The Vampire Diaries 5.07 Review: Fighting a Losing Battle

Anyone that has yet to watch tonight’s episode of The Vampire Diaries, titled ‘Death and the Maiden’, now is your last chance to do so without spoilers. For this is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

Decent episode this week. I will be sad to see Silas gone, because he managed to actually get interesting these last two episodes. The last two week’s he’s been funnier than all of the other characters, including Damon, and it sucks to see that that’s gone because it helped make these last two weeks of this show more interesting.

Also, Bonnie’s back. For a second there I actually thought she was going to stay dead, and I was happy about that. But then Tessa went and saved her life in the knick of time and all I got to do was say damnit. Really, hasn’t this character outstayed her welcome? Sure, the only time she’s ever been interesting is the first ten episodes of the series, and when she was with Jeremy. I guess she is with Jeremy again now, but I’m still not liking her. Doesn’t Kat Graham have a music career she could go work on rather than this series?

Amarra was an intriguing little duck, and I’ll be sad to see the character go when she wasn’t given much time on the series. A very Romeo and Juliet kind of death with her and Silas, but this time they don’t get to be together on the other side. But when Bonnie dies, won’t the other side disappear? A witch doesn’t live forever, although she could keep transferring it to another afterwards. But back to Amarra, I have to say that I loved the way Dobrev played her bat shit crazy; it was fantastic. This is more of the Nina Dobrev that I like this week than some of this season has been. She actually has a decent amount of talent. Although Julie Plec trying to say that she was doing it long before Tatiana Maslany doesn’t mean squat when Maslany is pro on Orphan Black and differentiating her characters far better than Dobrev.

All in all, not a bad episode. I do think it’s going to start getting back to the lameness that was the first five episodes of the season now that Silas is gone, but who knows? I do have to say that I enjoyed the music this week; two particular moments had their respective songs fitting and very evocative of the scenes. Still, I’m not feeling like this series is going to get any better any more, but so help me if they don’t find a way to save Katherine.

My rating: 7 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“Like, literally, Medusa style.” – Silas explains to the two strangers on the bench what happened to his true love.

“I’m sitting in a bus stop in frigging Delaware.” – Silas complains. “You’re in Philly.” – the woman corrects him. “I’m in Philly? Oh God, that’s even worse.” – Silas groans.

“They prefer administrative assistants now; I learned that on the bus.” – Silas corrects Damon’s use of the word secretary.

“Now, may I be excused, scary vampire daughter?” – Katherine asks Nadia.

“I swear there’s a sitcom in there somewhere.” – Tessa mutters about Damon, Elena, and Stefan’s circumstances.

“Well, Silas owes me a fuse box.” – Damon states, regarding Silas’s cutting of the power.

Okay, I’m off to watch Grey’s Anatomy now. After that it’s The Crazy Ones. Stick around for more.

The Vampire Diaries 5.06 Review: Road Trip with the Devil

For all those that have yet to watch tonight’s episode of The Vampire Diaries, entitled ‘Handle With Care’, this is your last chance to do devoid of spoilers. As always, this is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! Proceed at your own discretion.

Maybe it was how little expectation I had of this episode, but I loved it. It was one of the better episodes this season, with a reveal to match the moment where we learned Tessa was Qetsiyah. There were so many hilarious lines to this episode, as well as so many moments. I mean, Stefan’s thumbs up to Tessa’s plan to kill Silas before he can destroy the other side was great. Then there was Silas’s grin after he made the ‘knock knock’ joke, and Katherine pretending to be Elena again and asking where the food is at. This all helped to make this episode a pretty decent episode; I’m going to have to keep my standards low for this series and just be pleasantly surprised.

One thing I found great this week was its use of music. This series had some quality songs that aren’t heard every day. I loved all the music, and the way it was used in each scene. Another thing I loved was Silas this week. He was so happy and cheery, and his sense of humour was both morbid and great. For once I was actually glad to have him on this show. Silas telling Elena she couldn’t come along because he didn’t want to look at her imposter of a face was just plain fantastic. And also, Katherine and Caroline working together was simply great.

