Masquerade

"I'll rip this town apart until it rains blood."

Drinking already? Well, it's happy hour somewhere. Actually, the scene Caroline is recalling definitely deserves a double. Skipping the teen drama, she explains how while attempting to spy on Matt at the Grill, she was cornered by Katherine. Struggling to escape, she was unable to break free from Katherine's deadly grip. Only realizing her life was to be spared when she was ordered to deliver yet another message: Moonstone. Tonight. Masquerade Ball.

The Salvatore brothers have had enough of their triflin' ex and after 145 years they're ready to do something about it. "You're not going to kill her, because I am."

On the other side of town, we take our first look at Ms. Flowers (for those who've read the books, we can confirm that she does not have supernatural powers). This meek elder woman is carrying in several of Katherine's shopping bags. After setting them down and exiting the room, another woman comes into view. "Don't sneak up on a vampire." It's her witch friend, Lucy, who's been summoned for action.

"We're gonna kill Katherine."

It's good to see Matt with the family. Although it makes me slightly nervous due to the fact that he's under Katherine's compulsion. Back at the Gilbert residence, he, along with Elena and Jeremy, is gently guiding Aunt Jenna to the couch, easing her woes of running into a kitchen knife with laughter.

Jeremy follows Elena into the kitchen and begins to talk plan of action. But, Elena is too scared to try to go up against Katherine again and convinces herself that laying low will have an out of sight, out of mind effect. "You're just being naive and you know it."

Unsatisfied with Elena's approach, he heads over to where the real action is taking place- The Salvatore Broodinghouse. Alaric is giving the crew a crash course on 'How to Kill a Vampire 101'. It's an interesting dynamic to see all of these characters work together given their history (Damon seducing and feeding off of Caroline; killing both Alaric and Jeremy; attempted murder against Bonnie, to name a few). Nonetheless, Van Helsing has nothing on Alaric after he's done unveiling all of his tricks.

The mission is clear and the plan is ready for execution. Gathered together the crew confirms their commitment to the cause. Including the usually reluctant Bonnie, who agrees to perform a spell to conceal Katherine away from the innocents, and help as long as no one gets hurt. Damon interjects, "Except Katherine. Tonight Katherine gets a stake through her heart."


The festivities have commenced. And the people of Mystic Falls are dressed to the nines. Let's just hope their charitable egos don't get the best of them this evening.

Carol Lockwood prepares her son, Tyler, for the spectacle that is to take place. It was her late husband's favorite event, after all, and the show must go on. Tyler inquires about Mason's whereabouts (RIP Uncle Good Looking!), but much to his dismay doesn't not receive a satisfying response. "It's natural to feel abandoned. I just don't want you to feel alone." The dashing mother and son put on their masks with contrived smiles.

"God you're hot. Now go away."

The masquerade ball is mystical and grand. The crew is trying to trap Katherine by diverting her attention, but so far she's able to maneuver around at her leisure. It's her playground.

First, she confirms Matt's task with compulsion- he is to get Tyler drunk, start a fight with him, and continue fighting until Tyler gets angry and kills him. Then, during a slow dance with Stefan, she proves that she can not be played by demonstrating how many easy kills can be done throughout the night if she doesn't get the moonstone. Poor Amiee is exhibit A. Katherine kills her without breaking a sweat, and lets her limp body fall into Stefan's arms. "The moonstone, Stefan. Tick-tock." Ruthless!

After this experience, Damon has to shake the confidence back into Stefan because he's mumbling crazy thoughts of aborting the mission. "We can do this together. I got your back." Regaining focus, the mission continues. It's Jeremy's turn.

Jeremy and Bonnie have prepared an upstairs bedroom for the confinement spell. "I don't particularly enjoy any of this in case you haven't noticed." Oh, he's noticed all right. All night he's been stealing subtle gazes at Bonnie, even when she confronted the foreign woman giving off a vibe. In fact, he marveled at her then. Now, shares in casual conversation until he receives the "Go" from Damon. At once, Jeremy's off to stand face to face with Katherine.

"I'm not afraid of you." Jeremy holds his own as he suggests Katherine go meet Damon and Stefan near the lake. Of course, she's not going to settle for that, nor for Jeremy having the last words. "How's John, by the way? Were they able to sew his fingers back on?"

Caroline's turn.

Making eye contact with Matt as he's laughing and walking by with Tyler and Sarah, she receives her "go" message. Once again, she's cornered by Katherine, only this time the force is a little more desperate. Katherine questions Caroline on the Salvatore brother's plot, applying more pressure every time there is hesitation or is given a false statement. Either Caroline is really sticking to her guns right now, or she's about to crack- because Katherine is being brutal!

Leading Katherine up to the spelled room where supposedly Bonnie and the moonstone await, she exchanges her tears for giggles once she's successfully completed her task. "I really didn't think I'd be able to fool you, but I did it."


Meanwhile, Elena is curious as to why she is being avoided this evening. Jenna is recovering on the couch, Alaric is in the kitchen opening up a bottle of wine, and she learns that Jeremy is at the ball. "What are you hiding, Ric?" Unable to lie to Elena, Alaric spills the beans. Unable to hold his liquor, he falls asleep. This allows Elena to sneak out of the house and catch Jeremy just as he's finishing his chat with Katherine.

