Writers: Sean Reycraft, Kevin Williamson, and Julie Plec
Grade: B
Unfortunately, I was pretty meh on this episode. Too many characters acting stupidly, nonsensically, and annoyingly.
Jeremy’s new love interest was trying way too hard to make everything out of her mouth sound cute and quirky, and I couldn’t decide if it was the actress trying too hard or the character trying too hard because she has eyeballs and thinks Jeremy is cute.
Was Bree Bonnie's mom? That question drove me crazy for most of the episode. I only remember Bonnie mentioning her father, and Gina Torres playing Bonnie’s mom wouldn’t exactly be out of the ballpark. They have similar coloring and they’re both beautiful, both characters are witches, and Bree obviously knew some things about Emily. She could know some of it simply due to working with Damon in the past, but still, why would Damon think she might know where Emily’s spellbook is if she’s not connected to the family? I’m assuming it was just a confusing casting choice, because if that was Bonnie’s mom, you’d think the writer might have made that abundantly clear so we can think,”Oooh, he killed her mom and she doesn’t know!” every time Bonnie and Damon share a scene. Plus IMDb just lists her as “Bree,” and surely Bonnie’s mom would at least rate a “Bonnie Bennett.” If she’s definitely not Bonnie’s mom, I really wish they had cast someone else.
I also wasn’t sure why Elena gave in to Damon’s whims so easily. He murdered her history teacher/gym coach, vamped her brother’s girlfriend and got her killed, killed her quasi-boyfriend’s best friend, used Caroline as a brainwashed Meals-on-Wheels/minion, and just about ripped Bonnie’s throat out. And Elena decides to let loose and start drinking with him? WTF? Is this the Katherine gene? I was sort of torn about her trying so hard to save him, too, given the above list of atrocities he’s committed, but Elena’s a softie, she didn’t want Lexi’s boyfriend to murder someone, Damon saved her life, and she’s in love with his brother, so I could swallow that pill. (And I love Damon, really, but it was awesome seeing his murderous, sociopathic ass get smacked around something fierce.)
I did like that there were some repercussions for Damon killing Lexi—at least they didn’t completely drop that storyline. I also really liked Stefan’s storyline with Bonnie and her grandmother, Stefan’s scared-girl-saving etiquette aside. Overall, though, this felt like a B episode. I hope the next one is better.
Other Stuff
-I almost fell over laughing at Stefan telling Bonnie “I didn’t want to scare you.” Gah! He might have tried leaning out over the hole she fell though and calling her name, rather than whooshing down and grabbing her from behind…
-I figured Alaric’s wife was killed by either Damon or the mysterious vamp we haven’t officially met yet. Definitely nice to have the confirmation that it was Damon.
-I actually thought they explained Stefan spying on Elena before they met at the high school in a way that made sense and wasn’t too stalker-ific. I mean, she looks exactly like his selfish, destructive vampire ex-girlfriend who last he knew was entombed under the town, so I can’t really blame him for wanting to make sure Elena wasn’t some kind of Katherine-related mojo. Inserting himself into her life afterward because he was just so intrigued and enamored was questionable, but the initial stalking part made sense to me.
Quotes
Elena: “Am I going to be safe with you?”
Damon: “Yes.”
Elena: “Will you promise not to do that mind control thing with me?”
Damon: “Yes.”
Elena: “Can I trust you?”
