Was it just me or did The Vampire Diaries take a more silent approach, overall, to prom this week? Knowing this show, I’m sure many were perhaps expecting an all-out, death-craze. I mean, they didn’t even kill of April. April — of all people — survived tonight’s episode. I can understand that others may have taken issue with it because of that. I, on the other hand, was quite fine with it.
I’ll level with you: I suppose that in the end, this was just an okay episode. Many people won’t think it warrants the B I give it. And I will say that there are some gripes I have with Silas (apart from feeling a bit too familiar, if you get what I’m saying). For one, it can get exhausting or even laughable trying to ascertain who’s who on the show at the moment. And instead of making us excitingly second guess if any one character is who they say they are, at times it’s just frustrating. Did anyone actually believe in the Tyler and Caroline scenes until it was absolutely certain that he wasn’t Silas? Exactly. So for now, that seems to be a problem.
No Humanity Elena continues to have some good oneliners (not like Katherine good, or anything, just particularly entertaining). I liked when she told Bonnie that she was just brainwashed, if only because at least they acknowledge that it was an event that actually took place. Otherwise, this Elena can get a bit repetitive. We get it, you don’t care about anything or anyone. It’s okay, we’re over Damon and Stefan and their feelings, too (which is all they’re doing this episode, by the way).
Ah, see, but that’s kind of what made the episode for me. Not Elena being apathetic about everything, but her apathy causing her to attempt to murder Bonnie, which in turn made Bonnie sort of amazing. Finally, Bonnie uses her newfound skills on someone who is actually out to attack her. So far, she’s been hurting people that have been trying to save her from herself. In many ways, this episode was all about showing off that Bonnie can be everything I — and others — have known she can be all along. Some of it was way too on-the-nose, in a way that I’m sure the writers were trolling her Tumblr tag. (Did she and Matt really win Prom King and Queen? Does anyone even know that they attend that school? None of these people are ever in class!) But otherwise, it was a great step forward for the Bonnie Bennett character, proving that she’s just not some vessel to be manipulated and that she can hold her own. I can only hope that this continues for several episodes to come; Bonnie can only grow more interesting this way and when they begin to tap into her character in this way, you can just sense that there’s so much potential there. Personally, I think she’s one of the few characters that can speak with true conviction on the series, anyhow.
The other half of the episode was more about setting up Klaus, Elijah, and Rebekah for the Originals backpilot. Klaus got to do more of his hollow declarations towards both his siblings, and I’m glad that Elijah pointed that out to him. At least Caroline knew that Silas could show himself as anyone he wanted to, so I don’t understand how the rest of the gang has yet to try to at least be cautious of who they’re speaking to. In that respect, I guess it makes sense that Elijah just handed off the Cure since he technically may not have been told. But many of the others should have been a bit more careful. Meanwhile, Rebekah is trying to prove to herself and her brother that she can make a good human. A lot of this seems awfully like a romantic notion for Rebekah, because I honestly can’t think of anything worse than being a human in Mystic Falls. I mean, she even witnessed someone almost dying just because tonight. But regardless, I like what the story does for exploring her character — how much she yearns to be accepted, and how her design causes her to lash out to manipulate others to do so.
Also, I know that it doesn’t make much sense because she caused her brother’s death, but I just like Rebekah and Elena being friends. Previous Elena and Rebekah’s friendship, or at leas the potential for it, thrived on vulnerability and was very human. It’s such a stark contrast to what it is now: sort of a oneliners takedown, back-and-forth. And yet, Elena still threatened April to make one of Rebekah’s desires come true. I know she told someone she’d kill them, but there’s something nice about the notion that rings back to their previous connection.
This episode at least helped move things along. Silas has the Cure, Bonnie just might help him, and Elena has shown hints of her humanity (drink!). I was a bit disappointed that The Show Of Dances didn’t make more of a deal that this was prom — the final dance; though, I suppose I’ll live. But mostly, Bonnie was awesome. So there’s that.
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I Love Bonnie so much
I felt like they were trolling the bonnie tags as I always said wanted some phantom of opera stuff for Bonnie and I got that.
It really bothered me that there were ONLY pictures of "the gang". Like everyone in school cares about precious elena and her lovelife so much.
And klaus being a fairy godmother to caroline was just................. why do i even watch this.
Uhm, I've been getting this vibe since season 2, but did anyone else notice that "look" Caroline and Stefan shared after she told him he wouldn't even realize when someone new would make him fall in love? Are they going that way?
This has been one of the most childish episodes this season had to offer. Looking forward to The Originals next week.
