'The Vampire Diaries': A not-so-happy 162nd birthday for Stefan

Last week "The Vampire Diaries" brought a bit of a shocker: Vicki, played by Kayla Ewell, met the wrong end of Stefan's stake and died while Jeremy watched in horror. It's rare for a regular cast member to get killed off (at least, without rumors of diva tantrums or bad work ethic leaking from the set!) so fans of the show were left stunned. I've been looking forward to seeing the fallout all week.

Because "The Vampire Diaries" keeps dropping bombs, I figured I'd change up the style this week and do a live commentary as I watch tonight's episode, "162 Candles." Fair warning: I'm feeling kind of snarky tonight. Here we go!

8:00 – Every time I hear Stefan say, "I know the risk, but I have to know her," at the beginning of each episode, I have more questions about Stefan's motives. How did he know about Elena in the first place? If he cares about her so much, why doesn't he erase her memory of the whole vampire thing? Her knowledge of his past is putting her in danger over and over again.

8:02 – I have to say, I'm kind of predisposed not to like Lexi (Arielle Kebbel). Kebbel's character on "Gilmore Girls" – Dean Forester's whiny rebound-turned-wife -- was frustratingly boring. But she's barely been on screen for 30 seconds and I already dig Lexi. I'm hoping she'll bring out more of Stefan's sense of humor. The kid needs to smile once in a while!

Plus, she had a crazy weekend with Bon Jovi! .... Wait, really? Bon Jovi? You have centuries of musicians to choose from and … Bon Jovi?

8:04 – MATT. MY FAVORITE. Ahem.

The interrogation scenes really make the Donovan kids' parents' absence glaringly obvious. I indulged my inner 12-year-old and attended a "Dawson's Creek" reunion panel at the Paley Center last night, where Kevin Williamson was asked about the lack of parental figures in his shows. He said that it's often a budgetary issue: You don't want to shell out for an actor who will be truly involved in the story only every five episodes or so. I don't really mind the parents being AWOL, though in "big" storylines like this, it does get a bit distracting.

I don't blame Matt for giving Stefan the cold shoulder. I'm sure the idea that Stefan knows more about Vicki's disappearance than he does is quite unsettling. Still, it's too bad that Stefan's good intentions may have cost him his only possible friend at school.

8:06 – "I think the wrong brother went back to high school." OK, Lexi can stay! It's nice to have someone around who can match Damon's barbs with something other than long-suffering glares.

8:08 – Did Damon's Eternal Sunshine act completely wipe Jeremy's personality? He's doing homework … and he actually cares about it. But somehow, I don't think educating the youth of America is high on Damon's list of priorities.…

8:12 – I'm really glad to see Bonnie and Elena together again. Romances on teen dramas are a dime a dozen, but solid friendships keep me invested. Plus, "Gossip Girl" and "90210" are so full of 'frienemies,' it's nice to have a show that portrays the kind of friendships teenage girls should actually seek.

I loved the scene with the levitating feathers. It's kind of a cool play on that classic image of girls having a pillow fight at a slumber party. It's nice to see a lighter side of magic on this show, for once.

I am a little surprised that Elena thinks the witch thing is cool, though. You'd think she'd be a little sick of ghost story characters hanging around her bedroom, even if the character in question is her BFF.

8:16 – OK, now I'm dying to know what makes vampire sex so awesome. By the way, Lexi's blood juicebox is totally gross, but an excellent idea. I realize that Stefan is afraid of falling off the wagon and spiraling downward. If he raided the nearest Red Cross blood drive, though, he might be strong enough to protect Elena and her friends next time Damon gets bored and decides to sire himself some free entertainment.

8:26 – I give Stefan a hard time, but my cold black heart melted a little when he bashfully admitted he was in love with Elena. He may officially be 162 years old today, but he does a great impression of a sweaty-palmed teenager! Paul Wesley was really great in that moment.

Oh, and Lexi's got an excellent tan for somebody who hasn't seen the sun in 300 years. Though, her super dark lipstick may need an update.… I guess that was probably cool in Bon Jovi's heyday.

8:28 – "Lexi's my oldest friend. Nothing romantic. Ever." Yeah, yeah, Stefan. I remember when Dawson said that about Joey. There's a hot girl in a towel walking around your house! Have some hot vampire sex, dude. And hurry. Knowing this show, she'll probably be dead in 40 minutes.

The chemistry between Elena and Stefan is getting stronger. Normally, the long, lingering looks would get old very fast, but I'm really buying the angsty "I shouldn't love you, but I love you, but I shouldn't love you, but I love you" thing they have going on.

