Episode Report Card Cindy McLennan: A | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Nothing But The Dead Of Night Back In Our Little Town
By Cindy McLennan | Season 3 | Episode 11 | Aired on 01.12.2012
Birthday Wake Crypt: The kids are all tipsy, now. Elena catches Caroline drunk-texting Tyler. All she says is a mildly disapproving, "Caroline," but Bonnie's had some tequila too, and snaps at Elena, "Oh give her a break. You can't control what everyone does all the time." Even Matt is like, "Ouch, Bon." Bonnie apologizes with one of those "I'm sorry, but" apologies, and then lectures Elena about taking away Jeremy's choices. Elena knows it's wrong, but reminds Bonnie she's trying to keep the Germ alive and give him a normal life. When she says, "Bonnie, you can't tell him," Bonnie replies, "Why? Are you going to compel me not to?" Matt calls them both out on ruining a perfectly good funeral. Buzzed Bonnie realizes she's being Buzzkill Bonnie, so she wishes Caroline a happy birthday and leaves.
Founders Hall: Outside, Damon and Sheriff Liz Forbes talk about Carol's deal with Klaus. Liz isn't going to let Klaus hold the town hostage. "But I'm also not going to let innocent people get caught in the crossfire of a pissing contest, between a hybrid and a vampire." Damon raises his eyes from her chest to her face. "Liz. I'm impressed. You're all strong and sheriff-y." Liz isn't kidding. She tells Damon to make Stefan stand down before someone gets hurt.
Alaric comes upon Meredith arguing with a guy who tells her she's going to ruin her career. Meredith: "Says the guy who got his job from his dad." Him: "Do you have any idea what you're messing with?" Meredith starts to walk away. "I know what I'm doing." The guy grabs her arm to stop her. "Damn it, Meredith." She turns on him as she jerks her arm away. "Back off, Brian." Alaric rides to the rescue. When Brian tries to pretend everything is okay, Alaric stands firm. Brian: "You might want to get to know her, before you become her white knight. She's kind of a psycho case." Alaric laughs. "Oh, you're that guy, aren't you -- the one begging to have his teeth kicked in." Brian nods and says, "Take it from me, man. Life's too short." Meredith tells Brian to go away. Once he's gone she tells Alaric, "Behold, my senior prom date." Alaric: "Oh, you definitely should have pushed him off the bridge." It turns out Brian is also on the Council and serves as the town's Medical Examiner. "The guy who signs his name under 'Cause of Death -- animal wound.'" Meredith gets a call and has to leave, but thanks Alaric for playing the hero. He tells her, "Any time."
Stefan walks by, right after Alaric wanders off, and stealthily grabs a knife off a banquet table. He follows one of Klaus's hybrid's upstairs and knifes him in the gut. Damon swoops in and stops him before he can decapitate his victim. "No dead hybrids at the Founders Party." Stefan's just making good on his threat. Damon reminds Stefan that there are a lot more hybrids out there, and even if Stefan kills them all, all Klaus needs to make more, is to use Elena as his human blood bag. Stefan says protecting Elena is Damon's problem, now. Damon tells Stefan not to give him the "...no humanity crap. You can't just flip your switch. Your switch is fried, Stefan, just like your brain." Damon says to beat the villain, Stefan needs to be smarter than him. Stefan answers, "No, to beat the villain, Damon, you've got to be the better villain," and walks off.