The CW.

Read on for my recap & review of The Vampire Diaries episode 2×14, “Crying Wolf,” aired Thursday, February 10th, 2011:

It was another solid episode this week, and we got a lot answers.  We now know more about the werewolf agenda, the Martin warlocks’ motivation, Elijah’s plan, and even some of Klaus’s activities.  Niiiiiiiice.  Alaric got some quality screen time with John and Damon, and the chemistry between Elijah and Damon threatened to light the town of Mystic Falls ON FIRE.  Elijah did more heart-snatching than he’s ever done, and he was otherwise superior and awesome in every way.  I really want to say “Have a little respect,” or “Silence,” every time that I enter a room now.  Tyler kind-of-sort-of redeemed himself a teeny-little bit, and then left town.  Goodbye, Tyler!  Don’t come back unless it’s with a plan to save Caroline’s life (not that she needs it!) and a spine.  Additionally, Elena did some serious stabbing and took care of herself.  Hurrah!  Aaaaaand there was some love triangle stuff—including Matt getting angry, and Bonnie finally admitting that Jeremy is hot.  Is it sex spell time yet?  So, before I discuss everything of note in one paragraph, on to the recap …  

The werewolves want to break the curse of the sun and the moon too, and Tyler is super helpful in their plan to kill all his friends.

We open on a werewolf funeral, following the carnage of last week’s vamp-wolf showdown.  Turns out that a werewolf funeral is pretty much like any morning after a full moon, but this time the wolves feel sad.  Poor wolves.  NOT.  As the bodies of their friends burn, Jules and Brady stand by the RV and chat with a newcomer—a werewolf named Stevie, who is wearing an annoying knit hat and just wishes that he could be as cool as Slater.  Stevie has put two and two together about Mason and the moonstone: “It’s the sun and moon curse.”  He reveals that he had suspected something back in Florida, when Mason “was banging that hot vampire chick Kathy and he didn’t want anyone to know.”  Furthermore, Mason was asking Stevie all kinds of questions about the curse.  Looks like Mason was smarter and more informed than we all thought.  However, the details and motivations are still a bit foggy.  Hmmm.  But back to the living werewolves, Stevie declares: “Witches, vampires, moonstone—they’re putting everything in place to break the curse.”  Brady: “We can’t let them do that.  Even if we have to kill every last vampire in this town.”  Yeah, good luck with that.  It worked out so well last night.  These werewolves really should have made some witch friends.  Jules, meanwhile, looks like she really would rather not be there.  She probably wants to be brainwashing Tyler for her cult-like non-moonstone-related purposes.

Later, Tyler shows up to the camper in the woods, and the werewolves asks for his help.  They fill him in about the curse, and confirm Slater’s words in “Katerina.” Yes, it matters who breaks the curse.  Stevie explains, “Vampires break the curse, they’re free to walk in the sunlight, but we’re stuck only turning at the full moon, a.k.a., werewolf armageddon.”  Brady: “But if we break it, they’re stuck as night walkers, and we can turn whenever we want.”  Stevie adds: “a.k.a., werewolf domination.”  I guess that I have just been over-thinking things since “Katerina.”  We got our answer about what the werewolves want then.  Of course, I have to wonder, if there is a witchy cure for the effect of the sun on vampires, is there also a magical solution for the werewolves to turn at will?  That would be interesting and even the playing field a bit.  Tyler’s ears perk up at the idea that breaking the curse would mean that he would never have to turn again.  Uh oh.  They’re offering him exactly what he wants.  What will he be willing to do in return?  We find out soon, when Stevie explains, “If those vamps are gearing up to break the curse, that means they must have also found the doppelgänger.”  Tyler hasn’t been watching television lately, however, so he’s confused by the term.  Stevie explains, “Evil twin shadow person.”  When Stevie shows Tyler a picture of hot vampire chick Kathy on his phone, Tyler immediately recognizes her as Elena.  Stevie has Katherine’s picture because Mason brought her to the bars a few times, but no one liked her because she was a vampire.  Tyler is shocked: “I’ve known her my whole life.” Of course, this fact does not prevent Tyler from siding with the wolves to go kidnap Elena.  Siiiiigh.

To Tyler’s credit, however, he is pretty hesitant.  Later on, when he and Brady plan to head out and get Elena, Brady senses this hesitation.  “You up for this?” he asks.  Brady continues: “These people have done nothing but lie to you.  This girl that you’ve known since birth, she’s with the vampires now—the ones who killed Mason.  They’re the enemy, and if they break that curse, all of us are as good as dead.  Are you up for this?”  Tyler says yes.  Oh, Tyler.  Do you even KNOW what you’re up for?  What breaking the curse entails?

