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Review: The Vampire Diaries “The Ties That Bind” (A Wild Hybrid Couldn’t Drag Me Away)

RATING: 

Air Date: Thursday, January 19, 2012 8/7c on The CW

“The coffin’s spelled shut. That makes it a witch problem.” – Bonnie

 

The hybrid that just doesn't quit. Klaus cannot be stopped, or can he?

I want to say this episode is excellent but I can’t. It’s good-ish but lacking that extra something. Oh but wait, we do get that something with the surprise cliffhanger ending. The thing is, what ties are there between the gang? Everyone has family in common but you can also argue that the supernatural aspect is a pretty darn strong bond between them as well. Either someone’s a supernatural being, possesses supernatural powers, or is needed as a special link to the supernatural world. Again, what does this mean for the show? Is this the final puzzle piece that will lead us to finding out who or what is in the fourth coffin?

Observations and thoughts:

“We kissed, now it’s weird.” I’d say. The look Damon (Ian Somerhalder) gives Elena (Nina Dobrev) kind of says it all. He’s playful yet pouty and it works for him. Elena will be thinking about him for all the right reasons. She may not want to, she may still feel some loyalty to Stefan (Paul Wesley) but she cannot deny the chemistry between them. That kiss will lead to another, and another, and yes, another. I’m soooo looking forward to that moment. It’ll be nice to see someone happy and loving the person they want to without fear.

As I’ve just recently purchased The Black Keys’ sophomore album El Camino, I totally appreciate hearing their hit single “Lonely Boy” playing during the tension-filled scene with Stefan and Klaus (Joseph Morgan). It kind of speaks about both of them, don’t you think? They are both lonely, desperate to find something… anything to pull them out of their pit of despair and back into the real world. Klaus longs for his family and Stefan longs for… someone to trust him? He’s gone off the deep end and while I love it, I think it’s beginning to take a toll on him. He has no one and knows he’ll be alone until he returns to his humanity. I like this Stefan and want to see just how far the writers will push his character. Wesley is really stretching his acting chops and I always look forward to seeing him on screen.

I wonder how long Stefan has to taunt Klaus. You know Klaus won't let it continue.

I do not understand the unnecessary torture of changing Tyler (Michael Trevino) into a werewolf to help break the sire bond. What is the point of putting him through so much pain? I’m beginning to think Bill (Jack Coleman) is just a bit sadistic. We know he loves Caroline (Candice Accola) but torturing her ex for fun isn’t going to win him any points. I have to give kudos to Trevino yet again for his amazingly realistic reaction to the transformation. It always kills me to see Trevino writhing on the floor screaming in (fake) agony.

I don’t like the get-the-bullets-out-of-me bit. I’ve seen it (season two of HBO’s True Blood) and read it (Charlaine Harris’ Living Dead in Dallas) before. You’re better than this TVD.

Since when can someone under compulsion explain to you what they were compelled to do? And how can a vampire threaten dead witches (who actually listen) to do what he asks? I did not see any of this coming but I’m liking the new revelations.

Ah… so the good doctor Meredith Fell (Torrey DeVitto) uses vampire blood to heal her patients. I don’t know if that makes me like her or not. It’s sneaky, underhanded and although she’s helping people, she’s giving them vampire blood without their permission, taking away their right to die if they want to do that. It’s the whole vampire thing: people tend to get turned against their will. It’s one of the major problems I have with how people become vampires. There’s never any choice in the matter.

Where’s the big reconciliation moment between Bonnie (Kat Graham) and her mother? I know they’ve been apart for a long time but they don’t seem to be related in any way, shape or form aside from their hairstyles, that is. I don’t really see the point in introducing this new character since she brings nothing to the table but some damn herbs. She has no powers, no knowledge of anything going on now, so how can she help Bonnie?

How long will Elena continue to ignore the feelings she has for Damon?

Alaric (Matthew Davis) cannot just move on like that! I’m not happy with his getting over Jenna so soon. He must mourn! *end of rant* Okay, I’m kidding but Alaric’s “sexy lady doctor friend” is suspicious. How does she know Damon’s a vampire? Do they reveal that kind of stuff during council meetings? I don’t see why Ric can so easily trust someone without knowing their secrets, because you know she has some.

*spoiler alert* Elijah (Daniel Gillies) is back!! Finally! Thank you writers of TVD for bringing him back like I’ve begged. Now we’re getting somewhere; now things will start cooking again and lead to an amazing season finale. I cannot wait to see what Elijah throws into the mix because you know he’s gotta be pissed. Ooh and if Rebekah (Clair Holt) gets to have her revenge, Klaus may be in a bit of trouble. And you don’t want to miss that.

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.

 

Photo Credit:  Quantrell D. Colbert/The CW ©2011 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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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