Sigh. I don’t know what to tell you, guys. My opinions are like the stepchild in The Vampire Diaries world.
Last week, I said that I thought Klaus and Caroline was “technically gross.” Then, someone rebutted with: “It’s The Vampire Diaries, everything is wrong!” Well, okay. I guess my mind has just shifted completely in the new year. Is there something wrong with me? Or is it the writing? At some points, I feel like it’s definitely the writing. And then I read reviews online and everyone is singing The Vampire Diaries‘ praises, and so I think it’s me. People have stopped linking to my reviews… so obviously the problem is me.
And then I think, I understand that it’s such an awesome show so maybe people are just lenient on it because of how amazing it is, so they’re forgiving this slump.
Tonight’s episode was, I’m sure, technically entertaining. Elena was in danger (as if she’ll ever die, something I’ve previously discussed that’s just a waste of time); Bonnie’s mom is becoming a vampire; Klaus tries to woo Caroline; the Originals don’t actually die — not that you thought they would; Alaric’s new lady friend is somewhat of a creep; there was a lot of intense music to underscore everything. Only one of those things was actually shocking to me… and that’s part of the reason I watch Vampire Diaries in the first place: to be shocked.
Lately, I find myself surfing the web while I watch, then I shut my laptop when The Secret Circle is on. And that’s a show where every episode has been the exact same story. I just can’t explain it rationally. Here’s what I did enjoy about the episode:
I love Elena’s ability to fend for herself more and more. She’s slowly but surely coming up with plans all by herself (still, mini-plans) that actually work out… and she’s also a bit ruthless. To save herself from Rebekah’s wrath, she cleverly tells her that if she kills her now, she won’t be able to exact revenge correctly. But at the same time, she’s still the Elena we’ve known (ie, she doesn’t want Elijah to die).
It’s a move that’s definitely important for the show moving forward. But methinks there will always be people who for whatever reason do not like Elena. “She’s stupid, she’s annoying, she’s kissed everyone on the damn show!” (That last one is more about Nina Dobrev than Elena.)
But other than that, as I said, I’m kind of meh about the stories. I certainly do not care if most of the Originals die. Elijah is cool; Rebekah’s easy on the eyes but otherwise is there to seduce Damon and pine for Matt; Klaus technically has to go at some point but he might stay indefinitely since the writers love him so much; Kol is useless; and that one whose name I don’t even know is irrelevant. The only real reason to have the Originals around is for another flashback episode explaining more of the mythology, but they’ve decided against that and will instead flashback to a time where Damon learned about how women are for pleasure. Oh, god. Who cares?
The Vampire Diaries has mostly become a game of Who’s Not In This Episode!? If you guess correctly, you get to watch a plot in which it’s painfully obvious that they’re missing. Also, if you guess incorrectly, you get to watch a plot in which it’s painfully obvious that they’re missing. Now it kind of makes sense why the Nikita boss wants to start killing off people. I think it may be time to start on The Vampire Diaries as well.
Well, what did you think about this episode? (Maybe I need to rewatch this episode.)
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i wanted you to dive deeper in the episode.. and tell me how u felt about damon flippin a coin when it came to bonnie and her mom's life.. and i wanted you to discuss elena's dumbness.. i just love when you go deep cuz even tho other reviews dnt agree with u i do (sometimes).. ppl love klaroline bcs they like caroline and klaus as individuals and for no other reason..
Yeah, I kind of felt defeated and made a general review here. Maybe when I watch it for the second time I'll make another post that's a much better review. Glad there are a few people who understand what I mean :D
Thank-you for being offended about the coin toss because it pissed me way off. And also the fact that all Damon and Stefan could talk about at that moment is how mad Elena is going to be, not a work about the person who is going to get her life altered.
You're not the only one. There has been definitely something missing this last episodes. The twists are predictable and half the characters are useless. I agree that they should kill off a few of them.
sadly it is becomming very predictable :(they should reduce the quantity of characters and focus on the quality of character development!!!
Since I read many many vampire diaries reviews, I have to say that
some of them haven’t been very positive about the recent episodes either. And a
lot of the fan response has been negative. To be honest, even though I love TVD
and it is sort of my life as I spend SO MUCH TIME trying to find spoilers, re-watching
the episodes, reading reviews (I'm insane, I know!) this season has been kind
of off to me. It just seems like TVD delivers one amazing episode, and then it
is followed by one or two mediocre ones. And then another amazing episode
happens, but the next one is disappointing. There is a lack of consistency this
season. I still remember how great the last 6 episodes of Season 2 were. Season
2 to me, was the BEST season: great writing, character development,
consistency, shocking twists and cliffhangers, and the strongest storytelling.
I didn’t enjoy Season 1 quite as much only because I found the Katherine
storyline (I don’t dislike her but I’m not a big fan of her unlike most TVD
fans) and the tomb vampires boring compared to the EPIC Original story: the
introduction to Klaus, the Sacrifice, etc. I wasn’t really obsessed with TVD until
I ep8 of Season 2, "Rose", when Elijah is introduced and the concept
of Klaus. Season 2 to me, had a clear sense of direction, every episode when
they did the "previously on the vampire diaries" the same scenes were
shown to tell what which shows consistency because they are following the same
story and moving along till we get to meet Klaus and finally the sacrifice. The
pacing was really good and the cliffhangers and twists and turns were not only
shocking but they made a lot of sense and made the story better and made me
want to watch more (Klaus was a hybrid, the sun and the moon curse was fake,
etc.). Unlike tonight, although I liked the idea of another white oak tree in
Mystic Falls, it just seemed like something that was too obviously to be
introduced. I mean, the characters are trying to find ways to kill the
Originals but they keep failing, however since the Originals are the antagonists
of this season the writers have to constantly invent new ways to kill them. And
obviously the white oak tree being is only weapon...anyways you get the point.
