Well I certainly did not see that coming.
That was… interesting. I especially appreciate that this finale wasn’t annoyingly tame as the season two and three finales were. Let’s talk about it because it’s the last moment of the episode: Stefan is Silas’ doppelgänger. Okay. It certainly would have been more surprising had Silas never shown up as Stefan, as I think he has stated that he hasn’t let anyone see his real face. Even when Silas showed up as Elena, which I believe he hasn’t before, I was sort of okay with Silas being the original doppelgänger (even though we know that Tatia is) because perhaps it made sense with the entire “balance” monologue. But I don’t know what to think about Stefan being Silas’ doppelgänger. I mean, I certainly did not anticipate it. And I know that it gives Paul Wesley a ton of fun stuff to do next season and I’m sure he’s happy about that, since it seems he’s been clamoring for it for a while now. But that’s about it.
Katherine getting the Cure: I believe that was called, not by me however. I had always thought that they would give it to Damon only because of how much outcry the character had against taking the Cure. So I suppose I laud the fact that it wasn’t predictable. In fact, in the moment, I thought that Katherine was going to kill Elena and then pose as her next season. I seriously thought they’d kill Elena off (haha, not so). Instead, that’s kind-of what happened with Silas and Stefan. So let’s just inflate my ego and say that I semi-called that one. When Elena handed it to Stefan and told him that he should be the one to take it, I was actually quite surprised. For some reason, I hadn’t thought about Stefan taking the cure at all, and yet it makes a ton of sense. Let’s be honest, none of these people are particularly good at being vampires, except maybe Caroline (only with respect of not killing people, and even then…). But Stefan is probably the worst at it. When the guy goes off, he beheads entire cities. Nowhere in my mind did I think of that and how perfect it fit. I suppose Katherine taking it is a fun parallel from last season’s finale, but I fail to see the sudden hatred for Elena, just like Elena’s for Katherine.
Bonnie’s death: Well, according to Julie Plec, Katerina Graham (who plays Bonnie) is sticking around as a series regular next season. This could mean that it’s only because Jeremy can see her since, in case you forgot, he possesses that ability. Or perhaps the show is going to try to bring her back from the other side. Who knows? However, I appreciate what the story brought for the character’s emotional story during this episode. And it’s nice to see everyone looking ahead into the future and never turning back to see what a wreck Mystic Falls is.
Caroline and Klaus: It’s no surprise that Caroline was reduced to the whole “no! memories! we shall be teenagers!” thing she gets a lot. The most I get from her call to Klaus and his declaring that he be her final love is that the writers are setting up Caroline to move to New Orleans whenever it’s convenient for them to do so, which maybe means whenever The Vampire Diaries expiration date is — perhaps just a couple more seasons — and definitely not before they explore Caroline and Stefan/Silas.
Matt and Rebekah: I don’t care what you say, I like this. I guess they’ll have to explain Rebekah leaving next season?
Jeremy’s alive: I forgot that Bonnie technically died in the middle of the spell she was doing to bring him back, so I was furious for 0.02 seconds that instead of bringing herself back to life, Bonnie decided to bring Jeremy back. And then I remembered and I was like “oh right.”
Elena’s romantic choice: I would be completely okay with this if I were sure that this was the last we’d hear about this, but I’m mostly sure and afraid that it’s not. Just keep her with Damon, show, please.
I have to be honest, I kind of really want to see how the Silas/Stefan stuff will go. A part of me knows that Silas played the Who Am I? game a lot this season and I shouldn’t be that intrigued, but I also just want to see Paul Wesley be bad again. But regardless, I think I’ve gotten to a point with this series where how I’m thinking about it has gotten personally unhealthy. All I ever do is question all of the choices. This episode, all I kept asking the television screen is why Bonnie cares about these people now that she’s dead, and laughing that Silas still isn’t dead, and what do you mean Stefan is a doppelgänger how in the world did that happen, and why is Katherine so pissed off at Elena I don’t even know, and you love Damon until the next finale, and so on. With that respect, I think that it honestly may be time to part ways. Critiques of the series deserve better than my bitter responses to every plot point. I wonder if I can ever go back to just being enthralled by the breakneck pace of this series and forget the rest. Even if sometimes I didn’t agree with the decisions made, I want to thank the cast and crew for working week after week to produce this fun and thrilling series.
