Episode 215: The Dinner Party

The Vampire Diaries

The writing for this week was at its finest.  It was a nice change of pace to focus on the older characters of the show.  This episode was full of the things that make this series great: some spicy town history, a dangerous Damon plan, developing love, trampled on love, Damon and Alaric camaraderie, and supernatural curveballs. 

We learn how Thomas and Honoria Fell (two notable novel characters) were killed: Stefan Salvatore ripped their throats out.  Discovering this merely adds to the friction between Stefan and Elena.  Elena also learns Stefan and Damon are not actually that different after all.  The two new vampires of 1864 had both given up on themselves in different ways.  Damon was depressed by his recent loss of Katherine and scared of what the future held for him and his brother.  Stefan was feeling guilty and was caving in to his instincts.  These small differences drove the brothers apart.
                Alexia, a.k.a. Lexie, is the one to turn things around for Stefan.  Damon stoically asks for Lexie to help his brother, but he could have used her help too.  Stefan hopes Elena will see she should not give up on herself and fight for herself.  Lexie was his rock; he wants to be Elena’s.

Romance seems to be the furthest thing from Bonnie and Luka’s minds, at least with each other.  Luka doesn’t remember exactly what happened the night before, but that doesn’t mean Bonnie has gotten away with it.  We think we’re about to get another romantic scene with Bonnie and Jeremy, but then in barges one angry warlock.  Dr. Martin punishes Bonnie for meddling in one of the worst possible ways: he takes away her power.  What can Bonnie do without her power, and how can she get it back?

Last week, John planted a seed in Jenna’s brain.  This seed keeps growing and has caused trouble for one of the few happy couples.  Jenna is worried Alaric is keeping something from her.  The Sommers women value honesty and trust above all (as Elena has demonstrated time and time again), and the lack of it creates tension between the two of them.  The tension produces one jealous and worried history teacher.  Alaric just wants to keep Jenna safe, but she is distancing herself from him.  This builds to a rage that causes him to do the honors of killing Elijah, which must have felt pretty good for Alaric.  Too bad he removed the dagger.  Jenna finally bites the bullet and confronts Alaric.  Alaric is sick of lying, but he can’t tell her the truth either.  He freezes, and Jenna walks out on him.  A very desperate Alaric forfeits his ring to John.  Hopefully John can fix things for them, though he’ll probably make them worse.  In the meantime, Alaric better stay out of harms way. 

It seems unlikely that Katherine and John feel any true loyalty to each other.  He has left her starving in the tomb and looking terrible.  It is probably safe to say that neither can be trusted.  If Katherine knew that if Damon killed Elijah, hew would die too, then she must not care if Damon dies.  That was, however, exactly John’s plan: rid of two vampires for the price of one.  I am grateful that Katherine is out of the tomb.  She is way too thrilling of a character to keep locked up forever.  What could she possibly gain from helping the brothers keep Elena safe from Klaus?  I have a feeling something that will not be in the best interest of the residents of Mystic Falls. 

It was definitely a rough day for Elijah.  To be tricked by humans and killed twice in one day doubtfully happens very often to an original.  To even attempt such an act would take extreme bravery.  Bravery is something that is not lacking in this series.  First, Damon courageously decides to take care of it single-handedly.  He is not left unaffected by Elijah’s threat to kill everyone in the house, but he still plans on executing his plan.  Thank goodness Alaric is able to relay Stefan’s warnings in time, or that would have been the end of Damon.  Then, Alaric shows his bravery by boldly attacking the original, even surprising Damon.  Unfortunately, it did not have a lasting effect.  This, consequently, leaves the boldest and bravest act to be carried out by the tiny, human Elena.  Stefan and Damon get to stand by idly and watch as Elena shows just how strong she really is.  She thrusts the knife into her abdomen, which must have been her idea, and then still musters up the focus and strength to kill Elijah.  She has not only proven she is willing to fight, she is ready to call all of the shots and kick some ass too.

Most Heart-Breaking Scene:

 

Stefan is hurting over his loss of his best friend and is making sure Damon feels the guilt of killing her.  Damon remembers his first conversation with her and how he asked her to help his brother, who he thought he would never see again.  

Cutest Scene:

 

Since the cute scenes were few and far between, I think I’ll mention the sexiest scene.  Katherine popping up naked in Damon’s shower full of sauce definitely takes the cake this week.  Though, the scene with Bonnie and Jeremy discussing their kiss was pretty cute too. 

Points to Ponder:

 

·         People have noticed Tyler has skipped town.  I hope to see more reactions to his absence and a little light shed on what he is up to with Jules.

·         Why was Elijah so interested in finding the location of the witch burial ground?

·         Will they need the dagger again to rid of Klaus?  Will we be seeing Elijah again?

·         Will Elena actually have a problem with Bonnie dating her little brother?  Maybe she will because she won’t want Jeremy any more involved in the supernatural world than he already is.

·         I don’t like seeing Rick without his ring.  Hopefully that doesn’t last too long.

·         I wonder what else Jonathan Gilbert learned during his research of the originals. 

·         It’s surprising to see Elijah play with a twig and rubbing his face while walking and talking with Jenna.  I would have thought at his age, he would have abandoned doing such absent-minded, fidgety activities.

·         With each episode being this action-packed and intense, I’m scared of what twists they will throw at us for the season finale. 

Notable Quotes:

 

·         Elijah: “You were one of those people on Elena’s list of loved ones to protect”
Alaric: “Yeah, so is Jenna”
Elijah: “You don’t have to be jealous.  I don’t really pursue younger women.  [pause] It’s a joke Rick; lighten up”
Alaric: “Funny”

·         Elena: “We had a difference of opinion Stefan.  We aren’t always going to agree on everything”
Stefan: “You have agreed to sacrifice yourself to Klaus.  To say we have a difference of opinion is the understatement of the century”
Elena: “You would know”

·         Lexie: “Once you can hurt, you can love.  Love, Stefan; that’s the point”