TVD and Beauty and the Beast

I almost didn't watch TVD this week since I knew there would be no Tyler or Caroline and also I haven't been enjoying it, but oh my god I'm so glad I did. Last season, one of my favorite episodes was 3x03 because it showed Stefan and Klaus and Rebekah LIVING AS VAMPIRES. They weren't trying to be morally good according to human standards or anything. It reminded me of all the old vampire stories I used to love. TVD is hard to watch sometimes because of the way the show pretends the vampires are good people even while they are doing truly terrible things. But...if they'd let that go and just let them be awful, they are so much more fun. So friends, I loved tonight because Stefan and Rebekah were SO MUCH FUN. I love snarky Stefan and I love snarky Rebekah and I ship it so much! Look, I know this show. Somehow Stefan will have to come back around to Elena and they'll talk about how they are epic, and he'll probably be a jerk to Rebekah again, etc. But at least I got tonight! I never imagined I'd get that much. So I'm just enjoying it.

I also really liked Bonnie, like finallllly. I am excited to see where it goes. Everything else was, quite frankly, kind of boring verging on nonsensical, but Stefan/Rebekah!!!!! Oh and oddly, I felt like the show was just really honest about what it is tonight, and again that will probably go away, but it made the episode enjoyable overall.

Anyway, I feel like all I've done is complain about the show lately, so I wanted to post my !!! feelings about tonight. :)

So I was sort of on this Stefan/Rebekah high after watching and went to watch Beauty and the Beast which might have been the best episode yet and set up so many interesting things! I am just really loving the show in a "want to blog about it immediately" way which makes me happy.

*Big points in this episode's favor was the almost...lack of a case. Sadly, that also meant a lack of Tess, but it's a price I'm willing to pay. I mean, as usual, that was the weak point...this guy just wanted his nurse to marry him and when she didn't he was going to kill her? Um, no. But who cares because I loved everything else.

*This show does such a great job of giving me characters I feel genuine affection for, like I realized tonight I just like everyone so much and I also already like Alex. And that could have been disastrous, but not on this show! Alex isn't some evil witch, she's just a genuinely nice girl who lost the man she loves. And yes she did lose Vincent and even though I'm not normally a fan of "they've still loved each other after all this time" storylines, I think in this case it's somewhat believable because they grew up together. He's not only her first love, but someone she had always known. I thought her reaction to seeing him again was touching. I think it's a little bit surprising that she has little anger at him for his lies or...that she doesn't demand more of an explanation, but I understand why they aren't dwelling on that. I also think that it would be possible to have romanticized someone after all that time, which is why she hasn't been able to move on. But mostly I understand she is serving as something symbolic to Vincent.

*Catherine is my girl, I just love her. I love how fierce she is and also that she doesn't let Vincent tell her things she knows aren't true, i.e. when he said she was misreading Alex, and she was like no I didn't. So matter of fact, she just shut that down. And at the end, I feel like Vincent was trying to alleviate some of his own guilt over his residual feelings for Alex with all of that stuff about how Cat goes for bad boys to keep her emotional distance and she was willing to accept there might be some truth in that, but she forced him to realize he also might still love Alex. I don't know, it's all just so mature? Like it feels like real genuine relationship conflict without a lot of manufactured drama.

*I just feel for them so much and this in particular is a really great thing to explore in their relationship. Like, it's completely understandable that Catherine would have a lot of feelings about Alex showing up and representing a time when Vincent wasn't a Beast, he hadn't been abused by his government, a lighter, youthful, more innocent time, something Catherine will never be able to share in his life. This is the kind of sadness/angst I really love to watch in relationships, so it's probably part of why this show works so well for me! But of course I think it's not coincidence that Cat tells Vincent she accepts all of who he is at the beginning of the episode, because I think maybe that will be an issue for Alex? Also, with the light/dark talk I think maybe they will realize even if they've had some dark times together, it's the person who walks through those times with you that you'll eventually want to be with.

*I also really liked Evan! I think it's awesome that he went to JT, I think it's interesting that he has a secret past, etc. He was just kind of adorable in the episode.

I don't know the show just charms me, I really enjoy it and I'm looking forward to what happens next!

TV: Nashville, Switched at Birth, and that TVD Spinoff

I finished Six Feet Under. I know it's really fast, but the fifth season was really good and compelling. I will write about it soon.

Nashville (aka The Juliette Barnes Show)

I realized that some of my favorite characters this past year were "but all they wanted was a family" characters. But...I don't know if I actually think that's Juliette's driving motivation, it's just the way it manifested in these past episodes because she found herself unexpectedly charmed by Sean's family. This was evident in this episode when she ended up giving her mother's words more weight than anything else. Which of course I was pleased to see since I think her path will eventually include embracing her own story. It's not that Juliette doesn't have a family, she just hasn't accepted that where she comes doesn't make her inferior, she still cares too much about what other people think. But who would want to be married into THAT family? So I think the combination of her mother's wise words plus Sean's mother being kind of threatening about it all made everything clear for her. That necklace, like it seems to so often be in visual media, was a symbol of the kind of life she'd be enslaved in, always trying to measure up to someone else's standards all the weight of expectation with none of the love. In other words, still not a real family. So she takes off the necklace and runs for the plane...freedom and control always being more important than anything else. She was not going to put herself at someone else's mercy again.

I saw someone tweet about how they like Scarlett less and less every episode, but I really saw no reason to dislike Scarlett in this episode. In fact, I can't help but think the contrast between her and Avery is fascinating, as he continues to give up the people he loves for the dream he thinks he wants and everything just falls into Scarlett's lap. Look how easily she slipped into his band and was accepted. Everything she touches is gold for her, meanwhile Avery makes poor decision after poor decision. I'm not a fan of Gunner, either, though.

If this show has an area they need to work on it's Rayna. Like wow her storyline flopped so hard. It was actually super compelling in the early episodes of the show as she lived in the conflict of having always been in love with one man for all intents and purposes and being married with a family to another one. That was such great stuff, I felt it so much every episode, but now it's just, Rayna needs to reinvent herself. I did like that Teddy knew about his daughter and that drama was so low key. Fingers crossed for next week!

Switched At Birth

Melody's speech to Daphne was so great and very cathartic for all these teen shows where such obsession is often misrepresented as great love. It also continued the thread started at the end of last season nicely of not throwing your life away over a man, and while I didn't really enjoy the storyline, I guess it's one worth being told because maybe everyone does this at some time in their life? It's really easy to get caught up in your feelings for someone and lose all perspective. Also, I think the food truck is kind of cute!

I really wanted Kathryn to run for...whatever the role was, I forget. It would have been so different from every other show where some guy is the politician. (EXCEPT BORGEN OF COURSE) but I guess John never does anything either.

Also what in the world is that kind of honor board nonsense? I thought they made an awfully big leap to think she was cheating, but I like the idea of Bay switching schools. Bay and her never ending quest for identity.

Also, in March there will be an entire episode in ASL. I love it! It's the first show to ever do such a thing.

TVD Spinoff

This show is kind of broken, but Klaus is going to get his own show! Yay! Too bad it didn't happen a season ago. Of course it's not for sure, but the CW is not too bright and will probably think it's brilliant. I've seen a lot of shows in development for the CW that looked more interesting, though. I guess this is what they are wasting their extra episode this season on. Good to know I can skip that one! Seriously, though, would you watch a show where Klaus is the star?

I liked The Good Wife but have nothing to say about it really. And I haven't watched anything else because I was watching Six Feet Under most nights. I hope to watch everything else, soon, though!

The Vampire Diaries 4x09

Writing about this because I feel like I haven't blogged all week!

Anyway, Tyler Lockwood ♥♥♥

I loved Tyler in this episode because he was a true leader. When he had a plan for breaking the hybrids free of Klaus it didn't consist of having them offer themselves up, he was going to do it himself. True leadership is often about being a servant first and ugh, Tyler. He is consistently willing to sacrifice himself to protect others and he gets so little credit for it!! Which only makes me love him more. He is my favorite character on the show right now which is so weird because, tbh, I rarely have males as favorite characters. But I'm rooting for him.

Other observations:

*When Jeremy went to hug Elena, I legit thought he was going to kiss her.

*I'm a little fuzzy on why they needed to kill HYBRIDS instead of humans, but whatevs.

*Stefan is getting worse and worse each week. Also I don't really get why Caroline told him about Elena and Damon and also it's just kind of gross that the show spent that time to show him being upset over the fact that they slept together, ew. Also feeling sorry for Klaus??? The truth is that he has brought nothing but horror into their lives and Caroline has not done nearly as many bad things as you, Stefan!!!

*The problem with the show for me right now and the reason why I'm rooting for Tyler is that I understand his motivations and his morality. I don't really understand the motivations or thinking of anyone else. Or I do, but I don't like them, lol. I wish the show, for example, would have let the cure be a storyline solely for Stefan without him wanting to fix "Elena." I wish that Bonnie could embrace dark magic on her own. I wish Jeremy could grapple with his feelings without it being a hunter's curse or whatever. (although, you know, they did the same thing with Alaric last season) I don't get why no one is thinking about how Klaus just wants to turn Elena human so he can make more hybrids which is directly against Elena's best interests and also theirs. Like it's all so freaking selfish and shortsighted, I don't get why I'm supposed to care.

*aw poor Carol. I guess Teen Wolf is a better gig! And in other news...Tyler is all alone now just like Klaus.

*I should have realized that April constantly asking about Rebekah had a purpose. How fun that she went to undagger her! It's interesting that both Rebekah and Elena saw themselves in April, but Rebekah is the one April trusts/likes. I really HOPE TO GOD that Rebekah is over her Klaus love.

