Bad Moon Rising

Sun sets over Mystic Falls.

There are no festivals or parades to attend so the good teens of MFH are laughing it up at the watering hole on the old Lockwood estate.

Alcohol and a body of water may not be the smartest activity for these youth to participate in, but partying in numbers is the next best bet. Right?

Sure. It's all fun and games until someone turns werewolf.

"If this wolf-man thing is true, I've seen enough movies to know it's not good."

As a result to it being Saturday, Elena and the Salvatore brothers decide to move their regular classroom rendezvous to the Salvatore broodinghouse. They invite Ric (Welcome back!) to discuss the potential co-existence of another supernatural entity in Mystic Falls. Damon makes it clear to them that he doesn't want to follow in Béla Lugosi's footsteps, so they decide that a trip to North Carolina is needed to find answers.

The research team does not include Stefan, and he admits to Elena that he hates that it's Damon she has to go with to Duke. However, he is reassured when she engages him in a serious lip-lock in front of Damon. At this point I'm still waiting for Damon to give a heartfelt apology to Elena for snapping Jeremy's neck. Instead, he hides these words behind his eager efforts to convince her to fast forward over her grudge because they're inevitably going to reestablish their friendship.

Jenna and Alaric (and, sadly, his hair) share a brief moment as the team heads out on their mission. Apparently during both of their hiatuses there wasn't any communication. We'll chalk it up to "men and their baggage."

"We might as well stake her right now."

Meanwhile, Stefan is on Caroline duty. He reaches out to the highly protective HWIC, Bonnie, to cast a Day Walking spell so that Caroline can get back to her seemingly normal life. As of right now, she's trapped at home hiding in the shadows while her boyfriend, Matt, stands outside feeling rejected and regretting he ever muttered the words "I love you."

Fortunately, Bonnie agrees to spell the ring; but, not without warning. She's definitely honed her skills, but Caroline is still a little skeptical so Bonnie opens the curtains to prove it ("It worked."). It's evident that their relationship has been rocked. Elena was more interested in staying with Stefan to help the newly turned vamp, but Caroline's own best friend can barely stand to look at her.

"I'll grab the light."

Duke University's grad student, Vanessa Monroe, appears to be more hip to the folklore than she leads on. Not only is she an admirer of her mentor's work, but also of the Van Helsing approach. Carefully studying her visitors, she guides them into Isobel's office. With a promise to turn on the lights, she comes back aiming a wood loaded air compressor bow at Elena. Fear not! Damon takes the arrow in the back for his beloved, and Alaric seizes both weapon and sniper.

Given Damon's history, such a statement as: "That bitch is dead," shouldn't be taken lightly. On the other hand, given his feelings for Elena, he's willing to back down when she asks. Still, he uses this compliance as an opportunity to further engage Elena on the manipulating going on within their friendship. ("If by manipulate you mean tell the truth. Guilty.")

"I'd be extra nice to me right now."

Vanessa is profusely apologizing to Alaric for assuming Elena was Katherine, but, really, can you blame her? I probably would've taken a few more moments to lace the arrow with vervain if I knew in my presence was the infamous vampire from 1864. She agrees to keep her silence on this discovery, and helps them go through Isobel's belongings as they search for clues on the Lockwood curse and Elena's lineage. Soon they uncover both.

The Lockwoods are in fact werewolves. Cursed by an Aztec Shaman 600 years ago when his people were being attacked by both werewolves and vampires. "The curse of the sun and the moon" set the attackers against one another inevitably becoming natural enemies. Only one will prevail: until one entity dies off, or the end of time- whichever comes first. Moreover, Vanessa shares the inevitable- doppelgängers torment their look-a-likes and aim to undue their lives. Good luck, Elena.

Vanessa also shares a few passes at Alaric. But, the good teacher stays focused "it's good to have her in my past." Damon, on the other hand, still hasn't apologized to Elena! He's still badgering her about recovering their friendship. He even gives her research homework: Katerina Petrova.

"Chase it. Catch it. Feed on it."

Meanwhile, Stefan's new 'tude is wining me over-again! He's bonding with Caroline, showing her the ropes ("You want me to eat bunnies and I'm kinda freaking out."). Nearby, Tyler Lockwood, Matt, and friends are partying around the old estate. Caroline and Stefan join them, but Caroline is immediately having to work on her amplified jealous personality when she sees her peer Amy Bradley flirting with her man. Caroline harshly compels Amy to vanish which, in turn, upsets Matt.