This series really has had so many changes over the years. The first ten episodes where Elena had no idea what Stefan was, was like one storyline. Then there was the build up to learning she was adopted, and Damon moving his desire for Katherine onto her. Introducing Klaus and the Originals was another movement of the story, as well as Elena’s eventual transition into being a vampire. So many changes over four and a half seasons that it would make anyone dizzy jumping from one season to the next. Not to say I haven’t liked some of the transitions, it’s just a very different series from where it started off.

A few questions I have about this episode, the most notable being what is going on with Katherine? She somehow managed to survive dying, even though she was human, and then had the gray hair and lost a tooth. I’m really curious to know what is going on with her. Is she aging rapidly and dying similar to Alicia Silverstone’s character in the movie Vamp? Also, what’s this business of Amarra (a name they obviously stole from Buffy with the whole ring that made vampires unkillable) being crazy? Is it because she was entombed similar to Silas all these years, or is she hearing the voices of all the supernaturals on the other side being that she is tied to it? Will the voices go away now that she is (is she?) human, or will they stick around until she is dead and the other side kyboshed? Also, where did Silas go? Is the same that is happening to Katherine going to start happening to him? Or is it different because she was a vampire and he was immortal? Oh, and does Stefan now have all his memories back, because I kind of liked him better without them? So many questions that need to be answered before I ever stop watching this series.

All in all, this was a very good episode. Ian Somerhaulder is still as pretty as ever, possibly more so with age. I’m really becoming more intrigued with this series again, not as much as I’m loving The Originals right now, but it’s still pretty good. Definitely better than Once Upon A Time in Wonderland. Before I sign off, I just have to mention the look on Stefan’s face as Elena explained to Tessa that Damon has never put anyone’s life above her’s, including his own. That was a great moment there. Oh, and can we please have more Aaron? Until next week.

My rating: 7.5 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“Did you want me to pinky swear?” – Silas asks Elena of his promise to resurrect Bonnie with his death.

“The supernatural otherworld is bound by an object in Snookie’s backyard?” – Damon questions, after learning the object is in New Jersey.

“AKA, put the damn crossbow down Pocahontas.” – Damon tells Jeremy, who has the bow pointed at Silas.

“Knock knock! Knock knock. Who’s there? The mayor. The mayor who?” – Silas says and then gestures to Damon. “Well who?” – Damon asks. “No one! That’s the joke. No one’s there because I killed the mayor.” – Silas finishes with a smile.

“It’s called being secure. I assume you know a little about that by the way you wear your hair.” – Damon explains to Silas, regarding Elena and the Stefan issue.

“It binds the spell to a supernatural hell dimension, it’s not going to look like a freakin’ Ikea sink.” – Silas says to Damon.

“Just round up.” – Katherine tells Caroline, regarding the professor’s weight and how to accurately take enough blood out of him so that the vervain is gone in his system and she can compel him.

All right, I’m off to watch Grey’s Anatomy now, check back soon for that review and one for The Crazy Ones. Stay tuned.

The Vampire Diaries 5.05 Review: And the Trouble Keeps On Coming

For all those that have yet to watch Thursday night’s episode of The Vampire Diaries, titled ‘Monster’s Ball’, this is the only point where I will suggest that you do that first before reading ahead. This is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! Proceed at your own discretion.

Despite this not being a terrible episode, or the fact that some intriguing things did happen this week, this series has been something of a mess this year. The writers have dragged the mythology around in the mud and changed already established notions from years before. It’s making me lose any faith I had in this series becoming something greater than a show about a love triangle.

Okay, so while it was astonishing to learn that Nadia is in actuality Katherine’s daughter, it makes things a little wonky. She appears to be quite young herself, but she must have had a child as well, or else Elena would never have been here. But she’s angry at Katherine for making herself a vampire, when she must have done the same to her own child to seek revenge against her mother. And while that does make this interesting territory, I’m still confused by the fact that I could’ve sworn she was supposed to be a gypsy, or traveller, or whatever you call them. Please tell me there are at least answers to the question of Nadia’s child.

This whole teacher thing is little weird. He’s calling newly turned vampire Jesse a perfect candidate, but candidate for what? And why would he say it was too bad that Elena was leaving, only to threaten her and her friends when she comes back? I thought he wanted her help, or was that just badly written/acted? I have to say I’m more intrigued by Aaron, who just so happened to play a teacher on the short-lived CW series Life Unexpected. The guy definitely is a mirror to Elena, and I find him filled with possibilities. It’s been a long time since this series introduced an attractive young man, and it’s just sad that the guy appears to have a fair amount of chemistry with Elena when she’s dating Damon and she already has a stupid love triangle. That’s the problem with series written about love triangles, it leaves no open possibilities. But still, I hope he sticks around for a little while, I’d like to get to know him.