Anyway, sorry guys, this episode was entertaining enough but I just feel like the plot is barely holding together for me. Like, I almost feel like I did last season when we'd been hearing about Michael as this big bad vampire hunter and then he was killed in an episode. (the hybrid rebellion reminded me of that--all over now)

Anyway feel free to tell me how you felt about the episode, Damon breaking the sire bond, etc.

TV: The Good Wife, Nashville, The Vampire Diaries

The Good Wife 4x10--Battle of the Proxies

I really liked the case and the way they had the two cases going on in two different counties this week, but...does that actually happen? I was a little fuzzy on how two different people could be tried for the same murder in two counties, but whatever.

I think the show wants us to think Kalinda killed Nick or at least guess she did, but I don't think she did. This was such a sloppy way to wrap up this storyline. There's subtlety and then there's bullshit and I think we all know what this was. I wish they cared more about Kalinda as a character and less about her as a their mysterious "James Bond" presence or whatever. What a disappointment.

Nashville 1x08 Where He Leads Me

I really liked this episode and I feel like we're inching closer to what should happen on this show. Part of why I enjoyed this episode, though, is because I LOVED LOVED LOVED "When the Right One Comes Along" the Striking Matches song they used. So pretty and poignant! And a good fit for the episode.

Even though I'm not a huge fan of some of the plots on this show (like Teddy's whole campaign), I do really care about Rayna, Juliette, and Scarlett. I think they are the core of the show and I really really really want for them to all know each other and for us to watch their relationships develop, because I'm a bit tired of seeing how their relationships with the men in their lives are all falling apart! And I do think that the tour might open up that door!

I'm starting to really feel for Scarlett. We are supposed to believe she is super talented but the guys in her life just can't handle it. It's not that I don't have sympathy for Gunnar...it's never easy to like someone who doesn't like you back, but come on. Scarlett just got out of a long term relationship with a guy who was threatened by her talent and success. It's just kind of sad that Gunnar is sort of reacting the same way as Avery did. I did like that Hailey got to tell him it what he said was possessive and weird about her interfering with this relationship with Scarlett. I also like that once she owned up to how she was feeling, she ended it. So far there's not a lot of stuff in the relationships I can't handle on this show, as they seem well designed for purposes of character. I guess it's kind of interesting as well that Avery's path to success and Scarlett's kind of parallel in that Avery keeps having to make concessions and do things he doesn't want to do to establish his career, while doors just fall all over themselves to open for Scarlett.

I guess Rayna and Deacon's conversation about seeing what's next around the bend means they'll both be trying to move on. I don't feel much about Rayna's story this week, sadly. But I do like that she's considering the tour because yes!! we need Rayna/Juliette storylines! And now that we know who these women are, we'll be more interested in watching it. Deacon is the only guy on this show I halfway care about and I really thought it was cool that band wanted him because of their recovery.

Which brings me to Juliette. I don't know why but I really have a thing for characters like Juliette. The conflict in her character is just so...compelling to me, I guess. And this week's story got me. I connect emotionally with the longing for family and belonging. And you know, it's not because I don't have one, but because I think it's so deeply human to want to be accepted and belong. I think most people experience a sense of being on the outside looking in even if there's no reason to. Anyway...it's particularly sad that Sean has this church going family that are really stuck up and that despite everything still see Juliette as that problem girl. But you know what I love about Juliette is that she has complex motivations for her proposal (which was stupid) she was both unexpectedly charmed by his family when she thought they were sincere and also she can't stand being told she can't have something. So it was almost like a challenge when Sean's mother said it would never happen. Sean's commitment to sex after marriage will make his inevitable yes believable, I think. Anyway, I was reading an interview with Callie Khouri and she said this about Juliette and Sean, "I think it’s probably the first time she’s experienced being with somebody who just wants to be with her for herself." Which made me happy because it means my understanding of Juliette in these recaps has been right. Also, I was so sad when she bought those boots for Sean's sister like the guitar she bought for Deacon...it made me think of what Jason said a few weeks ago about how sometimes gift giving is this selfish thing where you are trying to get people to engage with you and that is Juliette. ugh I love her okay? She is the most interesting character of the new TV season to me. Oh and you know I was thinking back when Juliette was turning to Deacon for everything and I thought what she really needed was someone like Rayna, a real mother figure? I mean I still think it would be cool if that could somehow happen, but I actually think redemption in her relationship with her mother is going to be very important because of how tied it is to everything. At the moment Juliette wants to be anyone but who she is and when Sean's mother rejected her, she was like "we know all about you AND YOUR MOTHER" To be honest, no decent person would hold that against someone and that's something I think Juliette will eventually learn in a path to forgiving her mother. Their reasons for rejecting her are as superficial and shallow as the ways she normally finds acceptance. Owning her story--that's where she needs to go, in my opinion. Okay sorry for all the words about Juliette!

Finally! My favorite line of that song "When the Right One Comes Along" is a "a million moments full of sweet relief" gahhhhh. So pretty. Also, "you think you know what you're looking for, til what you're looking for finds you" ♥♥♥ Even though the singing on this show is not that great and I don't like country music, the way they use music on this show is really effective. It's a musical without being a musical so the music gets tied to the story and the emotions in a way that just works. But...as you may recall I have a thing for the way music and story work together.

The Vampire Diaries 4x08 We'll Always Have Bourbon Street

Lol.

I was actually really entertained by this episode, all the stuff about Charlotte and the sire bond made me lol. That kind of stuff is what the show should always be, imo. They should have more fun with ridiculous vampire mythology!

I have to admit I spaced a few times while watching, but what was the point of Lexi? Was she really saying Stefan couldn't live with having Damon around because of the bad things Damon did? I can't really keep straight what I'm supposed to be thinking about these characters with regards to morality and I sort of wish they'd cut that part out and just let me enjoy them as vampires. Though how completely typical that someone would manipulate Damon into their dirty work for them (the killing of the 12 innocent souls or w/e --also when Lexi was all I KNOW WHAT YOU DID and Damon said how do you know they didn't have it coming? I mean...Stefan killed that unrepentant serial killer last week, lol. THEY ARE THE SAME)

I hate the sire bond because Elena is never allowed any agency, BUT it's kind of compelling in a weird way to me, this idea that what she feels right now are heightened emotions for Damon so the idea of him cutting that off is incredibly painful, but at the same time how can they ever know it's real if he doesnt'? We cherish our feelings of love for people, but the funny thing is if he sent her away she'd be fine. It's just, idk interesting.

I liked a few things about the Tyler hybrid stuff. I liked how Kim pointed out that Caroline is on Tyler's team but NOT her team when she snatched her and tortured her. This was a nice result of Caroline's thoughtless and careless handling of Chris's life a few episodes back and it's true. Kim has every right to feel that way. Also, Caroline hanging out with Klaus would make her difficult to trust.

I also liked that Tyler rose to the occasion and took control of the pack. Will Tyler become like Klaus? I hope not, but the fact that he's being put in a position where he needs to be a leader and make hard calls is interesting for his character. I hope he doesn't become like Klaus and start torturing people and being careless with their lives, but I could see that happening (and then Tyler dying).

In any case, I am very whatever about the show now.

Welcome your thoughts on everything and anything!

TV: TVD, Nashville, The Good Wife, TWD

Quickie TV Post! Sorry for the post spam today, I'm celebrating the end of NaBloPoMo by posting a lot or something.

TVD-- This episode felt really weird to me. It might be because the show was off for two weeks and I forgot everything, but it just felt odd. I was actually laughing at Klaus and a bunch of other stuff I probably shouldn't have been. Stefan was acting crazy. I mean on the one hand you have Matt shocked that Jeremy might want to kill vampires and then you have Stefan killing someone to turn them into a vampire to turn Elena human again because somehow she's worth more than anyone else ever. Argh. Also does Damon know Elena is supposedly sired to him? I'm like...I don't know, really annoyed this is how the show is choosing to do Delena. What good can come of it? Professor Shane is my new favorite character because obviously he's like three steps ahead of everyone else. And he has attitude. Too bad he's just using Bonnie, though, I'd love for someone to just actually care about Bonnie. And of course Hayley is also working against them! (but lol @ how Professor Shane knows everyone, seriously I want to be on this guy's side)

Oh also, why doesn't anyone else want the cure for themselves? Why is it a forgone conclusion that it's for Elena? This show makes no sense, the end.

Nashville-- I kind of miss the underlying emotional angst of the first episodes, but I'm still invested in seeing Juliette's story. I liked that Rayna was finally like, "oh we could act like professionals", when they were fighting because YES. I really want to see their relationship and interactions become more of the heart of the show. I think they are an interesting combination because they both kind of strike at each other's insecurities, but they could both gain a lot from actually being friends. I want to seee it. It could be a great story. I guess Scarlett/Gunner is a go, though that could end up really complicating things.

The Good Wife-I really enjoyed the stuff with Alicia's mom because it was so nicely acted, like that scene where her mom asks if it was because she went away for two years and there's ALL THIS HURT AND STUFF UNSAID and Alicia just keeps herself in control. I also thought the contrast between her and Jackie was interesting--Alicia's mom is all "I'll do whatever makes me happy everyone else be damned" and Jackie is OVERLY involved in Peter's life. (I still love her male companion btw ♥) How is it that I love the adult's relationships with their parents but Zach and Grace's storylines are always such huge failures? I guess they allow themselves an honesty with the adults they don't with the children.

I also thought the court case was interesting. At first when Owen was all like "I'm glad you're doing this" that it would end up being something they flipped on, because let's be honest they were less concerned with DOMA and more concerned with winning the case however that could be accomplished. But...I think that based on the preview for next week it makes a nice pair of episodes. This case was something they could feel good about fighting legally and next week looks like more of the needing to do right by the client by doing things Alicia feels are wrong in the name of the client, so it's fun times with the law.

