In Transition.
Elena is understandably horrified by the possibility of becoming a vampire at the beginning of the episode, despite acknowledging that her potential transition is a better situation than Matt being dead. She goes through all of the expected stages of the transition, including a strong desire for blood, heightened senses and wacky emotions.
The Council Rises.
The vampire hating members of the Council have taken over, folks! And they're looking to make all of the supernatural creators - and their sympathizers - pay for the lax security in Mystic Falls in recent years. The first thing they do is round up some of their enemies and demote a few others.
Damon, Thy Name is Anger.
That sneak peek from the season premiere where Elena first wakes up is just the beginning of Damon's anger. He's furious by what's happened to Elena, but doesn't want her to give up and die. Still, he goes to significant lengths to take that anger out on people.
Journey to the Dark Side.
Bonnie makes a choice to go great lengths - and risks personal safety - in order to save Elena. This leads to unexpected consequences which are compounded when Klaus shows up, demanding that Bonnie return to him to his own body. Let's just say that the price she pays to save her friend and give in to Klaus' demands are high.
The Triangle.
Elena does remember some important things she had been forced to forget. She then spends an important portion of her transition period with Stefan - in less than ideal circumstances - and reaffirms her love for him. Elena is comfortable with the choice that she made in the season 3 finale, no matter what she might recall now. But where does that leave Damon? With even more anger.
The Council will play a significant role. Look for power players to rise up and demotions to take place.
Bonnie pays a major price to try and save Elena from becoming a vampire. It involves both a special spell and an interaction with Klaus.
There is seriously hot Stelena action... but it concludes in a less-than-sexy way.
Elena drinks Damon's blood. But does she enjoy it?
Damon is still very much in mourning over Alaric. But aren't we all?!?
We learn something new about Jeremy.
A character makes a surprising return in one of the two installments.
1. Shipper stuff galore.
After ten years of covering Smallville I should be used to shows tugging at ‘shipper (relationshipper) emotions. The core of TVD in recent times has been Elena’s choice between the brothers, Damon and Stefan. I might be a bit of a stick in the mud here because I am fine with any choice Elena makes; after all, it’s sure to flip-flop between now and the inevitable conclusion of the show in however many years. I will say this: One group will be extremely happy, but another group will get some fan service as well. TVD knows how to create the drama, so whatever choices there are, they won’t be easy ones.
2. Stefan vs. Damon.
The brothers still have a similar relationship to the past, in that they may sometimes annoy each other, but they tolerate each other. They do have seriously different ideas on what to do with Elena. Damon feels that Matt should have been forgotten and saving Elena should have been the priority, even if it means losing her friend. Stefan wanted to respect her wishes to save Matt first at the end of Season 3. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the brothers also disagree on what Elena should feed on now that she is a vampire.
3. Surprise appearances.
In a world where everything is spoiled, I was jaw-droppingly surprised on more than one occasion. Saying any more will get me into trouble.
4. Steamy vampire sex.
Again, where I feel like an old stick in the mud — there are some scenes that get almost porny in nature. I’m not sure it belongs at the 8PM hour but then again, all the blood and gore probably wouldn’t either. The Vampire Diaries doesn’t need to be True Blood, but I know there are people who are into that sort of thing. (And while I’m being a prude — is there a legal drinking age in Mystic Falls? Just checking.)
5. Danger for the vampires and the people who love them.
There are people who find out all about what has been going on in Mystic Falls, and they are NOT happy. This could change the dynamic for all of the characters. There’s also a new guy in town that I don’t think the others are going to want to cross.
6. Continuity.
One thing I will definitely praise The Vampire Diaries for is it remembers its roots, and it remembers the characters that made a lot of it come together. A different show might forget characters like Aunt Jenna, Lexi, Anna, or Alaric, but not this one. The second episode in particular is willing to look back at The Vampire Diaries’ past while still looking forward, which is rewarding to this longtime viewer while at the same time not alienating a new one.
