Plan B

"You're staring."/"I'm gazing."/"It's creepy."

Good Morning, Sunshine.

For a change, it's a bright sunny day in Mystic Falls; and love is in the air. Well, love and agenda. Under one roof, Elena and Stefan are having a secret rendezvous. Under another, Katherine is tossing about with Mason. Although these lucky ladies (let's be real, lucky Nina Dobrev) have two of the hottest guys in Mystic Falls in their beds, their minds are elsewhere! Elena is worrying about the faux-fight being discovered by Katherine; and Katherine is inquiring about the whereabouts of the moonstone. Focus, ladies.

Of course it wouldn't be a good morning without a morning hit. Elena willingly offers her blood to Stefan. Katherine just takes.

At the Lockwood Mansion, all the good citizens of Mystic Falls are volunteering to prep for the Masquerade Ball charity event. Including Aunt Jenna and wait... was that Matt?! Jenna more distinctively spots Stefan and casually invites him over to join them for dinner. He declines giving her a half-hearted explanation of his and Elena's breakup. "That's not what it sounded like this morning." Busted.

Outside, Bonnie and Elena finally face each other. It's been an estranged friendship since Caroline turned, but they're able to put hesitations aside and talk it out. "Let's go for a walk." Unfortunately, Bonnie is still keeping her guard up. Her decisions about vampires will not waver even though one of her best friends falls into this category. She expresses to Elena her discord toward the fact that their friendship has been put on the back burner. "I know where I stand, Elena. And, I know where you stand. But, where do we stand."

"It's because of you that I'm in this in the first place."

Apparently Mystic Falls not only harbors vampires and werewolves, but ghosts as well. At least this is the expression on Mason's face as he walks by Stefan unloading decorations. "Hey Stefan. Wasn't expecting you here, or anywhere." Quickly inquiring about the status of Sheriff Forbes, Stefan assures him that she is well. He also assures him that he'd better handle his own dirty work next time. Shaken up and on edge, Mason turns right into Bonnie as he's making his getaway. This encounter causes Bonnie to pause mid stride because she's having a supernatural vision. Concerned, Stefan inquires about the image, but he can't believe what he's hearing. Elena and Mason kissing? No. Of course not Elena. But, Katherine.

Meanwhile, the broodinghouse is full of visitors. Down in the holding cell, Sheriff Forbes is still undergoing rehab. Seeing as she's disowned her daughter for becoming a vampire (because, of course, she had a choice in the matter), she spends her day sulking, brooding, and contemplating life. Caroline checks on her only to find that her mother is not only foregoing meals, but conversation as well. "Are you really going to pretend that I don't exist?" As she leaves her mother, Caroline states how her struggles never being of any importance is a reoccurring factor in their relationship. Alive or undead. This sparks an inquisitive nerve in her mother, who bravely asks, "Are you really dead?" Clearly she's still in shock over the whole matter because everything she knew about the enemy is being thrown out the window.

Upstairs, Jeremy is looking to get in on the werewolf action. Damon tries to leave Elena's eager younger brother at the doorstep, but Jeremy has leverage- he knows the whereabouts of the moonstone. Looks like someone's been doing their research. Well, he is a Gilbert, he just can't help himself... Damon takes this opportunity to rally up his partner in crime, Alaric. Although shocked to see Jeremy with the likes of Damon, he goes onto explain that the moonstone may be used to break the curse. Mission: Get possession of the moonstone.

"Werewolf thing aside, the guy is a surfer."

In order to fulfill the mission, they have to track down Tyler who they believe is keeping the moonstone. Of course he is among the good citizens setting up for the charity event, so their destination is the Lockwood residence. Jeremy, much to Elena's dismay, finds Tyler to try to hustle him for the stone. Meanwhile, Damon finds Stefan to fill him in. After Stefan is updated, he debriefs Damon on the relationship between Katherine and Mason which leaves Damon shocked and appalled at Katherine's chosen relationship. Then, he joins the crowd of disappointment upon learning that Jeremy is involved. "He's playing Indiana Jones, he involved himself!"

Is it time for Plan B? Jeremy discovers that Tyler no longer has the moonstone (Oh, no. Is he going to get kicked out of the crime fighting club for failing his first mission? Three is a crowd...). Overhearing this news, Stefan and Damon seek Bonnie's assistance in learning more about Mason and Katherine's relationship. They convince Bonnie that it is for the best of the town, and more importantly, Elena. "But you, witch, are gonna get over yourself and help us." She's reluctant, but agrees to help. Meanwhile, her estranged best friend is blowing her "breakup" cover by calling Stefan; worried as she watches the plotting go down from afar.

Mason is on his way out, perhaps to retrieve the moonstone. However, he diverts to assist a damsel in distress- Bonnie who is attempting to unload a table from a truck. As he approaches she strikes him with a brain aneurysm, but doesn't enjoy it as much as she does when Damon's on the receiving end. (Although Mason is in cahoots with Katherine, he is a very sweet guy.) In pain, Mason is down on his knees. Then, Damon comes in with a swift swing of the knee knocking him out completely. They load him into his truck and take off to the Interrogation Headquarters.

"When life gives you lemons."

Caroline is still discussing her new life to her mother. Thankfully, this is not a one way conversation, and her descriptions of what it truly means to be a vampire is not falling on deaf ears. Finally, they are bonding. Upstairs, however, the situation isn't as promising. Damon and Bonnie bring in an unconscious Mason, tying him up, and preparing to torture. Bonnie takes the less violent route and tries to read Mason's mind- and she does. The location of the moonstone is revealed: a well. Mason's reflexes grab Bonnie's wrist, giving her the cue to bow out. "Hey Judgey, thank you."