Also, Cary!! Playing it cool. That was interesting.

The Walking Dead--Okay I know Lori just died, but I ship Rick and Michonne so hard, okay? Ugh I just love them both so naturally they should be together.

I thought it was interesting that Milton still hadn't seen anyone turn. He's obviously been protected from the harsher realities of the zombie infection and that somehow allows him to make up this whole life where he thinks he can find a cure. And buy into the Governor's BS more easily.

Glen killing that zombie was pretty amazing, but ugh that scene with Maggie was really hard to watch. I'm curious how Andrea is going to feel when things start to go down. Also, Merle being alive and running into Daryl and Andrea realizing the governor has been lying to her....I think things are about to get verrrry exciting.

I'm sad everthing's going on hiatus after next week, though! I guess it will give me time to watch Six Feet Under!

TV! TVD, TWD, and more........

The Vampire Diaries

I wasn't going to blog about The Vampire Diaries because the less I think about it the more I can enjoy it superficially, BUT I am so intrigued by the idea of Tyler going up against the Salvatores/Klaus. I have no idea if that's what is going to happen but I feel like it could? And the thing about it is that I am one hundred percent Team Tyler and I'm pretty sure there is nothing you can say to change my mind. Obviously when he was talking to Caroline and he threw that glass--that was uncool, but I mean overall Tyler is trying to help people break free from being sired to Klaus while the only goal everyone else has seems to be KEEP ELENA ALIVE. And he's done his fair share for them, he let Klaus possess his body to keep them alive and he stood up in front of that church and got shot for them, and this is how they treat him in return. They treat everyone Not Named Elena like crap pretty much, so.... I don't know, it could be interesting. (I mean isn't it weird that Stefan convinces Elena not to kill Rebekah because THINK OF ALL THE VAMPIRES THAT WOULD DIE but he doesn't even blink in betraying Tyler and killing Chris like that or threatening to turn someone himself. It's messed up.) (Edit since I wrote this my friend told me she thinks Tyler will come off badly in this storyline because of an interview with Candice and I'm back to contemplating if I should just cut my losses now)

Oh also I thought last week's episode was BTVS'ing all over the place with the "potentials" and Elena's hallucinations reminded me of The First.

Anyway let's talk about other shows!

The Walking Dead!

I was filled with GLEE when Rick saw Michonne outside the prison. Absolute GLEE! These are my two favorite characters and this was an awesome introduction, like the best possible. I thought Michonne getting the zombie guts spilled all over was oh-so-gross but a nice nod to the show's second episode when they intentionally covered themselves in guts to walk among the dead. I'm scared for Glen and Maggie. I wish Glen would have just shot Merle, sigh. But I'm glad Michonne saw it all and figured out where to go.

I wasn't surprised that Andrea hooked up with the Governor but ewwwww. I really dislike him. And I feel like she's surrendered all her power now, archaic as that idea is. (this show is not exactly progressive!) I have to admit that Daryl rescuing Carol melted my heart and I'm so glad she's not dead! And that scene with Rick and his baby girl was obviously meant for viewers like me :) The phone call stuff was a tad weird, but a decent way to deal with the grief of the episode, I guess. I'm wondering if Andrea will pay a big price for her disloyalty to Michonne and her little fling with the Governor. And once the Gov realizes Michonne isn't dead but was able to give the prison the heads up on Woodbury? I think the second half of the season is going to be really exciting.

The Good Wife

Okay, so. I thought this was interesting from the standpoint of how they totally went after that judge and made all the other judges disgusted with them. I like that it falls in line with their overall desperation and "nothing to lose" mentality. I mean what they did was huge and could have implications. And I'm glad Amanda Peet's character is so smart.

I don't care about Grace. But Zach working on the campaign could lead to something? Oh and lol not only did Maddie Hayworth engineer everything in the campaign, she is also a lesbian! Oh show why do you do this to me? (I watched the most recent episodes together so sorry if I'm getting them confused)

I think Nick beating up Cary will force Kalinda to a crisis point in dealing with him. But aw poor Cary! That was not fun times.

Nashville

I didn't really like the most recent episode much because I don't really care about Teddy's campaign. And Juliette's little story was stupid. But lol I do think this guy might be the person who "delights in her" that I mentioned saying I think she needs in my last post about Nashville.

I'm glad Scarlett and Avery broke up and that she's living with Deacon because I think it means we're getting closer to the point where these three stories will intersect. And I'm glad Rayna's finding her sound, but again a snoozer of a plot. But hey it can't win every week, and it still wasn't boring.

Beauty and the Beast

Amazed at how quickly the show has progressed the relationship! What I like about it is how it's just angsty enough for me (I do like some angst) but not too much. Like no one's throwing a fit about things, they all end up talking about how they feel and it's so healthy!

I don't really have much to say otherwise, I sort of view this show as a fun indulgence that manages not to offend me like TVD does. Also! Catherine's dad and stepmom were both on the LA Complex. Made me miss the show.

Scandal

This last episode really really bugged me. I mean the show is not that great, but I want to love Olivia. And this episode made that impossible because I think what she did to Abby and David was really awful and cruel. That scene at the end where Abby was tearfully confessing her betrayal and apologizing was just, ugh disgusting. I mean Olivia was listening in on her private conversations! She planted fake evidence that David had beat his ex-girlfriend! And Abby is my LEAST favorite character on the whole show. Well, after Fitz. The way they all manipulated her was just ugh. I mean the truth is I really like David and I don't think he deserves to be treated like that, but also they were so happy together! I don't know it just really bothered me. Also there was an appalling lack of Mellie! And that story with Cyrus and his husband? I mean would that ever happen? They made such a big deal on Borgen about pillow talk I don't know....I just hate Cyrus. So yeah I don't know I think the show went too big with the conspiracy this season and they haven't given me enough reason to care about these characters despite their despicable actions.

Six Feet Under

Yes this show has been off the air for many years, but I just started watching it! I'm close to the end of the first season. It's really different. At first I didn't think I could handle all the death stuff, but I got used to after a bit. Also Peter Krause looked really good circa 2001. I cringe during every beginning while I wait for the person to die. Wow I have no deep thoughts on this show at all. I'm glad to finally watch it, though, I've been wanting to watch it for ages!

As always I welcome your thoughts!

Quick TVD Post

Now that I've committed to NaBloPoMo'ing you can't stop me, I'll be posting every hour!

Just kidding.

I just wanted to have a post for discussion about TVD since I know some of you look forward to it!

I don't have a lot to say about this week's episode because I was A)kind of bored B) kind of annoyed

The cure for vampirism idea gave me like...ugh all the vampire ~feelings for like half a second until this show stomped all over them by the way they daggered Rebekah. Also how convenient that this comes up after Elena has turned! Can they stop her from killing before they find the cure?? (I think not)

And...everything else was just kind of annoying. I despise that they used Rebekah's envy of Stefan and Elena's love to be her downfall. I think Stefan's willingness to do anything for Elena is gross. It does not make him good or pure, it just makes him foolish. Lol Elena is driven by love...no.

I can't muster any interest in this overall mythology. I just miss the season 2 version of this show.

But! If you have different feelings about it, let me know!

Now I'm off to watch Beauty and the Beast which, surprisingly, has a female character I ♥

The Vampire Diaries 4x3 Rager and Beauty and the Beast 1x02 & 1x03

Okay TVD!

I thought this episode was pretty ridiculous but I don't know I kind of liked it. I was chatting a bit about it with Iris and dumped like a thousand complaints on her about the show, but I wasn't bored and I still want to watch, so.

I don't have a lot of deep thoughts about it, but how funny was Elena on that motorcycle? And like...how ridiculously Stefan that that is what he would come up with. Ugh Stefan. The show is so confusing about his characterization. I wish they had never done the ripper storyline last year because they had no idea how to handle it honestly. But when he's going around saying things like, "let's leave the murdering to Damon" I just...like I get that Stefan wants to see himself as good but the fact that he doesn't see himself honestly and that in order to continue to see himself as good he has to put Damon into a box where he himself could easily dwell is just..I don't know it's frustrating to me. And it doubles the frustration of how he deals with Elena and what I'm guessing will be the demise of their relationship because Stefan can't handle that Elena might go about being a vampire differently?

Anyway, the vampire hunter stuff continues to be pretty whatever to me, though it's interesting the hunter doesn't know the full extent of what he is and also that he has no problem beating up humans. Oh and also that this is apparently something Jeremy inherited. And lol OF COURSE Elena is going to be some super special vampire that needs to stay alive.

I kind of liked the Rebekah/Elena mean girl stuff because it's a good reminder that this is a teen soap. Plus, seeing Elena murderous was fab until Stefan reminded her that if she killed Rebekah she'd also be killing plenty of other murderous vampires. Oh no! Lol this show needs to embrace what it is...a show about how vampires are at the top of the food pyramid and more powerful than everyone else. (and some vampires are more "royalty" than others) I mean look how casually they were compelling people for stupid reasons (beer) in this episode!

I'm curious what you guys think of how easily and casually they compelled Matt at the end? It has really icky implications to me. First of all, Matt staying alive as a human blood bag for Elena is gross. Also, altering his memory is such unfair play in their relationship. It once again places a premium on Elena's life over Matt's. He doesn't get a chance to have any feelings about it or decide if he wants to risk letting her feed from him again. And lastly, like, I'm not a huge Matt fan or anything, but he is the lone representative of the 99% on the show so it's particularly disgusting that he's been reduced to being fed on by the vampires like this. Since this show already has major race issues, it's just unfortunate.

Hayley's best contribution was informing Klaus that he is repulsive, lol. I don't think that Tyler cheated on Caroline because A) let's be real it's out of character for Tyler not to have already told Caroline and B) I've read spoilery interviews, lol. C) Klaus is the one who came up with it and he sucks.

