'The Vampire Diaries' recap: Tyler picks a side
So I was one of the people in Los Angeles affected by the Great “Vampire Diaries” Audio Debacle of 2011. For those who were lucky enough to see the episode hiccup-free, here's what happened: Fans took to Twitter crying of audio problems –- I could only hear every other word –- despite all of our different cable and satellite providers. Meanwhile, the unaffected raved about the episode on Twitter, sending us into further despair. But then, between all the cries, was a helpful tweet: six minutes in, the audio fixes itself. So keep in mind that I heard half-garbled dialogue for the first six minutes of the episode. Not that you need sound to appreciate Damon (Ian Somerhalder) in a towel.
“Daddy Issues” really came down to the following question: Which side will Tyler (Michael Trevino) stick by? His friend Caroline (Candice Accola) and the vampires or the new wolf in town, Jules (Michaela McManus)? It's an important question because Tyler is ripe for the taking. Tyler is basically a blank slate. Mason (Taylor Kinney) didn't have enough time to teach him the werewolf ropes. Jules tries to take advantage of this and induct him into the pack. She tells him of werewolf loyalty and how they look out for each other. “A vampire will never be your friend,” she says. But Caroline is his friend despite what Jules says. And Tyler's choice between the two will not only have consequences for himself, but for everyone in Mystic Falls. It's a declaration of allegiance. And no matter whom he sides with, somebody gets left out in the cold.
After Tyler confronts Caroline about lying to him, she sends Stefan a 911 text. (FYI, if someone in Mystic Falls texts or calls you, just assume it is an emergency and feel free to panic.) Stefan (Paul Wesley) the Peacemaker –- Damon later even calls him that -– attempts to not only convince Tyler they can both co-exist in Mystic Falls, but also tries to save Tyler and Caroline's friendship. Stefan tells him to stop being mean to her. It's just the first of many wonderful scenes of Stefan looking out for Caroline.
Jules and her werewolf buddy, Brady, however, have their own plans for Tyler and Caroline. “I want the boy more than I want vengeance,” Jules says. First of all, are Brady and Jules romantically involved? If so, why was she in Mason's apartment? Who was Mason to her? A friend or a lover she got over really fast? Or does being part of the werewolf pack mean your door and apartment is open to all other members?
But once Jules made the call to Stefan, who was with Tyler, to tell him about Caroline, I had to wonder if her plan was going to backfire and drive Tyler away. There's a part of Tyler that views Caroline as a friend and should be hurt to see her in pain. Right?! His hesitation when he saw her in the cage was concerning. Outside, Stefan and Damon were fighting off Jules and her friends, despite being outnumbered. Apparently, one of Stefan's powers is stopping wooden stakes right in their paths. He's a peacemaker and a Superman all rolled into one. Tyler finally lets Caroline out of the cage, but doesn't rush to stop Jules when she puts a gun to Caroline's head. Tyler, you're really dropping the ball here. Suddenly, all the wolves drop to their knees in agony. I was thinking Bonnie (Katerina Graham), but surprise, surprise, Luka's dad came in for the save, doing his part to uphold Elijah's promise to Elena. Interestingly, his mojo did not affect Tyler. Is he too new to be susceptible?
Stefan took Caroline home and offered to stay with her. “I'm not girly little Caroline anymore. I can handle myself,” she replied. “You sure can,” he said while still looking concerned. What a nice, quietly terrific scene. Caroline and Stefan's friendship has been one of my favorite aspects of this season. They have a real, genuine chemistry, which you could interpret as platonic or romantic depending on how you want to see it. I see them as really great friends right now, but I think they're the couple that's going to happen when the show's over. They're the ones that are going to get together decades and decades later after Elena (Nina Dobrev) and everyone else have died and they're the only two left. Assuming they live to see the end of the show. And how sweet was Stefan to arrange a slumber party for Caroline with Elena and Bonnie? You know your boyfriend is too good when he's doing thoughtful things for your best friend.
