'The Vampire Diaries': Damon and Elena prove touching is overrated

"The Vampire Diaries"' long-hyped love triangle between Damon, Elena, and Stefan is finally starting to take shape in tonight's episode, "Miss Mystic Falls." If we thought we'd seen a spark between Damon and Elena before, it's a bonfire now.

8:01 p.m.  - I'm confused. Since when do these people go to school? Stefan is showing some serious swagger and it's only minute one. Paul Wesley is doing a great job of channeling Ian Somerhalder. I'm almost disappointed, though, because I loved that despite all the craziness, Stefan was still being honest with Elena last week. This week, he blew that in the first minute.

8:04 - Bonnie's back! I've been looking forward to her return, and I'm glad she doesn't just look sad, but also angry. What happened to her grandmother was awful, and the fact that it was ultimately pointless makes it even worse.

8:06 - I've been wondering how Elena would get involved in this Miss Mystic pageant, because while that might have been something she'd done last year, new Elena is a bit preoccupied. The connection to her mother makes a lot of sense, though - it's why she writes, as well.

8:06 - I'm over the fact that Stefan is lying. Now it's just bothering me that he's so darn good at it.

8:08 - "Well, well. He's a liar and a thief." I love that Damon is getting all self-righteous about this! Damon is a murderer. I don't think he should be busting on Stefan for swiping a few bags of blood... that Damon stole. Oh, Damon. Please never change.

8:12 - "Right now is not a good time for me to be worried about you snapping," Damon tells Stefan. Aww, it's so sweet that he worries.

8:13 - Beauty pageant interviews! "Just because my DUI made my community service mandatory doesn't make me any less committed."

8:14 - Jonathan Gilbert is looking for a mysterious contraption that the original Jonathan Gilbert invented in 1864. When Damon realizes that Jonathan can't lead him to Katherine, the look in his eyes is downright maniacal. I believe 100% that Damon would go on a murderous rampage if Jonathan threatened his place in Mystic Falls. As he said last week, it feels like home to him.

8:15 - At this point, the formal dance class has transcended the cliche and become a teen drama staple. It's almost a tradition for the WB; we've seen it in "Gilmore Girls," "Dawson's Creek," "The O.C.," and probably more. "If you ask me, the near-touch is overrated," Stefan says. I'm so glad he's having fun, even if that's because he's been guzzling O-neg.

8:17 - I sort of hope Caroline wins Miss Mystic. I know that Elena has the whole orphan sympathy vote in the bag, but Caroline's life is kind of awful. She deserves a break! Plus, she has really really pretty hair.

8:18 - I'm so happy it's been acknowledged that Bonnie's grandmother died for nothing. I'll admit that at first, it felt like a cop-out to me that after Grams died, Bonnie just disappeared. We didn't see any of her grief. Now I realize that sending her away gave her time to process what happened, and I like where she's ended up. She's made decisions about the way she wants to live her life now when it comes to the vampires - and she's not being rash or impulsive. She's really processed it.

8:19 - Good move, Stefan. Put your history teacher in a death grip. That won't draw attention to you at all!

8:25 - Malese Jow has been a fabulous addition to the cast. She's young, but she holds her own next to Ian Somerhalder. The audience really believes that Anna and Damon are on a relatively even playing field.

8:27 - Caroline looks like a '40s starlet in the scene where she's getting ready at her vanity. So pretty!

8:28 - Jeremy! I'm so happy to see him, but he needs to wash his hair. I know it must be rough, having all your girlfriends be vampires, but it's no reason to let yourself go.

8:29 - Soundtrack junkie moment: is this a string quartet playing "Clocks" by Coldplay? I just got transported back to high school.

8:30 - "Normal to a vampire is drinking human blood, but he's spent all this time fighting it when he should've been learning to control it. He'll do anything, he'll say anything, because he's not gonna want to stop." Has Damon been watching the A&E show "Intervention"? He sounds just like Jeff VanVonderen.

Elena says that Stefan's current state is her fault because she fed him blood in the first place. I have been wondering about that. He's a vampire. Was he really going to die out there in the woods without her blood? He's immortal. The other vampires survived 145 years in a tomb starving to death, and Stefan couldn't handle a little torture?

8:33 - Have they put extra eyeliner on Paul Wesley to make him look more dangerous? He looks like a lost Fall Out Boy, if the Fall Out Boys worked out. Stefan is being such a jerk right now that I'm starting to hope he and Elena break up. She loves him, but she's also not a shrinking violet. She's not going to put up with his smarmy attitude and casual lies for long.

8:36 - What are all these flimsy excuses for denying me Matt? Boo! Who is this invisible "Jeffrey Lockwood-Hamilton" character that's escorting Caroline, and what relation does he have to Tyler?

