Friends Till The End... Review: The Vampire Diaries – “Dead Man on Campus”

Season 5, Episode 8

Air Date: Thursday, November 14, 2013, 8/7c on The CW.

Rating: ★★★★★

“Hey, you’re Katherine Pierce. Suck it up.” – Stefan Salvatore

The Vampire Diaries has started on a downward spiral. I’m not sure when it began but these latest episodes haven’t been very fulfilling. They’re good, just not great. The characters that have developed their own sense of self have been altered. Now, the switch is being flipped and the familiar is becoming the unfamiliar. I don’t like it when writers second guess their characters and decide to give them a personality change. Stick with what you know, I say.

Observations and thoughts:

Bonding Over Booze

Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Katherine (Nina Dobrev) bond over their PTSD issues. I’m happy to see the writers taking such care with a serious subject and not making it into something foolish. Wesley does a great job appearing unfocused, lost, and at his wits end. Stefan is usually so pulled together, the change in his demeanor is shocking. I wonder why no one else picked up on his distress. But, of course, Katherine picks up everything. The writers also dive into her depression (she hides it so well, doesn’t she?), giving Dobrev an opportunity to showcase the strong-willed woman in a more vulnerable light. Not only that, Dobrev and Wesley shine in their portrayal of two lost souls seeking peace. Maybe their characters will find it in one another.

Surprise, Surprise

“The first rule of being a vampire is realizing how awesome you are.” What kind of dumb stuff is this to tell a new vamp, Elena (Dobrev)? I get she’s in college now, but come on! She’s not the same silly teenage girl she was years ago. I could be wrong though as everything that comes out of her mouth is childish and ridiculous. I’m surprised she doesn’t giggle and twirl her hair while talking on the phone. There should be character growth shining through here and I’m so disappointed it’s not even funny. She’s not looking at things from Jesse’s (Kendrick Sampson) point of view or trying to provide guidance like Caroline does. At least one of them is using their brains. “Who the hell turned you into a vampire?” Accola injects fierceness into her character, which can be mistaken as bitchiness. Caroline is a friend to the end and optimistic to boot. But do you think she’d jump to Jesse’s defense once she realized why he was turned?

The Lovebirds

“I’ll admit it, I miss magic.” I wasn’t expecting Bonnie (Kat Graham) to lose the one thing that defines her because let’s face it, she’s nothing without her powers. No one’s ever gone to Bonnie for anything but her witchy works. No one but Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen), that is. At least she has him to keep her grounded because her two best friends are so wrapped up in themselves, they can’t see how much she’s suffering. Bring on the romance because I need something to distract me from the sheer stupidity going on at Whitmore College. Yup, I agree with Bonnie on one thing: “You and me … this is worth any consequence.” The chemistry between Graham and McQueen is reaching epic proportions. I used to see Jeremy as Elena’s kid brother with a crush on his sister’s best friend. Not anymore. He’s definitely a teenager broaching manhood sooner than anticipated. But where do you think this relationship with Bonnie is heading?

Sorry Sucka

Damon (Ian Somerhalder) is going soft and it’s going to get him killed. He does such a great job interrogating Dr. Wes Maxfield (Rick Cosnett), but then caves to Elena’s plea, leaving himself in a bad spot. Is the fearsome vampire whipped? Say it ain’t so, Damon! “You’re lucky I don’t feel like burying a body.” Unh huh. Tell it to someone who believes your lies. If Damon continues to heel when Elena wants, I’m done. I can’t watch this destruction of a character I love. He’s perfect just the way he is—flaws and all. He’s been in love with Elena for so long and never tucked tail before. Why now? Damon does what he wants, not what anyone asks him to do.

Random thought:

Wes has created the ultimate vampire hunter—a vampire who feeds on vampires. It’s almost brilliant when you think about it. But what does this mean for the vampires we know?

Memorable and funny lines:

Elena: “The only moody and mystery guy I wanna make out with is you. Oh, and speaking of which, invite Stefan.”

Damon: “Speaking of moody or making out? Either way, he’ll never show. His memory’s back and he remembers he hates us.”

Elena: “Just try, OK? I bought bourbon so he can just get drunk and hate us from afar.”

Katherine: “I’m dying, Stefan. I’m dying of old age.” (It’s called being human, girl!)

Caroline: “But Elena, when are you gonna figure out that the outside world is not nearly as dangerous as the person you’re inviting into your own bedroom?”

Elena: “Wow, I mean, tell me how you really feel.”

Caroline: “The day that I stop telling you is the day that we’re no longer best friends, and I hope that day never comes.”

On that note, “Dead Man on Campus” is a bust. I didn’t enjoy much of it. I don’t want to watch it repeatedly and I’m not dying to tell anyone how great the episode was because it wasn’t. This mediocre melodrama B.S. is getting old. Now, there is a great storyline brimming under the surface and I’m dying for it to come out. Hint, hint … writers. Let me know if you agree or disagree by leaving a comment in the section below or on Twitter @ellemoe.

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

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Follow The Vampire Diaries cast on Twitter: @ninadobrev, @iansomerhalder, @katgraham, @paulwesley, @zach_roerig, @candaceaccola, @McQueeninchains.

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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