The Vampire Diaries - Season 4 Episode 2 - Recap and Review - Memorial
Here's the recap and review of The Vampire Diaries Season 4 Episode 2: "Memorial" on the CW.
If last week's premiere was any indication of how this season will go, there's going to be a lot of tears, a lot of stress and a lot of screaming at our televisions. If you haven't seen tonight's episode, turn back now. SPOILERS AHEAD.
Let me start with why I love this show so much. Every episode is like a mini-movie. They take us on an emotional rollercoaster, give us twists and turns and ultimately, we're left a little better or a little worse than before. But, damn it, we're always entertained. So let's get into it.
Tonight's episode started with a multi-character voiceover reminding us how important Mystic Falls is to each of our beloved leads. It was a little bit more of a recap than some of us die-hard fans needed but it was a nice reminder of why everyone hasn't just packed up and left town yet.
Before I get to the next scene, I have to let you guys in on something about me: I'm Team Stefan.. sometimes. I'm Team Damon the rest of the time. I know, I know, I'm a fickle bitch just like Elena. So in the opening scene where Stefan and Elena wake up together in the woods and Elena was all about Stefan, so was I.
The scene cut to earlier in the Salvatore mansion where Damon and Stefan were engaging in some classic brotherly bonding, aka arguing about Elena. Their back and forth about how Elena should be "adjusted" into a vampire was classic Damon/Stefan banter and I loved it. In one corner, we have Stefan, the hopeful optimist who believes Elena can survive on bunnies and Bambis, and in the other, we've got Damon, the pissed off cynic who thinks Elena is en route to a murderous ripper rampage just like every other vampire. Personally, I'm with Damon on this one. We all know how this story goes. It happened to Vicki, Tyler and Caroline just to name a few. Plus, I really want to see Elena on a ripper rampage. Is that bad?
Anyway, enter Elena who, right now, is on Team Stefan. She fights with Damon a bit who delivers this gem: "You're a vampire, be a vampire. Vampires eat people." Thanks Damon. We weren't aware.
Stefan, stubborn as ever, continues his training session with Elena in the woods. Hunting for deers quickly turns into Elena lusting for Stefan. Elena explains that Stefan's hands on her back feel like he is touching her whole body. I need a minute to picture that. OK got it. Moving on, Elena and Stefan can't control their lust and commence having hot vampire sex in the woods. They are interrupted by Elena puking up the deer blood she just drank. Not so hot.
We're back at the only bar in Mystic Falls where Sheriff Forbes accuses Damon of killing off the council. Enter new guy. Every time I see a black person in Mystic Falls, I assume they are a witch or a long lost relative of Bonnie's so that's my first guess as to what this dude is up to. Wait, he says he's an "independent contractor." In this town, that means vampire hunter!
We find Matt and Jeremy back at school talking about some stuff that doesn't matter and how Matt is guilty Elena saved him and it's his fault she's a vampire, blah blah. Can you tell I'm not the biggest Matt fan? I'm still pissed he survived that car crash and I don't think his character has any depth. Thankfully, the tension is saved by April, the deceased Pastor's daughter who is conveniently back from boarding school, just in time to be Jeremy's new love interest! Right?
Back at the Salvatore mansion, Elena's having "adjustment issues," meaning she's throwing up all the blood she drank. A surprisingly chipper Stefan surprises her with champagne from the year she was born. Happy Stefan is a rare sight and I'm not sure I'm feeling it. I much prefer broody, dark, intense Stefan. Elena doesn't tell Stefan she's have nausea issues and, of course, runs to Damon with her problems. But first, she accuses him of killing the council members.
"Am I wearing my I blew up the council t-shirt?" Damon says in a pitch perfect line that actually made me laugh out loud. Elena asks Damon for help since she can't drink animal blood without pulling a Bieber. Instead of giving her a tangible tip on how to keep the blood down, Damon pulls Elena into the bathroom for some "blood sharing." He tells her to be careful because blood sharing is personal.
Forget personal, blood sharing is HOT. TEAM DAMON. I told you I'm fickle.
Meanwhile, Caroline and Tyler are having grief sex. As much as I love Tyler and Caroline together, I really want her to hook up with Klaus. Speaking of Mr. Evil himself, where was Klaus this episode? Anyway, Tyler and Caroline are swapping spit and "I love you's" when Mrs. Lockwood gets a visit from Connor Jordan, the new guy and suspected vampire hunter. Tyler comes downstairs when he hears a ruckus and new dude is wearing vervain gloves! And, he shoots Tyler with vervain wood bullets! WHAT!? Well, now we know the he's up to no good.
New girl April and Elena share a nice moment at the church where the council members' funeral will be happening. April's mention that she and Elena haven't seen since each other since Elena's parents' funeral reminds us that parents don't tend to stick around in Mystic Falls. Also, correct me if I'm wrong but how is this the first funeral in TVD history?