That fight between Elena and Bonnie gave me life.The rest was a little boring...I also like that Elena's life doesn't revolve around the brothers anymore. I don't miss confused whiny Elena and I wish the brothers would do the same ,at least for some time. I don't get why Rebekah wants to be human. I mean she could just become like Stefan and feed off bunnies and live a good life. Sigh.
I wish they would do more with Elijah, Katherine and all those interesting characters. I'm sick of April, Silas and Tyler and Ugh everyone. Things would be so much more interesting in Mystic Falls if Katherine was still there.
I don't miss whiny Elena either but she worse because now she's just a brat and semi-whiny. I want season 1 Elena. I also predicted that it would take her life flashing before her eyes for her get some sort feeling going. It not about making her life a living hell, they need to put her in situations that have her in almost death arenas. BTW the gang is dumb, Damon knows he just got stabbed over Bonnie and not going say anything? I so hope Silas kills one of them.
So let me get this straight:
- The show started the season by taking away the lead female's agency and free will.
- Then the male leads who "obviously" know what's best for her, made a decision for her on turning off the feels(because "obviously" miss cardboard is soooooo caring that gods help us, ACTUALLY GRIEVING like HUMANS DO would soooo destroy her?).
- Then that lead female is being portrayed as someone who "obviously" needs guidance from lead males(and who is just so caring that show makes a distinction that any sort of negative emotion means its not truly her, lol), who, yet again, "obviously" knowing what's best for her are planning to make a decision for her.
- At the same time the secondary lead is shown to be so dependent on male figures that the only way to deal with stolen prom dress is to go and beg for support from a male figure in her life? And then the entire prom evening is spent with her bouncing off the support of male figures in her life.
Wow, I did not know you could, Plec, but you just topped three first seasons altogether, in terms of misogyny and sexism.
Also apparently, Oh look its The Firs...oh I mean Silas.
From what I gather Plec's fever for ripping off btvs ideas still has not passed away.
Well I guess we will have to wait till next season for SIlas to have a "fascinating" out-of-nowhere love storyline with Liz Forbes.
Silas and Bonnie
Beauty and The Beast
Bechdel test fail. Lol. And for real what is up with someone always going "oh no it's too late, gotta go kill Bonnie." Like damn, you ignore her so much that it gets to a point where you constantly feel the only decision you have left is whether or not to kill her?
The first part of your post could not be more true. NONE of female characters in this show have ANY plots or worries that are unconnected to male character anymore.
It's true. I wish it could be done differently but the ladies are so disconnected from each other I have a hard time seeing them as friends. There always needs to be male intervention.
There is no Bonnie-Elena-Caroline friendship anymore. It's more like Bonnie-Caroline with Elena butting in haha. I love seeing Bonnie/Caroline's friendship in action, it's seems more healthy than their relationship with Elena where all she does is take, take, take and we're not shown whether she'd put it all on the line for her two best friends.
Again. Please watch before commenting. Thanks, yours truly, the world.
The football is Elena.
This was the first episode I watched in a long LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG time Michael and I only tuned in because I wanted to see Bonnie dressed up all pretty. I came away from this episode happy! Bonnie looked amazing, won prom queen (bow down peasants), kicked Elena's butt twice in one night and looked flawless while doing so. So thank you writers, whether you were trolling us on tumblr or not, I'm happy :D
Ladies & Gentlemen, I give you Bonnie Bennett, the Queen. Bow down &^%$^&# *in my Beyonce voice*!!!!
Agree on the fact that this was an episode that I watched in a long time, because I'm going to be honest I haven't felt the need to watch this show. I will literally read the recaps to see if it is worth watching and most of the time it is not.
However because I heard that Bonnie would have some story line I watched it. No emotions Elena is a freaking idiot, she watched Bonnie take down Damon, hell take down Klaus 2 times, also Kol another original and decided to Yolo it out, child please. Bonnie kicked her ass not once, but twice which makes up for her winning over Caroline she even freaking healed that bite mark that was cray cray. Hell even Damon and Stefan didn't get in the way of the beat down and Damon didn't even do anything to Bonnie after the beat down. Elena was full on asking for it when she said Bonnie was a reminder on everything bad, because I literally was like oh really so her mom leaving town to save you, her mom becoming a vampire, Bonnie losing her grams, also losing Jeremy, making you a damn day light ring and trying to save your ass countless times does not ring a bell. I liked Bonnie and Matt winning prom queen and king, because it made sense they have probably been in school more than anyone else and they are likable. I'm just going to bask in this moment because it will probably not happen for a long time.
