Review: The Vampire Diaries - "The End of the Affair" (What Was Up With Stefan's Hair?)

Air Date: Thursday, September 29, 2011 8PM/7 on The CW

Season 3, Episode 3

★★★★★

Review: The Vampire Diaries - "The End of the Affair" (What Was Up With Stefan's Hair?) 1

Stefan finding a picture of him and Klaus

Surprises abound on The Vampire Diaries and I’m pleasantly surprised with each new discovery. Klaus (Joseph Morgan) isn’t as foreboding as he appears; Caroline (Candice Accola) gets a lesson in ‘control’ from her father; and Stefan (Paul Wesley) gets a rude awakening.

So, it all boils down to Klaus’ loneliness and need for a brother. I had my suspicions when he was trying to create “comrades,” but getting a glimpse of his and Stefan’s past reveals a side to Klaus we haven’t seen. Who would have guessed the two partners in crime (literally) knew each other in a different life. When Stefan refers to his “blackouts” during his Ripper days, I immediately think a witch is involved. So to find out Klaus is the reason Stefan doesn’t remember certain events, blows my mind and makes me wonder what more will we learn about this original.

Poor Caroline. She thinks her father Bill (Jack Coleman) doesn’t love her but I think he loves her too much. “Daddy you can’t change who I am.” “Yes I can.” Trying to condition the vampiric tendencies out of her system isn’t going to work (naturally), but what if it did? What would that mean for the vampires in Mystic Falls? While it seems to have some small affect on Caroline, I think an older vampire wouldn’t react the same way. Caroline’s young and new to the change in her lifestyle. I think there’s something more there and I hope the writers continue to pursue it.

Observations:

Review: The Vampire Diaries - "The End of the Affair" (What Was Up With Stefan's Hair?) 2

Yet another witch?

I am so happy to see Katherine (Nina Dobrev) again. (Dobrev always commands your attention when portraying her.) Finding out she’s a “stalking” vampire who’s in love isn’t too surprising, though. It seems to be the recurring theme with most vampire shows lately. However she shouldn’t be counted out; she stays on top of things and always remains in the know, which may prove helpful to Stefan. Katherine just may be his only hope.

Why does it seem that every witch on the show turns out to be a person of color? Emily Bennett (Bianca Lawson), Bonnie (Katerina Graham), Dr. Jonas Martin (Randy J. Goodwin) and his son Luka (Bryton James), and now Gloria (Enisha Brewster). I hate to bring up the lack of diversity among actors on this show, but I see a pattern with this and most shows on The CW. (Very few CW series have any lead black, Asian or Latino actors.) Typically, black women on television are portrayed as moody and bitchy and every black woman on this show has been a witch. Just saying.

Accola does a great job playing the vampire in distress. It has to be difficult for her being strapped down in a chair and appearing to be burned by sunlight. Her anguish is clearly evident on her face as well as through her (convincing) screams and cries. She’s doing an amazing job and continues to endear Caroline to me with every episode.

I know I’ve said this before, but I really like bad boy Stefan. He has so much more depth as a leading character and regaining some pieces of his past will only bring about more excitement to his character. There’s going to be a conflict of the heart, that’s for sure. Elena (Nina Dobrev) and Rebecca (Clair Holt)… which one will win his eternal love?

Review: The Vampire Diaries - "The End of the Affair" (What Was Up With Stefan's Hair?) 3

If Damon isn't too careful, he'll push everyone away

There’s only one thing truly bothering me: when Stefan and Klaus enter Stefan’s old apartment why don’t they know Elena is there? She has a scent. They didn’t smell her? You’d think these vampires have an excellent sense of smell, but maybe I’m wrong. Klaus thinks someone is there, but doesn’t pursue his hunch. My thought is, he’s testing Stefan though I’m not sure why. Klaus is smart and cunning, with something up his sleeve. I hope it has something to do with bringing Elijah (Daniel Gillies) back. Seriously, you can’t bring back one sibling and not the other.

Funny lines:

Damon to Elena after she awakens to find him in her bed: “You know you were dreaming about me; explains the drool.”

Damon to Elena on Stefan being in Chicago: “Well let’s just say he’s not there to meet Oprah.”

Elena to Damon on her necklace: “It’s an antique, Damon. Like you.”

Damon to Elena while reading Stefan’s diary: “I’m shocked! Stefan’s not a virgin.”

Damon to Elena about Stefan in the ‘20s: “Stefan was a cocky ripper douche.”

“The End of the Affair” is a solid episode, especially with the flashbacks to the ‘20s. Along with new discoveries and a little suspense, there’s a new vampire (an original at that) in town. While Rebecca doesn’t look like the dangerous type, she might be deadlier than Klaus. We haven’t seen what she can do or how Stefan will react to her now that he remembers what she meant to him.

Tune in to The Vampire Diaries, next Thursday at 8PM/7c on The CW. For more on the show, visit http://www.cwtv.com/shows/the-vampire-diaries.

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