Episode 216: The House Guest

The Vampire Diaries

Katherine’s back:  It must be fairly awkward for Damon when he can hear everything Stefan and Elena are up to upstairs.  Maybe that explains the semi-awkward/semi-friendly smile he gives “Elena” in the morning.  Katherine is becoming quite practised in her Elena imitations, and these scenes are always entertaining.  I wonder what went through Stefan’s mind when he ran down and found Damon with his hands on a doppelganger’s neck.  Some possible thoughts include: how did Elena get down here so quick, is Damon trying to strangle Elena, is Damon trying to kiss Elena, or maybe he realized it was in fact Katherine.  Stefan seems to be the most welcoming towards Katherine.  Elena and Damon want nothing to do with her and will not trust her for a second. 

I, for one, am enjoying having her back.  Since Damon is swerving in and out of the good guy lane, the show can definitely benefit from her bad-ass, self-serving ways.  Not to mention, the Damon/Katherine banter is rather amusing.  Thankfully, Luka missed her heart and we get to enjoy Kat a little longer.  She seemed to be lacking in terms of cunning and stealth this week.  The Katherine we know is generally trickier to catch unaware.  Though, when she is tricked, it is usually by a witch (for example, Lucy from The Masquerade).  Perhaps her time spent in the tomb has temporarily slowed her wit.  Fortunately, she gets it back in time to come up with a plan to save Elena.  Whatever Katherine’s plan, she needs Elena alive.

Bonnie is in denial:  Bonnie seems less than concerned that she is no longer a powerful witch; Jeremy must be providing enough of a distraction.  Love must be in the air because Bonnie is more focused on acquiring Elena’s approval to date Jeremy, than she is on finding a way to get her powers back.  In her defence, she has been single for quite awhile, and new relationships can be pretty exciting.  I have to admit, after Jonas’ death and Bonnie kisses Jeremy, I thought Bonnie may have been possessed or something.  Luckily, that does not appear to be the case, and as a bonus, she is a fully functional witch again.  Only thing is she has been given the responsibility of freeing Greta from Klaus.  Hopefully, the way Jonas showed her is not too dangerous of a task.  Also, Bonnie should take advantage of Jonas' grimoire collection. 

Caroline steals the show:  Throughout the episode, the characters are questioning whether or not Jenna should be filled in on the supernatural secret.  Yet, it’s Jenna who convinces Caroline it is a good idea to spill to Matt.  She dives in headfirst by compelling the band to let her share the stage at The Grill.  At first I was surprised by the cheesiness of Caroline jumping up on stage to pronounce her love for Matt, but then I couldn’t help but smile at the sweetness.  Candice Accola can sing!  Her voice has such sincerity and warmth, and the nervous smiles actually make the scene likable and believable.  Amidst all of the drama and darkness of the series, it is nice to see the characters share these little moments together.  Matt was a little nervous to step into the spotlight, and it was a little out of character for him to do so, but he took a risk for Caroline.  If she can sing the song for him, he can reward her for it. 
                Jonas uses a more violent approach to get Matt out of his way at The Grill than he used on Bonnie.  Caroline has no choice but to save Matt from his critical condition and heals him with her blood.  Unfortunately, Caroline overestimates Matt’s tolerance level and doesn’t quite get the reaction she’s looking for when she tells him she sucks blood.  Caroline may not have even known Vickie was attacked by a vampire or turned into one for that matter.  It is completely understandable that Matt has come to that conclusion.  How Caroline will convince him otherwise, is beyond me.

Welcome back:  To wrap up the episode with a twist in good Vampire Diaries’ fashion, who should arrive on the Gilbert front step?  Isobel has come to shake up an already pretty shaken Mystic Falls.  We already know she is in cahoots with John and Katherine, but to what degree, is still undetermined.  Each character has displayed hidden agendas and selfish behaviours in the past, and should never be considered a trusted ally, even amongst each other.  Then there is poor Jenna stuck in the middle of all of the mess.  Jenna is the guardian to Isobel’s daughter and the girlfriend of Isobel’s husband.  How Isobel will act towards and feel about Jenna should be interesting.  She may feel jealous of what she has, grateful for her, or even indifferent as she has other priorities.  Has she changed her mind about letting Rick live a life free of caring for her?  Are her intentions actually to keep Elena safe?  Damon, Stefan, and Katherine are all older and stronger than Isobel; she will need allies.  What has brought her back to Mystic Falls?  Unfortunately, we will have to wait until April to find out more.

Most Heart-Breaking Scene:

It is too bad Jonas had to see his son die like that.  Not to mention, that would be a painful way to go.  It is really too bad either of them had to die.  Their actions to save Luka’s sister, Greta, were not too different from what Stefan and Damon are willing to do to protect Elena.  

Cutest Scene:

It was sweet when Caroline sang Eternal Flame for Matty Blue Eyes.

Points to Ponder:

·         Katherine and Elena must smell and feel the same because the boys are getting awfully confused.  They better get better at it soon, or they will really end up hurting Elena.

·         I’m really beginning to miss Tyler.  I hope we get some more werewolf action soon.

·         Unfortunately, Elijah isn’t naked after Damon attempts to burn him to a crisp.

·         Everyone seems to eat/drink at The Grill all the time; I’m surprised to hear business is slow.

·         I guess Elena prefers pizza to Chinese food.

·         What do they hope to accomplish at the location of the witch sacrifice?  Surely, they would want that place to remain hidden.

·         How does Luka know what the Salvatore house looks like?

·         Why does it seem difficult for Katherine to keep the dagger in Elijah?  Is Luka using magic to increase his strength?

·         Flame seems to be the one thing witches and warlocks can control.  Unfortunately, if they could control it, Luka and Jonas could not react fast enough to save Luka’s life.

·         Caroline must be really into kissing Matt; she should be able to hear the commotion outside of the bathroom.

·         Damon has not completely let go of Katherine.  It still hurts him that Katherine was willing to let him die in order to kill Elijah.  It also hurts him when she chooses Stefan over him again. 

Notable Quotes:

·         Katherine: “Fine, then I’ll just go to the Grill and have some lunch; maybe Aunt Jenna’s free for a bite.”

·         Stefan: “Maybe we should stay at your place tonight.”
Elena: “I can’t, I told Bonnie and Caroline that they could come over.  Bonnie’s freaked because she lost her powers, and Caroline’s having Matt-drama again.  It’s kind of a girl’s night.  Maybe Katherine can join us.”

·         Damon: “You know this whole friendly, cooperative thing?  I don’t buy it.”
Katherine: “I have no reason to lie to you, Damon.”
Damon: “Lie!”

·         Jenna: “Not tonight, Rick.  Tonight I have traded you for Senor Tequila.”
Alaric: “Yeah, well, Senor Tequila is not going to be treating you very well.”
Jenna: “Well the two of you have a lot in common.”

·         Elena: “My brother has had more pain in his life than a hundred people’s worth of pain.  He deserves to be with someone as amazing as you.”

·         Damon: “Katherine, there are six other bedrooms in this house.  Go find one.”