I thought this was a really good episode. On first viewing, only “the break-up” scene really interested me, but when I watched the episode again I got a real feel for everything that was happening. There were some things I liked and some I didn’t, but the episode achieved what it wanted — a culmination of recent storylines, a sad end to a once great relationship, and the transition to new beginnings. 

Elena’s hallucinations were pretty graphic. Almost gratuitous. I mean…that was a lot of blood! But what really bothered me about that whole situation is why she needed to feel sorry for killing Connor. I liked Connor. I thought he was a very compelling character and a great addition to the show. He brought a lot of intensity that the show desperately needed and I loved how he kept everyone on their toes. But he was a villain. A vampire hunter, yes, but still a villain. His methods were dangerous and terrifying, and he had no problem using whatever means at his disposal to achieve his objectives, including hurting innocent people. So Elena’s guilt about his death is a little uncalled-for. I understand she’s a compassionate person, and that’s one of the reasons I love her, but Connor did try to kill her, multiple times, and he also tried to kill her brother, so her feeling sorry for him was entirely unnecessary. I was happy to see Katherine though, but was a little disappointed she wasn’t really there. I guess it’s better than nothing. Hopefully, next time we’ll get the real thing. Elena’s “thoughts” and actions in this episode weren’t really surprising. I think that’s the way she feels most of the time. She’s racked with so much guilt over everything that has happened in her life, it’s fitting it didn’t take that long for those “thought” to influence her in ending her life. I’m just glad Damon was there to save her. Hopefully in time she’ll snap out of this emotional pattern she’s been in since her parents died. 

Everything comes to an end eventually. That is the reality of life. So sadly Stefan and Elena are no more. But I can’t say I didn’t see this coming. For the past couple of season they were already drifting apart. And even though they were together, off and on, with Elena choosing him in the finale, they were never able to reclaim that spark and connection they once had. Something seemed to be always missing. Their relationship just didn’t feel right. It’s like something was weighing them down. It’s as if a giant Elephant was sitting on their backs. That Elephant, for a long time, has been Damon, and the way Elena felt about him. She wasn’t able to overcome her feelings for him, and he couldn’t stop loving her. When Elena became a vampire, those feelings were magnified, and she began to rely on him more and more, eventually to the detriment of her relationship with Stefan. But Stefan didn’t help himself in this. He should’ve been more understanding with her. He should have listened to her. He should’ve been the person she relied on. Instead he created an atmosphere of dissatisfaction and distrust that Elena couldn’t function under. His insistence on animal blood, and only doing things his way drove her to his brother, the one person she felt understood her, and the one person she felt she could trust. I’m glad he was able to see the writing on the wall and ended things when he did. Why drag something out that just isn’t working anymore? Why stall the inevitable? It’s time for him to move on, and It’s time for Elena to really sort out her feelings for Damon without the confines of a relationship with Stefan. Despite my amusing take on “the morning after”, I think they’ll always love each other, and will remain friends. It won’t be easy in the beginning, but things will eventually settle down. At-least I hope so.

So, what is my take on this potential relationship with Damon? Well, like I said before, everything was moving in that direction, and despite my personal objections about a brother dating his brother’s girlfriend, or being a root cause in their break-up, I feel that the show owes it to that storyline, and that fanbase, to explore things further. Elena needs to find out what she really feels for Damon, and Damon needs to have that feeling of finally getting something his heart desires. It’s been a long time coming, and the time is now.
I’ll be interesting seeing them together though. Not only because of the unfamiliarity they would present, but also the new relationship dynamic they would bring as a couple. How would they act around each other now that they’re together? I mean…it’s much easier to act a certain way when you’re in pursuit of something, but what happens when you finally have it? I guess we’ll find out soon enough.

I know I’m a little late with this, but wow, Jeremy’s a hunter now. Good for him. It’s about time he got a decent storyline. But what effect would that have on his relationship with Elena? Would he see her as the enemy now? This is a storyline I’m really looking forward to. It has the potential to create a lot of conflict, with some devastating results. Cause, if Connor’s attitude and methods were because of his hunter’s status, Jeremy could become a really dangerous, unsuspecting adversary that could wreak some serious damage in Mystic Falls. I can’t wait to see what happens. Fun times ahead.