Two other things that I have to note about this episode, one being the whole Tyler thing. He came back to say goodbye, but has the audacity to sleep with Caroline before he drops that little news on her. Such a stupid guy move that it makes me actually hope he’s gone for good. But so help me if they write him onto The Originals, I’ve finally begun to like Hayley, and if Tyler comes back into things, it will just ruin the dynamic. I want Caroline on that series, not Tyler.

The other thing was how Katherine is still alive. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy she is, I was going to start thinking her daughter would have to seek revenge, but then her heart starts beating again. Does that mean she won’t ever die? Will any vampire that drains her become mortal again and she will breathe again? Why would this happen? So many questions that I desperately want answers to. This is what I mean by introducing actually riveting material.

Overall, I can’t see this series going on much longer. It has this season, maybe one more, unless it gets its act together and starts writing consistently and for the characters. When it comes to writing, what’s natural to the story is what’s necessary, not drama and things that will bring a soap opera feel to the environment. Get that together, and this series could possibly survive a few more than my early prediction. But don’t get interesting soon, and I’m out of here.

My rating: 6.5 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“Thanks to an ex-fiance stalker witch…” – Silas complains to Nadia.

“Whatever.” – Damon retorts to Jeremy, after Jeremy tells him Bonnie’s not where he’s gesturing towards.

“She knows I can’t hear her, right?” – Damon questions Jeremy in regards to the ghostly Bonnie.

Okay, I’m caught up with Thursday night, now just to get on with Friday night. I’m off to watch Dracula now, then Haven. I probably won’t get to those reviews until tomorrow, so don’t wait up for those.

The Vampire Diaries 5.03 Review: A Woman Scorned

For all those that have yet to watch tonight’s episode of The Vampire Diaries, entitled ‘Original Sin’, I suggest you go and do so now. As always, this is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

To start off, I have to just say how bad the writing has gotten in this series. Ever since Elena became a vampire (something I very much looked forward to), the writing has just gotten terrible. I honestly think that was the point the creators had planned up to, then they just threw Silas into things, which sounded interesting in the beginning, but has just become something terribly plotted out. Someone please tell me if I’m wrong, but I could’ve sworn that Elena – and Katherine – came into being to enact the curse on Klaus so that he’d be able to be his full badass hybrid self. Now they’ve added it into this whole doppelganger Silas story, where the universe has been trying to set up him and Elena for two thousand years. Do they not understand the whole continuity angle? Did someone at least watch the episode where they explain where Elena’s doppelganger lineage started?

Also, if Elena now stems from the handmaiden Amara, shouldn’t she come from the line of travellers as well? And boy was that a stupid addition to the series. They’ve honestly gone too far this time. Travellers are gypsies? Why? Still, I continue to watch, like a train wreck it is still captivating.

All the scenes set in Greece were badly done. While it was intriguing to learn this woman was Katsia, even her scenes in the past were badly filmed. Plus, Paul Wesley trying to play ancient Greek Silas, the guy just seemed like another version of Stefan. It was disappointing. Maybe that’s more to do with how bad the acting has gotten, than how bad those scenes were. Nina Dobrev’s differentiating Elena and Katherine too has grown bad. I figure Katherine used to enunciate differently, and was more facial movements than the subtle Elena, but it’s hard to see a difference between the two other than the hair sometimes. Zach Roerig’s portrayal of Matt, however, has grown much better. In the scene where he plays the Gregor character in his body, just splendidly done. Ian Somerhaulder, as always, was wonderful.

A few questions about the episode. Why couldn’t Stefan and Katherine end up together instead of Elena? Is it because the cure is in her veins? Does that mean she has to be drained dry for the cure to work? Or could any vampire or immortal that bit her or simply drank a bit of her blood become mortal again? That provides for a more lucrative story to go to, so I hope that’s the way the writers will choose to go. Disappointingly, I doubt it.