And of course, I want to thank you guys for reading week after week what some stranger on the Internet thought about it. I can’t say for sure that I’m out, because just when I thought I was out… they pull me back in, but I certainly don’t enjoy being the curmudgeon TVD blogger (ha!). Regardless, thank you. I love y’all! And if I’m completely done, I’m sure someone around here would be willing to cover TVD, so you can still discuss it.
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I'm really done now. If I'm lying, let Thor strike me down with a lightning bolt.
Yikes! Too bad there isn't a third vampire series option.
EDIT: Oh, wait. Dracula.
I like Rhys-Meyers and the Dracula trailer looked at least adequate.
This was a great review!
Why thanks, I didn't think so. This was one of the more one-dimensional ones I've done. But thanks :)
You are a fantastic reviewer! You are my first review I read after I watch TVD.
I agree with everything you said. I was fully prepared to jump ship with everyone else but I felt there was enough promise here for me to return for Season 5 (there were a few call backs to Angel unfortunately though). Stefan being tossed to the bottom of the ocean ("Tomorrow" - Angel Season 3; "Deep Down" - Angel Season 4). Bonnie's goodbye to Jeremy and her entire storyline ("You're Welcome" - Angel Season 5). Not sure if that was the intention but it's what I saw. My heart against heart though, I'm hoping they explore more than just Jeremy being able to see Bonnie. But Bonnie basically doing the Other-Side, ala This is Wonderland, with Grams as her guide through what it's like. Maybe we'll even met Quetisyah. I know it's not going to happen but a girl can hope.
Also I felt Matt x Rebekah felt earned. She worked hard for that road trip and it was nice to see the girl in the pursuer category for a change.
I also am admittedly on the Kol x Bonnie crackship so I loved that they got scenes together. I kind of liked the idea of them joining forces but know that it was more within character what Bonnie did. Sometimes Bonnie with her selfless character is both the best thing and worst thing about her. Everything said about how her character is treated still applies (aka racism, slavery, etc., etc.). But I appreciated that she got some of the slow burn emotional scenes because we knew she was dead and her friends had no idea. Not that I'd think they'd care (I also think it allows the writers to not have the characters react to her death). I dug her last scene walking off hand and hand with Grams. I love everything about their relationship.
Agreed x infinity about everything you said about Damon and Elena and the choice. Hopefully the entire show will stop revolving around this now.
I felt the same after season 3, that there was something there I still wanted to see during the next season. But this time around has less to do with the story and more to do with me. I mean, I've got to be honest: I want to know where the entire Silas thing will go. Even then, I feel as though I'm just going to be letdown by it. At some point during season 3, watching the show stopped being the pleasure that it used to be, and I can't ascertain whether that was me or the actual quality of the show. Why continue with it, you know?
wait what? Steffdward is Silas dopelganger and Silas throws steffan in a safebox down to the bottom of the lake?
Where did I hear that before?
Oh Right, Angel The Series has had [b]exact same plotline[/b] as season 3 finale. Exact. Same. Plotline.
breakneck pace of this series
With all honestly that was gone after Season Two.
Season Three was basically the same episode on repeat for 22 times.
Dont force yourself through this season, trust me!!! Unless you're a masochist.... You made the right decision....
I didnt watch this episode, and I wont. After reading only a few thing that happened I had decided to quit, and it was funny reading that mike was having doubts too... But now that I've read this review I'm certain! Katherine human? Stefan doppelganger or whatever??!!! Bonnie dead so jeremy (most pointless character who should have stayed dead) can live???!!! please.... Besides almost all the characters annoys me so what's the point?
Aw, I like season 3 before episode 10. After that, there was about an episode or two that were pretty good too, but…
The first 10 episodes were outright pointless(seriously, anyone remembers necklace? what necklace? exactly) and filled with some of the worst Elena scenes everrr, where she continues being awfully stoic about a lot of things, like, oh I don't know, Klaus killing off her entire family? Talk about a letdown.