Poor Matt. Still can't catch a break! At least he does what most people should do, and that's tell them that "I'm not gonna put up with the drama," then make up. Unfortunately, he shouldn't have been too eager to make up because messing around in the woods can cause splinters, scratches, or even gashing cuts on the wrist that seep blood irresistible to vampires.


All the while, the Lockwoods are preparing for their big night. Tyler with a party, and Uncle Mason with chains in a cellar. By now we have learned that this cellar is off limits to discuss- no one likes to reminisce about the "ol' slave days," after all. Regardless, it's imperative to their secret because it will not reveal their transformation, nor will it allow them to harm others. Still, it's best that Tyler's party relocate before dark, as Uncle Mason advised.

Of course Tyler's not going to uproot the whole party. So he uproots himself, and Amy Bradley, to the taboo cellar. His arrival stirs Uncle Mason who is preparing to transform (He knew it was a full moon, why is he just now rushing to get into chains?), and he hurries out to the woods to tie himself to a tree next to his vehicle which he jumps into moments before the change.

Uncle Mason's transformation is complete. He is a werewolf- in the woods- being occupied by two vampires. Get ready for 45 seconds of OH MY GOD!* Stefan receives warning from Elena that the werewolf bite can kill vampires. Immediately he searches for Caroline, but on his quest he hears growling and sees claw marks on the ground. Apparently he forgot the part about his potential demise and proceeds to the vehicle containing Uncle Mason. (WHY!?) But, wait, someone is following him! The werewolf is no longer in the vehicle! Or, is it Katherine?! The glass shatters and the wolf jumps out of the vehicle.

Blood.

Caroline has gotten too rough with Matt and is now feeding off of him! Thank goodness Stefan arrives to tear her away before she killed him. Being that that's not their only worry, they begin to high tail it out of the woods hopefully leading the wolf away from Matt, but also to save themselves. Caroline's guilt gets to her and she stops running to cry to Stefan. Tyler finds them and as their attention adverts to him, Caroline is attacked by the wolf.

"No!"

Alpha! Upon hearing his command from Tyler, the wolf ceases his plot to kill the blond vampire beneath him and trots off into the woods. Stefan and Caroline create a story and compel Tyler and Matt, but she is devastated over her actions. As a result, she heads to the Grill to find Matt where he's visiting with his admirer, Amy. Creating a scuffle with Amy in order to pull Matt's strings, she encourages him to break up with her- and he does. In solitude, she knows she's doing what's best.

During this time, Uncle Mason comes out of the woods dirty and naked. He finds his nephew at his truck; realizes there's no hiding the Lockwood curse any longer.

"Yes, you have lost me forever."

The research team arrives back home. Alaric, going to claim his woman and seal it with a kiss. And, Damon, still seeking redemption from Elena. He explains how Katherine had sent him over the edge and how he just lost it. In his honest state, he also admitted that he did not know that Jeremy had a Protected ring on, and that he'd gotten lucky with that. Finally, Elena gets his long overdue apology. Although, Elena expresses that she has moved on from their friendship, it's Damon who has the last words: "You and Katherine have a lot more in common than just your looks."

Rather, it's Katherine who has the last words. Entering into a frightened Caroline's bedroom like a thief in the early dawn, she sets a play-date: "We're gonna have so much fun together."


Vampires, Werewolves, Witches- Oh My! Your turn- Share your OMG moments below! Then, check out next week's promo. Find me, Danielle DuCre on Twitter @msdanielley, we can discuss Diaries in 140 characters or less..


Photo credits: grantdwyergalleries.com, vampirediariesweb.com, kedrosky.com
*reference by Alisha S.

The Brave New World

"It's gonna be epic."- Jeremy

Previously On The Vampire Diaries.....
Game On.

After the season premiere left us in the emotional whirlwind of Damon snapping Jeremy's neck and Elena vowing him off forever, I felt let down that we didn't get to see the following moments of this unfold. Although there was no addressing this or hashing it out between Damon and Stefan, there was the anticipated awakening of Miss Mystic Falls, Caroline Forbes.

Slowly awakening to the hunger that dooms her, Caroline wastes no time tracking down her blood craving- and indulges. (Literally. Take note Stefan, when you're hungry, you don't cradle.) Soon, Matt-eyes-so-blue greets her, but the unfamiliar sensations of transformation put her on edge. She doesn't know why the sun is bothering her, but she doesn't want to have to discover this with her beau present. "Close it!"

Meanwhile, there's a carnival going on. It's so hectic that Elena only appears for short periods of time, stressed and unaware that her friend is a vampire. Damon, on the other hand, is gearing up for his own investigation on the Lockwoods. In order to keep tabs on Tyler and Uncle Good Looking...err Mason, he has to get in with the new interim Mayor, Carol Lockwood. In Damon's good fortune she appoints him Head of SSCFF (Secret Society Council of Founding Families). And, like a good southern hostess, offers him tea sans vervain (I admit I held my breath when he took a sip).