Basically all my thoughts boil down to wishing this show would just go all out vampire and stop trying to bring any human morality into it. But even within vampire morality, I still think Caroline and Tyler are the best. So I don't know what to think or feel about the triangle. They annoy me.

Oh one last thing. I did think it was super interesting that last week Elena saw herself in April and this week Rebekah did. It makes me think April will serve some great purpose in the story line eventually, besides being the representative of humanity.

Beauty and the Beast

So...I do like this show more than I thought I would. I definitely like it better than Arrow which I tried to watch. The procedural part still feels ridiculous...very much like what you would expect a procedural on the CW to look and feel like. But I like Catherine and I think her sister is cute and I like her relationship with her partner and I think they are doing the best they can to keep this from being a ridiculous story about a woman's love changing a man.

Like, I was thinking about how it might get annoying to me that Vincent (the beast) is always saving her. But he is a "super soldier" so he IS more powerful than a normal man. And Catherine is pretty fierce, it's not like she's in any way helpless. She can fight, she carries a gun, she's smart. And she's driven by a need for answers, she can be a workaholic, she can be single minded. I guess what I mean to say is that she's a pretty full and interesting character on her own right. And ugh, I do like their fledgling relationship. It's not dripping in angst, it's just more...the frustrations of trying to figure out how they can be friends. I mean the Beast is kind of angsty but he's not horrible. And sure there are still elements of her calming influence...when he's angry, she calms him down, etc. but it could be so much worse. (I never watched the original show by the way, so I have no idea how it compares) So I think they've done a decent job with that aspect of it.

All the other stuff falls a little flat for me, like the conspiracy at the heart of the show, and the cases, but whatever! Oh and I was laughing in 1x02 when they made the joke about love triangles never ending well because obviously they are setting one up. (but maybe it won't be terrible on this show?)

As always, I'd love to know what you think!

The Vampire Diaries 4x02--Memorial

This is a TVD post because Iris said she likes them! :)

Caroline and Tyler are my favorite thing about this show now (since Katherine is MIA and the Salvatore bros were annoying in this episode) and while last season the writing for them suffered like it did for everything else, this episode is a pretty good example of why...they are just allowed to be the characters that they are without a lot of extra stuff going on in the text about how they are SO COMPASSIONATE or so WORRIED ABOUT FAILING etc. Tyler loves Caroline and he just loves her without making a big production about it. Caroline cares about people and she just shows that through her actions instead of talking about it a lot. Also they are very pretty together. So whatever, I know no one else who reads these posts love them like I do but I felt they were the strongest part of this episode.

Also the show FINALLY gave me a concrete reason why being a hybrid is a good deal. Tyler survived that assassination attempt because of his hybridness and he also helped out all those ungrateful fools by risking death again. And this is potentially interesting because there are two hybrids in town and this sort of sets up leadership potential for them. In fact, hybrids might best be equipped to fight this war. Could we finally have a fight over the best way to proceed that is not between two characters named Stefan and Damon? Could Elena end up irrelevant in the overall discussion or will her blood still have special properties even as a vampire? I see potential here for some interesting stuff, it's just a matter of whether or not TVD goes there.

I hated both Stefan and Damon this episode and felt a lot of sympathy for Elena. The triangle is a hot mess right now. Why would I want either Stefan or Damon with Elena when they used her struggles with turning for their own advantage (Damon) or cared more about their own issues (Stefan). I'm really curious about where the show plans to go with Elena as a vampire, though. Like...clearly she knows that what Stefan values/valued about her was the humanity she gave him. If she starts feeding on humans, if she can experience a kind of vampire life that is different from his, will Stefan still want her? If Elena is no longer virtuous Elena where does that leave Stefan? I mean look at how he rejected Katherine and Rebekah. On the other hand, I really didn't like the way Damon was either. I think if Stefan and Damon's first priority was Elena they would have acted a lot differently in this episode. Of course, I think they both convinced themselves she was their top priority but that isn't really what love looks like to me. I felt sorry for Elena, who knows that other vampires have conquered this feeding on animals thing and she couldn't do it. But she didn't feel like she could turn to Stefan and when she turned to Damon he had her feed on him which is apparently akin to sex or something without telling her that's what it was. (it's so fun how TVD constantly makes up new stuff like this)

Anyway, I liked that in the end it was Caroline and Matt who helped Elena. I'm also intrigued by Jeremy being able to see the tattoos on the new vampire hunter. I guess they are going to be slowly unraveling the big mystery threat so that could be interesting. Ugh what I wouldn't give for Jeremy to go all out vampire hunter. I'm annoyed by whatever they think they are doing with Bonnie. I think we can all agree that the best part about this episode was how Klaus wasn't in it. Oh and I was lol at how half the people at the memorial service were Damon's victims.

Your thoughts?

The Vampire Diaries--Is This the Season Elena Gets Real?

(this is a post about Elena, with a picture of Stefan)

Last night after I finally got a chance to watch The Vampire Diaries, I had no desire to write a recap. The episode was pretty much an exercise in getting from point A to point B--Elena had to turn and they had to make that happen in a way that would preserve the show's basic ideas about Elena--pure, deeply compassionate, goddess on earth, wanting to be human at all costs, etc. In fact, I didn't mind the episode until I popped online and started reading reactions to it and was immediately reminded of all the ways the show can annoy me. Basically the more I turn off my brain while watching The Vampire Diaries, the better.

Then I started thinking about how the show has this problem with Elena and their depiction of her and how now that she's a vampire they should really change that up. You cannot have a selfless vampire, okay. It goes against everything vampire stories are about. The whole point of vampires is that they feed on human life to exist, they steal from humans in order to have their eternal life. It's unnatural to live forever and they can only achieve it by taking the life force of others. This is why I vastly prefer vampire stories that have an edge of evil, in which vampires do not hold themselves accountable to human morality. If they did, they would kill themselves. I mean really if Stefan and Damon REALLY cared about how much destruction they've caused they'd end their lives because they are both liable to go out of control at any moment and they are already unnaturally living past when they should have died. It's why last season's objectives were so ridiculous, because ridding the world of vampires should be viewed as a GOOD thing. So the show had set up this super unnatural situation where Elena is incredibly compassionate and selfless and pure and good, and yet she wanted to keep alive some of the most mass murdering murderers of all time.

And...before you start rolling your eyes at me, I get that this is a vampire show and a silly one on the CW and the vampires so obviously CAN'T die or else it couldn't be called The Vampire Diaries, etc. I have no problem with that reality, the bigger problem is the stories the show chooses to tell, like having the big threat be to the survival of vampires and not allowing for some genuine internal character conflict for Elena. I really wanted Elena to actually think about it, to imagine a world without vampires and to be tempted. I wanted it to make sense, and I wanted to be convinced of reasons why maybe keeping them alive was a good overall choice and not just a selfish choice being masked as a loving and compassionate one.

And now this season, it looks like the humans will be the bad guys, which...well I don't know if I'll be rooting for the vamps!

Even in Elena's transition, Elena and Stefan enact this huge charade about keeping her human. Which is, you know, fine if it hadn't involved so much cost to Bonnie. But the show even contrives a situation where Elena doesn't have to make a kill herself to transition. But it doesn't matter, you know, his blood is still on her hands because it was spilled for her. And that's the thing about vampires, even if they don't feed on living humans, they steal blood bags to survive. Their survival places a heavy cost on society and so yes, Elena "gets to live" but her living is a drain on others now. She no longer gets to be pure and selfless...she's just like the rest of them, taking what she wants, believing she has a right to live on. I mean the show obviously has some concept of this when it comes to witches and magic as was evidenced in Bonnie's story line. Bonnie tried to break natural law and there were consequences. There's a cost to magic, and there's a cost to being a vampire.

I'm hoping that Elena has fun with being a vampire, that she likes it, that she's eager to explore her new world. I don't want her to be evil or anything, I just want her to be real. I want her to have blood urges she can't control, and want to do stupid fun reckless things she couldn't as a human. I want her to devise plans that work to fight their new human enemies (lol oh this show) and to maybe sometimes listen to other people's plans as well. I just want this show to go back to being fun. The burden of Elena as goddess on earth saps the energy out of every scene she's in. I want the show to make me love Elena the way the characters on the show apparently do.

That's really all I have to say about the premiere! I mean predictably I liked Caroline and Tyler's half a second. Klaus is the worst. The show is unkind to Rebekah. Everyone should be thrilled Stefan saved Matt, tbh, because Elena had vampire blood in her system! So if Stefan had saved Elena, Matt would just be dead. Things worked out! Elena gets to live! Matt gets to live and now he knows that even if Elena doesn't love him romantically, she does love him. They got away from the evil humans just interested in survival. Life is good in Mystic Falls.

How are you guys feeling about the show?

Weekend Random: More Thoughts on The Selection, TVD, TV, and Film

As it turns out, I have more thoughts on The Selection that were brought on by Emily's very innocent comment, "But, anyway, I thought Maxon was boring, Aspen was a whiner." I completely misread that as, "Aspen was a winner" and it made me think about the roles both boys play in America's life and how class influences that. (if you read my response to Emily's comment it's kind of embarrassing how I misread that but whatever)

First of all, I should disclaim that this is not something I think/know a lot about or critique a lot in stories or anything. My interest this year, though, in the idea of how class influences character motivation and story has grown because I read The Talented Mr. Ripley as inspiration for a story line on a TV show, rewatched Vicky's story on The Vampire Diaries and read the book Irises by Francisco X. Stork. All of these things in fairly quick succession made me think about this in a way perhaps I hadn't really before...more sympathetically. And so somehow Emily's comment made me rethink my initial reactions to Maxon and Aspen and their treatment of America. What I'm about to say is fairly spoilery so skip if you like!