Bonnie and Jeremy quickly fill Elena in on what's going on. Taking everything with a grain of salt, she protests their plan. She doesn't want anyone else's injury to be on her hands, but doesn't realize that it's become inclusive. "It's not just you anymore, Elena. She's messed with all of us. She has to be stopped." (OK, I think this new sense of ownership and direction in Jeremy's life is the best thing that's every happened to him, aside from his haircut. Julie, Kevin-thank you!)

"The three of us together just like old times."

Stefan's turn.

"Hello, Stefan." Stake in hand, Stefan presents himself to Katherine in the sealed room. She's skeptical about the his confidence in the outcome of this rendezvous, because to her that stake looks like a flimsy piece of paper-maché.

Damon's turn.

Hoisting the air compressor gun, he fires right into Katherine's back. Elena's back? Katherine's back. They're tied. Everything Katherine feels, Elena suffers from, also. Fortunately, Bonnie and Jeremy realize the link enabling Jeremy to stop the heavy fight between Katherine and the Salvatores just as Damon begins the motion of driving a stake through Katherine's heart.

Katherine saved by the spell of a witch, and love of two brothers, begins her demands. The moonstone. She diverts Stefan's inquiries about her reasoning for possessing the moonstone by antagonizing Damon with the three's past love. Or, as Damon prefers to recall it: "An evil slut vampire who only loved herself." That sounds about right. However, she does mouth an 'I love you' to Stefan.

"Have I mentioned how inconvenient your obsession with me has been?"/"You and me both." The two continue to jab, but Stefan keeps his detective hat on uncovering her relationship with George Lockwood in 1864. He repeats, "Who are you running from, Katherine."

Although the physical war between the Salvatores and Katherine has ebbed, Elena is still in pain. So, Bonnie finds Lucy to cease the spell over Elena; however, is in turn convinced to give her the moonstone. "You can trust me." Lucy takes the moonstone to Katherine and confirms her debit is clear before handing it over. "I said done. Give it." Easy, Katherine. Be careful what you wish for...

The moment the stone is placed in Katherine's hand she begins to convulse and gasp for air. It's like life is being sucked out of her. "She's a Bennett witch, but I'm sure you knew that."

Lucy is high-tailing it out of Dodge, but not before sharing a few insights with Bonnie, her distant cousin. Bonnie is pleading to know how to better understand what's going on with her abilities, and how to not get trapped between the imposing forces. "The middle of it is exactly where you need to be."

"If Matt fails I can't."

Matt has been encouraging Tyler to get liquored up all night. In the late mayor's study, he begins to pour vodka on the ground. We've heard of "pouring it out for the homies," but this is disrespectful. Matt under compulsion- non c'est bon. Despite Tyler's protests, he proceeds to share his drink with the "jerk" father in the picture frame. Soon enough pushing and punching ensues.

Caroline overhears the commotion and comes in to cease the fight. (She's becoming a regular crime fighter. Apparently she has more in common with her mom than she thought.) Matt won't let up! So she elbows him in the face knocking him unconscious. She's such a natural at fighting! I wonder if she took karate in her mortal life.

As Caroline checks on Matt, ol' Sarah reveals that she, too, is under compulsion. Using a letter opener she stabs Tyler. He's been trying so hard to stay calm through all of this, but the pain of that incision triggered a reflex that sent Sarah flying into the edge of the desk. She's dead. And the transformation begins.

After witnessing the curse take over Tyler, Caroline explains to Carol Lockwood the short version of Sarah's death. Tyler is going through a whirlwind of emotions right now, but Caroline is able to calm him down by expressing to him her deeper knowledge of the situation. "Has your wound healed?" (Love Candice Accola's delivery in this scene-perfect!)

"Death would've been too kind."

Stefan finds Elena. The excruciating pain is waning, but reminds her that she needs to stay focused on her family versus being selfishly in love. It's still over between her and Stefan.

Katherine is in the tomb. "I thought you would've learned your lesson by now messing with a Bennett witch." (Bonnie is gaining a lot of power in this episode, even if it's just spoken.) Damon is ready to finally put his love for Katherine to rest. She begs him to release her, even proposing that Elena is in danger as the doppelgänger. "Then I'll protect her while you rot in hell."

The background of the Masquerade Ball is mystical and grand. The mission has been successful despite two deaths and a new werewolf. And, the humble people of Mystic Falls can continue to revel in their spirited festivals and charities. Katherine will no long be an issue for them. But as two of the best writer's have revealed to us before, there's always a danger. There's always a threat. And right now it's this masked man trailing Elena. Kidnapped.

With or without Stefan, Elena, you will always be in danger.


God, I love this show!

Were you lost in the sea of masks, or did you find your way through the festival with ease? Do you think that Damon will really leave Katherine to rot til her death? Share your OMG moments below, then find me, Danielle DuCre on Twitter @msdanielley, we can discuss Diaries in 140 characters or less..

Photos: CW