I’ve spent much of this season discussing the general role reversal between Stefan and Damon, but this episode was the first time I really noticed that their general behavior and philosophies have switched as well. Yes, both of them have evolved and there have been extenuating circumstances, but for the most part I always viewed Stefan as the one who was ultra protective of Elena and wouldn’t go through with a good plan because it might put her in danger, while Damon was the one who pushed for a good plan even if it was dangerous, because he knew it would work out. Stefan seemed to have the attitude of “she could get hurt,” while Damon would say, “she wants to do this.” Again, they began to meet somewhere in the middle as time went on, but that’s mostly how I saw it. Damon always told Stefan he was clouded by his love for Elena. In this episode, Stefan told Damon the same thing.
As the feelings between Damon and Elena become more obvious and transparent, and Stefan continues to soften up, I think this was the first episode where Elena was forced to choose between them. In her own way, I do think Elena made her choice. There were two moments that push came to shove. The first moment, she rejected Damon. The second moment, she fought for Stefan. Of course, it’s far more complicated than that (she did seem SOMEWHAT reluctant to trust Stefan, she obviously felt awful about going behind Damon’s back, and she definitely regretted her reaction to Damon’s profession), but I still think the sentiment was there. I do think she cares deeply for Damon. She may even love him. But I do think in her heart, she wants to be with Stefan. He’s the one she wants.
There’s one thing though, I didn’t hear what Stefan said when Elena pleaded with him to show her that he cares (right before he left). Can somebody fill me in? And did I misunderstand, or did Caroline officially throw her hat into Team Stefan? Did she encourage Elena to go to the ball with him?
I must say, this show is slowly but surely making the Original Vampires very interesting and complex characters. They went from pretty basic villains whose allegiances bounced around on a weekly basis to being extremely deep, borderline likeable characters. It truly does seem like each of them has something that’s at least mildly redeemable (except maybe the dude who broke Matt’s hand). And the interaction between Esther and Elena proved to be very fun. After revealing her plan, I loved the way Esther asked, “Will you do it?” when she lifted the dagger and then quickly followed it with, “Or shall I?” The delivery was perfect, with the first part making it seem like it was a respectful request for Elena to comply with the plan. The second part, however, quickly made it clear that this wasn’t a choice, and that Esther was simply asking the manner in which Elena would be complying.
Last year, Caroline emerged as my favorite “new” character. That is to say, the character that went from being pretty irrelevant (or even unlikable) to being a genuine favorite (perhaps I should call it “The Chloe Sullivan Award”). This year, Elijah may very well get the nod. He’s just proven to be a very noble, strangely loyal character. Yes, he’s turned on people (numerous times), but it’s always for a greater purpose. He betrayed Stefan and Damon in the finale (which cost Jenna her life), but it was for his own family. And thus far this season, he’s been true to his word with Elena and the Salvatores. Hell, his character actually made Elena and Esther BOTH contemplate not going through with the plan, because they knew he would die also. I was even kinda upset.
And surprisingly, they’re even making Klaus somewhat sympathetic through his courting of Caroline. Ditto for Rebekah and Matt. There’s so much going on as we near the climax of the season that I honestly don’t know where it’s all heading. Klaus is the primary villain, yet he’s being shown as not completely evil. And killing him would also kill Rebekah, who isn’t exactly purely dastardly, and Elijah, who’s kinda their ally. And they’re doing this all with the assistance of Esther, who created them in the first place. And then you have Elena torn between Stefan (who’s generally a jerk but has spurts of niceness) and Damon (who’s been a good guy this season, although gets impulsive and does hurtful things).
I honestly don’t know where it’s all going, and it’s making this season a lot of fun to watch. Yes, there’s a lot going on, but there’s not TOO MUCH going on. That’s an important distinction.