Caroline, Bonnie, and Jeremy play Scooby Gang and witch-roofie Luka.

So, remember how last week, Bonnie revealed that she knew all about Luka, and no longer trusted the Martin warlocks?  Well, in this episode, Bonnie teams up with Caroline and Jeremy to find out what Luka and his dad are up to.  Her plan?  It basically consists of her kidnapping Luka and forcing him to tell her what he knows with magic. Well, it beats handing him the moonstone.  Three cheers for Bonnie.

How to execute her plan?  Well, rather than brute force, Bonnie brings Luka coffee at the Grill.  He’s surprised that she’s talking to him, and Bonnie explains she found out what happened with Elijah and the wolf pack.  He seems happy that this inspired Bonnie to give him another chance, and starts spreading his “warlock love vibes” (tm Vee & Melissa).  As Caroline watches from across the room, Jeremy approaches and asks how it’s going.  Caroline is hilarious and oblivious as she says: “She’s selling it and he’s buying it.  She’s giving him the sex smile.”  Hee.   Oh, you mean this smile?    Jeremy is not thrilled by this: “All right, Caroline.  I get it.”  Caroline is oblivious no longer as she sees his face, and she realizes that Jeremy has got it bad for the witch.  Bonnie, meanwhile, continues to give Luka the sex smile until he starts to feel woozy.  There was something in that coffee!  As Jeremy terms is: Witch Roofie!

The trio brings Luka to Caroline’s house, where they set to work lighting candles.  Bonnie explains to Jeremy and Caroline: “I’ll put him in a trance and ask him questions.  It’s like hypnosis.”  Jeremy asks if she’s strong enough, but she says she’ll draw power from the flames.  Ooh, cool.  At least now we know why witches are sooooo obsessed with candles.  They have a purpose!!!  (Sadly, this does not explain why every love scene on television features more candles than any one person owns.)  When Bonnie lights these candles with her powers, Caroline makes a pointed remark to Jeremy about how hot it is.  Oh, Caroline, never change!  When Jeremy is out of the room, Bonnie calls her on it.  Caroline announces: “He’s so crushing on you.”  Bonnie: “So?”  Caroline: “So … you’d rather be with traitor warlock over here?”  WORD, Caroline.  Bonnie explains: “I’m not into Luka.  It’s just, you know, he understood me.  And he was new … different.”  Caroline: “And you’ve known Jeremy since forever and you only see him one way: as Elena’s brother.  But you’re a witch and I’m a vampire.  It’s not like we’re in any position to …”  Bonnie interrupts: “Be picky?”  Caroline: “No, to … judge.”  Before they can discuss it further, Jeremy returns with water for the spell, and notes that Luka is starting to awake.

Bonnie begins her magic on Luka, which basically involves holding her hands on his temples, and concentrating really hard, as flames rise around her.  Luka begs her to stop, but she doesn’t. Instead, she begins with the questions.  First of all, why he is he working with Elijah?  Luka answers: “Klaus.  We both want him dead.”  Bonnie asks why.  Luka: “Because he has her.  We have to get her away from him.”  He reveals that “her” is his sister.  Klaus has Luka’s sister!  As reasons for colluding with an Original go, this is a good one.  Luka explains: “He’s searching for a way to undo the curse without the doppelgänger.  He’s forced generations of witches to help him for centuries.”  Wow.  Did he think that a second doppelgänger was impossible?  (Which reminds me, how was that second doppelgänger possible?)  And will he be able to succeed?  Also, why does he care so much?  As an Original, surely he can walk in the daylight.  Is he that scared of werewolves?  Elijah certainly showed no fear of them.  Also, how does this relate to Dr. Martin’s grimoire collection?  Hmmm.

Bonnie then asks what Elijah has promised the Martins.  Luka: “If we help Elijah kill Klaus, he’s promised to return her to us.”  Bonnie asks how to kill Klaus, how to kill an original vampire.  Luka: “He’ll kill me if I tell!  Don’t make me!”  At this, Jeremy tells Bonnie it’s okay, and that they can find another way, which I thought was very compassionate of him.  Bonnie, however, proceeds with the answer-forcing.  Cold.  She asks how Luka and company will kill Klaus.  Luka: “After the sacrifice, Klaus will be vulnerable, weak.  It’s our only chance.”  Both Caroline and Bonnie immediately catch onto the “after” part and Bonnie concludes, “Elena will be dead.”  Luka confirms this: “Yes, Elena has to die.”  Jeremy whispers no.

