Episode Report Card Cindy McLennan: A- | 249 USERS: B+ YOU GRADE IT Yeah, I Don't Do Teen Drama
By Cindy McLennan | Season 4 | Episode 5 | Aired on 2012.11.08
Damon wants to know why Stefan wants to cure Elena. Is it because she's not cut out to be a vampire, or is it because Stefan loves her if she is one? Stefan: "I'll always love her, but she's not supposed to be this person. I don't want her to be." Damon: "Well, if I'm going to ride this fairy tale to its conclusion, let me be clear about one thing. [...] I'm fine with her either way, brother, so if I do this, I'm doing it for you."
BOOK SPOILER Sidebar: And here's where I want to mention what I know from my kid, about the books, so if you don't want to know skip this paragraph. In the books, Vampire Elena dies, and then she's brought back as sort of an angel who loses some of her angelic qualities (including actual fricking wings) the longer she's back on earth. She still sort of has power, but she's no longer a vampire. Hilariously enough, Damon accidentally takes the cure. I don't really want a cure for Elena, or for anyone. I mean, this series has been hardcore about having all these real, permanent deaths -- Vicki, Jenna, Grams, Alaric, hell, even Isobel, John, and Bill Forbes. It's been real. Death means something on this show. If Elena's vampirism can be cured, then vampirism isn't real on a show called The Vampire Diaries. I know it's always up to the telling, but from this vantage point, I've got to say it's likely to make me feel dallied with, particularly since I've had to watch her puking up blood, and failing to even wipe her mouth across her sleeve. So, I hope that the TV version of the cure is a mirage. The show's called The Vampire Diaries. I want vampires, and we already have Stefan as a mournful vampire. Right now, I'm just so let down, even after what I think was a strong episode. Bah.
Gilbert Gables. Bathroom. Elena's bloody clothes lie on the floor, and she's taking a shower, but the voice over narration begins with, "Dear Diary..." Really, show? Really? Maybe she's writing her diary entry in Connor's blood that is still on her hands...because REALLY? She dragged that big man out to the woods, handled a shovel, threw him in a hole and covered him up with dirt and then went home, and yet she's got THAT MUCH pooling red blood on her hands. STOP HITTING ME OVER THE HEAD WITH THIS. I get it. She's a killer. I get that she has "blood on her hands," but she shouldn't have that much actual wet blood on her hands after she's in the shower, given all the logistics of burying him and then getting home. I complained about this the other day, and my friend Mary Beth said, "So it's not the town full of teenage vampires, werewolves, hybrids, and witches you have a problem with... (but seriously, I agree. We expect a little bit of realism inside our fantastical wrapper)." That's exactly it. This is a show about vampires, etc. I have to accept that, going in. But now, suddenly blood doesn't wipe off, even when you're carrying a 200 lb corpse all around town, and then undressing and stuff. And a pretty, well-kempt girl like Elena doesn't wipe her mouth after feeding. She feels really guilty, but she doesn't feel blood oozing down her chin? Bah!