In a web of lies and deceit, games only guarantee that everyone loses
If you thought Mason’s (Taylor Kinney) death last week was a shocker, then tonight’s episode blew your mind. Sure, two virtually nameless girls were killed to further Katherine’s (Nina Dobrev) deadly game, but Katherine’s take down was deftly done. Turning one of her minions and then entombing her was felt like karmic payback. Unfortunately, Katherine’s final word of warning about a big bad evil who was ultimately after her doppelganger, Elena (Nina Dobrev), went unheeded; and Elena was snatched right from under all their noses. That was just the bare bones of the episode. Add in everything else that happened and your brain should have just about exploded.
It was just all game within a game. Katherine was not really in this for love. She was in it for survival. Whatever that moonstone could do — freeing a werewolf from the curse and to be able to change at will — that must be just one facet of its power.
So who is Katherine running from and why is she so terrified? Has there been someone lurking in Elena’s life all along that they failed to take notice of? Or is there someone new joining this deadly game? And what does he want with Elena? What is the power of the doppelganger? Surely not everyone is falling under Elena’s spell because of her amazing good looks. What is the secret of Elena?
What Worked
If there is one thing that “Vampire Diaries” does well, it is throwing a party. The masquerade was magnificent. From the gorgeous costumes to the astounding decorations and the flame throwers, the party was a decadent feast for the eyes.
It was as if everyone were under a spell. They all had their part to play and they failed to see what was really going on. They certainly had us all fooled. It was the classic distraction tactic, and while they were playing it on Katherine, it was being played on us. It was “Founder’s Day” all over again. Except this time, an angry horde of vampires were not distracting us from Katherine slipping into town. This time, the games with trapping Katherine kept us from seeing that it may have been a trap for Elena.
Distraction or not, it was a fun game. Watching how Stefan (Paul Wesley), Damon (Ian Somerhalder), Alaric (Matt Davis), Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen), Bonnie (Katerina Graham) and Caroline (Candice Accola) carefully planned to maneuver Katherine into their trap was fascinating — and it worked! It is true that Katherine still had a few cards to play having brought a witch of her own to the party and ensuring that Tyler (Michael Trevino) was forced to turn into a werewolf. But she was simply not prepared for her star back-up player to turn the tables on her.
Lucy (Natashia Williams), the witch, was awesome. She may have arrived with Katherine at the party, but she left alone and on her own terms. She made a fantastic lasting impression befriending her cousin Bonnie and delivering a helpless Katherine to the Salvatores. Now if only Mason had been so helpful, he might have lived. But blinded by love, he was a lost cause. Kudos to Lucy for pulling off a masterful lethal blow to Katherine. We look forward to seeing more of her and hopefully soon.
Another great surprise of the night was how coolheaded and useful Jeremy turned out to be. Now that he has a purpose, he single-mindedly pursues it. He is not distracted by Tyler’s situation or his own anger issues. Instead, he gears up, follows orders and does exactly what he needs to in order to set the plan in motion. He then looks out for Elena when she needs him. He left only to deliver the message that everything done to Katherine was being felt by Elena — then he returned right away and gave his sister the one thing that guaranteed he would not be killed — the Gilbert ring. He was the protective brother that she needed.
Jeremy also managed to sweep Bonnie off her feet — and us along with her. With one simple offer to dance, the world shifted. As Bonnie noted with surprise, Jeremy was not so little anymore. Is love blooming between a Gilbert and a Bennett? Pray that it does. Jeremy has just turned into a swoon-worthy hero.
It was also great that they faked us out by insinuating that Matt was doomed to die at Tyler’s hand. Seeing Matt escorting Jenna (Sara Canning) home from the hospital and his warm good-bye with Elena at the house, it was like pinning a bulls-eye on him. So it was awesome when Caroline intervened saving his life at the last moment. Not only did Caroline save her beloved, but she may have befriended the newly-turned werewolf in Mystic Falls. It is the perfect time to have Tyler indebted to her for covering up the accidental death of Sarah (Maiara Walsh). Tyler may have pushed her away in self-defense, but she still died at his hand. Having a grateful werewolf watch her back may not be such a bad thing for Caroline — though Matt will probably not get it. Let’s hope Matt is not the jealous type if Tyler and Caroline start hanging out. He is just not ready to be a part of the supernatural club yet.