8:38 - Stefan is so compelling (ha!) in the scenes with Amber. It's so out of character for him. He's using her like an object, talking to her the way he'd write in a journal. "I'm not sad," he barks. "I'm freaking hungry." He's acting without regard for consequence, which is completely unlike Stefan... and completely like Damon.

8:39 - This is it. This is the moment. Damon has no good reason to come through for Elena when Stefan ditches her, but he does it anyway. Normally, Damon wouldn't care about the pageant. He'd only be concerned about himself (and Stefan) and he wouldn't care about whether the pageant was important to Elena. His feelings for her are changing, though, and he doesn't just pull her away from the festivities.

Remember, he was around when this dance was invented. He's danced with Katherine this way. This is a very, very big deal for Damon and Elena. I think we'll all have to disagree with Stefan's earlier statement about not-touching being overrated. Damon and Elena are proving that touching is completely unnecessary.  That wasn't an earthquake you just felt, it was just the result of millions of Stefan/Elena fans falling to their knees in surrender.

8:41 - "Your carotid artery, right there," Stefan hisses. "If you puncture this just right you can control the blood flow. It takes practice but it doesn't have to make a mess, you don't have to waste any." Even as Stefan was giving this speech, I didn't think he'd actually do it. When he bit Amber, he crossed a serious line... and because there's always a sexual aspect to the bite, it also almost feels like he's cheated on Elena.

8:47 - Yay! Caroline wins! It's sad that Matt didn't get to see her be all awesome.

8:50 - I'm glad they made Wesley look hideous and monstrous and horrible in the scene where Bonnie, Elena, and Damon find him chowing down on Amber. Often, vampires in pop culture look sexy even when they feed, but not so with Stefan. He looks as ugly as he's acting. Paul Wesley has thrown any lingering vanity to the wind in favor of really committing to this scene. He gets the MVP trophy, and I promise not to take it away this week!

8:53 - Bonnie is lying for Elena again, but she's not going to do it any more. "I told you I wasn't gonna make you choose, but I need to make the choice for myself. Please just leave me alone." Elena is really alone in this now.

8:55 - Pearl passes the mysterious invention over to Damon, but we still don't know what the invention is. We don't know what the catch is, either. Pearl tells Damon, "My daughter wants to stay here. I want to stay here. Consider this an apology." Still, I'm not sure why Pearl is suddenly in favor of Anna staying in Mystic Falls - around Jeremy - when so recently she wanted Anna as far from Jeremy as possible.

8:57 - Oh, man! I was so, so disappointed in Elena when, after Stefan tossed her against the wall, she said, "It's OK." Just a moment later, she plunges a syringe full of vervain into his side, and she gets her rock-star status back.

8:59 - I know I say this every week, but the parallels between Stefan and "Supernatural"s Sam Winchester are getting stronger. Don't get me wrong - I love that. They're both fantastic shows and they compliment each other perfectly. As Elena and Damon dropped Stefan off in the panic room - or dungeon, or whatever that is - I was so thrilled to see them teaming up and trying to take action. I thought Damon would love crazy, feeding Stefan, but he's more concerned about Stefan's welfare than he is psyched to have his hunting buddy back.

Next week: Flashbacks! I can't wait to find out how Damon and Stefan turned in the first place. There are only three episodes left, folks... do you think Stefan can recover in time for the finale on May 13?

As always, let me know your thoughts in the comments below! Don't forget to check back next week to discuss those flashbacks I love so much.

--Carina MacKenzie (chat with me on Twitter @cadlymack!)

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Melinda Clarke on 'The Vampire Diaries,' 'The O.C.' and her new CW pilot
A storm brings buried secrets to the surface

Photos: (top) Nina Dobrev as Elena and Ian Somerhalder as Damon. Credit: The CW. (bottom) Paul Wesley vamps out as Stefan. Credit: The CW.

Comments

[Janz]

Hey! Awesome summary!
About the 8:30 mark, I think the reason why she gave him blood was because the other vampire (sorry, I forgot his name) was about to wake up and kill her and Stefan. He could have easily ripped off Stefan's head at that point since he was so weak. :P

[Yvette]

Goddamn, that was an AMAZING episode. I swear this show just goes from strength to strength every week.

Love the Damon/Elena moments, and I found Damon's concern for Stefan so completely moving that the end brought me to tears.

Paul Wesley deserves so much kudos for tonight's episode. It was completely believable, painful, and utterly harrowing to watch.

Great recap as always!

