Analyze This. Review: The Vampire Diaries – “Rescue Me”

Season 5, Episode 17

Air Date: Thursday, March 27, 2014 at 8/7c on The CW

RATING: ★★★★★

“I’m only listening to you ‘cause I’m getting paid.” – Matt Donovan

I’m pleasantly surprised by “Rescue Me.” Obviously, The Vampire Diaries (TVD) likes to play with my emotions. One week, an episode is amazing and sets a great tone, the next week features what could be the most terrible thing I’ve ever watched. This week hits a home run and “Rescue Me” turns my attitude around about the future of TVD.

Last Night’s Mistake

You’d think becoming a vampire would rid Elena of needing to be rescued.

Well, isn’t this romantic? I’m not shocked to see Elena (Nina Dobrev) and Damon (Ian Somerhalder) reconcile but I am confused about their “breakup.” I’m finding it difficult not to yell “What’s happening?” at my TV. Did I miss something? I thought the whole point to getting Elena back to herself was so she and Damon could be together again. I think the writers are taking liberties with the consistencies in recent episodes. To have two characters fighting to be together, only to be kept apart is odd. Or, at least confusing. Not that I’m complaining, just pointing out the obvious. I was stoked to have Damon happy again, having his girl back in his life. Oh well. Somerhalder shines, as usual. He handles Damon’s demons with a smooth ease. Even drowning Damon’s sorrows, Somerhalder still exposes Damon’s wit and charisma. The one thing I admire about the character is he hasn’t changed too much. Damon has grown over the years but not to the point where he’s unfamiliar.

Caroline (Candice Accola) and Stefan (Paul Wesley) are quite the duo. I’m not sure how convinced I am about their friendship, though. They have nothing in common, don’t seem like the types to hang with one another, and just don’t … fit. But somehow they seem to work and affect a true, lasting relationship between two people who aren’t in love with each another. It’s refreshing to see a true platonic relationship on a drama series wreathed in romance. But that’s fodder for another time.

Elena’s two favorite boys.

Is it just me or does Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen) seem more like the older sibling than Elena? He’s so mature and knows what he wants without hesitation. Elena can’t figure out what she wants (not even when it’s standing right in front of her) and probably won’t be making any wise decisions anytime soon. I’m so disappointed in this development. While I love that Jeremy is growing into his new role as Hunter, I don’t like Elena shirking her responsibilities. She’s the older of the two and needs to step up. TVD revolves around the lives of a group of people who have relatives they look out for. One of the good things about Elena and Jeremy is their relationship. I don’t always expect Jeremy to need his big sister to look out for him, but I do expect that dynamic to continue.

Random Tidbits:

Elena has incredible will power. Incredible. What is her deal? She’s fought so long for Damon, to be with him without feeling guilty, and now she’s just willing to let it go? I feel like I’m watching another show here. Elena’s romantic relationships used to play a big role in what went on during TVD, so I’m at a loss for what she’s going to do going forward.

Enzo (Michael Malarkey) is genuinely a great addition to the cast. He’s hilarious, cocky, and intense. I don’t think I have to mention the mysteriousness surrounding him. He’s not one to reveal his secrets, and you know he has many. Malarkey is fantastic as the emo Brit. I look forward to seeing him because he brings something to every scene he’s in. His line delivery and facial expressions are almost tantamount to Somerhalder’s skill. I can’t wait to see where Enzo’s storyline goes. Maybe we’ll finally meet the infamous woman from his past. Although, wouldn’t she be old enough to be his grandmother by now?

Funny and Memorable Lines:

Enzo to Caroline, after she threatens Sloan: “’I’ll kill you too’? Like a perky, blonde angel of death. What must I make of this?”

Tyler: “At least he’s not looking for answers at the bottom of a glass.”

Damon: “Tyler Lockwood’s now a life coach despite running his own life into the ground.”

Matt: “If you wanted advice, why didn’t you just talk to Stefan?”

Damon: “Because it’s difficult to explain to your brother that you just broke up with the former love of his life and then broke the bed.”

Tyler: “Whoa, TMI.”

Matt, Tyler, and Damon bond over booze.

Damon to Liv, during an inventive torture scene in shop class: “I’m gonna rip this nasty rag out of your mouth and if I so much as hear one syllable of hocus pocus, one of us is going to break your neck. Spoiler alert! It’s gonna be me.”

Final Thoughts:

Why haven’t these two gone on more adventures? I’d watch that.

I don’t want to jinx myself and gush about where TVD is going given the events in “Rescue Me.” But I’ll take a chance and say the writers are headed in a great direction. I’m looking forward to more on the Travelers and the Wonder Twins (har, har). I previously thought the newcomers were bad news but maybe they’ll bring about some much needed change in Mystic Falls. Guess we’ll have to wait and see. Let me know what you thought about “Rescue Me” and the undeniable chemistry between Elena and Damon going off the Richter scale. Leave me a comment in the section below or hit me up on Twitter @ellemoe.

Tune in to The Vampire Diaries on Thursdays, at 8/7c on The CW. For more on the show, visit the official site.

LIKE The Vampire Diaries on Facebook.

Follow The Vampire Diaries on Twitter, as well as the cast: @cwtvd, @ninadobrev, @iansomerhalder, @katgraham, @paulwesley, @zach_roerig, @candaceaccola, and @McQueeninchains.

Biography of the Author(Read Below)..
Latest Posts (view them )..

Elle

Writer, mother, realist, cloud lover, daydreamer, dessert enthusiast, sweet tea addict, perfectionist, and lover of life and Christ, but not in that order. http://www.fanfiction.net/~vikingloverelle