Episode Report Card Cindy McLennan: A- | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT This Is A Story About Control -- My Control
By Cindy McLennan | Season 1 | Episode 18 | Aired on 04.15.2010
Gilbert Gables: Elena and Jenna are complaining about all the Founders Day events coming up as the walk in the door. Do you hear that, writers? Even your characters would like you to come up with a new excuse for all these gatherings. Anyhow, Elena goes to check on Germ, who is less than talkative. Given the pacing of this show to date, I was half expecting him to confront her there and then, but that's because I wasn't paying attention to the clock. She sulks off to her bedroom, and starts to get undressed, when Stefan Stealth-Salvatores her, scaring her nearly to death. He apologizes and explains why he disappeared. He tells her about Kelly's blood (although neglects to mention his little lick), and his confrontation with Rude Guy. He's freaking because he wanted to feed on Rude Guy, so very much. Elena reminds him that he didn't, though. He's trying to make her see how bad off he is. His head is pounding. His skin feels like it's on fire. His hunger is stronger than ever. "All I can think about is that I promised I would never keep anything from you." Elena is glad he isn't. She reaches for him, but he shrinks from her touch. He can't be that close to her. "I'm afraid of what I could do to you." Elena stresses that she is not. Oh little girl, you should be. She embraces him, as he cringes in agony and tells her how much he loves her. Elena: "Oh, I love you, too."
Mossy Manse; Later: Damon's sitting by the fire, holding his drink (of blood) to his troubled head. When he hears his brother arrive home, he says, "We have a problem, Stefan -- and when I say problem, I mean global crisis..." because I am an enormous drama queen. He stops then, not out of self-awareness, but rather -- because he's just gotten a good look at his brother. Stefan can barely see Damon. He only sees the glass of blood he's holding. Damon notes the detox is different this time. "Of course it would be, after all these years." Damon knows his brother is in no shape to discuss crises global or domestic. He bids Stefan a gentle good night, and leaves behind his glass of blood -- this time, out of pity. Scared and ashamed though he may be, Stefan drinks it -- with gusto. DUN!
That's it for this week. I've got too many theories swirling in my head to make sense of them. If you feel the same, you can reach me at CynthiaMcLennan[at]gmail.com, or shout out to me on Twitter. Until the next episode, come on over to the forums, where it's all shirtless Salvatores, all the time.