Ew, Elena. Stop with the gross vomiting already. Elena has to excuse herself from her convo with April to puke some more. As much blood as we see on this show, I think that vomit scene was the absolute worse. One thing this show does so well that I absolutely love, is deliver moments that give its audience heart palpitations. Just me? When Connor was banging on the bathroom door while Elena was telling Damon to hurry on the phone, I think I had momentary heart failure. I also love how quick Damon is to drop everything and save Elena. Another point, Damon.
Remember Bonnie everyone? Well, she's been holed up dealing with her grandmother's re-death on the other side or whatever that was. Stefan barges in to ask her about Connor Bonnie rules that Connor didn't use magic for his super hand carved vervain bullets. I guess he's not a witch. Bonnie really needs a better story line.
Back at the church, Damon smartly refuses to shake Connor's vervain gloved hand and I wonder if he got the "don't shake new guy's hand" memo or if he just has better instincts than Tyler. The next time we see new guy Connor, he is stabbing helpless new girl April in the stomach. WHAT IS THIS GUY UP TO? I have no clue at this point.
In a scene outside the church where Ian Somerhalder's eyes distracted me from any plot points of importance, I think Elena drank human blood or something. Then, Paul Wesley rolled up in a suit and I think he fought with Damon but I was also distracted by all the sexy. Hot damn. How does Elena get anything done?
The entire episode was building to the final funeral scene where the whole town convened in the church, including Tyler, who Damon points out should be at home since he has a vampire hunter after him. Caroline saying she's going to kick new guy's ass. I LOVE HER.
My favorite moment of the episode has to go to Damon giving the sign of the cross and smirking hilariously. God, Ian Somerhalder is good.
Speaking of good acting, Nina Dobrev killed it in the scene where Elena has to go in front of the church in April's absence. In the most suspenseful moment of my entire life, Elena's blood lust starts taking over as Connor's on the balcony waiting to take his shot. Stefan finally grabs her from the podium and Matt gets us all back in his good graces by selflessly offering for Elena to feed on him. In more acts of selflessness, Tyler takes the podium and gets shot in the shoulder. His response: I'm gonna kick that guy's ass. I love everyone so much in this episode.
Somehow Damon going after Connor results in Stefan punching Damon presumably for letting Elena do all that blood sharing. I still can't get enough of the Salvatore brothers fights and complicated relationship but after 4 seasons, do you think it's time they got a new dynamic? For now, I'm cool with it.
While we're on the theme of new dynamics, Elena and Caroline have swapped roles in their friendship. Caroline used to be the naive one always needing Elena's soothing advice. Well in tonight's most idiotic moment, blood hungry Elena goes over to April whiles she's covered in her own blood. Caroline acts as the rock Elena needs and talks her through compelling April to forget the whole funeral. It was a great moment and a breakthrough for vampire Elena.
As the episode comes to a close, we learn that new dude Connor is still being a shady creep as he reads the late pastors letter to his daughter new girl Apri. That just made me even more confused than before. I was certain Klaus compelled The Pastor to blow up the council but now I'm not sure.
Stefan and Elena go to blows over Elena's reliance on Damon. Stefan is rightfully pissed she didn't go to him first. "You're in hell which means that I'm in hell," he tells her. And I'm back to Team Stefan. The heartbreaking way he said "You fed on him," made me want to cry. Uh oh, now I'm emotional.
Stefan stops the fight to take Elena to the high school to finish their memorial. It was nice to see the whole cast together in a scene that was not only significant to the characters, it was a nice memorial for us fans who miss some of our favorite deceased characters. Damon ditched the sentimental ceremony early but the rest of the gang stuck around to light Japanese lanterns that represent letting go of the past. Stefan started and as he went through his peeps he'd lost: specifically his uncle and Lexi, this is where I lost it, you guys. I don't even really like Jeremy but when he said "to Jenna" I couldn't help myself, I was full on crying. Hey, did everyone forget about Uncle Mason!?
The final scene just about killed me. Damon drinking and complaining to Alaric's grave was sad enough until Matt Davis showed up as a ghost behind Damon. It made me yearn for the Damon/ Alaric bromance of seasons past. I literally wrote in my notes: "OMG!! ALARIC!!! SOBBING." Damon whined about Alaric leaving him to fight with his brother and take care of the kids and Alaric simply responded with "miss you too buddy.
NO, WE MISS YOU ALARIC.
Whew, that was a doozy. So what do you think TVD fans? Will Elena really be able to adjust to being a vampire without killing anyone? What is this new vampire hunter dude up to?Do we think Jeremy and new girl April will hook up? What exactly does blood sharing mean? Sound off in the comments!