"We have not seen the end of Katherine."

Noted. Still, despite Damon's actions a few days prior towards Jeremy, Stefan has already chalked it up to Damon-isms and moved on. He's even arm wrestling the Lockwood boys down the street! Saving all of the comedic timing for Damon, he conspires with his brother to test a theory of the Lockwood curse. Under Damon's compulsion, an innocent carni (Carter) is the bait.

Unleash the wolves! Tyler and Carter engage in a brawl and Uncle Mason steps in nearly exposing his full wolf form. The fight ends leaving Carter shaken up and the Lockwoods on the run to clear the scene. Stefan, who witnessed the experiment, steps in to console Carter- if it was only the least of his worries...

After fleeing the scene, Uncle Mason and Tyler reach home. The eldest Mason refuses to confess or discuss the incidents of the night. When Tyler questions him about his eyes glowing in the dark, he gives a weak response chalking it up to the reflection of headlights of a car. Of course Tyler’s not buying it. Who would? So, he discreetly goes after the family heirloom that his uncle’s been asking about. Uncovering a small security vault in his late-father’s study, he discovers a moonstone.

"I don't know how that works, but it's brilliant."

Caroline is taking full advantage of her newly acquired vamp-tricks, and is breaking out of the hospital. She was hungry, but the nurse didn't feed her. So, in turn, she fed on the nurse. Then compelled her to tell everyone it was from getting kinky with her husband. Oh, Caroline...

All vamped out in her new gear (vampires always have better wardrobes!), she heads straight to the carnival where she confronts Damon. Finally having the escalated strength to stand up to him, she does so to prove he can’t toy with her any longer. Then, relates a very important message from Katherine: “Game on."

Leaving Damon bewildered, she seeks out Matt for some date-night carnival fun. Assuming that her cravings have waned, she tries her luck at ring toss. Quickly realizing that her strength is amplified after shattering the glass bottles and that her will to subdue her cravings is becoming hard to bear, she flees. Yup, she flees right into the direction of a bruised and bleeding carni who is just in the wrong place at a very wrong time.

“I can help you….I’m gonna kill you.”

After devouring Carter, the poor carnival worker, Caroline is disgusted with herself. (Candice Accola has portrayed this roller coaster of a transformation with great vulnerability. She definitely held her own this episode!) Eager to be the hero of her despair, and the town’s, Damon greets her with a stake. But, like most situations thus far, Stefan intercepts his plans and he cannot rid Mystic Falls of their newest vampire. I’m glad, too, because moments with Caroline reacting to Elena as if she were Katherine are priceless.

Ultimately it’s not Stefan who saves her from Damon, but Elena, when she steps in front of Damon, stake in hand, and defends her friend’s right to survive. As we know, the Salvatores cannot resist certain women; so, Damon abides by Elena’s wish. This moment of relief is crushed as soon as disbelief is read all over a heart-broken Bonnie.

“I’m a murderer. I’m a monster.”

Distraught and bloody, Stefan guides Caroline away from the scene to clean her up and calm her down. Perhaps he feels the need to take extra care because of the guilt that it’s his fault Katherine did this. Or, he is just being the caring, do-gooder that he is. Maybe it’s both; nonetheless, he is able to give Caroline reassurance and insight about how to calm her cravings with deep breathing techniques.

Meanwhile, Elena tries to console Bonnie to no avail. With mixed emotions on overload, Bonnie decides to remind Damon of her promise-that he will be destroyed if innocent blood fell. “Everything that happens is his fault.” She does so by spellbinding his mind, and then setting fire to his body. That’s one way to recall a promise! Elena saves another life tonight by ceasing Bonnie’s angry trance and reasoning with her to remember who they are, and to not fall victim to all of this supernatural demise.

“I don’t have any milk and cookies to offer you.”

Bruised but not broken, Damon heads home to hit the liquor. Only to be forewarned that it is laced with vervain by Jeremy who happens to be holding a sharp pointed stake. I have a feeling that this relationship is going to be dangerous, but despite their recent run-ins, they have a mutual understanding of pain and disappointment that is allowing them to bond.

“I’m in love with you.”