[barni]

i've lost count how many times i've said this but still,
this is the best episode yet (^^♪

and OMG~~!!!
Paul did such a phenominal job in this very episode:) particularly in that one scene when he and elena were having a big emotional fight near the end. yes, it's so sad, so heartbreaking to the point that i don't think i wanna ever watch it again but seriously, his brilliant acting just completely blew me away. *two thumbs up*

[barni]

i've lost count how many times i've said this but still,
this is the best episode yet (^^♪

and OMG~~!!!
Paul did such a phenominal job in this very episode:) particularly in that one scene when he and elena were having a big emotional fight near the end. yes, it's so sad, so heartbreaking to the point that i don't think i wanna ever watch it again but seriously, his brilliant acting just completely blew me away. *two thumbs up*

[Molly]

Ho. Ly. Crap.

That was amazing. Paul Wesley! Who knew?! I mean, that was beyond fantastic. Incredibly scary. I was actually huddled in a corner on my bed covering my face with my pillow, but sneaking a peek every second because I LOVE THIS SHOW TOO MUCH. Totez agree with him crossing a line when he actually bit her, and his face when he saw Elena and Damon was heartbreaking. The girl who played Amber was wonderful too, creepy and innocent.

Really wish Matt was in this episode. Sometimes I think I might just like him more than Damon (that's a flat lie. Damon lives in my heart and soul 4evz yo).

I have to say, I really didn't like the song they chose to play when Elena and Damon were dancing- it felt too much like an actual 'falling in love' song. Too dramatic for what should have been a sweet moment when they're just becoming friends. But that's just me being nit-picky.

'Fun' Stefan's just about the best direction they could've gone in- as great as Forehead Stefan is, the role reversal is brilliant.

I feel like morphing into an 80 year old man and shaking all of them by the hand and congratulating them on a job well done. But I won't. Even though I could, in Imagination land. In Imagination land we're all great friends and I get to watch the episode before anyone else does, and then we all get married. What?

[mm]

Paul was phenomenal. Really I was unnerved at the end. I couldn't have imagine Stefan being so angry, actually physically throwing Elena against a while, in a wife beater! Side bar-angry man in a wife beater has got to go someday. I love the scene when he was talking to himself. Elena knows the truth, how can she continue to love him, and the fact he has been sooo judgmental of his brother and he is acting just like him. He has reached the bottom. It was nice to see Damon continue to act like a big brother. Yeah Bonnie is back, she looks sad, angry and distant. I wonder if their friendship can be repaired. And her powers seem stronger than ever. Elena is due for a mental break down soon.

[Claudia]

Amazing!!

I love your review, I love the show, I love all the character!

Awesome episode, Damon is more and more complex!

Can't wait for the next episode

[Dawn]

This show just keeps getting better and better each week. The writers are doing an amazing job at building up the chemistry between Elena and Damon. The acting was incredible and the dance scene, well I ship D/E, and it just blew me away, I can't stop watching clips of it. They have the best on creen chemistry of any couple I have ever seen on film. I can't believe the producers are going to make us wait until season two for that KISS, it's too long a wait, but I know the writers will do it right and make it worth the wait.

[Marilyn]

I know Damon loves his little brother, but I can't decided what his current motivation is. I think at this point it may be more the fear of Stefan's wild and unpredictable behavior drawing attention the the vampire problem in the town. Especially since he seems totally uncontrollable. Damon says he is cooperating with the inner circle to stay ahead of the game. But I think he rather likes being one of the "founders" even if he won't admit it.

[Jessie]

OMG... I absolutely love this show!! Each episode gets better and more intense each week! This is no teen vamp show but oh soo much more! And I have to say I am soo in love with Paul Wesley and completely on Team Stefan. His acting was incredible and true to the part. He is totally playing an addict fallen off the wagon and all his reasoning is exactly the way a real addict would be. Him justifying he’s okay especially since he’s not is unreal. Also the end scene with him and Elena was so sincere. He’s aware of who is really is and has been scared of Elena getting to close since he doesn’t have control and getting mad at her to make her back away is such a typical male response! It just shows their genuine feelings for each other is more than surface deep. If you love someone you will help them through it than just back away and jump in the next bro’s arm! This will only make their relationship stronger if Stefan gets past this.
Also, I love how Damon finally stepped up to be the big brother! It’s a shame that Stefan had to be kidnapped and tortured for it to happen!
This show is totally unpredictable and I can’t even imagine what will happen next. I can’t believe the season is almost over. :(

[Alice]

Great review as always, Carina! I, too, shamelessly re-wound the dance scene between Elena and Damon many more times than required because the chemistry between those two actors is so frickin sizzling hot! I especially loved the looks Ian was giving her - very intense, but not predatory or cocky as usual. Almost like he was a little embarrassed and caught off-guard. We don't often see the actors doing a scene outdoors in full sunlight, so could those two look any more gorgeous? That blue dress, the blue sequined hair comb and all the cascading hair on Nina - totally matching Ian's eyes and making them sparkle even more! Props, costume dept!