I mean, Klaus essentially killed her mother, father and aunt Jenna(wait, who's Jenna? I don't know, show does not seem to remember she existed either) within less than a week. Two out of three being right in front of her eyes. Oh and then he killed Elena. What kinds of brilliant character development moments did all of that bring to her? None. No reaction at all
Plot-wise it was the same stuff of "the gang tries to kill Klaus, Elena makes boring decisions, everything is back to zero by the end of episode" type of plot(with some facepalm-worthy things like Elena throwing a party when she is supposed to appear dead to Klaus), not to mention what a huge let-down Steffie's plotline was - We spent 2 whole seasons talking on how baaaaaaaaad he was and what did he end up doing? Killed a few nameless people(which by TVD standards is just another day in the park) and showcased Paul Wesley's talent of crying. Let's not even talk about around half-a-million whitewashing plot devices that made it "not his fault"(which show loved so much that they repeated it with Elena, apparently ). And then that plotline just....stopped existing? I, mean, literally it was "oh i am good now, guys, forget this plot was there"
Of course then they introduced Esther The Plot Witch, dropped at least 5 characters into the show with no build up, we found out that Klaus grand evil masterplan is to....build a house and the show got even more annoying and repetitive. You had Esther doing her usual shenanigans the scrappy gang trying to kill Klaus(again and again and again) and Klaus throwing empty threats at everyone around him. Even the ring plotline ended up a letdown and nothing more than a plot device.
And then magic invulnerable seatbelts of doom.
shut the fuck up kitty go home
Annnnnnnnnnd, 18 days too late dearie, try better next time~
i've always enjoyed ur reviews!!! i really hoped Elena will be dead for good but we all know how TVD writers love their precious Elena. Stefan doppleganger storyline? Very original from writers - NOT. Otherwise the episode was pretty decent but im pissed about Katherine being a human. It seems pointless to the storyline and she will ask someone to turn her on back again (maybe a plot twist: once taking the cure and u cant ever b a vampire again?). i want my bad queen b Katherine back with all her powers :((
Well, I don't think that anyone is going to want to turn Katherine back. In fact, they're probably all going to want to kill her haha! But, yeah, I'm going to miss kickass Katherine, forever the best TVD character! Maybe she'll be just as badass? I don't know!
I've always loved to read your reviews and recaps. But I can understand why you probably won't watch anymore.
We'll see, we'll see. It's not October yet, so maybe I won't be as fatigued. But there's so much TV out there! :D
I don't blame you Michael for dropping the series even though I'm going to miss your reviews.After watching the finale,I thought the same thing.I'm done with this show!I love Katherine and Kol but the show is bad for my brain.
Are you going to recap the Originals?
I actually never had the intention to watch The Originals. I was like, "Okay, The Originals got picked up so I can watch the core characters on TVD again!" Even though Beks is migrating to TO, I can't say I want to watch that show much. I DO want to watch The Tomorrow People, though.
I've just watched TVD and 5 miniutes later I'm still laughing my ass of because of that whole Stefan is a doppelganger thing. Oh My God, I've never ever taught that this show would get that ridiculous.Making Silas the original doppelganger would've been interesting IMO With katherine being human and all but THIS? I can't help but laugh.
The only exciting thing about 5th season is seeing Human Katherine and see how Stefan is going to do.I hope he get found by a some girl somewhere and star over/create an identity for some episodes. I really didn't care about Damon&Elena being together.We were all over the love triangle.I hate what they've done to Bonnie. After the end of season 3 I thought Bonnie would be powerful and be mean for once, and I thought Elena would change.Somehow Bonnie ended up being pushed over by that professor and all season we didn't know what the hell she was trying to do and finally she's dead. And We had to wait for what feel like a million years to see a somewhat Bad Ass version of Elena.But Bonnie is the only character I can tolerate, she's so selfless and I don't know about you, But I love her acting now! This season was a flop, like they dragged out everything and got ridiculous way too many times.But these last episodes were kinda entertaining and I know I'll tune in for the 5th season. No matter how ridiculous they get, I still want to know how it ends up.
''I've just watched TVD and 5 miniutes later I'm still laughing my ass of because of that whole Stefan is a doppelganger thing.''-That was my reaction too!! By original doppelganger,do you mean Tatia??When I saw Nina playing Silas I thought the same thing!And it would have been great because that would justify why Esther used her blood to create the Originals!
Yes I meant Tatia. I didn't even think about the blood used by Esther but that makes even more sense, you're right.That storyline would've been much more interesting but it would wear Nina Dobrev out. I was reading an interview by Julie Plec, and she was talking about how Stefan being a doppelganger is going to wear Paul Wesley out because that's exactly what happened to Nina, to the point of her not being able to get out of bed. She also said that Paul Wesley felt like, most of the times he was just "grooming his hero hair" and he felt unchallenged.
What I got from it is that that's probably the reason why they've chosen Stefan as the doppelganger ,and that's probably why we haven't seen much of katherine in season 4 either. That sucks!
Yeah, I imagine it must be extremely difficult to play two characters on a weekly drama. They work eight days straight and, like, 14 or 16 hour days. It must be absolutely exhausting.