Special mention should be made for Tyler. He has gone from being a drunken jerk to a decent guy. He was trying to drink responsibly and was not rushing to get in a fight; keeping his cool knowing that one slip up could result invoking the curse. Yet despite all his best efforts, the curse struck anyway. It was great to see that even then he kept himself together and did not just run away. Just like Jeremy, Tyler has really grown into being an interesting young man.
Lucy, Bonnie, Jeremy, Caroline, and Tyler — they each rose to the occasion and surprised us with their strength, integrity and willingness to do the right thing. It is a great show that can showcase all these fine characters in the midst of an epic showdown.
This episode should have been all about Stefan, Damon, Elena and Katherine. But mostly we got the sense that they would not have been victorious but for the gracious and capable assistance of their friends and allies.
Though it was fun watching how easily Katherine was able to toy with both Stefan and Damon. One little mention of how she checked in on Stefan over the past 140 years and he was surprised. He assumed that she had been lying when she said she loved him. It is not the love that perhaps the rest of us can relate to, but in her own self-deluded way, Katherine may care for Stefan. Not enough to let him know she was still alive, but enough to feel curious and check in on him from time to time.
As for Damon, Katherine may admire his new devil-may-care attitude, but she feels nothing for him. It is but a thin line between love and hate, and between Katherine and Damon that line is fragile. It makes their barbed exchanges all that much more biting. Like when Katherine said, “The three of us together — just like old times — a brother who loved me too much and the one that didn’t love me enough.” To which Damon then purred, “And an evil slut vampire who only loved herself.” Just as rich was when Katherine snapped, “Have I mentioned how inconvenient your obsession with me has been?” and Damon merely smiled and replied “You and me both, honey.”
From the very beginning of Katherine’s relationship with the Salvatores, it has been a game of cat and mouse. Katherine only toyed with them in 1864, never once believing that she would one day be at war with them. Yet even back then, Katherine was never without a few special friends and frenemies to help watch her back.
Thus, when planning to take her down, Damon and Stefan should have known better: Katherine never comes alone. Whether it be sending Isobel (Mia Kirshner) and John (David Anders) ahead of her to pave the way for a quiet insurrection into Mystic Falls; using Mason to retrieve the moonstone while she distracts the Salvatores; or bringing Lucy as her date to the masquerade; Katherine likes to make powerful friends and make sure she always has one in tow for a major battle. Katherine made sure to bring a witch and was in the process of unleashing a new werewolf to make sure that the odds were on her side. So even when she seemed her most helpless, Katherine still had the upper hand. Yet sensing her fear and desperation to obtain the moonstone, Stefan noted, “Unless it wasn’t your’s to begin with? . . . In 1864, you faked your death. Who were you running from, Katherine?”
This was not a game about love. It was always about something else from the start. So as Damon closed the door on the tomb, Katherine told him, “Damon, don’t! You’re life is in danger.” As he angrily snapped, “You’re lying. You’re always lying,” Katherine softly said, “Why don’t you think I haven’t killed her? Because she’s the doppelganger. She needs to be protected.” Not wanting to believe her, Damon simply said, “Then I’ll protect her — while you rot in hell.” Yet Katherine’s final words were, “Damon, you need me!”
In light of Elena’s kidnapping, perhaps Katherine is right. Yet how is one to know if Katherine did not plan yet another contingency in case her plan failed? Was Elena taken by whoever is stalking Katherine? Or is Katherine behind this too as an insurance policy to get her out of the tomb? Whatever the answer, we are breathless with anticipation.
What Didn’t Work
Why on earth hasn’t anyone learned to escort that Elena home by now? Every time she goes home alone after a major confrontation, she is either kidnapped or attacked. Whether she wants to be on her own, Stefan should surely be looking out for her from a distance. Even in their final exchange, when Stefan said, “Katherine being gone doesn’t change anything for you, does it?” Elena tellingly replied, “I want to be with you. . . But first, I need to wake up and know that the people I love are safe. I need to feel safe.” Elena was clearly saying that her safety was the most important thing. Yet Stefan let her leave alone and unprotected?! Surely, by now, someone should be keeping an eye on her whether she wants it or not.
Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due
‘Masquerade’ was written by Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec, directed by Charles Beeson. ‘The Vampire Diaries’ stars Paul Wesley, Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder, Steven R. McQueen, Candice Accola, Katerina Graham, Michael Trevino, Zach Roerig, Sara Canning, Matt Davis.
‘The Vampire Diaries’ airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. on the CW.
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