After a hectic day of mis-communication with his vampire girlfriend, Matt decides to pay Caroline a late night visit. Being such a dedicated boyfriend, he doesn’t let his broken wrist prevent him from climbing into the window so that he can confess his love for Caroline. They share a reassuring embrace that puts them both at ease. Breathe deep, Caroline, breathe deep…

Inside the Gilbert house (which I’m surprised is not on 24hr Katherine watch!) Elena is awakened by Stefan who whisks her off to the carnival for a kiss atop the Ferris wheel. They share in a moment of smiles and laughter before the realization of the turmoil to come sets in. After all, the game is on.

Lions, Vampires, Werewolves- Oh My! Your turn- Share your thoughts, love, and all things Diaries below! Find me, Danielle DuCre on Twitter @msdanielley, we can discuss Diaries in 140 characters or less..


Photo credit: vampiresite.net

(This article can be seen on iheartvampirediaries.com along with other coverage of the esteemed sophomore drama, The Vampire Diaries.)

The Return: Of Katherine, HBIC

Poor Uncle John.

Lying in a pool of his own blood; in the kitchen of the family who's not too fond of him. And, Katherine, leaving him to suffer and die after she slices his fingers off like The Mafia. Well, that's one way to send a message...

And for the next 40 min we'll stay glued to the TV aching to watch our oh-so-missed Thursday night thriller reveal every cliff hanger of the Season One finale, including the infamous Katherine Pierce's diabolical plan in The Return.

Enter Elena and the revelation that Jeremy is....(hold your breath) still human. Phew! If Anna's blood didn't save him from his brooding, miserable life, it definitely cured him of an overdose. Now, if he will only take Stefan's advice and snap out of it! I must say, I love this take charge Stefan.

One cliff hanger down, we move to the hospital where we find Matt crushed over the potential fact that someone else may be tragically torn from his life. Then, Bonnie arrives and realizes that her decision not to disable the spell over the Gilbert device could be the reason Caroline dies. With thoughts of another death due to vampires (RIP Grams!), she encourages Damon to heal Caroline so that her friend's death wouldn't be on her hands. It's definitely not so that a truce could be made between Bonnie and Damon, that's for sure...

"Do It. [No truce], but you'll do it anyway, for Elena."

This is our hint at how Damon's vulnerability will allow him to be influenced, as well as solidifying Bonnie's growth as both a powerful witch and woman.

The next few moments are grit-your-teeth-while-you-watch-Damon-walk-into-a-train-wreck type of moments. Buddy, you've been hoodwinked- again. Elena has zero idea of the story you are recollecting and that could only mean one thing. Katherine. I love Ian Somerhalder's delivery of Damon's realization that his reason for existence is back.

"At least I fooled one of you."

Now that Stefan is in the loop about Katherine's modern day Mystic Falls appearance, Damon has a lot of explaining to do. How is Damon ever going to explain this one? Thank goodness for the masterminds of Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec, there's only one way he could...with the best one-liners!: "To risk another frown line encroaching on a very crowded forehead...we kissed." And, my personal fave: "You know, when to lips pucker and they go (smooch)." Well, Damon. If you didn't cause your brother to be a jealous boyfriend before, he's definitely a crazy jealous boyfriend now!!

I love how the writers didn't have Damon hesitate. Once again it shows us his commitment to his vulnerability. Also, what I loved is the almost absent brood of Stefan! Now, I'm not sure how long it'll last, but for one episode I'll take it!

Should we be worried about Uncle John? I still don't trust this guy, but he may have answers about why Katherine's back. Unfortunately, due to his disappointment in his vampire-loving daughter, he's not talkin'. That and Stefan's bloody wrist is shoved in his mouth concealing any opportunity to further state his case. Did I mention I love this non-brooding, take charge Stefan?

"No good deed goes unpunished."

The interaction between Bonnie and Damon at the Lockwood mansion is great. Again, showing his vulnerability, and her owned strength. Bonnie just proved herself HWIC after putting Damon in check and giving herself an upper hand. He may genuinely want a truce, but she's not having it. She tries to get away from vampires, and inadvertently runs right into Katherine. Attempting to embrace who she thinks is her best friend, Elena, she realizes her mistake and coyly excuses herself only to be followed and harassed by Katherine. Just as Bonnie was gaining confidence in her powers against the vamps, Katherine gives her a brutal wake up call.

"No rules, Stefan. Don't you remember? No rules."

The former Mystic couple takes a stroll out to back yard to catch up on old times. Actually, not really. Stefan clearly has no interest in Katherine and wants her gone. Unfortunately, Katherine doesn't want to leave and expresses this by throwing a tantrum as well as a candle holder through Stefan's 8 abdominal muscles. Apparently his playing hard to get is an invitation to begin a love story...