Aspen is in a caste lower than America's which creates the conflict in their relationship. America is pretty sure that she wants to marry Aspen, but marrying him means she has to move down in caste, something her family wouldn't appreciate at all. When America is given the chance to earn extra money, she splurges on a huge meal for Aspen and he reacts badly. He doesn't like her providing for him, and feels embarrassed by it and breaks up with her. This immediately put me off Aspen, since America was obviously acting in love and also because the idea of the girl not being able to be the provider is off putting. I mean, to be honest, I can cut Aspen a little slack for feeling that way since the society they are living in seems as if it would support the idea of the man being the main provider. But it was his treatment of America as a result of these feelings that was a turn off.

So I was all ready for her to fall for Maxon who obviously fancied her straight away and always wants to listen to her and know what she thinks. And when she makes some good points about hunger in their country, he actually takes a personal political risk to address the issue. Additionally, he's willing to have her stay for as long as he can to give her reprieve from her home life even though it has to be somewhat painful for him...he wants to marry her.

So in short, to me, Maxon comes off far and away as the better choice (you know if she likes both guys, obviously she can't force herself to love anyone). But I was thinking about it and the thing is that Maxon has an advantage already in the situation, he's in a position of complete power. He's the prince for crying out loud! And I'm not sure that he should really get points for basically being a decent human being in the sense that just because he could expel her and doesn't that somehow makes him better? While emotionally he isn't the one in control, in all other regards he is, he could send her home if he wanted to or even force her to marry him if he wanted to. While Aspen has absolutely no control in his life, he's in a lower caste, would be asking America to make a huge sacrifice to marry him, etc. It doesn't change the way I feel about either character, but it did make me think about how this is presented in fiction...I was immediately turned off of Aspen for his reaction to America buying him food, but I can never know how Maxon would have reacted in the same situation. Maxon, the guy from the upper class, immediately becomes more attractive even though everything in his life gives him the advantage of being the better guy. I don't know if I'm making sense, but it was interesting for me to think about.

Can you think of any other examples where this happens?

The CW Will Die Soon

In other news, the CW didn't order The Selection TV show and I was actually really disappointed! I think part of reading less books is spending more time thinking about some of the ones you do read and the more I thought about this as a TV show the more I thought it could really work. And then Jace Lacob actually called it one of the 13 best drama pilot scripts and his description of the pilot made it sound like it would be a pretty great show. So it's disappointing. But it's also making me wonder what in the world the CW is doing. The last real hit they had was The Vampire Diaries and I don't understand why they aren't following the formula that made that work. And I don't mean love triangles, I mean capitalizing on something that is popular in culture and giving it a fresh spin. Part of why The Vampire Diaries worked was because it was a vampire show for teens and there was nothing else like it on air. And vampires were popular! Last year they had a zombie show in the works that they didn't pick up, but have you seen the ratings for The Walking Dead? And also zombies are/were pretty popular. Now they had a show that taps into the popularity of dystopian works without being The Hunger Games at all, and they pass on it. It wouldn't be so bad except that the shows they did order all sound terrible. They all sound like tired, recycled ideas that will fail. Well Arrow might do okay, but I don't care to watch it. I do understand that there are things I don't understand like contracts and money, professional back scratching etc that go on, it's just kind of a bummer for me because I like shows that aren't procedurals and they are so hard to find. It's sad to see The CW veer in that direction as well. BUT in happy making news they renewed Nikita!!!! It's on Netflix, please watch it and catch up, I need some friends to talk about it with!

A few more TVD thoughts

The post-finale interviews have been really off-putting to me. Mostly in regards to the Klaus in Tyler's body while being in love with Caroline stuff. The fact that Klaus was in Tyler's body in the final goodbye scene is kind of gross to me, since he was all kissing her and stuff, but mostly it's just sad that the scene wasn't "real." The only thing is that it makes sense why "Tyler" wanted her to leave and turned into a wolf to scare her away...it's because he wasn't going to be dying and needed her not to know that. I'm guessing Klaus chose to possess Tyler because Tyler is a hybrid like he was. But ugh if he sleeps with Caroline next season, I don't know. It's not so much the story itself as the fact that the people writing it think it's fun that gives me serious pause as to why I'm still watching.

But also I was reading part of an interview where Julie Plec was talking about what a great character Klaus is, and how lucky they were to have such a great character come into the show etc, etc. and this has to be a case where she's too close to the material or the actor or something because the show has really suffered creatively from the injection of Klaus and the twist to keep him alive is a huge burden on it as well. And the way she's talking about the originals being around next season is terrible! We don't need them! And the weird thing is I thought the story line had a lot of potential, but if you look at the season as a whole, it was mostly all about giving us the necessary history to establish the dramatics of the last few episodes. TERRIBLE. (I was thinking about how Klaus said Elena would be safest with Matt and not Stefan or Damon and it turned out that she died with Matt. It was all there in the season all along)

A few GG Thoughts

I wrote at length about the character of Serena and how I saw her arc earlier this year so it's been interesting to see how it has all come to fruition. I have to admit it's much sadder than I had hoped for. But even so I liked how in this past episode Serena was helpful to both Blair and Dan and their relationship together. It was actually a really high moment for her because she was important and helpful to her two closest friends. That made it all the more heartbreaking to see her past actions come back to hurt her at the end of the episode. And watching the preview...well while she was helpful to them in 5x23, I think she'll be trying to tear them apart in the finale. It's a sad story line, but still one I can understand. I'm curious to see how it wraps up. And yes I'm still watching despite how terrible it is, this show has some interesting stuff going on in it that I can't seem to let go of.

Film

A couple of weeks ago I watched Love is a Many Splendored Thing. It was one of those movies on Netflix, I just sort of put on and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Part of it is because I spent a weekend in Hong Kong and it's not something I think about a lot so it's fun to see a story set there. It really is an interesting place. And it was interesting that the film engaged ideas about race and interracial relationships and affairs and all of that stuff. It made me really want to read the book it's based on as I'm sure the book digs much deeper into these ideas. (it's a book based on fact) BUT!!! It is so weird to me that while the film is engaging these ideas in a way that seems progressive and positive and interesting in the narrative text, what's onscreen contradicts it all because the actress playing the heroine, who is supposed to be both Chinese and English, is played by a white actress with some make-up to give her an Asian look. Apparently, it would be too off putting to audiences to see the actor kiss an Asian girl. THIS IS SO BIZARRE TO ME. How can you tell a story like this without really telling it?

I also saw The Avengers on my birthday. I liked it well enough for a superhero action flick, but to be honest, that's all it was. It has some good humor and fun moments.

This is all a good excuse for me to remind you that Film Club is discussing Whip It this month. Please join in!! Our discussion will be on the 31st.

Reader Survey

Thanks to everyone who filled out my reader survey! Just in case you missed it, here's the link. I'd still love your feedback. It has already inspired me in the posts I've written since I put it up. :)

Happy Mother's Day!

The Vampire Diaries 3x22 The Departed

Sigh.

I kind of hated it you guys. Even though we've been predicting Elena's turn around these parts for quite some time, I still didn't like it happening. And there's kind of a lot to unpack on the free will/choice front.

I thought the season was building to both Elena and Bonnie making choices (and no I don't mean about the brothers) and Bonnie definitely did, while Elena's will probably happen in the premiere of next season which I won't be watching But...I don't know it's kind of sad, I feel like these could have been better stories. And at the same time, there's some stuff I did like about it, I don't know.

Bonnie sacrificing Tyler for her mother would have had a lot more emotional resonance if Bonnie and her mother had had...some kind of relationship. And also if Bonnie had seemed like it bothered her that she was just casually using Tyler's body (killing him? I'm not sure) in order to do what she wanted. Like...basically I feel like not enough time was spent on Bonnie's characterization and actions in this episode, in order to preserve the plot twist of rage.

I know like...no one cares about Tyler but me, but can I just say how mad I am at this turn of events? The whole season was about Tyler being under Klaus's control, and not by choice, and then he went and broke free and now Klaus takes over his body....and...I don't know I guess there's some underlying interesting ideas about how one person's free will affects another's but it's not like that is intentional or will ever be fleshed out in interesting ways on the show. I'm just so sad for Tyler. But...I'm hopeful he's not actually dead. Even so, it's a really horrific thing to think about, having the person who controlled your mind, take over your body, and if Caroline doesn't know...well you know where this is going.

Also, this finale felt like one huge farewell to Stefan/Elena. Even though Elena technically chose Stefan, that Damon/Elena flashback and the way Elena described her feelings for Damon + what happens when you become a vampire, all lead me to believe that Elena and Damon are on for real next season. Elena becoming a vampire is like a reset on all of these relationships. Plus, thematically I think that Stefan has represented Elena's more human side, and Damon represents the more supernatural/darker side so it just makes heaps of sense for this to happen. Also, once Elena's life is not constantly in peril* Damon won't always feel like he has to interfere with her choices etc. Also maybe with Tyler out of the picture and Elena dealing with vampireness and Damon, it opens the door for all you who want to see Stefan/Caroline happen! :)

Everyone was manipulating everyone in this episode, though. Even Matt the human drugged Elena! The doctor gave Elena vampire blood! I did like the flashbacks, they were a nice touch. And Alaric is dead, the only one I believe is actually dead in all of this.

Basically the more I think about this finale, the more I dislike it, not so much as an episode itself, but because of the story lines it sets up, though...come to think of it, I don't really like what happened in the episode either. I would have liked to see things resolve differently I guess. Am I alone in feeling this way? I'm not kidding when I say I'm not even sure I'm interested in watching next season. (though, lol, I said this about Gossip Girl last season and now I'm heading into another dreadful finale, smh.)

