Episode Report Card Cindy McLennan: B | 284 USERS: C+ YOU GRADE IT This Is Better Than Mourning, How?
By Cindy McLennan | Season 4 | Episode 16 | Aired on 2013.03.14
Mossy Manse. Stefan is there when Elena wakes in Damon's bed. If that isn't a metaphor for this show, I don't know what is. Elena is grounded and she's not happy about it, so she strips in front of Stefan. He chides her for trying to manipulate him with sex the way Katherine would. Elena says Katherine has been on the run so long, "...she's afraid of her own shadow. I am not afraid of anything. I have shut it all off -- all of it, including my feelings for you. Don't get me wrong. I mean, I see you standing there and you look good. I remember our sex. It was good sex. I just don't feel anything about it, anymore, but you clearly do." She's dressed by now, and sending texts as she rubs her disregard in Stefan's hurt face. She doesn't understand why he cares what she does or who she kills. Stefan says it's his fault she's like this because he brought vampirism into her life. He already has to live with the people he's killed. He doesn't want to have to live with the ones Elena kills, too.
Elena largely ignores him and instead continues to type away, so finally Stefan grabs the phone out of her hand and asks who she's texting. Elena says, "Look at you. Your whole world revolves around me. Maybe you're the one that needs to turn it all off." They're interrupted by a thud and voices. Downstairs, Elena's texts have paid off. There's a big party brewing at Mossy Manse, including delicious kids from vervain-free towns. Stefan is pissed, which delights Elena a lot, considering she's allegedly without feelings. Commercial.
Caroline arrives and she and Stefan enjoy the party in what's sadly become their wet blanket fashion. They look with derision at Elena dancing, but then start to appreciate that she is finally having fun. Caroline casts off the wet blanket and encourages Stefan to enjoy himself. There's nice chemistry between the two of them in this scene. His eyes twinkle as he asks Caroline if he's supposed to, "...grab some girl, throw her onto my shoulder and take her out on the dance floor?" When Caroline thinks that's the ticket, Stefan throws her over his shoulder. Caroline giggles in protest as we cut to...