In all the crazy, Caroline understandably forgets to meet up with Matt (Zach Roerig) and lies to him that she was with Bonnie, who was sitting in front of Matt at Mystic Grill with Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen). So are Bonnie and Jeremy together now? I feel like we missed something. They were very chummy in this episode. Back to the call from Matt... It made me wonder, after everything she's been through, if Caroline craves the normalcy Matt represents more or less. Can she go back to that now that she's a different person? One thing's for certain –- she doesn't want to be friends with Tyler anymore and tells him so when he checks up on her. She rightfully calls him out for just standing there when she and her friends were about to die. Tyler argues that he didn't know who to trust, but in the moment, he made a choice. His picked the strangers over friends. Caroline tells him to pass on a message to his new friends –- what happened to her will never happen again –- and then adds an angry “Get the hell out of my house!”, effectively driving Tyler into Jules' and Brady's arms, er, trailer, where he spills that Mason was looking for a moonstone.
Other brief thoughts:
–- Anybody else get Katherine (Dobrev) vibes from Elena this week? Elena and John's (David Anders) scene in the kitchen was reminiscent of Katherine and John in the Season 1 finale. Elena also whispered “I love you” at Stefan much like Katherine did during the masquerade. Perhaps they share more than just looks and an affection for eye makeup this week?
–- In addition to the shower, we got Damon taking a bath with news reporter Andie Starr (the name made me think of Andie McPhee). “I'm in love with a woman I can never have,” he tells her, compelling and unloading on her much like with last week's girl. “I kill people.” But trying to live up to Elena's “be the better man” mandate doesn't let him be who he really is. And bite!
–- Besides proving that he has a heart, John's return also brings a solution to the Klaus problem: wide oak ashes and a dagger, which Isobel says can kill him. Yeah, that plan is so not going to work. Plus, John seems to be up to something with Isobel. He goes to visit Katherine in the tomb, who says she wants out. “I'm already on it,” he replies. So much for that heart.
Readers, what do you think John is up to? Were you sad to see Tyler abandon Caroline in her time of need? Did your heart swell as much as mine during the Caroline/Stefan scenes?
RELATED:
'The Vampire Diaries' recap: Baring and burying Damon's humanity
Complete "The Vampire Diaries" coverage on Show Tracker
-- Vlada Gelman (follow my TV musings on Twitter at @stayingin)
Photo: Damon (Ian Somerhalder), left, and Stefan (Paul Wesley), right, offer up Tyler (Michael Trevino) in exchange for Caroline. Credit: Bob Mahoney / CW
I got the same Katherine vibes from Elena, but i thought i was the only one.
The Stefan and Caroline and their scenes together were amazing.
Tyler. As a human he was compelled from Damon. I don't understand why he can't remember that now.
Posted by: Nisha | February 04, 2011 at 02:47 AM
omg. :/ i want tylorine to happen so freakin badly.
Posted by: celia | February 04, 2011 at 05:32 AM
You're not really being fair to Tyler. He didn't really pick a side as much as he was left with no options. I hated how they didn't give Tyler time to grieve/be upset about Mason, but instead made it all about Caroline's captivity. And what does Tyler owe Stefan and Damon? And how on Earth would he have saved Caroline? He can't take on a full grown wolf pack all by himself? I think his feelings were/are valid. Honestly, I actually lost alot of love for Caroline for how she treated him. It sucks that she was tortured, but they're both victims.
I hated how the writers destoryed their relationship to prop this stupid feud and inevitably Matt/Caroline. I thought it would have been more like Romeo and Juliet admist warring families, but that's all shot to hell now. What was the point of giving them so many meaningful scenes? There were none. It was just all stupid and horrible, sloppy, contrived writing.
They pushed Tyler towards those cult-like werewolves instead of taking him under his wing and explaining everything, especially about the curse and Katherine. It's just dumb. After all that character development they gave Tyler, they're just going to ruin it all for no reason.
Posted by: J | February 04, 2011 at 07:36 AM
What's John up to? Here's my thought. Katherine can't come out of the tomb until Elijah says so, but what if he's dead? John can be completely on the up and up when it comes to Klaus, it was believed that wood could kill him in the book, though I don't see the ghosts of Civil War soldiers helping in the show ;) But at the same time, if John is getting into "daddy mode" and what we've seen of his actions in the past, John will sacrifice Damon and Stefan in a heart beat if it means Elena's safety. John clearly has something up his sleeves though I wonder a bit if he's working to get Katherine out not for Katherine, but to switch hands on who is who's doppleganger.