7. Recaps!
Both episodes seem to take a different approach to the “Previously On…” trope, and both times it seems the recap is different. I like it. I still would LOVE actual opening titles complete with a theme song, but since TV rarely does that these days, this is the next best thing, I guess.
8. The “Diaries” part is mentioned!
Well, sort of. Episode 2 mentions Elena’s passion for writing.
9. The gang’s all here.
Everyone who you see in the Season 4 promo images appears in the premiere in one way or another, and the second episode features at least the entire Mystic Falls High School contingent.
10. Are these episodes perfect?
To put on a critical eye, at least for me, they’re not. I think the second episode is actually a lot stronger than the first, so maybe that trend will continue. Don’t get me wrong, both episodes are enjoyable and worth seeing — but I admit I will have some trouble getting used to the notion that now, it seems that beyond Matt and possibly a new character we meet in Episode 2, there no longer seem to be any normal people in Mystic Falls. Everyone is either a vampire or a witch or a hybrid, or they are related to one. It’s a challenge any long-running series gets…. Smallville ended up with the same issue, where everyone was either a superhero or sleeping with one. I might get used to Vampire Elena, and I know these writers and Nina Dobrev can pull it off, but I’m somewhat nostalgic for the days when there was a little bit of normalcy in Mystic Falls.
Elena is having an extremely difficult time.
We’ll slap an “obvious” sticker on this spoiler. Elena’s transition to the undead will not be easy for her, both before and after she actually feeds. Her need to care for everyone and put up a tough front will make her even more vulnerable given her heightened emotional state. It will also make Stefan (Paul Wesley) more intent on keeping her from killing anyone so that she never feels the need to shut her humanity off. Damon (Ian Somerhalder), well, he’ll just be angry.
Bonnie (Kat Graham) is a bad ass.
We already knew that Bonnie was going to do everything she could to attempt to stop Elena’s transition into a vampire, but how far she really goes is amazing. The girl gives literally everything she has to help her friend, no matter the repercussions are for her use dark magic. Unfortunately, she’ll be pushed even further when forced to help Klaus get back in his rightful body and it will cripple her sense of self as a witch.
Tyler (Michael Trevino) is even hotter/more amazing as Klaus.
We wouldn’t have thought it was possible, but somehow Trevino made Tyler even hotter as he embodied original vamp, Klaus. He brought his “A” game in these scenes. His mannerisms and facial expressions were absolute perfection and it was nice to see him act in such a dark and dramatic turn. Whether he was playing Klaus or Tyler, we were uber impressed with his performance.
Is it hot in here or is it just us?
The first two episodes feature not one but three particularly hot scenes between some of our main characters. As we’ve been teased in the season premiere photos, Tyler/Klaus and Caroline (Candice Accola) have quite the steamy reunion in “Growing Pains.” Caroline is too smart for Klaus though and things get shut down before they go too far. The pair also have a scene in “Memorial” that’s not only hot but also sweet and funny.
With Elena’s emotions heightened, the chemistry between her and Stefan is off the charts and you’ll see that on screen in the first two episodes. Though their first bout of vamp sex is unfortunately put on hold thanks to Elena’s difficulty feeding. (Damn!)There will be some unexpected surprises. You’ll be seeing some familiar people in these episodes and while we can’t tell you who you may pop up, we’ll just say that you won’t be disappointed by their appearances.
Elena remembers and Damon sulks.
Part of the transition to vamp status includes remembering all those things you were compelled to forget and Elena does this in a way that made us smile and tear. Not only does she now remember that she met Damon first but also that he once told her he loved her (replay of a heartbreaking scene, so get lots of tissues!). Throughout the episodes, Damon will continue to try and come to terms with the fact that the life he wanted for Elena is over and he does this mostly by being angry. He’ll also help her in a way that Stefan will not enjoy in “Memorial.”
Watch out for the council and the new hunter in town.
With the council now aware of just who everyone is, the danger for our favorite Mystic Falls residents is at an all time high. Things get even more precarious when Connor Jordan (guest star Todd Williams) rolls into Mystic Falls.
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