Luckily, however, learning the news that Elena will most likely die does not prevent Jeremy and Bonnie from hooking up.  Bonnie’s best friend and Jeremy’s sister may be in danger, but they’re young and beautiful … so, duh.  The two get left alone at Caroline’s house, because Caroline went to drop Luka off at the Grill.  Jeremy hilariously comments: “Yeah, well, I hope she drops him hard.”  Hee.  But then Bonnie decides to speechify: “Wait, you’re Elena’s little brother.  I’ve known you forever.  You’re that punk kid.  I remember your awkward phase, and then your emo phase, your druggie phase.  Overnight you turned into this hot guy who’s really sweet …”  Jeremy picks up on the key information in this speech, and asks, “You think I’m hot?”  Duh!  Bonnie continues to blabber: “With everything that’s going on—curses and sacrifice …”  Kiiiiiiiiiiisssssss.  And then kiss again.

Damon, Alaric, and Elijah attend a tea party, and then fight some werewolves.  You know, just a typical day.

Previously, Damon hooked up with local reporter Andie Star, and compelled her and drank her blood.  Due to the compulsion, she’s happy as a clam the next morning, as she tells Damon that she’s late to cover the Historical Society’s High Tea.  The tea is being held for a visiting writer   who’s writing a book on small town Virginia.  Yep, it’s Elijah.  Before Andie leaves, Damon coaches her: “Okay, you have your story straight in your mind, right?”  Andie: “I can’t say that you bit me or drank my blood—just that we hit it off and I really like you.  You are terrific though.  You’re sweet, you’re funny, you’re honest …”  Um, yeah, sooooo sweet and honest, I can barely stand it.  Ugh.  He continues, but this time with compulsion: “And you’re falling hard.”  Compelling her to fall in love with him?  That is just so beyond wrong.  Andie replies, “You might be the one.”  Excuse me while I throw up.  Ugh.  Damon, however, seems to find it greatly amusing and light-heartedly waves goodbye to his new fake-girlfriend, saying, “Have a great day, honey.”

As Andie leaves, Alaric arrives.  Damon invites him in and shows him his new vampire killing toy from John Gilbert.  Oh, Alaric loves finding new weapons to kill vampires!  (Sadly, this will be the highlight of the day for him.)  Damon repeats John’s instructions: “Dip the dagger in the remains of an old white ash tree that dates back to the Originals.”  Last night John said ash of a white oak, but whatever.  Alaric concludes, “So you think it’s a set-up.”  He knows John Gilbert.  Damon agrees, saying that he wouldn’t put it past John, who’s a “weasel.”  Team Blood & Beer then discuss their plans for the day.  Alaric and Jenna were supposed to go to the family’s lake house, but they were roped into a tea party instead.  While Alaric seems less than happy about it, I am THRILLED!  Damon asks, “Where Elijah’s a guest of honor?”  Alaric is immediately wary: “Tell me you’re not gonna kill him at the tea party.”  Oh, poor suffering Alaric.  Also, isn’t it adorable that Alaric thinks that Damon could kill Elijah?  Hee.  As if.  Damon assures his friend: “No, that would be stupid.  I want to know his end game before I kill him.  But I do think it’s time Elijah and I officially met.”  Agreed.

Luckily, the tea party itself does not disappoint.  First of all, we see Alaric, with the most hilarious and uncomfortable expression, as he sips his tea from a rose painted tea cup.  Priceless.  Is there a screen cap of that?  If so, please send it to me.  Elsewhere in the room, Elijah talks to Carol Lockwood about the niceties of his book, and just drips with charm.  The calmer and more polite Elijah is, the more exciting it is.  It’s just so … ominous.  Anything is possible.  Jenna is surprised to see Damon there, but her curiosity is assuaged when Andie walks over and the two kiss.  Jenna is surprised by this development, but Damon just casually thanks her for introducing them.  After Damon walks away, Andie sighs with happiness to her friend, and says “Wow.”  Poor Andie.  Damon then goes over to Carol Lockwood, and they’re all buddy-buddy.  I think my idea that they meet weekly for tea to discuss the council is right.  Carol then introduces her dear friend, and member of one of the founding families, to Elijah.  The two vampires share a long and slow handshake and stare deeply into each other’s eyes and it is AMAZING.