Also I’m still not convinced Meredith is the serial killer, if Julie Plec wants
her to become a series regular it makes no sense that she would be the one. I
still feel like she's introduced for other purposes. And I’m still holding to
my theory that Vicki is the one doing the killing. I know it’s unlikely but it
seems like the ghosts were introduced for a reason at the beginning of the
season, or I’m just HOPING that they were, because if they weren’t then their
story is just really pointless and disappointing. I mean Esther could let the
ghosts come back from the other world while she was still dead, now she's alive
wouldn’t she be able to use them for some sort of purposes. Also I read
somewhere that for Finn's audition the actors had to do scenes where Finn
confronted Pearl and Bethany. Maybe this info is made-up but if it’s true then
maybe they will tie-up the ghost story with Esther and the Original story. I
think that would make a grand season 3 finale and make the story all connect
together in a more epic fashion. But now that I’ve written it all out my theory
don’t really make any sense....LOL!
To be honest, I really enjoyed the last few episodes of TVD. “Bringing
out the Dead” was probably my favourite Season 3 episode, replacing “The End of
the Affair”. But while I enjoyed each episode individually, there is a lack of
connection between episodes and I always feel lilke I don’t know what to expect
or where the story is going next. For example, last week led to whether Esther
will succeed in her plans to kill her children or not this week (which,
obviously was gonna fail). But what about next week? What can we expect from
the Originals from now on? When are they all gonna come back? It feels rushed
and premature for the Originals to suddenly all depart their own ways and
although I know they will all come back at some point, it is a big
disappointment for me because I love this storyline and I love it when all the
Originals interact together and try to form some sort of a family. Season 2 had
a clear direction which led to the introduction of Klaus & the Sacrifice. Yet
while each episode of season 3 delivers something new and moves the storyline
forward a little bit, there is no big picture for me, which is really
disappointing because I love this show and I love this season because it is the
season of the ORIGINALS!!! I remember watching the last 6 episodes of Season 2 (many
other episodes were great but I remembered the last 6 since they were the ‘final
arc’ of the season) and they were just so well-written and well executed. Each
cliffhanger served a purpose and felt more meaningful then the cliffhangers
this season, somehow they no longer feel as significant and they don’t make me
super excited about next week. Maybe is because I have too much expectations
for this show?? Again, I still enjoy watching it very much and was on the edge
of my seat the whole time tonight, especially when they daggered Kol, turned
Abby into a vamp, and the two cliffhangers. But after watching each episode I begin
to criticise it more. And although I liked that they turned Abby instead of
killing her, it seems like every character is being turned into a vampire and
inevitably Abby will die soon. In Season 2 every week I was so excited for the
next because I know it will be epic and amazing. Now I constantly worry that an
episode won’t live up to my expectations. I still love all the characters,
Caroline/Klaus/Damon/Stefan/Kol/Rebekah/Elijah/Alaric etc. etc. but I just wish
the storylines are more EPIC. I mean it is the Original Family, they are the
deadliest, strongest vampires on earth! Their story deserves to be EPIC. Anyways
I’ve written too much! I still hold strong hopes that the last 7 episodes will
be great just like Season 2 was!
I agree with everything you said about the 3rd season especially the part where you compare it to the events in the 2nd season.If I had time to write a comment about my thoughts on the 3rd season,I would have written everything you wrote.;)
I'm a big fan of the originals,too.In fact,the only reason I still watch the show is because of the originals,but I'm feeling a bit disappointed about the way they're telling their story.I was looking forward to watch how they were turned into vampires (that episode was the worst in TVD history ever!!!),about how the Petrova girl fit into all of this,how Klaus reacted to the news that Mikael wasn't his real father and how he reacted when he found out that Mikael killed him and his family and so many other things.Instead,I got to watch a lame episode about the Originals coming to America 1000 yrs ago(hahahahaha) and how they were turned into vampires (predictable) and barely a mention to Tatia's identity in 3x13.Not to mention,the fact that they are not as special (or scary) as I imagined them to be,Aside from the fact that they are able to compel other vampires and the dagger thingy,they don't really possess any special powers when you compare them to the rest of the vampires we've met so far.
Just one question:Who is Bethany?
sadly it is becomming very predictable :(
they should reduce the quantity of characters and focus on the quality of character development!!!
Did Damon really flip a coin? I must of missed that part when I was busy fast-forwarding!
I really liked the episode but my standarts are a little low, so. xD I agree with you at some points, like, I wanted a Original Flashback too, but a Damon flashback is, imo, going to be awesome. Stefan's had like thousands, it's time for Damon, lol. I don't like Klaroline either and I like the way Elena is starting to work plans out. I didn't like the way she treated Damon, though. it's like she's gotta save Elijah, she's gotta bring old Stefan back. they've done bad things for her and she doesn't really care. (I'm not saying that she should act differently, I love that she cares) but she broke Damon's heart and told him to "get over it". =/ I'm curious about what will happen to Alaric and what's up with Meredith. we'll have to wait and see. (:
It's not just you,Michael.I ,too,enjoy 'the secret circle' more than 'the vampire diaries' lately.Season 3 is quite the disappointment for me.I believe most recappers are lenient towards the show's 3rd season,because the second season was soooo good.Looking forward to reading your photo recap!BTW,are you going to post your missing recap on the 3x13 episode?I would love to read it!
correction, kol is useful to every set of ovaries who watched this episode
O Photo Recap, Where Art Thou?
Agree 100%. Your photo recaps always make me laugh my ass off. You are a favorite in the TVD world, don't you worry.