Must the writers continue to play this whole love triangle up? I know Elena and Damon are together now, and she made her choice, but by throwing in this whole destiny angle adds another obstacle that they didn’t quite need just yet. Basically it just feels like they’re trying to pander to the Stelena fans, when Delena works so much better. (Okay, yes, I’m a Delena fan, so maybe I’m biased.) Either way, there’s only so much back and forth love triangle the audience can take, and four seasons of it was enough. Do it again, and I’m done.

My rating: 6 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“Alright, play nice, or I’m gonna revisit the deep dark well idea.” – Damon tells Katherine.

“Okay, trains leaving the station. Choo, choo.” – Damon says to the room.

“Me too.” – Katherine blurts out, popping out of the back seat (which is probably funnier than the line).

“Fine, I was snooping.” – Katherine tells the traveller holding her captive. When you’re caught red-handed, best to own up to it.

“You are my life.” – Damon says to Elena, in a beautifully sweet moment between the two, before Stefan says he recalls neither of them.

Okay, I’ve made up my mind; Grey’s Anatomy is up first. After that it’s The Crazy Ones, and then smooth sailing from there. No Best Performances of the Week tonight, though, that’ll be up tomorrow. I’m going to do some writing, I think. Anyways, stick around for more.

The Vampire Diaries 5.02 Review: Surviving Together

If you have yet to watch this week’s episode of The Vampire Diaries, entitled ‘True Lies, then now would probably be a good time to do so, if you don’t want the episode to be ruined. As always, this is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

What is there to say about this episode? There’s not really much to review about this show. It’s passed its prime, time to put it to bed, let Ian Somerhaulder get a better series to act in because he’s honestly one of the best things this show has going for it.

There were some funny lines to this episode, but other than that, I literally have one note about it. That note would be a complaint about the showrunners still trying to play up the love triangle. It’s over, Elena’s made her choice, why are you trying to make it harder on Stefan?

While last week Elena and Katherine kind of seemed to blend together, this week they were a tad better. It’s interesting that Katherine’s having to depend on Matt and Jeremy, especially since she seems to have grown a little attached to Jeremy. Or at least as attached as Katherine Pearce can be attached to anyone. Her shining moment, I believe, was the point where she explains all the things she’s survived, but a sinus infection is going to do her in.

On the other hand, Elena’s shining moment was when she impaled her leg into the chair to stop Silas’s mind control from forcing her to kill Damon. Was anyone hoping her love for him would end up overpowering the hate trigger? But no, it was the sinking pit in her stomach that told her something was wrong with Stefan that stopped it. And what is it about that, anyway? This isn’t True Blood, and the last I checked Damon had sired her, so shouldn’t he be the one – if any – she feels when they’re in serious peril?

Otherwise, I’m bored of this whole Silas deal. The whole build up to this guy, and he doesn’t even beat Klaus in the baddie department. Honestly, why did he have to be Stefan’s doppelganger? It’s just completely ludicrous, and feels like it was just thrown in there last minute, just because they liked Paul Wesley’s acting when he played Ripper Stefan. See, that was done over on Buffy, and Wesley is no David Boreanaz, but they just gave the guy a spinoff, not another, terribly written, role to play. Elena (and Katherine) is the doppelganger, turning Stefan into one makes that whole significance less special.

So basically, this episode was nominally better than the premiere, but still not good enough to warrant a sixth season. Then again, this is a series on The CW, they’re going to milk it for everything it’s got. (See proof via Smallville and Supernatural.)

My rating: 6 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“A bullet would’ve been more effective, but we’re trying to be nice.” – Jeremy says to Katherine, emulating Damon rather well.

“You do realize you’re dating a reformed serial killer right?” – Damon rhetorically asks Elena, in a rather dead on definition of his own character.

“It’s because you haven’t had sex with me.” – Damon tells Silas.

“Plus, I work out.” – Jeremy remarks to Silas, as he gives him a beat down.

Okay, that’ll be all for tonight. My head is killing me, I’m not quite sober yet, and I’m just plain exhausted. I’ll hit this place up with my review of Grey’s Anatomy and my Best Performances of the Week first thing tomorrow. Then it’ll be the review of Haven, followed by tomorrow night’s reviews of Once Upon A Time and Revenge. I’m off to go watch the Glee’s memorial episode.