Bonnie jets, but is stopped by Caroline who shyly tries to build a conversation with the best friend who's disowned her. In an awkward moment, Bonnie has a choice of either agreeing to her vampire friend's company on the journey to find the well, or to continue to ignore her. Recalling Elena's plea to give Caroline a chance, Bonnie agrees. Hearing Bonnie's change of heart, Caroline beams from this reward. This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Poor Matt. Seriously, I'm waiting for him to catch a break. All day he's been sulking over his relationship woes. According to Tyler, he has to take the good with the bad. But, he's become so distressed that he even asks Elena if Caroline is seeing someone! She reassures him that he is not contending with anyone else. Noticing that Elena has her own relationship qualms, he drops the subject.

Stefan steps into the picture but quickly leaves once he receives a text message from Bonnie with an update. For a vampire, Stefan has really bad hearing. He doesn't notice Elena followed him until she was standing right next to him at the well. Nonetheless, she's there as he takes a plunge...

Into vervain.

Quickly turning into a burn victim, he would've been gone for good had Caroline not heard Elena's screams. In a blur, she arrives as their personal 911 service. Lowering Elena down into the well, she first lifts Stefan out. Then, Elena and a small box containing the moonstone. With the help of Bonnie, who arrived shortly before Elena's decent, both Stefan and Elena are free from the well. Still, the rescue isn't over. Stefan lay burned, paralyzed, and unconscious. So, without any hesitation Elena cuts her hand to give him blood. (I hope the small daily doses will prevent him from going mad.)

Earlier Mason Lockwood expressed that he didn't trust anyone. He proved this by placing the moonstone in such a toxic location. His love for Katherine didn't even prevent him from protecting his opportunity to be rid of the curse.

"Just help Tyler. Don't let this happen to him."

Back at the Interrogation Headquarters, torture is underway. Damon has slapped, burned, and stabbed Mason, but he's still not talking. "I have all day." Jeremy enters taken aback at the scene, but proceeds to show Damon his latest discovery. A toxic herb to weaken werewolves. Making the decision to test it potency, Damon drags the wolfsbane across Mason's cheek. It sizzles. Then, he continues to interrogate Mason on his relationship with Katherine and why she's in Mystic Falls. "She's here with me. Jealous?" (Dirty mouth? Clean it up! Wolfsbane afterwash.)

Apparently Katherine is going to use the moonstone to lift the curse off Mason so that they can live happily everafter. "Now I get it. You're just stupid." Since Damon knows the feeling of being under Katherine's spell, he takes it into his own hands to rid Mason of his heartache.

Literally. He pulls a repeat offense by reaching into Mason's chest and removing his heart. Cue the melancholy music, the bagpipes, and the rifles because a day without Uncle Good Looking is indeed a day of mourning. RIP Uncle Mason. (Taylor Kinney- you will be missed! Great work!)

"Do you honestly believe that I don't have a Plan B?"

Caroline and Stefan arrive to the Salvatore residence. Caroline excitedly recalls her heroic adventure with her mother. Seeing how confident and lively her daughter has become since turning, the sheriff confides in Caroline that she will keep her secret. Although ecstatic about the possibility of their recent bond growing stronger, Caroline knows that her mom will never fully trust Damon and Stefan. So, through tears she compels her. "And all is right in the world."

Stefan finds Damon 'cleaning up' in the parlor, and shows him the moonstone. Then, Damon uncovers Mason's cell phone and uses it to text a farewell to Carol Lockwood. Noticing the last number called must have been to Katherine, he presses redial and makes a smug comment upon her answer. "Did I put a kink in your master plan?" Danger. Now you've just pissed her off. Before telling him to send her love to Stefan (Rude!), she confirms that although Mason's death may have been a bump in the road towards her goal, she is prepared to unleash every vicious backup plan if necessary.

Starting with Plan B.

Jenna and Alaric are at the Gilbert residence preparing family dinner when Elena walks in. The phone rings. And, while Jenna is chatting, Alaric attempts to debrief Elena on the events of the day. He is interrupted because Jenna passes the phone to Elena. It's Katherine.

She explains to Elena that she's very disappointed that she and Stefan have been sneaking around. Also, that she confiscated Jenna's vervain in order to use her as a spy. "When I suggested that the world would be a much better place..." Elena steals a look at her aunt just in time to watch her raise a knife and stab it into her abdomen. "Well, you get the idea."

Jenna is rushed to the hospital. Fortunately, she got lucky. (I hope CPS doesn't deem her as unfit!) In the waiting area, Jeremy consoles Elena who is showing remorse and defeat for the first time. "She's gonna pay, Elena."

The following scene is very powerful and emotional. (Wow. Just watch it.) Stefan is crying by the fireplace fearing Elena's next words. She blames their carelessness for Jenna's incident, and refuses to put her family in danger any longer. "It's over." Heartbroken, Stefan can't contest the truth. As Elena tries to leave, she is stopped by Damon who tries to take the blame for provoking Katherine. "It doesn't matter, Damon. She won. Katherine won."

Katherine's tactics are relentless and vicious. She wasn't lying when she said she'll kill everyone Elena cares for, first with Jenna and now...Matt!? (Ok Katherine, this is where I draw the line. Matt is off limits!) She's compelling Matt to pick a fight with Tyler because she needs a werewolf. "I'm going to go after Tyler Lockwood...and I'm not going to stop...until he kills me."


Whoa Nelly! Let's see what Katherine has in store for her doppelgänger at the Masquerade Ball. Share your predictions below, or tweet me your comments @msdanielley.