Vampire Diaries Recap EP221. “The Sun Also Rises” Sara Canning, You Will Be Missed.

Was it just me or did last night’s episode of The Vampire Diaries leave everyone so distraught they didn’t know what to do with themselves when it finished? So it wasn’t just me? Was I also the only one who could NOT stop crying the ENTIRE episode? No? Ok, good. Seriously though, it was so depressing. All I could do after this episode was sit on my bed and continue bawling my eyes out for Jenna. I didn’t know what to do with myself, at all. And honestly, I’ve been dreading doing this recap because of the sheer fact I’ll have to watch it again. I’m not even sure what to say, and I think I’m gonna need that 4 month hiatus to recover losing such an amazing, wonderful actress that is Sara Canning. Hon, I’m going to miss you SO much and only hope to meet you one day and tell you how much you dried up my tear ducts on this penultimate episode to a great season 2 of The Vampire Diaries.

Also, I’m pretty sure it was the first, and last, time that Sara Canning did the “Previously on, The Vampire Diaries” bit at the beginning of this episode.

Matt was being such an idiot at the beginning of this episode. And when did Matt even learn how to be so good with a gun. He should learn that wooden bullets don’t work too well on wolves.

Oh look, Damon and his wolf bite. Such a wasted story though. We all know he won’t die. So, wake me up when that’s over with. Also, Katherine is showing a bit of humanity here. Why all of a sudden would you want Damon’s forgiveness after 145 years? I still like them together though. Keeps him away from Stefan and Elena.

JENNA. So Klaus apparently gave her a roofie or something because she blacked out after being kidnapped. But she tells Elena what she remembers and Elena tries helping Jenna and all that good stuff. she’s finally realizing that she’s in transition and I’m on the brink of tears and in comes creepy Martin witch. I’m still wondering when Elena would tell Greta about her family being killed and all. Even though I really hate her right now (Klaus too but still) I kind of feel like she should know. Or maybe she already knows but doesn’t care because she’s shagging an 1,000 year old vampire. Who knows. JENNA TURNS. I’m crying, FYI. I just have so many feelings. She looks so scared. I can’t. Next scene.

WAIT, you people mean to tell me that Bonnie and Jeremy have been READING all this time in that creepy witch mansion all by themselves. These fools. Look at your life choices. Did they even sleep, though? Sleep is vital. Elijah talks a lot. But it’s nice information and all. Damon calls Stefan, cut to Alaric, and more tears. I just have so many feelings, okay!

Sara Canning, you amazing person. Isn’t she awesome so far? I really like how Elena is still saying she’s not going to let anything happen to Jenna and all, when it pretty much looks like they’re all goners. And your plans haven’t worked out so well either. Elena’s plans are becoming like Damon’s. This is not good. Elena’s been real calm, considering the circumstances. And she’s been pretty okay with her dying, but we haven’t seen much worry about the other two people involved in breaking the curse. Hmm. But hey, Klaus is using Jules as the wolf, so let’s just worry about Jenna now, okay? (By the way, amazing acting on Michaela McManus’ part for this scene. Just saying). “Greta, witches are supposed to maintain the balance in nature. It’s their duty to them, to keep this curse sealed.” “My duty is to Klaus! A new order.” Yup, totally shagging the psycho vamp.

Why would you go to Tyler’s house to hide from Tyler? Meanwhile, Matt nonchalantly tells Caroline about his spying and working with the Sheriff but neglects to tell her that Sheriff Forbes still looks at her like she’s her baby girl. Geez Matt, have a heart.

That wolf bite is making ya a little woozy there, huh buddy boy. Such a useless fool. I don’t have much to say on this scene. Moving on, guys.

I literally thought Greta was going to take the moonstone and completely destroy it, and the make a run for it, making it so that the sacrifice can’t happen and she fooled Klaus all along! But no. I really love how Jules is trying to apologize for what she’s done with Tyler, making sure he wouldn’t go through this alone, and Elena is just like “Who are you?” HA. But then Jules tries to either make a run for it and runs into Klaus like an idiot or her eyes wolf out and she’s trying to attack Klaus. Either way, nice try. But your heart is now in the hands of a creep and all. I’m scurred for Jenna.

