What Did You Do, Damon? Review: The Vampire Diaries – “Monster’s Ball”

Season 5, Episode 5

Air Date: Thursday, October 31, 2013 8/7c on The CW

RATING: ★★★★★

“When you abuse magic, there’s always a price.” – Bonnie Bennett

I enjoy the recaps at the beginning of each new The Vampire Diaries episode. They aren’t always telling but you can get a glimpse into what’s going to be featured in the season. This season, what I get from the recaps is Stefan (Paul Wesley) will be the bleeding heart/wounded hero for most of the episodes.

Observations and thoughts:

“Dear Diary, do you ever get sick of me writing about death?” No, but I get sick of you and your indecision, whining, and tears. Elena (Nina Dobrev) is back to writing in her diary. Yay! (Not really.) Funny, but I thought this show had the word ‘diary’ in it so you’d think there would be more diary related stuff going on, right? I mean, the premise to the show was Elena writing in her diary, which she did every day and we would get a glimpse into her personal thoughts.

“She knows I can’t hear her, right?” I love Damon’s (Ian Somerhalder) quick witted humor. He can point out the obvious without being a jerk about it but that wouldn’t be the Damon we’ve come to know and love. I’m not surprised to find he’s eager to sacrifice whatever it takes in order to make the love of his life happy. How many boyfriends would be willing to bend the laws of life and death without a second thought? Hypothetically speaking, of course.

Bonnie’s (Kat Graham) only link to the living world is Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen). “So I can lie for you all summer as your witch translator but when it comes to something I want…?” The boy makes a damn good point too. Bonnie finally understands the price for practicing magic and now wants to play it safe. I’m not sure I get it. She can’t be an upstanding citizen now that she’s dead. I know she wants her life back, especially since she can be with Jeremy again. And who doesn’t want to see the two happy?

OK … Katherine (Dobrev) is human, right? So how in the hell is she strong enough to put a cane through someone’s chest? Being a vampire for umpteen centuries gives you mad muscles, yo! Come on, now … how much BS am I supposed to willing accept before calling it out? I don’t like to complain much about Katherine because I love her character, and her existence is the only reason I want to see Dobrev on screen. Elena can take a flying leap for all I care but Katherine has to stick around. It’s an interesting switch in personalities and Dobrev gives more of herself when portraying Katherine. I wonder if it’s because Elena is a shell of a character. Why haven’t we seen more of her back story?

Nadia (Olga Fonda) reveals a major secret she’s kept up her sleeve with regard to Katherine. I didn’t see it coming and I kind of love the idea behind the mysterious beauty. But here’s my question: what does Nadia have planned for Katherine now that she’s revealed her true motivation for kidnapping her? I like having Nadia around. Fresh meat is always welcome and TVD is desperately in need of rejuvenation.

“You know, Tyler, for someone who hates Klaus you sure do sound a lot like him.” How’s about that? There are big things in the making for Caroline (Candice Accola). I know she doesn’t see them now because she needs Tyler’s (Michael Trevino) love and he’s not willing to give it to her.

Poor Jesse (Kendrick Sampson). Talk about wrong place, wrong time. I can’t figure out how Dr. Maxfield (Rick Cosnett) knows about vampires in the first place? Not only that, why use Jesse in his scheme? I’m guessing the doctor plans to have Jesse infiltrate the vampire world to report back to him all supernatural goings on. Yeah, can’t see any issues with that plan. *eyeroll*

The main point of Silas (Wesley) being in Mystic Falls is to “kill himself, pass on to wherever he’s gonna pass on to, and reunite with his dead girlfriend.” Really? There has to be more to his evil plan. And if Silas dies, who the hell are we going to have as an evil villain? Ketsia/Tessa (Janina Gavankar) just won’t do. With Silas gone, her character becomes moot. Besides, her cray-cray is such a major snooze fest. One other thing—how is it she couldn’t tell Silas from Stefan? She’s an all powerful witch and was in love with Silas but can’t pick him out of a crowd of look-a-likes? Not buying it.

“So if you have any idea what survivor’s guilt felt like, you’d leave me alone.” Aaron (Shane Sipos) is the new mystery man on campus. It’s funny to me how the gang all moves around the country to be together. I’m sure Matt (Zach Roerig) will be on his way at some point. Here’s the thing, I don’t think Aaron will be around too long. Elena’s interest in him will bring unwanted attention his way and he’ll eventually end up dead or pissing Damon off. Because yeah, I don’t think Damon wants any guy that isn’t him getting close and personal with his girl, no matter the reason. Elena needs to look somewhere else for answers to her roommate’s death. She’s barking up the wrong tree.

Other thoughts:

Does there have to be a dance, costume party, or ball every damn week?! I mean, really, does no one go to class? Are we doing a repeat of high school while in college too?

Is it just me or is the neck snapping becoming annoying? I don’t think I can watch that action anymore without getting sick to my stomach. And they’re doing it wrong. (Don’t ask how I know that, lol).

Memorable and funny lines:

Damon to Elena: “Definitely will maybe consider thinking about it.”

Damon to Jeremy: “I wanna use his death to bring Bonnie back to life.”

Damon to Elena: “Ah, guilt. Don’t know it. Heard it can be a bitch.”

Caroline to Tyler: “Just love me more than you hate him.”

The ending of “Monster’s Ball” is soooo good I can’t wait until next week to see what’s going to happen with the gang. With Katherine’s magical resurgence from death, Silas’ immortality gone, and Tyler finally (yes!) out of the picture, there is fun to be had. Who knows, if Damon’s plan works to bring Bonnie back from the dead, things will return to normal. All this drama is beginning to be too much. Just kidding. Thanks, writers for stepping it up. TVD is finally getting back to its roots.

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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