When it comes to Elijah in this, rule of thumb, never trust anyone you aren't close to when they have their own motives as well, which means Elijah can't be trusted. He has his own agenda for Klaus. This is the one spot where John, Damon, and Stefan find themselves. We've seen in the past (Bonnie and Damon/Alaric and Damon) the need to put personal feelings aside to keep those we love from getting hurt, this is one of those times. Personally, I think that it's not Elena that is the key to everything that will happen, but Isobel. I'm waiting for her to show up at the end of the season.
As for Caroline and Tyler, can we really say that Tyler is joining the werewolves? Tyler comes across as the deeply loyal friend that we all want, the kind the vamps in Mystic Falls need. After what happened, it looked like he was hurt not that Caroline said their friendship was over or that she never told the truth, but instead that he failed her as a friend. Is it possible he is acting as a mole into the werewolves now? Give a little information to get more back to pass on? Not to mention if werewolves protect their pack, if Tyler gets involve and helps against Klaus on the side of Damon and Stefan, would the other wolves turn their vengence on the originals if they find them as a greater price? Brady wants vengence and his war, but what serious player in a game of chess would take out a pawn when you can take the king?
Posted by: Manda Lynn | February 04, 2011 at 01:13 PM
I think vampire diaries should put some original`s werewolves on the show also. Wolves who even in human form, without the full moon, are still more powerful than most vampires. An age thing, like in the " underworld" movies, with their characters, Lucian and Raze etc. It`s clear that vampire diaries is only going to have a full moon for the wolves, once every 50 years, which puts the wolves at a disadvantage and makes their fights with the vamps, to predictable! Also can`t understand how Mason could wup Stefan in arm wrestling, yet the wolves aren`t as strong? Or else have full moons more often on this show, for more excitment, please!
Posted by: Danny | February 04, 2011 at 04:22 PM
Yes Original Werewolves would be very interesting and exciting. I want an original werewolf like Elijah, someone formal and dark but very very strong.One thing during the little fight scene between the werewolves and vampires.( I am WAY more of a werewolf fan). If I was on the werewolves' side I would have had at least two other werewolves hiding in the forest with a snyper like wooden gun and just shoot the vampires from there, but then again if they made it that easily the main characters would be dead and there would be no show lol!
Posted by: Jan Gerard Israel | February 05, 2011 at 10:03 AM
Aww, I never thought about Stefan and Caroline getting together when the show was over, but that's a lovely sentiment. :)
Great, great ep -- well-paced, exciting, good character moments. Much better than the sum of the last ep's parts, I think.
Posted by: Eolivet | February 05, 2011 at 11:07 AM
Loved the show as usual, i really want Caroline and Tyler and Elena/Damon to end up together eventually. I really want Tyler to side with the vamps, this is a vamp show not a wolf one! Hope Damon kills Jules and her little man!
Posted by: g6 | February 05, 2011 at 04:21 PM
I like the idea of Stefan/Caroline. I had never thought of that before. Also, the suggestion of Original Werewolves is cool....but are werewolves immortal in VD mythology? And I also was wondering why Luka's dad's spell or whatever had no affect on Tyler.
And I also was plagued by the audio debacle...lol. I was like maybe if I keep watching, it will go away. I'm glad I did. I was about to try to watch it online instead.
Posted by: Jordan | February 07, 2011 at 02:02 PM
Ya'll better do something to stop this show!!!! My "friends" more obsessed with this show then i'm with Justin Bieber!!!!So please either visiter her at her place or fly her out to the dang show cast to meet ya'll PLEASE help Im SOOO tierd of her PLEASE help her PLESE!!!!!!!!!1`~~~~~~~~~>>>>>>I will do anything I swear just cure her *VampreFever* Thankz and have a GREAT day!!!!!`~~~~~~~>>><3
Posted by: ~Kaylee my "friend" (Raquel's ) that's obsessed friend!!!!~ | February 14, 2011 at 06:43 AM