This was the WORST episode all season. It was soooo frustrating.
1) Why would Caroline go ask Klaus of all people for a dress? Were all the stores closed? She couldn't borrow one? She couldn't just, god forbid, wear one of her hundreds of dresses? Why would you go ask the person who killed your best friend's aunt and your BOYFRIEND'S MOTHER for a dress to borrow? While I agree that Caroline and Klaus have a lot of chemistry, I HATE their relationship because it forces both of them to act so out of character.
2) I can't decide which brother was more annoying this episode. I hate Damon for forcing that stupid corsage on Elena's arm (This manhandling of Elena by Damon has been a big problem in previous seasons as well and has always bothered me). I'm so over Stefan moping over Elena. And I've seen enough of Damon's jealousy issues for the past four seasons. With this episode, it felt like neither brother had grown since season one.
3) Nobody's motivations make any sense. Elena wouldn't want her brother to come back to life because he would make her turn her humanity back on? But the whole reason she turned it off in the first place was because he died? It would be safe to turn it back on if he was still alive...
4) How many times can Klaus act like a vindictive little child in an episode? I can't even consider him a villain anymore. A villain commands respect.
Ugh, sometimes I hate this show because I feel like it has the potential to be so much better than it is. There's a lot of good ideas and good one-liners that just get overshadowed by sloppy writing. Oh well, hope to see something better from next week.
Everyone's entitled to their opinions, but c'mon, we have to agree that the island episode from a couple of months ago (forgot the title) is the WORST episode of the season right? I mean, maybe of the entire series? RIGHT!? :D
As far as worst episode, I'd say this one is pretty tame. Much of the same, though it had better Bonnie moments. But there are worse episodes than this for sure. Especially where all things are considered, i.e. the Klaroline clusterfuck, Elena "I don't care," Salvatore brother double team on Elena, uninteresting and undeveloped characters not being dead yet (April), logic does not compute, etc.
I definitely agree with your critics. I'm immensely bothered by Damon and Stefan always wanting to control Elena. It is so fucking annoying, like they'd follow her into a bathroom and watch her piss just to make themselves happy. And of course her behavior does not make a lick of sense. She's being mean not all that apathetic. Frankly after all this bullshit is over it would be nice if she would actually hold herself accountable for the stuff she did to her so-called friends. But I doubt it. Like the minute she starts apologizing Stefan is going to say "it wasn't your fault." And likely in the same breath he will absolve himself and his brother of any wrongdoing despite the fact that it was their decision to turn off HER emotions. I think that allowing her friends to be honest, such as letting Caroline finish her verbal beat down, would do more good than letting Elena do whatever the hell she wants. She can just carry her little apathetic ass to the naughty corner. You don't try and kill two supernatural friends who are way stronger than you expecting something not to happen. She's lucky Bonnie didn't kill her. Elena is the weakest supernatural on this show, anyone could kill her. At this point people just tolerate her b/c Damon and Stefan in particular want to reverse the decision they made.
And I can't take Klaus seriously. My god, I want to sock him in the face every single episode. He just needs to shut the fuck up with his punk ass. I would consider him the primary reason Rebekah wants to be human. So she can get away from him. I know I couldn't stand to have him in my company.
You guys need to remember that this is a show and Elena, Stefan and Damon are the stars.
The majority of the time you only see those three in posters and promos.
The show has to revolve around them and the love they have for Elena.
It started on the pilot episode, the minute that the boys came back to mystic falls.
That's no excuse for how the characters treat each other or how their relationships really haven't changed that much. Damon has always tried to control Elena and then lash out in violent bursts of jealousy when she rejects him outright. Stefan is always moping after Elena and can't go on a "no Elena" binge for more than one or two episodes. It just makes the characters not all that compelling. I mean if the best romantic distraction they can come up with is Rebekah that's pretty sad. Caroline and Stefan make sense. Damon and Bonnie would have made sense if the show had actually acknowledged some book canon. It's normal for people to have other love interests and try diff things. For these brothers to have their dick magnets permanently set to Elena, to the point where she can't even breathe without either of the two knowing about it, is bothersome. They're obsessed with her. Obsession is not a good thing. And she's dependent on them. She's regressed as a character, she can hardly execute a feasible plan on her own. She lacks any real strengths as a character b/c these two are so hell-bent on controlling almost every aspect of her life. I just feel bad for Elena's character, more than Bonnie's almost. Elena and Katherine are in a similar position. Katherine has to worry about Klaus and Elena has to worry about the Salvatore's. But Katherine comes out as being a much stronger character b/c she actively keeps her wits about her. And she is stronger.