Meanwhile on the Lockwood's porch, Damon confronts Elena about her reaction to the kiss, only to have his heart broken further by her response, "I'm surprised that you thought I'd kiss you back." Ouch! No wonder Damon remains a wounded soul. Throughout Season One and in this premiere, we always find Damon rolling through disappointment after disappointment. If he was trying to feel any sort of humanity, he better have some good news come his way quick or he's going to block out the pain the only way he knows how.

"Today's been a big day of sorries from people who really don't give a crap."

Finally, there's the resolution to Tyler's cliff hanger. Last we recall of him he was suffering from the Gilbert device with a migraine and running his car off the road. In addition, he learned of the loss of his not so pleasant father, Mayor Lockwood, and is currently dealing with it by nursing his wounds with a flask in the parlor. We haven't been introduced to a genuine role model in his life, but Uncle Good Looking..err Mason is obviously here for something. So far Uncle Mason hasn't shown any sadness over his older brother's death, until now, when he excuses Jeremy from the moment he and Tyler were having to join his nephew for a drink from his late brother's flask. Soon it will be revealed that the Lockwood's are under a curse that no anger management course can resolve. It's a battle that will unfold for Tyler in the weeks to come, and I'm more than excited to see Michael Trevino's acting chops bring this transition alive!

"Don't pout. It's not attractive on a woman your age."

This is when the downward spiral for Damon begins picking up momentum. In an attempt to say goodbye to Damon, Katherine visits the Broodinghouse after her stab and tantrum with Stefan. Trying to be clever about how she approaches Damon ("I'm better at the enigmatic one liners, Kathrine." Yes, Damon. The best are saved for you.), they end up in a hot and heavy tango-rendezvous. It's heartbreaking to see the hope in Damon's eyes as he's asking Katherine to confirm that his entire existence hasn't been a futile journey for the past 145 years. Only for him to hear:

"It was always Stefan."

And then hearts were breaking across the world as we watched Damon's heart and soul crack and crumble on our televisions. Every expression of every possible emotion was seen on Damon's face at that moment when Katherine spoke those words and walked out. Ian Somerhalder, you deserve an Emmy for your portrayal of Damon.

"You want to shut off the pain, it's the easiest thing in the world. The part of you that cares just goes away. All you have to do is flip the switch and snap!"

Just as we reach out to coddle Damon, Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson remind us what show we're watching. So, we're back on our toes as we witness a desperate and rejected Damon try to force Elena into showing more love for him. ("...that what we've been doing here, means something.") When she refuses and struggles against him, little brother Jeremy comes in to her aid. [Props to Nina Dobrev. Her portrayal of each character is more precise than just playing good girl, bad girl. She really developed Katherine well, and we see that now as the presence of the Elena we love is resurfacing- yah, Katherine kind of stole the show...]

We may have thought that Damon's apology to Jeremy about turning Vicki would have been a lesson to him as to what not to do to Elena's younger brother. But, hearing from Elena that she, too, only wants to be Stefan triggers him to find a way to stop the pain. And fast. I knew this was coming, just not by way of snapping Jeremy's neck! Uncalled for Damon. Your pain is so great that you want someone who's had a hand in causing that pain to suffer, too? No c'est bon!

"I.hate.him.Stefan."

I would feel the same way if my brother's neck was snapped right in front of me. Especially when I knew that the remnants of vampire blood were no longer present in his system. Thank goodness for that trusty ring Uncle John so preemptively gave to Jeremy, or Elena might take a stake to her Uncle/Dad's loathed rival after all.

"I was hoping you could give the Salvatore brothers a message for me: Game On."

Someone had to die this episode. Sorry Car, it had to be you! Katherine took advantage of Bonnie's shared knowledge that Damon's blood was in Caroline's system and smothered her to death. Oh dear, I hope she lasts longer than Vicky did, but how is this all going to play out? And poor Matt, with the loss of his sister and absent mom, he still can't catch a break!

Oh My Salvatore. God, I love this show!


Welcome back TVDFandom! Your turn- Share your thoughts, love, and all things Diaries below!
Find me, Danielle DuCre on Twitter @msdanielley, we can discuss Diaries in less that 140 characters..

Photo credit: http://vampirediariesweb.com/

(This article can be seen on iheartvampirediaries.com along with other coverage of the esteemed sophomore drama, The Vampire Diaries.)

Season Two!

My feeble attempt to use this blog to vent all my fangirl musings kind of went to shame. As Anna would say, "Some people really shouldn't [blog]."

But Season 2 is here and we're giving it another go round. Based on my contributions to the fansite iheartvampirediaries.com, I am going to re-post my episode recaps here. Hey it's a start!