Air Date: Thursday, October 18, 2012 8/7c on The CW
RATING:
“You’re a vampire, Elena. Be a vampire.” – Damon Salvatore
I had high expectations for “Memorial” considering the season four premiere wasn’t as explosive as I hoped it would be. While “Memorial” didn’t leave me sitting on the edge of my seat, I was excited about some aspects of this episode. There’s a new guy in town with a vendetta; a familiar face turns up where he’s needed, and Tyler (Michael Trevino) gets shot. A lot.
Observations and thoughts:
The mysterious “hunter” who rolls into town to continue the good work of the recently perished town council is a nice addition to The Vampire Diaries. Someone had to replace Alaric (Matthew Davis) (who makes a small appearance during a touching ‘grieving in the graveyard’ scene). Too bad Jeremy (Stephen R. McQueen) wasn’t around to relay Alaric’s message to Damon (Ian Somerhalder). “I miss you too, buddy.” I think we all miss you, Alaric.
Tyler is a bit tougher than I realized. No wonder the “hunter” keeps going after him.
Speaking of the “hunter” as he’s being called, why has he taken to using Tyler as target practice? The poor guy gets pumped full of lead so much during the episode, I thought he was going to start crapping pencils! Will we eventually find out why this mystery man has shown up in Mystic Falls and where he’s gotten the knowledge on killing vampires? Or will he vanish after a few weeks, leaving us wondering when he’ll return?
I actually liked the twist thrown into “Memorial.” Elena (Nina Dobrev) having difficulty keeping down her dinner poses a problem. The solution being one she isn’t able to compromise on because she doesn’t want to “kill anyone.” So why doesn’t she drain Matt (Zach Roerig)? It’s like Damon (Ian Somerhalder) said, “She can’t learn to control the bloodlust if she’s never actually experienced the bloodlust.” Someone needs to start listening to Damon *cough* Stefan (Paul Wesley) *cough*.
How uncomfortable does Matt look standing next to his ex with her current boyfriend? We need Rebekah back, pronto!
I have some reservations with Dobrev’s portrayal of the baby vamp. I don’t believe her when she’s on screen. I liked Dobrev more as Katharine. I believed her playing the bad girl with a grudge. This version of Elena is no different from what we’ve come to know, except now she drinks human blood. I thought there would be some significant change in her demeanor. Elena cries more, whines more, and gets into even more trouble. How can that be possible? I want to see her lose control. I want to see her drain someone or come close to it. We need some life brought back into this season but all the plot points which could lead in that direction are being swept under the rug. Let Elena out of her box so we can see the vampire she’s meant to be, writers.
“Bonnie I know you’re in there. I can hear you breathing.” Stefan can actually hear Bonnie (Kat Graham) breathing but usually the vampires on this show don’t hear someone creeping up behind them until they are stabbing them in the heart with a wooden stake. You want me to believe now, after three seasons, that the Mystic Falls vampires are exhibiting vampire characteristics? Either they have heightened senses all the time or they don’t have them at all.
Caroline seems to have been pushed to the background again. I love seeing her with more screen time. She brings it each episode.
Another detail I thought I would have to point out regarding the obvious inconsistency in the episode—having a room full of vampires and not one of them smelling fresh blood—made me want to scream. Luckily, the vamps catch the scent (and the trap), all at the same time, once the blood made its way through drywall and was falling through open air. Gah! I still have to shake my head at the ridiculousness, but I’m not mad.
You know, my brother made a really good point last week about the characters on this show. Everyone has a purpose but Matt. Well, that’s not exactly true. Matt is the resident blood bag. He’s either involuntarily bitten, or offers up his services to a vampire in need. So why else is he on the show? I guess Jeremy does need company considering the two are the last human beings in the gang. And what about Jeremy’s new ‘power’ if that’s what it can be called?
Funny lines:
Damon to Elena: “Vampires eat people. It’s part of the natural food pyramid.”
**
Damon to Sherriff : “If I was gonna kill twelve people, I wouldn’t blow them up. I’d have a dinner party.”
**
Damon to Elena: “Am I wearing my ‘I blew up the town council’ tee shirt?”
**
Damon: “Jealousy’s beneath you, brother.”
Stefan: “Oh, bite me.”
**
We’re not off to a good start this season, but I’m still looking forward to what’s to come. The writers can’t expect Somerhalder to carry the entire show on his own, because right now, that’s exactly what’s happening. He gets the best, and funniest, lines; he lightens up a scene with one look, and he’s the only one with a character everyone loves. Bring on the shock and awe. Please.
Tune in to The Vampire Diaries Thursdays 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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