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Who knew? Amnesia Stefan (Paul Wesley) turns out to be more entertaining than I would have ever imagined. With a walk down memory lane and another emotional funeral, ‘For Whom The Bell Tolls’ feels like an episode from the early days of the show.
Let’s bitch it out…
I’ll admit it – my fears about amnesia Stefan were wrong. He’s actually pretty awesome. He’s funny, charming and best of all, he’s not broody. That alone is enough to make this amnesia storyline worthwhile. The walk down memory lane that Elena (Nina Dobrev) brings him on is an added bonus for us Stelena fans. I get to enjoy their chemistry again for a little while and remember the good ol’ days when Elena was with the person who brought out the best in her. Then, on the verge of sucking face with Stefan in the shadow of the place she died (once.. twice? Who can keep track?), Elena decides it’s the perfect time to drop the bomb that she’s with his brother, Damon (Ian Somerhalder). Yes, Elena, that is judgement in his eyes. Here is a guy who is fresh to the situation with no history and he’s still learning his own backstory. It’s only right that he is shocked and judgmental that the girl who was his one true love (by her own admission!) and is on the verge of kissing him is dating his brother. This story couldn’t get any weirder if it tried. I don’t blame Stefan for dumping them.
In other news: finally, Bonnie (Kat Graham)! The jig is up. After pretending everything is okay for a seemingly endless amount of time and lying to his friends and family, Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen) lets his conscience rule the day and reveals Bonnie’s secret. Which leads, in turn, to yet another funeral scene (confession: I’ve lost count of how many emotional graveside scenes we’ve had over the years on this show). And despite how formulaic this should be after so many, I still bawl my eyes out alone on my couch. The impromptu Remembrance Day memorial results in a weirdly disproportionate scene of 3 couples and the loner: Damon & Elena, Jeremy and Ghost Bonnie and Caroline (Candice Accola) and the elusive Tyler (Michael Trevino) – once he returns, of course. And then there’s poor Matt, awkwardly standing nearby and flying solo (no judgment!).
I’m glad the secret is finally out, but I have a love/hate relationship with it.
I love it because of the scene in the tomb between Stefan and Caroline because the circumstances prove just how great they are together. Even without his memory, Stefan knows that Caroline is there for him 100% and that he can trust her. In turn, he wants to be there for her in her time of grief, and tells her so in a really moving scene that cuts right to my heartstrings. On the other hand, I hate this reveal because I don’t know if I can handle any more of Elena’s “woe is me” crap that we’re now going to have to endure. I can barely stand the scene in the bedroom when she freaks out because she can’t find any funeral clothes. Don’t get me wrong: I get it. I get that Elena has lost a lot of people in her life and she doesn’t know how to handle it (and that it’s not about the clothes). But come on! We’ve all got problems. Maybe that’s cold, but I’m kinda done with her pity party storylines.
Speaking of problems: the final scene of ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls” proves that Dr. Maxfield (Rick Cosnett) is going to be one. We knew from a few episodes ago that he was in on the whole vampire secret and that he knows something about Elena’s father. But we didn’t know that he’s monitoring blood levels (and killing students) in order to make new vampires. This is a disaster in the making, for sure. I can’t wait to see how this goes.
Courtesy of The CW
Other Observations:
- One of the best moments of the night: when Elena arrives and Stefan needs to be reminded of her name. Amazing. The look on her face is classic. She’s spent the last five seasons being the center of attention and having two men in love with her. Elena needs a little ego check. I’m glad fun-amnesia-Stefan is the one to give it to her, even if it’s just for a second.
- I’ll echo Bonnie’s sentiment that Jeremy working out is a main source of entertainment for me, as well. Please keep it coming.
- If Matt (Zach Roerig) is worried about how he’s losing time, why does he insist on staying alone in a big house in the dark and filming himself? This isn’t a horror movie. He knows what goes on in this town and the type of creatures that are out there. So he’s experiencing a supernatural event he doesn’t understand, and thinks the best way to deal with it is on his own? Please. Matt, I thought you were smarter than that. Though… I will admit that the scene did freak me out, especially since I was watching on my own…in the dark…in a big house. Yup, sleep will likely be elusive tonight.
What did you think of tonight’s episode? What do you think Dr. Maxfield is doing by creating new vampires? Do you think Matt will go to anyone for help now that he knows what’s wrong with him? Do you think Tyler is here to stay again? (Me neither). Sound off below!
The Vampire Diaries airs on Thursday nights at 8pm EST on The CW