Air Date: Thursday, December 13, 2012, 8/7c on The CW
RATING:
“This started with me; this has to end with me.” – Tyler Lockwood
I needed to watch “O Come All Ye Faithful” a few times because I wasn’t following what was going on. Too much subterfuge and gore can distract even the most dedicated of viewers. I was so entranced by the goings on between our resident lovebirds (heh, heh) that the big plan to take out Klaus (Joseph Morgan) went over my head. I’ll give the hybrids and their alpha credit for trying to do something formidable, but come on: this is Klaus we’re talking about! Besides stealing the show, Klaus brings excitement to this mid-season finale, which would have otherwise floundered. A very nice way send-off for the winter break, “O Come All Ye Faithful” brings light to things long kept in the dark.
Observations and thoughts:
Damon does the right thing, but at what cost?
Elena (Nina Dobrev) pushes Damon’s (Ian Somerhalder) buttons like only a loved one can. I enjoy watching them butt heads with the whole sire bond thing because it’s endearing. But let’s get real here: the heat between them is spectacular. I’m invested in Damon and Elena’s relationship more than I was in Elena and Stefan’s (Paul Wesley) undying love. The way Damon looks at Elena—he only has eyes for her. I’m reminded of the way Klaus looks at a certain blonde vampire. That kind of desire can’t be denied and doesn’t turn off with the flick of a switch. I’m begging the writers to leave well enough alone. I don’t care how bereft Stefan is; he lost fair and square. Let Damon have some happiness.
Oh, Professor Shane (David Alpay) I see your game now. He’s maneuvered his way into a position where he’s needed. (Does anyone else feel like the professor is trying to get something he wants from the tomb, and maybe the Silas myth is just that?) Also, his knowing the location of the cure for immortality will provide Elena a way to escape her sire bond with Damon. Yup, when faced with a predicament that can lead to various story arcs and thrills on the show, introduce a quick fix to knock out any issues. You sneaky devils, you! It would be easy for all parties involved if Elena was human again, wouldn’t it? If Elena becomes human, she’ll love Stefan again (he hopes); she won’t be bound to Damon (he dreads); Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen) won’t try so damn hard to kill her (he dreams).
Now that Tyler’s on the run, what happens to Hayley’s plan? He was the last hybrid needed for “the sacrifice.”
Poor April (guest star Grace Phipps). I don’t know what to say about the girl except she’s always in the wrong place at the wrong time. She sees things no one wants her to see; she can’t seem to keep herself out of the way of vampire/werewolf politics. I think it’s only a matter of time before she ends up dead. Only, I get the feeling she’s the missing element in the professor’s evil plan. Damon knows (because he’s always right) Professor Shane had something to do with the counsel murders, and April might be the key.
I’m surprised to see the end to Tyler’s (Michael Trevino) coup d’état, of sorts. Yeah, I thought he had a shot at causing trouble for Klaus, but I like the way things played out much better. The worst possible thing that can happen on this show is for Klaus to be eliminated. I’m sorry, but he’s quite the compelling villain since Elijah’s (Daniel Gillies) out of town. If you’ve watched this episode you understand what I mean. Klaus is an Original and it seems people keep forgetting that. He’s is not to be trifled with. He doesn’t forget; he exacts his revenge with a swift movement of his hand and poof! your life is gone. Why Tyler thought he could take Klaus out is beyond me. I only hope he doesn’t make the same mistake twice.
This could have gone down completely different. How long will Jeremy resist his new nature?
And what can I say about Jeremy? Someone’s been working out, that’s for sure. Now that he’s taken on this new persona and is fully invested in being a “hunter,” why are we not able to see him do his thing? He’s still being treated as the little brother who needs protection. From what I saw, he’s gone from a boy to a young man who can take care of himself. I only hope the writers allow us to see his potential, ‘cause the boy can swing an ax!
Memorable and funny lines:
Elena to Damon: “I have to go meet Bonnie. She’s teaching Jeremy how not to kill me.”
**
Damon, about Shane’s deprogramming Jeremy: “It’s like dangling a cheeseburger in front of someone on a master cleanse.”
**
Professor Shane: “You’ve threatened to kill me what, three times this week.”
**
Damon to Elena: “I’m setting you free, Elena. This is what I want. This is what will make me happy.”
**
Morgan kills it this episode, literally. He’s enigmatic, on point, and bares his soul as Klaus. I don’t know what The Vampire Diaries would be without him now. Good thing we’ve yet to find out. So, with this being one of the better episodes this season, what does “O Come All Ye Faithful” mean in the grand scheme of things? No one has faith in the people they should; there are massive trust issues amongst the supernaturals. This makes me wonder what that means for the future. Will anything be the same again? Will Stefan ever trust Damon after such a blatant lie? Who will Klaus turn to for comfort and friendship now that he knows he was being set up? Things might begin to heat up even more when the series returns next year.
The Vampire Diaries returns Thursday, January 17, 2013 at 8/7c on The CW. For more on the show, visit http://www.cwtv.com/shows/the-vampire-diaries.
LIKE The Vampire Diaries on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thevampirediaries.
Follow The Vampire Diaries cast on Twitter: @ninadobrev, @iansomerhalder, @josephmorgan, @katgraham, @paulwesley, @michaeltrevino, @candaceaccola, @claireholt.
Photo Credit: Bob Mahoney/The CW ©2012 The CW Network. All Rights Reserved.
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