TELL ME YOUR THOUGHTS PLEASE

*once the council knew about the vampires, I KNEW Elena was definitely turning because she has to be relevant to whatever the big threat is.

Reading Addiction, TV, A Great Link

I was chatting with a friend today and she asked me if I ever thought reading could become an unhealthy addiction. It's an interesting question, and certainly one I've considered. I don't think reading itself has ever been an addiction for me. I love to read, but I have a certain level of tolerance for it. I couldn't read all the time, I enjoy doing many other things. At the same point in time, I also can't imagine a life without reading. It's something I've never been able to explain to people who have lived their lives without enjoying reading (and I've known many due to my work) but it's a way of life. A reader finds time to read. Even if it's very little during extraordinarily busy times.

Anyway, I suppose that reading could become an addiction. It can be a way to escape the realities of life and lose yourself in a story. But I don't think it's ever actually worked for me. I might think I'm reading to escape, but I have all too often been confronted with uncomfortable truths about my own life in stories that were seemingly innocuous. It's one of the best things about reading but also what makes it dangerous, you never know when your perspective will be altered or dramatically shift through a story, a line of dialogue, a surprising turn of phrase. I've read books and had the ideas stick in my mind long after I forget much else about the plot. And the thing is as long as you open yourself up to a certain extent, it's impossible to predict which books will teach you the most about yourself and this world. (fwiw, I've had this same thing happen with TV shows, too) It does make me curious, though, do you read to understand yourself and the world or just for escapism? Does that attitude you take towards reading affect its potential impact?

ETA: Obviously reading can serve different functions in your life and I didn't mean to suggest that if you read to escape that's somehow wrong or that you might sometimes read to escape and sometimes read to think about new things or whatever. All I meant to say is that for me it is not a guaranteed escape and that's part of why I like books, but also find reading somewhat dangerous. Also...I don't think reading to escape=addiction! Sorry for being confusing.

So while I don't think I've ever been addicted to reading, I've definitely been addicted to book acquisition and blogging (though obviously not lately).

TVD

It's really weird, but I have nothing much to say about the episode. I enjoyed it. It surprised me in some ways. I appreciate that I now understand how the season has come together. I feel like this season was so bad because it was basically one big information/history dump for these final episodes. I'm slightly hopeful they are setting up a more interesting story for next season. I still think Elena will become a vampire. I have no idea where the show goes from there, but they are setting it up differently (and perhaps in a better way) than I thought they would. I think Bonnie will probably go dark. (btw if Elena dies in that car accident with Matt--as it appears from the promo--that scene where she said good-bye to her normal life on the bridge takes on so much more significance) Mostly I'm ready for season 4.

Gossip Girl (lol)

I just have to bring up that Bart being alive, that moment when Chuck opens the door and Bart is like..."Oh my god." is television gold. And I don't mean that in a good way, I mean it in a, "this is possibly the worst thing I have ever seen on TV" way. The past three seasons Chuck has moaned about his dead daddy and done awful things to people in the name of that crushing Bass pain and burden and now suddenly Bart has been alive all along. Which, I guess, was the only way to resurrect the daddy issues since they were mostly put to rest last season. Seriously, though, this show has just grown so hilarious to me, I can't wait to see what completely absurd thing they will do next.

Link of Importance

Jessica of Read React Review's post on the plagiarism stuff awhile back is well worth reading. I appreciate everything she says about it, but in particular her third point on women and moral autonomy.

Have a great weekend everyone!

The Vampire Diaries 3x19: Heart of Darkness (and other Thursday night TV)

This episode was kind of frustrating to me because I felt like all these people that had valid reasons to have certain feelings about things were completely disregarded by the important people in their lives. Also, I knew right away that Esther was possessing Rebekah, so there was no twist there to me. And why was everyone dumping on Rebekah? Ugh. Okay..

Elena and Damon were hot. I thought that scene was well done, I don't care. I mean they put a lot of effort into showing how hard Elena was fighting her attraction to him. The only thing that was just freaking me out the whole time was how Jeremy was around, obviously disapproving, and with COMPLETELY VALID REASONS. Damon killed him. And also it didn't help that we had Caroline, who is supposed to be one of Elena's best friends, telling Tyler in the same episode Elena is sort of giving into her feelings for Damon, that Damon doesn't care if Klaus sired Tyler--he'll kill him anyway. And even that scene where Elena tells Alaric she's going on the road trip and then starts talking about her Stefan/Damon issues was so laughable to me, because she just came across as a teenage girl that's completely self absorbed about her love life. Which, you know, is fine because she IS a teenage girl, it's just that the triangle feels so ridiculous in the emotional weight given to it. And Rose's little speech to Jeremy was so silly. I get what they think they are going for here...Damon=a risk. But like...I don't know that Jeremy deserves a speech like that. And besides sometimes there are things more important than Elena and her love life! And Stefan saying all the stuff he's done to get himself under control doesn't mean anything if Elena has feelings for someone else is annoying, because yes, Stefan there is a reason. You were doing it for yourself! Aargh.

I loved Tyler and Caroline's reunion, but I wasn't surprised Tyler was upset that Caroline hadn't told him about Klaus. He was just away torturing himself basically, to break a bond with Klaus that he didn't want in the first place, and meanwhile Klaus was crushing on Caroline, and she was liking it despite herself. I totally get why she didn't tell him, though. It's just saaaad. Also their relationship still feels so imbalanced to me, it's weird.

Klaus, yawn. Alaric, yawn. I did perk up a little bit with the talk about the darker parts of ourselves happening in the same episode Elena is throwing herself at Damon, since I think Damon is sort of representative of the darker side of Elena that's drawn to the supernatural (and Stefan's love is pure, so...) but I don't know, the triangle is just annoying me so much right now. Like I think there's a solution and it's this--they turn Elena and the three of them live happily ever after. Damon and Stefan will just have to share her, the end.

One thing I actually liked was the Rebekah stuff. How sad it was that Matt tried to tell her he wasn't playing her (even though he was) and how she softened up. And then telling her mom she hadn't really lived right before she possessed (killed?) her. It was sad.

Other TV
Scandal--Against all my better judgment I've been watching this show. Things I like about it=Kerry Washington/Olivia Pope. And that's it. Seriously, but I kind of really love her. But like whyyyy does that girl with the long red hair always have to talk about women being sluts and whores? Why does this story line with the president exist? (I hope I'm not supposed to ship them because I ABSOLUTELY DO NOT) There are like a million other things that bug me (an episode about rape including a sexual harassment joke, sigh) so I don't know. I'm so bored with the state of TV right now that I'll probably keep watching for Kerry but I'll also probably continue to be offended on a weekly basis. It's too bad because I kind of love the concept, and I love how competent and fierce Olivia is. Anyone else watching?

The Secret Circle--I watched tonight since the second Blackwell child was supposed to be revealed. It was kind of predictable, in that they made us think it would be Faye, but it was really Diana. I was hoping it would be Melissa so she could have an interesting story line and give me a reason to watch again. Oh well.

Let me know what you guys thought!

The Vampire Diaries 3x18 The Murder of One

I liked this episode a lot even if Iris specced almost everything that was going to happen before it happened. In fact, I can almost sort of see where the season might be going, LOL. Okay maybe not. But I was glad to see some mention of things I've been thinking about even if Saint Elena, Savior of the Cursed and Damned is getting to me.

When the Originals were first linked and Esther was like, kill one of them you kill all of them, I thought the eventual outcome of that would be to wipe out all vampires. So I was glad that was confirmed tonight, when an Original vampire is killed, so is his/her entire bloodline. Also yay Finn is dead.

When it first happened I was hoping Elena would be conflicted over whether or not to actually kill the vampires. She and her friends have suffered a lot at the hands of the vampires and that would have been some delicious angst. But...instead they set up a different conflict. They are clearly hoping Klaus is not their ancestor, but no matter what Klaus IS Tyler's sire. And...Klaus mentioned that he wants to take Elena with him wherever he goes, so I'm wondering if they are setting up a choice to be made between Elena's humanity and Tyler's life. I feel like I can guess the outcome to that one pretty well, but here are my reasons for thinking this might be the direction.

1) Elena's human life and the idea that the vampires can't protect her has been set up pretty well. She mourned the loss of her normal life at the same bridge where Stefan once saved her life (and he was ushered into her life), and she's been reconnecting with Matt.

2) Caroline's father was forced to make a choice and chose to die, Bonnie's mother chose to become a vampire, these choices have been given some narrative weight.

3) Saving Elena has come at a cost to her friends. Bonnie lost her mother this season and Elena was confronted with this reality. The supernatural ring she insisted Alaric keep brought out his dark side and he murdered Caroline's father. Now Tyler's life might be on the line and he is obviously important to Caroline.

I'm not really thrilled with this idea. I don't want Elena to become a vampire but I also don't want to keep watching people die all around the idea of saving her. I actually like Tyler. And I could be off in that I don't think Tyler is a big enough character to the show in some ways to warrant this choice. But Caroline is, so it will be interesting to see what happens.

But I don't think Elena's choice is the only one that will be important, I thought Bonnie's breakdown tonight was pretty effective. I would not be surprised if Bonnie tries to do what her mother did and leave it all behind. She is constantly being used by these people for their own means and forced to do really painful things. When she tried to help Stefan earlier this season he repaid her by not even caring when they turned her mother. It would be fascinating if Elena embraced the supernatural (something I've noticed on rewatch is how quickly she fell into using the vampires' supernatural abilities to her benefit with absolutely no problem) and Bonnie tried to denounce it.