This is the first time in a while I’ve actually been upset with Caroline. I didn’t like the the fact that she, Stefan, and Jeremy decided to kill that guy Chris. I know he was one of Klaus’ hybrids, and they needed to kill a vampire to save Elena, but did they have to kill him. I mean…he was a nice guy that was just trying to get way from Klaus. He even tried to help Elena when she was Klaus’ prisoner, and also helped Stefan rescue her. But still they decided to kill him. That was just a bad job by all of them. I totally understand Tyler and Hayley’s outrage, and I don’t blame them for feeling that way. That was their friend and it was terrible what happened to him. I think they could’ve found another vampire to use. Once again, another person dies to save Elena. I’m her biggest fan, but the body count just keeps going up and up and up.

I can’t wait to see My Brother’s Keeper. It seems like we’ve been talking about it forever. Over 1200 comments can attest to that. Shannon! lol  I hope it’s really good, and begins the process of answering questions fans have always had and creating storylines that would transition TVD into it’s next chapter. 

Thank you Kelly. I’m glad you liked it.

I was a staunch SE fan, but I think Elena feels like she can be herself with Damon. She doesn’t have to live up to some ideal, or be this perfect person as she was with Stefan. She can be free. And that’s one of the reasons she’s so drawn to Damon. Especially now.

He wanted to kill her in season 2… she would have been the vampire to be sacrificed, if Damon hadn’t saved her and Tyler.

forgive the philosopher in me but i think elena killing connor would more or less fall under self-defense/ defense of others versus homicide. murder is when you kill someone without an overwhelmingly good reason. it’s clear connor wouldn’t stop hunting them and even throwing innocent humans in the crossfire so as sad as it was that he probably had loved ones somewhere, he kind of brought it on himself. and it’s not like elena felt good about killing him so i think we can define justifiable killing as taking a life when there is no other alternative to protect yourself or your loved ones. even the courts allow for that. now the hybrid killing was murder because he really wasn’t a threat so morally i think mfg is responsible 4 his death but not in the case of someone who is clearly a threat to the well being others.

Well, at-least you’re being honest. But I’m curious if you would apply those same sentiments to a real life situation, cause I wouldn’t.

I think things like that are wrong on TV or in real life. Obviously I’m going to be more tolerant when it happens on Television, but it doesn’t mean I have to agree with it, or even like it.

So yes, I do see the distinction between television and the real world, but with me, I’m just a little less liberal with my morals.

You’re right. Having intelligent, worthwhile discussions about the show are one of the many advantages of this website. It definitely enhances the TVD experience, that’s for sure.

I have a tendency to over-explain things myself. lol But I think when you have a point to make, especially if it’s important, you sometimes say more than is necessary so the person understands exactly what you mean. Though in your case, your explanation was fine. It’s nice discussing things with you Kelly. You can always “explain-away” if you want. lol

Yes, I am actually disappointed by the fact that even as a vampire, Elena has needed constant “saving”. I was hoping for a breakout point, that she would be more self sufficient, take a level in badass and not need saving as much! They keep giving us glimpses of Elena the Warrior Princess, but she still gets poisoned by beer, and when she kills Connor in self-defense she is tortured by his ghost and needs the whole gang to “save her” – AGAIN! 

Elena’s first kill, the first time she can save her brother and she ends up killing a hunter and having hallucinations. She can’t even transition into a vampire ‘safely’. Again, we see just how self centred and obssessed Klaus is with creating his hybrids, as he only ‘protects’ Elena, having just daggered his own sister, to get her out of the way. 

The writers are making too big a deal out of Connor, but the Katherine hallucinations are spot on, she tells Elena everything she does not want to hear about herself, ‘don’t you ever stop crying’. Maybe everyone should let Elena just be a vampire for a while. Then again, Katherine could be talking about herself. Of course its a product of Elena’s subconsious, just as the hallucination of her mother.

Has Stefan lost his mind, making a deal with Klaus? It always ends badly, or does he hate the idea of Elena being a vampire so much?
Professor Shane is a great addition, he knows everything, is always there when needed and we don’t know anything about him yet.