Crying Wolf
Vampire Diaries Episode Review
In which Tyler needs to reconsider his choices and Elena made a bad deal. Another strong episode of The Vampire Diaries as Tyler tries to decide who to trust.
What Happened
Jules and Brady meet with a werewolf geek named Stevie, who explains the Sun and the Moon curse to them and Tyler. Hearing that if the curse is broken, he will never have to turn into a werewolf again, Tyler agrees to help. During the discussion, Stevie produces a picture of Mason's girlfriend "Kathy" and shows it to Tyler. When Tyler connects Katherine with Elena, Brady knows they've found the doppelganger.
Elena and Stefan go off to her parents' lake house for a little getaway. That night, Stefan finds a hidden room full of weapons and journals - the Gilberts' vampire hunting gear. Going outside for more wood, Stefan is ambushed by Tyler and Brady. Leaving Tyler to watch Stefan, Brady tries to grab Elena, but she fights back and escapes. By this time, Stefan's explained that breaking the curse means killing Elena and Tyler has switched sides. Stefan kills Brady as Tyler apologizes to Elena.
With some help from Jeremy and Caroline, Bonnie drugs and kidnaps Luka. She hits him with a truth spell and gets him to explain why he and his father are working for Elijah. Luka's sister is being controlled by Klaus, who wants witches to find him a way to break the curse without the doppelganger. If they manage to kill Klaus, she'll be free. Elijah's plan is to wait until Klaus has broken the curse and then strike while he's weak. Everyone sees the flaw in Elijah's plan.
Jules and Stevie, meanwhile, need the moonstone. So they chain Damon up and torture him a little in the hopes that he'll tell them where to find it. He's not very cooperative, but then he doesn't really need to be since Elijah arrives in due time to save him. Jules makes a run for it. Elijah reminds Damon that he just keeps saving Damon's life, doesn't he?
Damon calls Stefan and fills him in on the night's events, including what Bonnie has discovered. Stefan confronts Elena, pointing out that her deal with Elijah is going to get her killed. Elena knew that all along; she was willing to trade herself for her family's safety. Stefan isn't impressed and accuses her of giving up and playing the matyr card.
Realizing that he can't stay in Mystic Falls until he figures out what the werewolf thing means, Tyler decides to leave town with Jules. Before he goes, he makes sure to tell Matt not to screw things up with Caroline.
The Good
- Jules dangles the lure - once the curse is broken, Tyler won't ever have to turn into a werewolf.
- Cute Elena and Stefan.
- Want Elena's boots.
- Bonnie has stuff to do!
- Elijah dealing with the werewolves. And NOW Elijah's a scary guy.
- Elena and Stefan conflict that's not about their love life.
- Tyler leaving. Sad face.
The Bad
- Although there's a bit much with the heart-ripping. And the torture. Just a bit much.
The Cliche
- Damon and Elijah quasi-face-off. Damon gets beat up. (Damon always gets beat up. You'd think he'd at least learn to be sneakier when picking fights with older vamps.)
- Brady leaves Stefan alive and alone with Tyler why? Because the script says so.
- Running around the house trying to escape the killer. (Elena and Brady.)
- Sad goodbye montage. (Tyler.)
Best Lines
Alaric: "Tell me you're not going to kill Elijah at the tea party."
What Did I Think?
Bonnie finally gets something to do! And gets to make out with Jeremy. I think we can all call that a win.
Despite all the action, this was a quieter sort of episode. Probably meant to set up some stuff for later, like the Gilbert journals, Luka's sister, and whatever it is they are planning to do with Tyler. I don't think we've seen the last of him. For one thing, if Elijah or Klaus do move towards breaking the curse, they will eventually need a werewolf. (Unless someone held on to Stevie for some reason.)
I certainly hope the fuss with Alaric means that someone is finally going to tell Jenna what's going on. Perhaps right in time for Isobel to breeze back into town?