By the way, Stefan offering her a lift to the Grill made me wonder… have we seen his car yet? It better be a sweet ride.

8:31 -- Oh, the old "that necklace makes you look fat!" trick. Come on, Caroline! If she had any sisters she'd know that angle never works. How much do I love that Caroline truly believes she's allergic to polyester? That was the best line so far tonight.

8:32 – MATT. The poor thing has been abandoned by all the women in his life! I think he and Bonnie should get together. She can make feathers fly around him to distract him from his beyond-dysfunctional family.

8:33 – Uh oh. Random teenagers making out in an alley. If five seasons of "Supernatural" have taught me anything, it's that when nameless teenagers start hooking up, they're probably going to be something's dinner really quick.

8:34 – Yup.

8:37 – Remember nine minutes ago when I said that Elena's chemistry with Stefan was becoming more palpable? It still pales in comparison to her chemistry with Damon. Whenever Elena and Damon banter, something just crackles between them.

I'm so hesitant to believe that Damon erased Jeremy's suffering just because he could. I'm guessing he did it to get into Elena's good favor, but I'm still not sure whether he's actually interested in Elena or if he's just interested in toying with his brother. Stefan's attention – whether positive or negative – seems to be Damon's main motivator thus far. I think that while Stefan genuinely seems to love Elena regardless of her resemblance to his ex, Damon is still hung up on Katherine.

8:39 – Damon uses his secret vampire powers of compulsion to be totally creepy and definitely abusive to Caroline … and Lexi uses her powers to procure free tequila shots for her underage pals. Have I mentioned that I like her? I really, really like her. (Her ugly lipstick is gone, too! I guess she encountered a mirror on her way out of Casa Salvatore.)

8:41 – I'm so happy that Elena warmed up to Lexi. Jealousy doesn't flatter anyone.

"I was feeling epic! Whatever." The dialogue on this show never fails. Even the 300-year-old teenagers talk like teenagers.

8:47 – MATT. He's pretty much the anti-Damon, isn't he? Damon preys unrelentingly on Caroline's insecurities, and Matt's there to swoop in and carry her away … literally.

Oh, look, a parent acting like a parent! I guess one way to save some money is to make one of the parents the town sheriff!  It's got to be hard to focus on your teenage daughter when you're trying to police a town full of … well, Damon. Veronica Mars' dad had it easy compared to Caroline's mom.

8:50 – NOOO! I was loving Lexi so much I forgot to be prepared for the other shoe to drop. Here's that real "Vampire Diaries" jaw-dropper moment that writer/producer Julie Plec was cryptically tweeting about while the episode was airing on the East Coast!

Just as Damon is filling Lexi in on his "diabolical master plan," a witness to his latest meal points him out to the sheriff. Of course, the sheriff thinks that Damon is on her side, so she heads straight for Lexi with a syringe full of Salvatore vervain! The Grill erupts with panic, and the deputies are blocking all exits as Lexi, weakened but furious, is dragged out.

Lexi is just about to take a bite out of the sheriff when Damon shows up and stakes her. I can't believe that he left that witness on purpose! Very clever. Very cunning. Very not cool! I liked her… and for that matter, so did Stefan. I'm pretty sure he's not going to forgive Damon for this cruel and abrupt end to the only genuine friendship in his life.

8:56 – MATT… and Caroline, in her dark bedroom, with a nice sweet song playing in the background. Where could this possibly be leading? I know Matt isn't the type to hook up with a drunk girl, but he's having a rough week … perhaps some nice spooning and/or snuggling? Yes! There it is.

8:57 – I'm glad that Lexi's death stirred Stefan enough to get him really, truly angry at Damon. Finally! (Not that I actually want Damon dead, mind you. I just like seeing Stefan all riled up about something.)

Elena says that she doesn't want Stefan to kill Damon because it'll hurt Stefan, but I'm wondering if it doesn't have a little to do with the friendly-neighborhood-vampire mojo he worked on her troubled little brother.

8:58 – "You never do anything for anyone but yourself," Stefan hisses, right before he … stakes Damon? WHAT?!?

Oh! He missed Damon's heart – on purpose, since Damon saved Stefan from Logan two episodes back. Still, they're hardly even, what with Damon running around killing everybody he can sink his teeth into.

9:00 – The episode closes with a creepy prophecy from Emily (Bianca Lawson), Bonnie's long-dead great-great-great … something. "It's coming," she tells Bonnie, and then Bonnie suddenly wakes up alone in the woods. So foreboding!