I’m glad Alaric had enough respect to ask Bonnie to leave the room and tell Jeremy about Jenna. More tears though. I’ve kind of secretly wanted him to be their new daddy figure. It’s impossible that everyone on this show can be so selfless. Everyone is so willing to give themselves up to die and I have never meet anyone like any of these people. This can’t be real. First thing I yelled out, though: NO STEFAN. But then I was like: “Oh psh, he’s part of the holy trinity, they won’t kill him.”

Well, that was a bit creepy. I told y’all he’s psycho. NO JENNA. Once you start reminiscing on the past, you’re done for. You don’t even give a goodbye speech. NEVER. You always say that you’re gonna pull through and survive it all. (This is me, in denial.) “Look around, Elena. I failed you.” “No, you didn’t. I failed you.” Where’s my tissue box again?

“Do you think my mom wants to kill me?” My heart hurts for Caroline. She’s such a wonderful person and such nonsense keeps happening to her. Matt is being a total douchelord too. NEKKID TYLER. He’s so lucky. This is the second time Caroline has been there when he’s woken up from his transformation to have her help him. But, again, NEKKID TYLER. I’m sure Matt isn’t going to want that jacket back.

So apparently, Klaus killed Elijah’s siblings and scattered them at sea. And that is why he wants to kill Klaus. But, I’m not too sure about trusting Elijah anymore. The whole central idea in this show now is family. And I know if anything were to come up then I’d pick family over anything. So who’s to say Elijah won’t try something or get away. “Sometimes, there’s honor in revenge, Stefan. I won’t fail you.”

“We have a witch. She kills Klaus. No one has to die!” Except for BONNIE, you douche. Granted, it’s an okay plan and all, and if there wasn’t another way, I’d probably go for it. I’d just have Bonnie pretty much almost kill him and have someone come in and finish him off so Bonnie won’t die because I like Bonnie. But Damon should really just shut up. “Hell, that’s my brother for ya, always cleaning up my messes.” Well, if you wouldn’t make a mess out of everything, then there wouldn’t be anything for Stefan to clean up, would there?

No. No no no. Where’s my bucket for my cries?! “We can’t leave Jeremy without a family!” For a moment there, I actually thought he was gonna let her go and brin in some random person jogging around town at night. But, turns out it’s Stefan on the hill. Such an awesome shot. Paul looks GOOD here.

Ahem, Salvatore, as in “savior”. Moving on.

Uncle John is describing this new soul binding spell and I was a bit lost. “Skip to the Save Elena part”. Damon, I swear on a stack of bibles, if you don’t shut up. The fact that you are a vampire, walking around wearing a magical daylight ring made by a witch, who has also now been bitten by a werewolf, does not believe in the supernatural? Just when I thought this idiot couldn’t get any dumber. Please, John, continue to put this man in his place. Lord knows Alaric would just stand there and take it.

Such a noble thing to do Stefan. But Klaus is a creep so he’s not taking you, boy. YAY. Jenna learns how to use her super new vamp skills. Now we all know that Stefan wants to take her place and it must really SUCK to be Elena right now. I don’t even understand why anyone would want this curse broken unless you’re psycho, like Klaus. I wouldn’t want to break it if it were me because I surely don’t want to turn into a werewolf every month for the rest of eternity.

With all that’s going on and me worrying SO much over Jenna, it’s hard for me to sit here and actually CARE about this right now. I seriously would have traded Matt to be killed and not Jenna, if it were my choice and that’s what it came down to. Matt is just being a wuss right now. Elena obviously has a worse life than you do, buddy.

DAMON. SIT DOWN. How many times am I going to yell at you? You don’t rush Bonnie! If I were her, I’d have thrown something at his head and then flung him around the room for that nonsense. Adorable Bonnie and Jeremy moment calmed me down a bit. For a second I thought she killed him, though. I don’t blame Alaric for that either. It’s Jenna and Alaric you fools! Imagine their babies! Let him go! I hope Alaric beats the crap out of Damon for that one.