While Elijah and Damon go get a room (I am not making that up), John Gilbert approaches Alaric to ask what Damon is doing with Elijah.  Alaric: “How would I know?”  John: “Because you’re his little helper.”  Alaric: “If you say so, John.”  John then asks, “Does Jenna know about your little extracurricular activities?  She can’t stay in the dark forever.”  Alaric eloquently replies, “You’re a dick.”  Well said.  You all know that I love David Anders, but if it’s a question of Alaric vs. John … well I’m Team Alaaaaaric EVERY TIME.  John then gets all territorial and pissy: “I don’t think that you should sleep over anymore.  It’s inappropriate with children in the house.  And that ring that Isobel gave you?  That’s mine.  I’m gonna want that back.”  Hold up, wait a minute.  NO ONE TOUCHES ALARIC’S RING.  IT IS THE REASON HE IS STILL ALIVE.  STEP OFF, UNCLE JOHN, UNLESS YOU WANT TO LOSE MORE THAN FINGERS.  (And considering what happens to Alaric later, I am very relieved that Alaric holds onto that ring.)  Seriously, though, this scene was awesome.  John really provides a great foil for so many of our characters.  (But Alaric better be alive and training potential slayers by season end.)

Okay, now about that room … Damon and Elijah needed some privacy to discuss … Elena.  What else?  Elijah is, of course, all politeness, and Damon plays nice at first too, but when the Original is not forthcoming about his plans, Damon attacks.  Rookie move, Salvatore.  Elijah quickly gains the upper hand and scolds Damon: “Young vampires—so arrogant.  How dare you come in here and challenge me.”  Damon tries to act confident: “You can’t kill me, man.  It’s not part of the deal.”  Elijah simply replies, “Silence,” and stabs Damon in the neck with a pencil.  Best scene ever?  The awesomeness is only magnified when Elijah proceeds to whip out a handkerchief and calmly declare:  I’m an Original.  Show a little respect.  The moment you cease to be of use to me, you’re dead.  So, you should do what I say.  Keep Elena safe.”  With that Elijah exits. Damon got in trouble.  Hee.

Daniel Gillies had the following to say about that scene on his Twitter:

truthfully, the moment took me. i simply thought damon looked like an excellent pencil-case.

February 11, 2011 2:23 am via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@mrholymonster

daniel gillies

Love it.  Also, OMG, if Daniel Gillies’ hair was on any other actor, I wouldn’t even be able to look at him on screen, but the man sells it as if he has the best hair ever.  I’m pretty sure that is the true meaning of style.  Thus, Elijah has the best hair ever.  Case closed.

Later, Damon and Alaric drown their sorrows with drinks at Casa Salvatore.  I couldn’t love the interaction between these two more.  Damon gripes, “Today was a bust.”  Alaric: “Yeah, how’s the throat?”  Damon: “Sore.”  Alaric: “Yeah, Elijah’s one scary dude.  But with nice hair.”  See?  Even Elijah agrees about the hair.  Alaric is then true to form by refilling his glass and pouring another for Damon.  Damon notes, “He’s gonna be hard to kill.”  Alaric: “I’d think twice before I trust that dagger and some ashes to do the job.  You’re gonna need more info.”  Damon complains, “I’m out of sources.”  Alaric: “What’s up with you and this news chick?”  Damon: “Oh, she’s got spunk, huh?”  Really, Damon?  You basically compelled the spunk out of her, and that’s what you praise?  Shut up.  Alaric, sadly, is not too concerned about Damon’s treatment of women, but just tiredly urges Damon, “Just don’t kill her, please.”  Damon jokes, “If I did, who would report her death?”  Alaric: “Just don’t do it.  She’s friends with Jenna and it’s bad enough that I’m lying to her about everything else.  I hate the lies.”

I’m torn between amusement and horror and anger at Alaric’s casual treatment of Damon’s abuse of Andie here.  It’s just all so messy and complicated.  It shows how much the past year and a half has changed Alaric.  Nothing is black and white on this show, and Alaric, like everyone else, is making choices based on taking care of the people he loves.  This motivation is both loving and selfish at the same time. Alaric couldn’t trust in the law or the normal rules of society when his wife “died.”  Thus, he went off on his own and trained himself to fight vampires.  Then, when he came to Mystic Falls, Alaric chose to be loyal to the Salvatores and Gilberts.  While it was initially in the interest of survival and protecting the innocent, along with an unhealthy dose of revenge, this decision now informs everything that he does.  When you think about it, it’s kind of like a small-town-America version of the Mafia or something.  Hmmm … I sense a prospective essay topic.