Now it's time for my favorite part – your comments! Let me know if your reactions matched mine or, more importantly, if they didn't. Who wants to help me start a campaign to bring Lexi back from the dead? (Hey, they do it on "Supernatural" every other episode.) Do you think Caroline and Matt are a good match? What do you think of pain-free Jeremy?

Don't forget to check back next week so we can discuss whatever Emily's warning Bonnie about!

--Carina MacKenzie (follow me on Twitter @cadlymack)

Photos (Credit - CW): Lexi (Arielle Kebbel) tries to convince Stefan (Paul Wesley) to dance; Damon (Ian Somerhalder) tries to get Elena (Nina Dobrev) to warm up to him; Lexi gets a smile out of Stefan at the pool table.

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Kevin Williamson talks about the future of 'The Vampire Diaries'
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Comments

[James Mortensen]

I must say that the play by play review rocks, and you should do that for all upcoming episodes.

I really hope this show stays on. I was worried I would start to lose interest with extras coming onboard from Gilmore Girls, hinting at the possible following of immature, petty drama that seems to go along with those shows. However, Vampire Diaries is not going in that direction, and for that I am glad!

What interests me the most are all of the secrets and plot lines yet to be revealed. Why does Damon want Bonnie's necklace? Why do 162 year old vampires have the sunlight rings but not a 350 year old Lexi? How many of those rings exist and how were they made? What makes Damon and Stephan so special to where they have them? How did the Founders Council first form? What is their history? Why didn't Zack tell them about his relation to vampires? Was it to protect the council? Himself? Stephan?

I'm 32 years old and I know it's marketed towards teenagers, but this show makes me want to go pick up the books and do some research!

James

[rbk]

Nice review. Too bad that Lexi got staked - I was really beginning to like that girl so yes, I'm definitely with you to bring her back!! It'll be interesting to see what Damon's grand master plan is, better not be too anti-climatic.

And the plot line that has me intrigued the most is the Bonnie/witch one...

[Bridget]

DEAR MATT. BE MINE! That is all. <3

[Crystal De La Rose]

I love this format, please make sure you keep going play by play! In a lot of ways, you were going along with the commentaries the exact same way they played out in my head! Love it!

And yes, I think Stefan and Elena's chemistry is getting better but clearly, Damon and Elena together just make the scene POP for some reason. And I'm very much hoping Elena and Stefan stay together, work things out, have great vampire kinky-love-sex but... DAMN. DAMON.

The fact that Damon killed off one of my favorite new characters ever (Lexi omg loved her) SUCKED, but it made him even more believable as an evil character. The guy doesn't just kill off random teens in the forest, he will murder the most awesome likable characters too and that makes him a villain to be reckoned with.

I can't wait to see next week's episode where in the trailer he's shouting "NOOOO". Something to do with Catherine? Katherine? How is her name spelled btw?

I kind of also really dig Matt and Caroline... but that's probably because I dig anything with Matt in it.

[Tara]

That sucks that they took Lexi off, I really started liking her. I have no idea what you're talking about with Damon and Elena- they have as much chemistry as Elena and Jeremy do. And Damon's face pisses me off. That is all...

[bridgett]

i mean this episode was awesome....
every episode just is so intense my neighbor calls it melrose place but with vampires, and it kinda is, Elaina , calls off her relationship with stefan , then the next day she knows she cant stop her feelings for him, then the next day the same thing. except there is witches, and magick ...which i love!
i really wish they didn't kill Vicki, and i like your commentary ...just like you said as this show is have sex with Lexi cause in 40 minutes she'll be dead....and sure enough she was.
my jaw is always on the floor every episode ...
this is very well written and crafted.

[Leontien van Dijk]

I am from Holland and every Friday morning I watch the latest episode online. I really love this show and also your reviews!

When I saw Damon manipulating Carolines thoughts again, I realized it's actually kind of weird since her mother is in the secret committee and has access to vervein. So why didn't she put some in, for example, her daughters jewelry. Being a mother myself it seems unlogical to protect yourself and your deputees, but not your kid.

But nevertheless I am a total fan of this show! Curious to know about the connection between Katherine and Elena, about how things will continue with Bonnie etc.etc.

[Jemima]

Great Review, Carina!!!!
I lOVE your style of writing with the play by play and the times.....am still not hooked but keep watching bc i look forward to checking out your reviews.
Keep it up.

[Kit]

I totally with everyone else here. I loved your play-by-play commentary as it was definitely in keeping with my own thoughts.

I also agree with someone else who said that they were most intrigued by Bonnie's story and her being a witch.

From the beginning, I was hoping and believing that that story would be the most interesting, and truthfully, I'm hoping that Damon and Bonnie hook up.

