Just Die Already! Kidding. Retrospective: The Vampire Diaries – “500 Years of Solitude”

Season 5, Episode 11

Air Date: Thursday, January 23, 2014 8/7c on The CW.

RATING: ★★★★★

“I still have unfinished business.” – Katherine Pierce

The Vampire Diaries (TVD) spends “500 Years of Solitude” recounting the good and bad of the life lived by Katherine Pierce (Nina Dobrev). Considering how much I love Dobrev in this role, I’m happy to say I got what I wanted even though it was predictable. I mean, we are talking about Katherine here. How do you say goodbye to someone who’s walked the earth for so long; one who has escaped death on numerous occasions to come away unscathed? Shots! <The Lil John song of the same name should be playing on repeat in your head right about now.>

Observations and thoughts:

What A Man

Damon (Ian Somerhalder) sure can hold a grudge. I love watching Somerhalder being witty and charming. He does it so well. What I expect from him, though, is a little variation. He continues to smolder with the slight widening of his eyes; waves people off with the same flick of his wrist; walks with the swagger of a man who knows he’s the man. I want to see the other side of Damon, the side we only get to see when he has a flashback. I miss the bad boy. I won’t say Damon is whipped but he’s damn near close to it. Maybe his breaking things off with Elena (Dobrev) is for the best. She doesn’t deserve him anyway because he becomes someone else around her. I’d like to see where Somerhalder takes his character now that Damon isn’t vying for the girl he loves.

Daughter Knows Best

Talk about a devoted daughter.

Nadia (Olga Fonda) is one devoted daughter. I still don’t know how I feel about her as she hasn’t made nice-nice with anyone since arriving in Mystic Falls. But I have to give her credit for being willing to sacrifice herself for her mother. Now that’s love. But what’s in it for Nadia?

Truth Hurts Sometimes

I know I’ve nagged and whined and complained about the stasis of Caroline (Candice Accola) and Klaus’ (Joseph Morgan) relationship. So, thank you, writers. The mutual attraction is clearly there even though Caroline tries to deny it. So yes, I’m beyond ecstatic to finally see her tell the truth and admit her feelings to Klaus. As an aside, Caroline seems especially annoying in “500 Years of Solitude.” I’m not sure if it’s because we haven’t seen her for a while or what, but she’s channeling her old high school persona and I don’t like it. I miss the Caroline who fell for Klaus. I miss the Caroline who stands up for her friends no matter what. We get a glimpse of that old Caroline during the few minutes Klaus graces her with his presence. I’m not complaining about the romp in the woods because it was long overdue, but the promise to “stay away and never return” holds false for me. Klaus is a liar. There’s no way he’s staying away from Caroline now that he knows she wants him. He’ll find a way around that promise. There’s nothing truly holding him to New Orleans anymore.

Random Thoughts:

I’m sorry but there’s no way Katherine could age so gracefully. A few crow’s feet at the corners of her eyes, graying hair, and a pale complexion do not make her look like her past is catching up with her. What a crappy way to make a character older. I was expecting more from the makeup department.

Finally! We have to wait until the 100^th episode to see Jenna (Sara Canning) again. It’s totally worth it. I only wish her moment weren’t so fleeting. The other cameos were ok for what they were but I’m dying for Alaric (Matt Davis) to come back. I can’t express in words that are effective enough to describe my feelings about Alaric being dead. Just the camaraderie he and Damon had was enough to ensure he’d be worth having on the show. One of the biggest mistakes made on The Vampire Diaries was killing Alaric. He can’t be replaced.

Memorable and funny lines:

Elena: “You memorized my break up?”

Caroline: “Of course, I did.”

“You know, even on your death bed you’re vain?” Stefan to Katherine after she asks him to kill her if she finds sagging body parts.

Damon to Stefan about his devotion to Katherine: “Please, one night of hot sex with her and you’re brainwashed?”

“Put the pillow down, Damon. If you kill her, it’s murder. I’m gonna have to bring you in, lock you up … there’s all that paperwork.” Sherriff Forbes stopping Damon from making a huge mistake.

“No one’s coming to say goodbye, Katherine, because no one cares.” Damon’s words before having his neck snapped by the one person who does care.

Cheers to Katherine!

“500 Years of Solitude” doesn’t pull at my heartstrings. The only enjoyable moments were Klaus’ return, seeing Jenna and Alaric, and the soundtrack for the episode. I’m looking forward to the time when The Vampire Diaries returns to the good stuff. I expected more for the 100^th episode. What a disappointment. Let me know what you thought about “500 Years of Solitude” and Katherine’s fight to stay alive by leaving a comment in the section below or hitting me up on Twitter @ellemoe.

Tune in to The Vampire Diaries on 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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Elle

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