However, back to the plot, Alaric says that he has to go and pick up Jenna, but he never makes it.  When Damon hears a noise, he finds Alaric stabbed.  (Thank goodness for that Gilbert ring.)  It was a werewolf—remember, they’re looking for the moonstone.  Sigh.  These wolves are really targeting all the characters I love most.  Down with werewolves!  Stevie then jumps Damon, and stabs him in the neck with a vervain (sucks to be Damon’s neck today) and rides him piggy-back until Damon finally collapses.  Then the other werewolves (minus Tyler and Brady, who are otherwise occupied) enter, led by Jules.

Stevie then proceeds to torture Damon with a creepy looking collar with chains.  For the record, Stevie really seems to enjoy it, much like Brady.  I’m not sure if two torturous werewolves make a pattern, but this is certainly not helping their reputation for peacefulness or sanity.  Jules then brings up the moonstone, and Damon (and the entire audience) replies: “Oh, if you only knew the irony of this moment, right now.”  Ha!  History repeating, indeed.  Cue more threats and torture and questioning about the moonstone.

Elijah, however, has impeccable timing, and enters with the stone: “You looking for this?”  He calmly places the stone down, and welcomes the wolves to come and get it.  Three heart removals later, Jules runs while Stevie hides under his coat.  Damon looks impressed.  Elijah proceeds to taunt Stevie and dismiss the importance of the missing she-wolf, before killing Stevie.  Can’t say I’ll miss him.  Before leaving, Elijah notes to the battered Damon: “You realize this is the third time I’ve saved your life now?”  Wait, come back, Elijah!  We’ll miss you!

While Alaric is lying dead-but-not-dead in Casa Salvatore, John Gilbert uses the opportunity to sew the seeds of dissension between Jenna and Alaric.  Of course, first, John gets in a dig at Jenna’s parenting (she did allow her teenage charge to go off on a romantic weekend getaway with her boyfriend unsupervised): “I always knew you were lax with them, but I didn’t think you were negligent.”  Well, John, now you know.  (But John would be a waaaaay worse guardian in his own way.)  Jenna, in her defense, does have solid reasoning: “She wanted to get away from you, okay.  And so do I, so I’ll be staying with Ric.”  Well as long as your parenting decisions are purely reactionary, and determined by anger, Jenna.  John sarcastically responds, “Because he’s such a great guy, right?”  Jenna: “You are on dangerous ground.”  John declares, “He’s a liar, Jenna.”  Jenna: “What?”  John: “Did he ever tell you what happened to his wife?”  Jenna: “She died.”  John: “Really?  So they found his body?”  Jenna: “What are you saying?” John: “Why don’t you ask Ric.  I’d love to hear his answer.  Have a great night.”  Uh oh.

I mean, yes, Alaric is lying about a lot.  But John is also lying to everyone about countless things, so he has no room for moral righteousness.  Alaric’s lies to Jenna later that night, however, when he attempt to explain his failure to pick her up, do not help matters.  Jenna is clearly upset.  Things are not looking good for Alaric and Jenna’s relationship.

Also of note, once the werewolves are gone, Damon receives a phone call from Bonnie, filling him in on Elijah’s plan.  To his credit, he doesn’t rush out to the lake house, nor does he immediately try to kill Elijah.

Elena and Stefan leave town for a romantic getaway.  It ends in stabbing and death, naturally.

Remember that beautiful friendship moment at the end of “Daddy Issues,” when Elena, Bonnie, and Caroline hugged and planned to “slumber it”?  And remember how Stefan made it happen?  Well Stefan ruins it by calling Elena way to early in the morning and waking everyone up; and then Elena ruins it by answering and making plans to leave town as soon as possible.  Seems that she’d rather have a slumber party with Stefan, and the desire to get away is also fueled by her daddy issues.  How could Stefan refuse?

Of course, no one puts up any resistance to the idea of a teenage girl leaving town for the weekend with her boyfriend, alone, because this is Mystic Falls, and it is television.  Well, John might have a problem with it, but Elena tells Stefan: “Let’s go before John shows up and pretends to be a concerned father.”  Hee.  Of course, before leaving, Caroline texts Elena to ask where she’s going, but really it’s Tyler, who stole Caroline’s phone (what a winner!), and he finds out the details: Elena’s family’s lake house.  So we know that this trip is going to go smoothly without any problems whatsoever.

They drive up to the lake house in Stefan’s awesome car, but once they arrive, Elena looks less than happy.  She drops the bomb that she hasn’t been there “since before” … that is, since her parents died.  Sadness.  She assures Stefan, however, that she was “just having a moment,” and that she wants to stay.