I know. I hope they don't make Bonnie into basically just being there to do spells. That would be awful if they wrote it as Jeremy being the only person who can see her and then whenever they need her to whip up a spell, she'd just be on call to do that. Ugh. Besides Silas, I'm intrigued to see how they handle that, tbh.
I wish I could say that I am done too, I really do, but its the last Stefan/Silas thing that just hooked me....I can;t help it, I want to know how will it work out? I mean we can speculate with this so much, but this one thought crossed my mind now - will Silas actually continue to hide his face or will he now walk around and everytime someone thinks he is Stefan he will have no problem telling them, no its Silas, actually, nice to meet you. Because really does he still need to hide who is actually is? I don;t think so. So my main interest is not even how the rest of the scooby gang will react to this, but how will Damon react to this....LOL, his life is surrounded by dopplegagners! Also Klaus's reaction would be like say whaaaat?!
I don;t know, I know I am signing up for more plotholes and inconsistencies in s5 but damn it, those last few moments really just pulled me back in being interested.
I KNOWWWW!!!! How dare they do this!?
I just read a funny comment by someone online that when Damon finds out that dear old Steffie is a doppelgänger that he will be pissed that he isn't and try to find out if he is one too since he always wants what Stefan has.
Oh my god I want to know Klaus's reaction too when he finds out that there's another Stefan! I wish I could say the same thing that I'm done with the show but I kinda want to see what happens with the whole Stefan/Silas thing too. I seriously can't take all these damn plotholes though!
Yeah, I'm gonna have to call it quits as well. I didn't think this finale could underwhelm me so much. But honestly, how do they expect to justify Bonnie being able to perform magic while she's dead? She has literally become the magical negro of the show b/c all she exists to do is perform magic tricks for people. She had absolutely nothing to live for. They couldn't even let her father know that she was dead. It was more important for her "friends" to know but not her own father who briefly had a scene during the graduation ceremony.
In the same episode they can save Damon's life but no one even knows that Bonnie is dead. And now only Jeremy can see her. He can decide whether to see her or not see her whenever he wants. That really diminishes her role as a character b/c now only one person can see her, no one else. Maybe I'm getting old but I really don't have the energy for this bullshit anymore.
Like I get it JP!! Having a boyfriend is way more important than saving the motherfucking world.
[Exactly what I posted about Bonnie above here]
I don't know how long they'll be using the whole No One Knows Bonnie Is Dead thing, but it won't shock me much if they just never mourn her. My favorite part about season 4 was that they were taking the time to reflect on those that have passed so that it could actually means something when someone died, but it also felt like a case of too little too late. :/
Also with the whole afterlife fluff, its REALLLY hard to care when someone dies, since you know they will be sipping margaritas with Uncle John the next second.
If Plec expected anyone to mourn any character, she should have gotten rid of Plot Armour Rings, never introduced the whole afterlife stuff(never ridiculously revived Jeremy in S2), emphasized the finality of death and, oh I don't know, actually develop the characters she kills(let's be frank, Alaric, Jenna, John, everyone, etc, died when no one cared about them anymore)?
Most likely they'll just say they mourned her or they'll have some reason not to feel sad or bad or the least bit guilty (e.g. Jeremy can still see her). My guess is next season they will open up with a graduation party or some shit with these fools happy as all get out. I'm also very burned about the fact that Katherine was turned into a human. I'm pretty sure as a human she would still have more cunning in her pinky finger than Elena will ever have in her entire brain.
But the way I see it they intend for Jeremy to be the only one who can see her. They just want to maintain the status quo when it comes to Bonnie. JP just wants to remind the fandom never to ask for anything with regards to Bonnie. She gave her a story arc and look what the end result is. One story arc, Bonnie saved the day all by herself, nobody helped her, nobody knew what she was doing and now she's dead.
Wht I hear from katherine plotline sounds like "oh wouldn't it be cool if they swapped roles?!"
And yes it would be cool. If it was written correctly and by quality writers(ex: journey of Buffy and Faith and how they sort of slipped into each other's life philosophy by the end point).
Sadly nothing in how they wrote both of them(or in Elena's case, neglected to write at all) in those three seasons convinced me writers are capable of doing it justice.
The thing is, Katherine got stale. Even as vampire. She has been pointless since Masquerade, reduced to a mere plot device who shows up whenever plec wants her to and is pretty much otherwise a pointless Steffie fangirl.