Also can I just say I KNEW VAMPIRES COULD TRAVEL TO DENVER. The idea of wiping Jeremy clean of his memories and sending him to Denver always seemed really silly to me because it's not like the Originals are stupid and what they did instead was leave him completely vulnerable to attack because he didn't have the memories or knowledge to anticipate any attacks. So the fact that Kol was spying on him ready to hurt him if Bonnie didn't do Klaus's bidding was nice validation that Elena and co's plan was silly.

I also liked that part where Caroline admitted she liked her first kill. We are rarely treated to the dark side of Caroline, sometimes she doesn't even seem like a vampire so nice touch show.

Anyway here's hoping I'm totally wrong about everything and Elena stays human forever and Tyler lives!

Oh yeah the triangle, lol. I still think it's funny that the show gives it so much emotional weight when all this other stuff is going on, but I don't really care about it.

TV: The Vampire Diaries 3x17 Break on Through, Switched at Birth 1x22 Venus, Cupid, Folly, and Time, and The Secret Circle 1x17 Curse

The Vampire Diaries Break on Through

WHAT WAS THAT? I don't even really know what to say about this episode because I really disliked it, which is why this recap is so late. When I finished watching the episode I was very meh on it.

Sage Even though she tells Damon to exploit Rebekah's weaknesses that, of course she has because she's a girl (what?) Sage outsmarts Damon and uses him for her own benefit. What I don't like is how incredibly stupid the idea is that she's in love with Finn and doing this because he's her one true love. Though it also helps explain the whole girls having weaknesses because we all know what Sage's weakness will be--if we are to accept this story at face value. I can't help but kind of love Sage because she's the kind of vampire I normally love, but I don't get what all this grossness in her story line is about. ("a woman isn't just for food, but for pleasure") I do think it's interesting how often the mentors on this show are female, Lexi/Stefan, Sage/Damon, Jules/Tyler, Rebekah/Tyler. So of course when it goes the other way, Stefan/Caroline or Klaus/Caroline everyone ships it.

Meredith I really like her! Even though every time I look at her I think "you are the reason I read The Bronze Horseman (really it was the actress but anyway....) I like that she tries to protect people. I just like her and I'm glad she's not really dead.

Sage/Rebekah/Damon I didn't mind this scene because I enjoy when vampires act like vampires and not like they are bound by human conscience.

The ring explanation It just feels really weak to me and has been a little confusing. When Alaric was looking through those reports where he beat people up, I was confused. What were they trying to say? I guess ultimately I just find the idea that dying and coming back to life tears at their psyche and releases their dark side to be disappointing. I would have preferred possession or something like that. This whole plot feels, I don't know, like something out of the blue that they hastily threw together. I think it has bigger implications that may tie into a larger point they are trying to make but the fine details could use some work. UNLESS this ends up being like the stupid moonstone curse that also never made any sense, and something else comes up later. Also, the "let's fix everything with a spell" plot needs some work.

Caroline It's really hard for me to say this but she was annoying to me in this episode. I don't know, I felt like her lecture to Jamie was unfair given that Jamie was being dragged into this world. Honestly, if he wanted, he should have been able to hightail it out and never come back. His guardian is a vampire now, associated with some of the most powerful and deadly vampires there are. For Caroline to say, "get over yourself" was just...ugh to me. I mean it's like the show can't decide if the vampires should be scary or not. Though it is notable as soon as he sees Abby she bites him...so maybe we are supposed to be thinking vampires are scary, I don't know.

Bonnie and Elena WHAT EVEN. Okay so while I don't actually think it's Elena's fault that Bonnie's mom was turned, I thought that scene where Bonnie couldn't talk to Elena was really smart, because of course at a certain point you are going to start wondering if you should hang around someone who's existence, even if it's not intentional, has led to some of the biggest losses in your life. This could have been an interesting nuanced story but instead it seems like it was used solely to explain Bonnie and Caroline's absence in the last episode. I mean Bonnie was just like, whatevs, I forgive you this episode and it wasn't even like a situation where Elena needed her forgiveness? It was a situation where Bonnie rightfully had some very complicated, deep emotions she was never allowed to give voice to. Only Caroline was. Everything about this story was a fail, I wish they'd just had Bonnie be okay with things from the start than for it to go this way. I feel really really cranky about this. This was Gossip Girl-esque to me in a huge way, to have this big major thing happen with no resolution that makes any sense for the characters, we never got to see Bonnie dealing with this, it was just, ugh. The only thing is that I wonder if things will change once Bonnie sees that her mother has left again.

The stupid white oak tree thing is annoying me beyond belief. As soon as Rebekah, was like..."oh wait! there's another tree" a few episodes ago I was rolling my eyes so hard. I mean, they had the original parents around and killed them or did away with them much too soon. Those were different and inventive plots. Still mourning Michael. This white oak tree stuff is ridiculous. So everything about that was stupid to me.

Some thoughts on possible overarching themes.

I don't even know if this is a thing or not, but it's interesting to me that wearing the ring has consequences. Wearing the ring is cheating death so it's like it goes against the natural order of things. Being a vampire comes at a cost. Bonnie's mother turning caused her to lose her connection to living things. Caroline's father chose to die instead of turn into a vampire and I feel like that choice was treated with dignity on the show. The original witch wanted to erase the abomination of her vampire children from the earth. There's almost an underlying morality of the natural order of things being the right way. There are consequences to intervening in supernatural ways. I wonder if this is going to end up meaning something to Elena. Elena herself has mourned the loss of her normal human life and she's been reconnecting with Matt. I don't know maybe there's a bigger acceptance of life and death and the natural way of things that needs to happen. Elena was attracted to Stefan because he can't die, she's been trying to protect Jeremy through a variety of shady means, it's possible Elena will be asked to accept, confront, embrace the natural. Concede defeat. I don't know. I just feel like these threads must be building towards something. Also Iris mentioned the possibility (tbh I wish she wrote the show) that they might be setting up Bonnie up as a counterpart to Elena. I don't know now that everything got smoothed over just like that, but I like this idea since Bonnie as a witch represents the nurturing of life and nature while Elena is in cahoots with vampires--who are dead.

On a similar note, I think the story line with Jeremy...how she had him compelled and he wears the ring is a supernatural version of how you can't protect people you love, no matter what you do, life happens. You can only hope they are equipped with what they need to face what life throws at them. Elena thought compelling Jeremy would keep him safe as well as wearing the ring, but UH-OH the ring is actually kind of evil and vampires can travel to Denver. (j/k I don't know if that will happen but why didn't anyone think of it?) I liked seeing Jeremy again this episode by the way, I sort of miss the original characters. Not the original vampires.

Switched at Birth 1x22 Venus, Cupid, Folly, and Time

This finale was underwhelming to me while also being perfectly adequate. I knew they were going to make Emmett's reveal a cliffhanger but I think it was a strange choice to hinge the main cliffhanger on Angelo and Regina. The Angelo/Regina storyline has been uneven--I would have liked just a bit more weight given to Regina moving on. I feel like they hit every narrative beat they needed to, but I'm not going to feel any REAL conflict on Regina's behalf in the idea of marrying Angelo for convenience because I still wasn't convinced she really liked the art dealer. I kind of ship Angelo/Regina so I will be annoyed by this story line I think. I don't really get why everyone is blaming Angelo for disappearing, to be honest, and I can't get a real handle on his character. It was weird that he asked Bay for money? I think maybe he just wanted to mention it since he knew she had connections? Basically this is all really messy to me.

I'd also like the show to draw some stronger connections between Kathryn almost cheating on John and how upset she was last week. I can't really tell what they are doing there. BUT I trust this show more than most so I'm willing to wait it out.

Daphne and Wilke was..I don't know, I knew he was cast in The Carrie Diaries so it wasn't unexpected. I think their relationship wasn't explored as fully as it could have been, but at least Daphne will hopefully have the opportunity for more love interests.

Hopefully Bay will too! I'm pretty much over Emmett and I hope the show doesn't try to bring them back together again.

The Secret Circle 1x17 Curse

I haven't been watching the show, but I heard about the Adam/Cassie have sex and unleash a curse plot and I had to watch because it sounded pretty funny. I actually enjoyed the episode and I thought the plot was pretty good, but this show suffers from the same thing as The Vampire Diaries in that in a rush to get through plot they forget to draw out the tension. Some of these story lines could be SO GOOD but they don't spend enough time on them. So I thought Adam and Cassie telling everyone they had sex and unleashed a curse and someone would die was hilarious. And it was pretty awesome that Faye was like lol yeah right that's just abstinence education. But the whole idea of drinking the elixir and forgetting how they felt was such a great plot it reminded me of that episode of Angel "I Will Remember You" where Buffy and Angel are together and Angel is human but then he realizes he can't help her fight and so he has to go back to being a vampire but also Buffy will forget everything and IT'S SO SAD OMG THE TEARS. The thing is there was so much history to Buffy and Angel at that point that the episode carried a ton of emotional weight and resonance where with Adam and Cassie it's all just beginning so I didn't feel it yet you know?

But I thought Cassie not forgetting was a good turn (someone has to remember for angst's sake!) but even better was the revelation that it WAS all fake and planned by John Blackwell. I kind of like this John Blackwell guy. I really really wish I liked this show more because at least it has some different and interesting things going on in it.

Post of TV: The Vampire Diaries 3x16 -- 1912, Switched at Birth 1x21 --The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters, TVD Rewatch

The Vampire Diaires 3.16 -- 1912

Okay so I actually really liked the episode tonight. I think based on the little Twitter reaction I've seen this is an unpopular opinion, but the episode focused mostly on core characters so I think I enjoyed it. Also I've been rewatching the series from the beginning (more on that later) that made me feel a bit more connected to the story they were telling tonight, like I don't know if I would have even thought twice about Damon's crow otherwise. Plus, I'm just now watching Elena fall for Stefan in season one so seeing her reflect back on that with Matt after everything that has happened is kind of interesting. And Stefan journaling! And I'm prone to like all flashback episodes more because vampires in old times make me happy for reasons I can't exactly explain.