I guess this means that you like Elena as a Vampire.
I don't, and I will like for her to go back to her old weak self.
She is better as human and Caroline is better as a vampire.
The brothers need to do exactly what they have done.
Lock her up until the cure is in their hands.
Stefan and Caroline will probably happen, but I'm not thrilled about it.
Bonnie's cahracter is pretty pathetic and boring and finally in this episode she did something exciting. I hope she continues to do what she wants and not what everybody tells her to do.
I believe that because Bonnie is black, they will not pair her up with Damon. Her jeremy relationship wasn't very real. He kissed other girls more than he kissed Bonnie and she was supposedly his girfriend.
There she just be a new character (not Silas) for Bonnie and it should last.
Not necessarily. But since she's become a vampire and had her emotions switched off it's become more clear that she's actively resisting the Salvatore brothers. It doesn't matter if she's vampire or human, she would always be physically weaker than them as well as her other friends. That's why it would behoove her to be more like Katherine in her scheming and actually connecting with her friends a bit more (i.e. Caroline and Bonnie). She just has to realize her own weakness and think of how to overcome it. She has to think, really.
I think the saddest thing about this season is it had made people want the brothers to actually control her. B/c she makes such poor decisions and she supposedly isn't in control of herself, people want her to be controlled. And that in my opinion is extremely messed up.
Elena still has the same sense of entitlement whether she is human or vampire. So either state doesn't matter to me. But a major flaw of the writing is that she has been very disconnected from her friends, who should be her central source of strength and internal questioning.
Stefan and Caroline could be done well, so long as Caroline maintains her character. I'm not much of a fan of the Salvatore brothers to begin with, but this relationship makes the most sense to me.
Bonnie is usually underutilized and underdeveloped compared to the other characters. Even Matt is better off than she is and he brings very little to the table. It's no secret it's b/c she is the only major black character. The CW has a tendency to do this to black characters (e.g. Melissa from The Secret Circle). I'm actually happy that she won't be paired with Damon from the show b/c I absolutely hate Damon from the show.
And yeah, I thought the relationship b/t her and Jeremy was not treated properly. It was continually undermined by the writing. As you mentioned, barely any kisses b/t the two. And of course he cheats on her with a ghost and then is compelled to forget about her and everyone else by his sister. And it's never made clear if he actually remembers her and their history together when he comes back to Mystic Falls. I think it was mostly just to keep Jeremy's character relevant. But it is sad that supposedly he's the only one that truly cares about her well-being (mostly). Outside of her ever vanishing family, that is.
I agree that Bonnie should have her own unique love-interest. Preferably another witch or supernatural like a werewolf. She needs someone who can obviously defend himself, who isn't going to manipulate her and necessarily be evil, someone who understands her and supports her desires and overall well-being. Obviously Silas is not a good choice. I get the feeling that in the end if she is the one to fall in love with him he's just going to stab her in the back and say "hahaha I could never truly love you, I just used you."
Elena has been going around town thinking that she is the toughest of all of them.
I love that Damon forced the corsage on her, and let her know that she is not.
I also loved Bonnie in this episode showing Elena that she can't mess with her.
As for the worst, I think this was one of the best.
I think it's hilarious that everybody is so focused on Elena. Bonnie is being manipulated by an immortal being who wants to tear down the veil between realities and Bonnie's powers keep spiking out of control. And the thing they are focused on ... turning back on Elena's humanity. i think it's similar to when Bonnie flat out told them that she was going to kill 12 ppl ... and well it happened (she had help of course). These characters and their priorities are so weird.
I loved Bonnie in this episode though because we got to see her grieve and have a happy moment before it all went to hell. I also liked that she stood up to Elena. I hate when Bonnie gets pushed around. It's sad that only the evil character seems to actually give Bonnie attention. I sometimes wished she was the central character because she seems to be the only one that can speak with conviction. Kudos to the actress who got to play grieving, hopeful, vulnerable and then BAMF in one episode. Too bad she'll be reduced to a plot device again likely in the next episode. Thanks for reviewing. I loved your review. It was hilarious and I totally saw your multiple points.
Lol, but doncha know, Elena feels grief more strongly than other people. Bonnie can handle herself, she is such a "strong and beautiful character." She requires no protection. Or a boyfriend for that matter, lol.
Yes but the show keeps focusing on Elena. I know she is the main character but they exaggerate it a little bit too much. I want one episode with no Elena or just a little convo with her but that's it. Bonnie is strong an beautiful and that's why they should focus on her.