The scene with Stefan taking a bite out of Amber was harrowing! A complete turnaround, and a fantastic piece of acting from Paul! So incredibly believable like, as he said, a drug addict fully falling off the wagon. I didn't think he would actually bite her, either, but when he fell...he plunged. And the actress who played Amber was very good..."next time, just don't bite so hard..." So creepy! The new out of control Stefan makes Ian look positively gentlemanly with his victims!

I agree with your observation about the way Ian handled the scene with John Gilbert. The way he stared him down when he threatened to chop off his hand, take the ring, then kill him. "You understand that??" - and gave a very chilling glare. It made me scared!

Love everything about this show. Make everyone I know watch it. Insufferable Vampire Diaries Fan.

[keeya-lee]

Yep, that episode was amazing.
Elena is such a great, strong female character.
I <3 Damon.
I bet Stefan goes off the rails and just becomes big time evil or something.

[Dham]

"That wasn't an earthquake you just felt, it was just the result of millions of Stefan/Elena fans falling to their knees in surrender. "

Speak for yourself. I'm a Stelena fan, and I still belief that they belong and will be together in the end. Maybe it's just me, but during the dance I got brother/sister vibes from Damon and Elena, not "come do me." When it was all over, Elena walked away.

[Betsy]

WOW! First of all I would like to say I love Vampire Diaries (aka VD). You sound just like my best friend and I. We always watch the show and then during commercials call or text each other about all the OMG moments. I am so rooting for the Damen and Elena thing I just love them togther ( sorry Stefan). I hate that Stefan is all evil like now cuz it is super hot for Damen but I don't like the good brother worse then Damen. And in my opinion i don't think Damen is evil he is just missunderstood.

[Natasha]

It's crazy,because i over-watched the dance scene for about 40 times,no kiddin'!!!Truly one if not the best show's moments,and an excellent choice of a song,which isn't that new so it clear that was chosen for it's lyrics,and not because of promotional purposes...
GO DAMON+ELENA!

[Vance]

Carina, you have made some mistakes. Stefan would have been killed by Frederick and needed Elena's blood. He also stole the blood himself. Damon did steal some earlier, but not nearly as much the amount Stefan stole recently.

[Sylvia]

Great review.The title say it all.

Incredible incredible chemistry between Ian/Nina or Damon/Elena. The sad thing, is that the producers, writers will use this incredible chemistry and at the end Elena will choose Stefan. I love the show, great characters, great brotherhood between Stefan and Damon, but Elena and Damon makes the show better.

[Kiren]

You crack me up!

'Elena says that Stefan's current state is her fault because she fed him blood in the first place. I have been wondering about that. He's a vampire. Was he really going to die out there in the woods without her blood? He's immortal. The other vampires survived 145 years in a tomb starving to death, and Stefan couldn't handle a little torture?'

I can't be sure, but I think it's because there were other vamps around(i.e Frederick) that could seriously hurt Stefan if he couldn't get his strength back up. That scene where Alaric and Damon walk out, see the dozens of vamps and turn right around back into the house, laughed so hard!

I agree, I was glad too that Paul W. threw all his vanity out the window to commit to the scene!

I'm glad the Bonnie-resentment creates more Drama when not too many episodes ago, Bonnie told Anna's vamp-boy that she would die for Elena. Contrary to what bonnie thinks, One day, Bonnie is going to have to choose. It might be one of the 9 twists in the finale ep.

The Dance was amazing! These writers are doing a fantastic job!

[Sarah]

Great summary xD Love it.

&The reason Elena gave Stefan her blood was because he was so freaking weak from being tortured with vervain ropes, starvation, and being hacked up by knives for days. I think the episode made it clear those vamps were angry enough to do those things to him - having him get away? If i recall correctly Frederick had something stake-worthy in his hand. Even if he didn't he would've found something. A stake through the heart = vampire go bye-bye. He gained back his strength enough to fight back against Frederick and kill him in the end.

Oh! I MUST say I think the episode proved Damon/Elena is so... perfect. I've watched that dance scene so many times I lost count. At least twenty. Never gets old! My t.v screen was steaming both times I watched the scene on it haha (and my computer screen the twenty-odd times after that!).

Can't wait for next week's episode! I've been soooo interested in finding out about the t.v show's twist on how the boys became vampires (if its like how it is in the books - and I doubt it - well I'll be disappointed because it was kind of dull. And it wouldn't go with the show's historical plot!).

Of course kudos for Paul Wesley for an epic performance =)

I can't believe this season is almost over, I'm going to be so crushed =( Its pathetic how much I love this show and how freakishly in love with Damon I am lol xD

[yz]

now THAT is what i call a vampire who hungers for human blood! Paul Wesley as Stefan Salvatore really brought out the agony in that, SUPERB!... unlike Rob Pattinson as Edward Cullen who only looked like he wants to pass gas or something.... ugh