NOO. Is he REALLY going to make her choose between the two? WHAT. A. DOUCHE. OH MY GOD, STEFAN BABY. I freaked out SO bad here. I seriously thought he was gonna kill Stefan and let Jenna go. What a plot twist that would have been. I bursted out in tears and yelled at my tv, my mom almost thought something happened to me. This show isn’t good for my health or sanity. Oh, nevermind, they’re both pretty much doomed since Jenna is in the ring of death and Klaus has other plans for Stefan. I wonder what those could be, but there’s no time for that. NO JENNA. MY BUCKET. WHERE IS IT. This is the saddest thing I’ve ever seen. And Elena crying in the background. “Just turn it off. Jenna, just turn it off. You won’t be scared anymore.” I hate this. I hate this. I’m sending Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson a bill for my therapy sessions. That final tear rolling down the side of Jenna’s face. When watching this last night, I literally just got up during commercial, went to my mom’s room, said “hold me”, stayed there for a few minutes and then told my mom “ok, I’m gonna go cry some more”. And as I watch this scene again, I feel like I want to jump into my tv and replace myself in Jenna’s place. It was beautifully shot, but I really hate it and I just can’t watch this episode anymore. It’s hard enough the first time around.

As much as it hurts me, and it really hurts me, I love everything this scene chose to be, from commercial to commercial. I really do. She doesn’t give in to his gentlemen charms, especially after all the crap that’s happened already. She sets her ground, does what she was supposed to do, and deep inside, hopes that after she dies, they come in and kill him. JENNA. Sorry. Her last words, though: “Go to hell”. Very well said, Elena. Why is he groping her while he feeds? And how come this feed seems so short when he’s supposed to drink her blood til she’s dead? Poor Stefan. He just watched his girlfriend die. Even though he probably knows she’ll still come back. Also notable, those two perfect little holes on her neck when she drops. And as soon as he’s done feeding, the transformation begins. It’s almost like he’s enjoying having his bones cracking. BONNIE. BONNIE. OMG. Nice kill, Damon. GO BONNIE. MY TISSUE BOX. Can I just say how AWESOME Katerina Graham is? I mean, really. Just look at this scene. I LOVE that Damon laid Elena down next to Stefan, before Stefan told him to get her out of there. GO BONNIE. KILL HIM. Oh lawd, you all don’t understand how excited I was for her to finally kill Klaus. I just on’t understand why she doesn’t just finish him. I mean, no one cares about Elijah’s family honor and whatnot. I just want him dead. “Hello, brother.” Nice. WHOA WHOA WHOA. HOLD THE FREAKING PHONE. You say what now, Klaus? No, don’t believe the fool. Why should you? WHY ELIJAH. Bonnie needs to do something. NO. Gah, too late, they already ran off.

Badass, right?

Oh look, John has his fingers back. What is he writing? (That was a promo still, hehe). Another touching scene. Oh god, I can’t take anymore. Yay, Damon’s here. “If you come back as a vampire, I’ll stake you myself. Because I can’t stand the thought of you hating me forever.” If someone doesn’t stake his arrogant self, I’m gonna make sure I will. IT’S ALWAYS ABOUT DAMON. SHUT UP. “What about Jenna?” NOOO. Tears. Everywhere. Ugly tears. I’ve never cried this much. I just want to know, why aren’t Alaric and Jeremy crying? She was Alaric’s girlfriend and Jeremy’s aunt. Why are they just like “Oh, Jenna died? Oh man. I can’t believe this.” And walk off or just stand there. This doesn’t seem real! If someone random lion dies somewhere in Africa, I would shed a tear! Maybe I’m just too emotional and I hate the thought of anyone or anything dying. Yeah, that’s it. ELENA’S BACK. And there goes John. That made me start bawling again, too. I think I really do just have too many feelings. I’m too attached to this show. Such a heartbreaking episode.

Oh look, it’s Tyler and Caroline. His gunshot wound looks like a third nipple. SHIRTLESS TREVINO. *Searching for fan so I can fan myself from this hotness.* “You’re kidding, right? This is the second time I’ve tried to kill you.” “Well, no friendship is perfect.” They’re so cute and adorable here. After all that’s happened, I’m not feeling too sorry for Caroline, but Candice crying makes my heart hurt. Wait, isn’t he NEKKID under there? Hmm.