Then there’s some silliness about Stefan not being able to enter the house, where Elena pretends that John Gilbert is the only one who can invite him in.  Kiss kiss.  Yawn yawn.  Ooooh, Elena is wearing AMAZING boots.  Later, Elena and Stefan stand out on the dock by the lake, and it is all very Dawson’s Creek.  They talk about their future, and Stefan says cheesy stuff about whispering and love and memories.  Okay, I take back what I said last week about it being weird that Stefan and Elena don’t have more scenes together.  Love love blah blah.

Later, once it’s night, Elena watches as Stefan cooks.  Since he’s doing all the work, she offers to get fire wood.  Stefan worries because it is cold outside.  Oh, my god, someone please save Elena from THE COLD!  Thankfully, she reminds her boyfriend of the existence of COATS.  On her way to the door, however, Elena gets distracted by nostalgia, in the form of her mom’s perfume.  Stefan follows her, and things get romantic.  Blah blah kiss kiss.  Elena cautions, “Stefan, it’s my parent’s bedroom!”  He then notices that the wall behind their make-out spot is hollow and breaks apart the boards to see what’s behind.  Turns out, it is a room lined with weapons.  Sarah Connor clearly used this place as a hide-out on the run from terminators.  Or, maybe, just possibly, some of the Gilberts were involved in vampire hunting.  OMG, don’t you hate it when you’re making out with your vampire boyfriend and you stumble into your parents’ secret room full of vampire-hunting weapons?  Sooooo awkward.

As Elena looks through the room, she notices that there are journals: “These must be the other Johnathan Gilbert journals.  Jeremy had the one, but John said that there were others.”  Ooooh, exciting.  Stefan decides to go out to get the wood, to let Elena have a moment.  One guess how that will turn out.

Yep, when Stefan goes out to the wood shed, he’s shot by Brady.  Brady then gives the gun to Tyler, and tells him to keep Stefan down—if he moves, kill him.  Brady, of course, is off to find the doppelgänger sacrifice, a.k.a. Elena.  When Tyler tells Stefan not to move, Stefan begs for Tyler to get the bullet out because it punctured his heart.  Remember how last week how Caroline pulled a bullet out of her head?  Yeah, just another example of Stefan’s inferiority to Caroline.  I hope someday she tells her mom, “And I’m totally better than Stefan at digging bullets out of my brain!”  Stefan tries to tell Tyler that they don’t want to break the curse.  Tyler, however, says that he does: “I can’t be like this forever!”  Stefan: “Tyler, I’m just trying to save Elena.”  Tyler: “Elena will be fine.”  Stefan sets him straight, explaining that in order to break the curse, Elena has to die.  Uh oh, Brady was less than truthful.  Will this push Tyler to help his old friend?

Meanwhile, inside, Elena starts to worry.  She calls out, “Are you growing the trees out there?”  Brady stands silently outside the house, waiting for her.  Elena starts to move towards the door, and calls again to Stefan, but Brady attacks … and gets stabbed by Elena.  I mean, Elena gets the upper hand on him so fast that it’s like she’s Buffy or something.  Impressive.  She then runs upstairs, and he says he can smell her.  Gross.  She takes off her sweater/ top layer shirt thing to throw him off, and then hides.  Brady continues the hunt, but Elena is being tricksy … and then she stabs him again!  Very impressed with Elena.  She runs outside with her knife, and Brady follows.  But before she can stab Brady AGAIN, Stefan finishes the wolf off.  Buh-bye, Brady.

At this point, Tyler walks out from the shadows, and it becomes clear that he let Stefan go, in order to help Elena.  Tyler tells Elena: “I didn’t know what they were gonna do to you.  I didn’t.  I just … I don’t want to be like this anymore.”  Elena, despite having spent the last few minutes running for her life from a werewolf, is full of compassion.  She goes over and hugs Tyler, and he apologizes.  While this certainly redeems Tyler a bit, let us remember that last week, when Caroline was in mortal peril, he just stood idly by.  Does Elena have to be the one in danger for anyone to help anyone in this town?!?  Siiiiiiigh.