I think Bonnie would make an excellent match as she would provide a much needed challenge to him as she learns her powers as a witch.

Plus, as the best friend of Elena, I think Bonnie is the obvious choice and match to Damon given that he's the brother to Stefan, and she would fight for friend and all that friction and back-and-forth between them would provide for some real chemistry.

Those are just my thoughts.

[April]

Did anyone realize Damon made a HUGE mistake that just may make Caroline's mom be on to him? At the end of the show Damon said something to the effect of, wow, good thing there was a witness...but it never showed anyone telling him there was a witness and that's how they got Lexi...unless he was told when he was helping to move Lexi's body.

[Blankline]

Yes they most definitely should bring back Lexi. So did Stefan feed or did he just get angry enough?

[Kit]

Great observations April and Blankline.

I was actually wondering the same thing if Stefan had just fed or if he was just really upset over what happened to suddenly have that type of strength against Damon.

I, too, am wondering when Caroline's mom is gonna become suspicious of Damon, but I find it funny that wasn't suspicious to begin with given that he was just some stranger being overly helpful and friendly.

She should've questioned what his deal was before trusting him so easily.

[Bia]

I'm still hung up on the Elena/Katherine connection, I wish Lexi pushed harder because she saw that something was off there. And we know Bonnie's aunt was Katherine's witch/assistant/slave/whatever. The resemblance has to mean something...agree though, Elena has great chemistry with Damon.

[Terry R.]

Love your play-by-play......I wasn't sure if I would like the Vampire Diaries, but have come to love it. They really, really need to bring Lexi back. She is awesome as a vampire.

[lee]

Love the review...I really liked Lexi too. I cant wait to find out about Damon's master plan. I'm also dying to know how Stefan knew about Elana. Loved seeing Stefan angry and now I don't know why but I want to see him feed on human blood and kick some ass. Does anyone else feel that way????

[Leyanis Molina]

I really cant believe Damon staked Lexi!! It really broke my heart! I knew from the start she was just a guest star, but I didnt want to see her go like that... Ian's performace as Damon gets better every episode, and although I feel like staking Damon, I'm completely in love, as well. Elena and Stefan need to finally get back together already, it's making me anxious!! She was stupid in breaking up with him at all, if there's an evil vampire out to get you and your loved ones, whyyyy would you break up with the only other person who might be able to help you, and is insanely hot, sweet, and head over heels for you!! All in all, this episode was kickass! Vampire diaries keeps me on my toes EVERY episode! lovee it <3

[mm]

I love scary movies. This show scares me every week. I cant believe it is on at 8 pm. It leaves me with than uneasy feeling. I love this show.

I liked lexi also, i was shocked she was gone. it was nice to see another side of stefan. I am so curious about Damon's real plan. And why and how does stefan and damon have the only rings? Stefan said that he couldnt just give lexi the ring. I thought that was interesting.

[Amber]

I was so upset to fall in love with Lexi so quickly only to lose her before the episode was even out! I mean, I figured she would probably leave town, but that she's DEAD? Sucks!

The episode was really amazing, though. I am continually surprised by how much I love this show. Great review, Carina! I can't wait until next week.

[J.E.B.]

One thing, why even bother with creating Aunt Jenna? Why not just have Jeremy and Elena being raised by Grandma Beth with low-battery hearing-aid and terrible cataracts who is always in bed by 7 o'clock? It's one thing that Aunt Jenna is neglectful, but that's she isn't home is getting weird. I'll accept whatever reason the writers give the audience as to why Aunt Jenna isn't around (university where she's doing PhD is too far a drive so she stay over a few nights a week or she's running a tailor park meth lab) but at least give a reason please.

Bianca Lawson is playing Emily, Bonnie's ancestor and Katherine's handmaiden. For the Buffy the Vampire Slayer fans, she played Kendra Young. For the Dawson's Creek fans, she played Nikki Green. Actually like that she and Jasmine Guy actually look (just a bit) alike. But wish they'd picked another name besides Emily like Sarafina (just heard the musical and have that song stuck in my head).

Bon Jovi? Really? I think it would be a more neat to have another Jersey boy, Frank Sinatra, be there cool concert memory. Funny to picture Lexi is bobby socks or a beehive.

Isn't established that outside of Damon's pupils, Caroline's terrible girlfriend? She be terrible to Matt because that's her whole character. Plus her envy issues with Elena aren't being helped that much by going after yet another fguy who is more in love with Elena then her.

[JBG]

I don't think the witness pointed out Damon and the cop chose Lexi because Damon was helping them, I think Damon used his mind control to trick the witness into thinking Lexi did it...all part of his "diabolical master plan."