Episode Report Card Cindy McLennan: A- | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Your Diabolical Plan: The Sequel
By Cindy McLennan | Season 1 | Episode 12 | Aired on 01.28.2010
Damon, holding Elena's makeshift stake, tells Humpty that no one wants to kill him; they just want to talk. Humpty's not in the same mood so he leaps toward Stefan and Elena. Damon tosses the stake to Stefan who jams it in Humpty's gut and engages in a little bit of Jack Bauereque torture, which is fun, since Paul Wesley has done a few episodes of 24. He even nearly says, "Tell me who you're working for!" but I'm getting ahead of myself. Stefan keeps jamming the stake in and out of Humpty, who taunts the Brothers Salvatore that he too knows Katherine, and berates them for not even remembering him. "Oh, you thought you were the only ones." Damon wants to know how to get in the tomb. All they get out of him is that they need the grimoire and should check Jonathan Gilbert's journal to find out where it is. Elena, for her part, looks horrified at that last bit, and well, at everything. When Stefan wants to know who Humpty is working for with, we see that Anna has been looking on from out in the hallway. She backs away, into the shadow, just as Alaric appears from around a corner and heads in the same direction. To give Humpty his due, he doesn't give up Anna, and instead tells the Salvatores they'll have to kill him. Damon gives Stefan the "Oh, whatever" look. Stefan pulls the stake out of Humpty's gut. Humpty cries out in pain and Stefan gives him a moment to collect himself, and then without even wincing, he stakes Humpty, right in the heart, leaving me with the conviction that Stefan is the most dangerous vampire we've met on this show to date. I love that he's such a study in contrasts. Well done, Show. Well done. Elena watches with her mouth hanging open, and finally manages to ask how they're going to find the other vampires in town, now. Damon simply says, "He had to die." Stefan slowly and calmly says, "Elena... he's been invited in."
As the weight of Stefan's words hang in the air, the trio hears a door out in the hallway and they look in time to see Alaric pass by. It's not clear what he sees in the cafeteria, but he certainly must see Elena and the boys, at least. Stefan gives Damon his marching orders. "Go. I've got this." Damon scurries off after Alaric, and eventually gives him the Stealth-Salvatore treatment. He asks Alaric where he was going. Alaric says he was looking for a Miss Hilton. Damon then asks why he's in Mystic Falls and turns on his thrall-eyes to ensure he gets the truth. Alaric says, "Got a job as a teacher." Damon asks, "Do you know what I am?" Alaric answers, "You're my student's brother." Damon: "Is everything you're telling me the truth?" Alaric: "Yes." Damon's eyes flash again. "Then forget we had this conversation." He walks away and leaves Alaric blinking and standing in the hallway. It's only once Damon's out of sight that Alaric unclenches his fist to reveal it is full of Vervain! Woo hoo.