One of my favorite dynamics in the show is Stefan/Damon and since this episode was about that a lot, I don't know, I just really liked it. I thought it was fun that Damon was helping Stefan out and wanted him to learn moderation. I'm a little bit confused about what happened to drinking human blood from blood bags and not actual humans, but I get that they wanted to do a past/present parallel. Elena stumbling onto the scene of the crime was..I don't really know what the point was unless it was to remind Elena who Stefan and Damon really are. I mean a lot of times she doesn't have to face the cold hard reality of what their existence means apart from the big super dramatic stuff that happens to them. But in some other ways I don't really get why this was shocking.

I loved Elena's reasoning for why she was attracted to Stefan. I was thinking about how I've read two YA books recently where the girl protagonists lost a parent and broke up with their boyfriend from before for someone new. And Elena fits right into that so there are about a billion reasons why Stefan would be attractive apart from the obvious reasoning that he could never die. But aw Matt and Elena. They've had so many good moments lately I hope the show is sending us a message.

I thought Damon being the one to blame for Stefan's ripper-ways--in that he dragged him into it was a nice touch. Stefan turned Damon into a vampire, but Damon tempted Stefan into one of his worst periods ever. They both save each other's lives on a regular basis. All very nice and enjoyable stuff, show, I like it. Less enjoyable was how much Sage was wasted. I understand she's the one who got Damon to become his bad boy self--loving the killing and savoring the kill, but I feel like I could have seen more of her. I didn't enjoy the whole, "a woman isn't only for feeding, a woman is also for pleasure" stuff but since it was in the preview, I was fully prepared for it. I hear Sage will be back though, and I'm guessing all the stuff about her being obsessed with Finn will come back.

As far as Alaric and the ring, as soon as Alaric mentioned not being able to remember something I knew he was the killer. I just don't get exactly what the connection with the ring is and what it all means. I mean the ring wasn't working and now it's like...making him crazy? I was actually hoping it had its own spirit and that Alaric was possessed by Samantha Gilbert or something. I guess we'll see how it works out. Also why is he killing Council members if he's not possessed? As I've mentioned before though, Iris and I have talked a lot about choices and consequences being a theme and I think the ring plays into that since Elena insisted Alaric keep the ring. I just..I don't know I also didn't like how Elena blamed herself for Bonnie's mom. I liked the beginning of that story line last episode, and while I think Elena should be sensitive to how much everyone else is suffering, I don't want her to take the blame directly. Also, nice that Caroline is helping her through the transition but didn't help Tyler! (still bitter) and also no one is concerned about how Bonnie's mom is going to get human blood? Oh the things I think about.

Switched at Birth 1x21 -- The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters

Every S@B episode is named after a work of art.

So after that disappointing episode a couple of weeks ago, the show has gotten back on track for me! I fully loved this week's episode and am back to wishing more people watched the show so there would be more people to talk about it with. I mean YES it's a teen soap but it's a smart, emotionally grounded one in my opinion and I just love it.

So, last week Emmett and Simone were both devastated and hooked up and deeply regretted it the next morning as we saw. But Emmett's birthday was still a thing and Bay didn't know about the Emmett/Simone hook-up and she and Daphne planned this awesome thing together, to make this deaf zombie horror movie as a birthday party for Emmett. These girls are awesome, just saying. And they get everyone all involved, and of course to ratchet up the dramatic tension they have to borrow some equipment from Simone that they don't know how to use and so Simone has to stay and it's all SUPER AWK and Emmett and Simone are furiously texting about how she needs to leave and then SIMONE SETS HER PHONE DOWN WITHOUT LOCKING IT. So Wilke picks up the phone to use as a prop and sees the texts and woe is Wilke since Toby (Simone's sort of boyfriend) is his best friend and Bay is Toby's sister but also Emmett's girlfriend. Meanwhile Emmett is all guilty and tells his mom and she's like "you have to live with this but now you need to decide if Bay does" which is an interesting idea but not very practical in this case because of the people involved. So by the end of the episode my poor girl Bay still doesn't know. :(

But apart from that drama and the zombie movie and how adorable all of that was, I looooved the Regina/Kathryn and Regina/Daphne subplots because they sort of embody what I love most about the show. I love for example, that the switch is still a thing. That Daphne's childhood was stolen from her, and that everywhere she looks she's reminded of that and since Regina knew she can actually cast some blame. But at the same point in time, she loves her mother and so it's a real struggle of emotion, something that IS that can never actually be fixed and made right. It's just something she has to learn to live with. And I thought it was cute they went swimming to create new memories, but I'm not sure it would actually be warm enough in Kansas City for that.

And I like how Regina came around to sharing her side of the story with Kathryn, to taking control of the narrative because essentially I love everything about the book storyline. And I thought the stuff with Sarah Lazar was interesting. The thing is, as a viewer, I don't know if I believe John or not. I can understand why he's frustrated Kathryn doesn't trust him, but at the same point in time she deserved some space to deal with the revelation that he'd told her about the miscarriage. I think the thing is that even if John's affair with Sarah wasn't physical, it might have been emotional and I don't know if he realizes that's a big deal, too.

I'm so sad that there's only one episode left before it goes on hiatus. And same with The Walking Dead! (which by the way I'm recapping at Intimate Strangers in place of Gossip Girl) I'm enjoying both shows so much right now, I'll be sad to see them go.

But I want to discuss this cheating thing and take a poll. Do you think that if someone is in a committed relationship and makes a drunken mistake it's better to just not tell? Or is honestly always the best policy?

TVD Rewatch

I've been kind of wanting to rewatch TVD since...well before this season started, lol. I finally started in on it this week for reasons completely unknown to me* and have now watched through episode 6 of the first season. It's interesting because I don't remember a lot of the details even while remembering the bigger plot points and also now that I know where the characters go, it's interesting to go back and see how they all started. Also the show felt so much more high school back then and smaller..you know things weren't such a big deal. I think back then I didn't like the first few episodes, you know they had the cheesy diary stuff and Stefan was super broody and Damon could control a crow, etc. but now I find myself kind of missing the slower pace of all that in the face of what the show has been this season, I don't know. Also! I remember the first book a lot better since I reread it sometime during the first season which has made me think about some of the choices they made with the show vs. the books.

One of the things, for example, that was different for me on this watch is just how SORRY I felt for Vicki. I think the first time I watched the show I sensed she was a throwaway character and I didn't care about what happened to her, I think I even found her annoying. I wasn't really...thinking about how she was the girl from a poorer class with two guys that had yet to REALLY love her for herself, who had, as Damon put it, no self-esteem. Yeah she had her own problems, but I could just feel how trapped she felt so much more this time around. And I think it's interesting that this show really doesn't address class issues, but they did a tiny bit with Vicki. (tbh, I don't know that I'd be thinking about this on this rewatch without my interest in the Ivy/Ripley connection on Gossip Girl or people pointing out how Matt has no health insurance in a recent episode.) So anyway, yay for me growing a heart!

Also, it's interesting how different the early Stefan/Elena is from the books. In the books, Elena was a much more...I don't know self-absorbed character? Like the main reason she was trying to get Stefan's attention was because she didn't have it and she was used to getting everything she wanted. When she found out he was a vampire, she was like "it's no big deal, I LOVE YOU." My friend told me they wanted to soften the character of Elena to make her more likable to the TV audience, but it's a shame!! I think if they'd kept her like this I'd like her a lot more. I do like her a lot more in these early episodes, she quickly and easily owns up to the times she's wrong, and she's obviously fighting hard against her attraction to Stefan, she sees how messed up what the vampires do is...sigh.

Also, like...the Damon/Caroline stuff is really horrific. It's so weird, because it's all obviously so very wrong but Stefan thinks how he's handling it is the best way and..he's like, oh it doesn't matter what Damon does because Caroline can't remember. I like that Elena is so horrified on Caroline's behalf. But it's also a good story in some ways, like how Caroline's insecurity and desperation to have something of her own make her a good target for an abuser like Damon. And how even when she tries to break free, he still has a lot of control over her (even if it's supernatural in the show, it's kind of a nice touch)

Also Jenna! I just...felt a lot of feelings for her in the second episode (especially knowing her fate) She's just this young woman trying to get her thesis who suddenly has her life turned upside down when she's given Elena and Jeremy to take care of and she has to move back to the town she left on purpose and take care of these ungrateful kids and she lost her sister, too! It's really sad!!!

I loved Damon so much more back in these days! (I just realized I started three paragraphs with also) He was funny and unapologetically a bad guy and it was good. And, since I just watched Lost Girls, I love how Katherine is SO OBVIOUSLY SCARLETT. Look I know Scarlett was evil and used people and stuff but she's still one of my favorite characters of all time and Katherine is one of my favorites on TVD and so I like it. I mean seriously, that scene where she's flirting with the two brothers and this scene especially are direct visual references to Scarlett in my opinion. But it's another huge departure from the books where Katherine was all sweet and actually died and didn't look EXACTLY like Elena.

So...that was a lot of words on a rewatch but it's really interesting! Like part of me is sad at all the stuff left unexplored or quickly killed and a lot of me is really interested in seeing my continuing thoughts on how things go and how things are now.

*I know, I KNOW I'm supposed to be watching The Good Wife, and Roswell, and Friday Night Lights but I was just in the mood okay? And I think after this I'm going to do a Supernatural seasons 1-3 rewatch so deal with it. ;)



Alsoooo, I'm thinking of doing a Lost rewatch over the summer. Would anyone be interested? Like maybe a couple of episodes a week or something. It's on Netflix and Amazon Prime so it should be easy for everyone who doesn't own the series boxed set like myself to watch.