Elena has lost 5 parental figures in the time span of about a year. 5 parents! I’ve got to hand it to her, it’s not easy, and she’s been SO strong through it all. I applaud her for just that. I can’t even stand the thought of losing my mother. This shot of her looking in the mirror with all these family photos around, looking at pictures of Jenna, her parents, I can’t. This is like the pilot episode. Jeremy in a suit is always nice though. Oh, he gives her Johns letter and the ring. I love their relationship. “I’m so sorry. I’m sorry you’ve lost so many people.” “I still have you”. Bucket o’ tears, anyone? And this song doesn’t help. AT ALL. A lot of people didn’t like John reading the letter over the funeral scene, but I thought it was beautiful. This whole scene is absolutely gorgeous. And I’m in ugly tears right now. Here’s the whole letter:

Elena,
It’s no easy task being an ordinary parent to an extraordinary child. I failed in that task. And because of my prejudices, I failed you. I am haunted by how things might have turned out differently if I had been more willing to hear your side of things. For me it’s the end. For you, a chance to grow old and someday do better with your own child than I did with mine. It’s for that child that I give you my ring. I don’t ask for your forgiveness or for you to forget. I ask only that you believe this: whether you are now reading this as a human or as a vampire, I love you all the same, as I’ve always loved you and always will.
John

Nina Dobrev has the best crying face. She is such a fantastic actress. I love her so much. (The reason I started watching this show, btw . I love that Alaric places a rose on Jenna’s grave. They would have had such adorable babies together. Seriously, why not Matt? The Grill would be fine without him.

Final scene, Damon finally tells Stefan about his wolf bite. And like the amazing brother that he is, Stefan promises he’ll do everything in his power to save his brother. I swear the Salvatores are just like the Winchester brothers (Supernatural, also on The CW). Hate each other as much as possible, almost kill each other, but when it comes down to the nitty gritty, they’ll do everything and anything to save each other. “We kept Elena human, right? We found a way when there was no way. Hey, I will do this.” In reality, this show was also about the brothers’ relationship. And we’ve strayed from that so much, it’s rare to have nice brotherly moments. Also, it’s probably the camera angle, something they did wrong here, but Damon looks like a complete midget. It’s so ridiculous.

Next week, Damon finds Jesus.

Special little graphic I’d like to add for Jenna, from tumblr.

MVP this week goes to 3 very special ladies. Sara Canning. Katerina Graham. Nina Dobrev. It’s obvious Sara Canning deserves all the awards tonight. MVP. Emmy. Oscar. Grammy. Nobel Peace Prize. Blue Ribbon for Best Cry (along with Nina, but that’s not my point). Jenna was such a vital character to Elena and Jeremy. It hurt us all to see her go. This had to be one of the hardest episodes for me to watch, solely because of my worry and tears over Jenna. Sara Canning is a wonderful person and any time it’s possible, I’d love to see her back on the show somehow. I hope to see more of her soon. And wherever life may take you for now, I hope you’ll do great. She never got much of a chance to showcase her talent. Many hugs to you, Sara.

Kat Graham gets MVP for that amazing Bonnie BAMF scene when Klaus was transforming. Her storyline has been so choppy and it dones’t make much sense, but I hope it changes next season. We’ve seen how badass she can be and I hope we’d get more scenes like this one. Kat is an amazing actress as well. Of course, everyone in this cast is fantastic.

And last but not least, Nina Dobrev. She’s a wonderful actress and her ugly crying skills are great enough to break the manliest pro wrestler out there. Her scenes with Sara Canning during this episode have been phenomenal and they both deserve so much praise (as well as Kat). I feel like I’ve said everything I could about Nina in previous recaps, so all I can say is how wonderful she is.

Next week is finally our season 2 finale. The cast have been wrapped for a while now, and shooting starts again in July. Season 3 returns in 4 months, sometime in September. This episode could have easily been the finale and I would have been happy with that. Let’s hope next week doesn’t disappoint.

Have a Happy Mothers Day this weekend!

Photo credit- vampiresite. JackieTVD
Gif: georgeomalley
Graphic: heartshapedbox–