Later that night, Damon calls Stefan to fill him in on Elijah’s plan: “Straight from the witch’s mouth.  He was gonna go through with the whole sacrifice.  You should probably keep her away a little while longer.”  Stefan urges his brother to be careful and then breaks the news to Elena.  Of course, duh, Elena already knew.  She admits, “I know the deal I made, Stefan.  Elijah’s very careful with his words.  He promised to protect my friends.  He never said a word about me.”  Stefan is shocked, but Elena explains, “If it comes down to the people that I love getting killed or me, I know what my choice is gonna be.”  Stefan is angry: “Elena, how could you stand out there earlier with me, making plans for your future, when you don’t even expect to have one?”  Elena: “I’m sorry, Stefan, I’m just trying to keep the people that I love safe.  I’m trying to keep you safe.”  Stefan: “No, what you’re doing is you’re being a martyr.”  Elena: “How is that any different when you say that you would die to keep me safe?”  Stefan: “Because I’ve already lived—162 years, and you’ve barely begun.  Now you want to get yourself killed?  That’s not heroic.  It’s tragic.”  Well, I think it’s both.  Still, I’m hoping for a witch rebellion (I mean, they’re the ones with all the power, and yet they’re being bullied and controlled by the vampires), in which the Originals go down, and Elena escapes unharmed.  Of course, Elijah would survive the massacre, and be the last living Original.  He would remain in Mystic Falls, drinking a lot of tea in a menacing manner.

Caroline, Matt, and Tyler: love triangle DRAMA.  Farewell, Tyler.

Okay, we’re not finished yet.  We still have to discuss the Matt-Caroline-Tyler draaaaaaamaaaa.  After catching Caroline in a lie the night before, Matt gives Caroline the cold shoulder at the Grill the next day.  Caroline doesn’t know that she was caught in a lie, so she’s confused.  Later, Caroline approaches Matt to talk, like they were supposed to the night before, but he is still cold.  She wants to “clear up the weirdness” and “talk about us.”  Matt says that she’s just making it worse, but Caroline still doesn’t get it.  Finally Matt asks, “Where were you last night, when you were supposed to be with me?”  Caroline starts to answer but Matt interrupts: “And don’t say you were with Bonnie, because Bonnie was here, Caroline.  I saw her.”  Caroline: “Oh.”  Matt: “Yeah.”

Tyler then tries to talk to Caroline, but she tells him to stay away from her.  He bumps into her—very intentionally, I might add—and her purse spills. Caroline yells, “Stop it, Tyler, you’re just making it worse.”  Tyler tries to reason with her: “Please, Caroline, I’m sorry about what happened, okay, but there’s just so much we need to talk about.”  But don’t sympathize with him, because he pockets Caroline’s phone amid the chaos, in order to kidnap her best friend.  Luckily, Caroline is not moved by his hollow words, and tells him to leave her alone, running off.

Later, Matt approaches Tyler.  He is pissed and declares: “The two of you want to get together?  Fine.  There’s nothing I can do about it.  But do me a favor and both of you stop lying about it.”  So, Matt went from believing and trusting Caroline to certain that Caroline is hooking up with Tyler, after ONE LITTLE LIE?  I mean, we know that she’s lying about more, but he doesn’t.  Tyler says there’s nothing going on, but this just makes Matt more angry.  He grabs Tyler by his jacket and yells, “I said, stop lying!”  Poor Matt—so many people are lying to him all the time.  How is he to know when anyone is telling the truth anymore?

Later, Tyler goes up to the lake house, realizes the error of his ways, sort of, and makes preparations to leave town.  He leaves a note for his mom, and then he goes to see Matt.  Tyler explains: “I’ve been going through a rough time—something I can’t really talk about.  Caroline’s been helping me through it.  She’s been there for me, more than anyone has been my entire life.  I kind of fell for her.  I don’t know how anyone wouldn’t because she’s pretty incredible.  But she loves you.  And she needs you.  And to be honest, she deserves someone like you.  So you be good to her.  Okay?”  Matt is all appreciative of this sudden burst of honesty: “Yeah, man, of course.”  Tyler: “See you around.”  DO. NOT. LIKE.  I mean, Tyler’s speech may have been made with the best of intentions, but I couldn’t help but feel frustrated.  How does Tyler know what Caroline needs and deserves?  I think he’s proven that he doesn’t.  And it was all a little Jacob Black/ Edward Cullen in their discussion of the girl they love’s romantic future behind her back.  Like, I’m so glad that the two of them figured out which one should be with Caroline.  *sarcasm font*  Also, now that Tyler assures Matt that Caroline loves him, not Tyler, Matt is okay with Caroline?  Caroline already admitted that she loved Matt, and Matt seemed to believe her.  It was the lying that upset him, right?  Well, then why did he immediately jump down Tyler’s throat after talking to Caroline, basically accusing him of hooking up with Caroline?  So, this is really all about Matt’s jealousy?  Yawn.  The will-they-won’t-they of the Caroline-Matt relationship is starting to get frustrating, with increasingly constructed, and then reconstructed, barriers between them.

Tyler then makes one last stop before leaving town—skulking in the shadows outside Caroline’s house.  She doesn’t see him, and then Tyler heads to Jules’ car and gets in.  Jules is driving, and they’re planning to leave together.  They’re the last two werewolves left alive in Mystic Falls.  Tyler: “I’m sorry about Brady and your friends, but if I’m gonna go with you, no more lies.”  You’re sorry about BRADY, Tyler?  Ugh.  Jules assures him: “No more lies.  You’re doing the right thing.”  Tyler: “I can’t stay here.  Not like this.”  And the car drives away.  And with their exit, the town of Mystic Falls is temporarily werewolf free.  Personally, I don’t want to see any more werewolves in town for awhile.  Unless the werewolf in question is Professor Lupin, come to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts to the kids of Mystic Falls High; or Alcide Herveaux, in town to stand around being hot.

Quotes

• Damon: “What’s his name?”  Andie: “Elijah Smith.”  Damon: “Smith?  He’s using Smith?” 

• Damon: “My new girlfriend: Andie Starr, Action News.”  Alaric: “It’s not called Action News.”  Damon: “Yeah, I know.  I just like saying it.”

• Elena: “So many memories.  Do you ever think about us?  What our future will be like?  Our memories?”  Stefan: “There are a lot of conversations to be had about our future.  About the kind of life we can have together.”  Elena: “There’s a box that we shouldn’t open.”  Stefan: “We can open it … when you’re ready.”  Elena: “No.  I’d rather just be here now.”

• Stefan: “I look hot in your dead great grand-dad’s jacket?”  Elena: “Beyond hot.”  

Questions

• Thoughts on Elijah’s plan to kill Klaus? Klaus will become vulnerable “after the sacrifice.”  Why?  Is this specific to Klaus, or to all Originals, or to all vampires?  Is it because Klaus will be the one to preside over the ritual?  Will he play some sort of specific role?  Do the captured witches know about this vulnerability?  And if so, will they use the opportunity to stage a witch rebellion?  Crossing my fingers for the latter.

• What does “doppelgänger” really mean on this show? Stevie describes a doppelgänger as an “Evil twin shadow person.”  Yes, except that Elena is not evil.  On the TVD Podcast that I take part in, there was some discussion (a long while back) of Elena as being an “inverse doppelgänger.”  It was completely fascinating, but honestly it all kind of went over my head at that point, and I can’t remember the details.  Now I’m thinking something that is possibly the same theory everyone else already had, so my apologies.  Is the reason that Elena is not an “evil” doppelgänger because she is the opposite reflection of Katerina, who was the dark reflection of the original sacrifice?  To use an Oscar-nominated metaphor, the original sacrifice, whoever she was, was a White Swan, and then her doppelgänger was a Black Swan.  So, the Black Swan’s doppelgänger—the copy of a copy—would be a White Swan.  Basically, Katerina was an “evil twin shadow person,” but her reflection is a good and light person.  Or maybe doppelgänger should just be taken to mean “a distant relative who looks exactly like you in every way.”

• What did we really learn about Mason in this episode? So he knew about the curse from werewolf sources, not just Katherine’s story, and he was curious.  He brought “hot vampire chick Kathy” around the werewolves, but then wanted to keep their relationship a secret.  He didn’t tell the wolves that he was looking for the moonstone.  We already knew that he plotted with Katherine to get the moonstone, and yet hid the stone in a well full of vervain.  Did Katherine truly convince Mason that she was going to help him break the curse?  Was he telling the truth to Damon on that score?  Why not tell the other wolves then?  Because they hated vampires, and he was worried that they would kill Katherine?  Had he decided to help his friends behind their backs?  But if he trusted Katherine, then why leave the moonstone in the vervain-filled well?  If, however, Mason was using Katherine to get to the moonstone, the question remains: why didn’t he tell the rest of the wolves about it?  Is it just because the writers hadn’t decided that there would be a werewolf cult yet?  Had Mason somehow escaped the gang-mentality, and so he didn’t trust the rest of the werewolves?  Or is there more to the story?  Hmmm.  Either way, at least Mason knew what he was doing, even if we don’t.  Also, he had the presence of mind to not divulge any of this to Damon when he was being tortured.  Good on Mason.