“The Vampire Diaries” leads the pack when it comes to the 2012 Teen Choice Awards nominations with a total of six. Right on the CW show’s heels are “American Idol” and Justin Bieber with five each.

TVD snagged nominations for fantasy/sci-fi TV series, fantasy/sci-fi TV series actor (Ian Somerhalder, Paul Wesley), fantasy/sci-fi TV series actress (Nina Dobrev, Kat Graham) with Somerhalder also vying for male hottie.

Beginning Friday, fans between the ages of 13-19 can vote once each day per category on the official Teen Choice Awards website. Click inside for the full list of nominees!

Choice TV Show: Fantasy/Sci-Fi
“Fringe”
“Once Upon a Time”
“Supernatural”
“True Blood”
“The Vampire Diaries”

Choice TV Actor: Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Jensen Ackles, “Supernatural”
Joshua Jackson, “Fringe”
Jared Padalecki, “Supernatural”
Ian Somerhalder, “The Vampire Diaries”
Paul Wesley, “The Vampire Diaries”

Choice TV Actress: Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Nina Dobrev, “The Vampire Diaries”
Ginnifer Goodwin, “Once Upon a Time”
Kat Graham, “The Vampire Diaries”
Anna Paquin, “True Blood”
Anna Torv, “Fringe”

Source

NEW YORK – May 17, 2012 – The CW Network presented its 2012-13 broadcast schedule today to advertisers, affiliates and national media at the New York City Center in New York City. Hip-hop star Flo Rida opened the show with a medley of his top hits, featuring the world premiere of his newest song, “Let it Roll (Good Times).”

“One of our biggest priorities this year at The CW was adding more original programming, and we’ve added 50 original hours to our schedule in 2012,” said Mark Pedowitz, President, The CW. “With dynamic new dramas for the fall and midseason, and our first-ever summer schedule leading into our October fall launch, this is poised to be a transformative season for The CW.

“The dramas we have for next season are outstanding, with relatable characters and breakout stars. ‘Arrow,’ starring Stephen Amell in the title role, is a bold, edge-of-your-seat action show, based on the popular DC Comics character; ‘Emily Owens, M.D.’ is funny, emotional, and we have caught lightning in a bottle with an incredible lead actor in Mamie Gummer; ‘Beauty and the Beast’ takes a classic love story and adds a procedural element; ‘The Carrie Diaries,’ with the story of a young Carrie Bradshaw set in the 1980s, is perfect for our audience; and ‘Cult’ is a chilling psychological thriller. We have an unbelievable variety of high quality dramas, all speaking to the 18-to-34-year old audience, set for next season.”

The CW will plan to strategically rollout its new fall season starting in early October 2012. Specific dates to be announced at a later time.

On Monday nights, the most famous zip code in America, 90210, returns at 8:00-9:00 p.m., and GOSSIP GIRL will wrap up its six-season run of OMFG drama at 9:00-10:00 p.m. In January, new series THE CARRIE DIARIES, starring AnnaSophia Robb as the incomparable and iconic Carrie Bradshaw growing up in the 1980s, will follow in GOSSIP GIRL’s stylish heels at 9:00-10:00 p.m.

Tuesdays The CW will play doctor, with HART OF DIXIE, starring Rachel Bilson, bringing its dose of Southern hospitality to 8:00-9:00 p.m., followed by new medical drama EMILY OWENS, M.D. from 9:00-10:00 p.m., starring Mamie Gummer as a surgical intern who discovers, much to her dismay, that working in a hospital feels an awful lot like high school.

The CW gives Wednesday a double dose of high-octane action, with new series ARROW, starring Stephen Amell as the popular DC Comics character, at 8:00-9:00 p.m., followed by this year’s People’s Choice Award-winner for Best Network Drama, SUPERNATURAL, 9:00-10:00 p.m.

Thursday nights The CW’s bloody-good drama THE VAMPIRE DIARIES is back for more heart-stopping thrills and romance, followed by new series BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, starring Kristin Kreuk as a homicide detective and Jay Ryan as a doctor with a dark side… a really dark side.

Fridays are filled with fierce females, with AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL moving to a new night and time, 8:00-9:00 p.m., followed by Maggie Q’s return to action as NIKITA, 9:00-10:00 p.m.

New drama CULT, starring Matt Davis as a journalist looking for his brother, who went missing after becoming obsessed with a hit TV show about a menacing cult leader, will premiere at midseason, with a date and time to be announced later.

THE CW’s 2012-2013 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE

MONDAY
8:00-9:00 PM 90210 (New Night)
9:00-10:00 PM GOSSIP GIRL (New Time)

(THE CARRIE DIARIES premieres January, 2013)
TUESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM HART OF DIXIE (New Night)
9:00-10:00 PM EMILY OWENS, M.D. (New Series)

WEDNESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM ARROW (New Series)
9:00-10:00 PM SUPERNATURAL (New Night)

THURSDAY
8:00-9:00 PM THE VAMPIRE DIARIES
9:00-10:00 PM BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (New Series)

FRIDAY
8:00-9:00 PM AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL (New Night)
9:00-10:00 PM NIKITA (New Time)

8:00-9:00 P.M. “THE VAMPIRE DIARIES”

Based on the best-selling book series, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES is the story of two vampire brothers, obsessed with the same gorgeous girl, who are battling to control the fate of an entire town. In season one, Stefan and Damon Salvatore returned to their hometown of Mystic Falls, Virginia, for very different reasons. Stefan was determined to get to know Elena Gilbert, who bears a striking resemblance to Katherine Pierce, the beautiful but ruthless vampire the brothers knew and loved — in 1864. Damon, on the other hand, was intent on releasing Katherine from the tomb where he believed she was trapped by a witch’s spell all those years ago. In the explosive season finale, Elena’s uncle set a plan in motion that saw the return of the vengeful Katherine Pierce. In season two, Katherine’s appearance and her precise manipulation threw a wrench into the love triangle between Stefan, Elena and Damon. Stefan and Damon later faced their greatest challenge yet — the arrivals of Elijah and Klaus, two of the powerful “original” vampires. Season three revealed the history of Klaus and The Original Family, as well as the surprising friendship Klaus and his sister Rebekah shared with Stefan decades earlier — until Klaus compelled Stefan to forget they’d ever met. In the present day, Klaus’ return led to Stefan’s descent back to his violent “Ripper” ways. Elena and Damon worked together to bring Stefan back from the edge, even as they struggled with the guilt of their growing bond. Meanwhile, Klaus found himself irresistibly drawn to Caroline Forbes, forcing Caroline’s boyfriend, Tyler Lockwood, to break his sire bond to Klaus and claim Caroline as his own. Finally, the life of Alaric Saltzman, Elena and Jeremy’s trusted teacher and guardian, took a terrifying turn when Klaus’ mother, Esther, used witchcraft and Bonnie’s unwilling help to turn Alaric into a powerful vampire who hunts down and destroys other vampires – the ultimate vampire hunter. Season Four begins with the knowledge that everything is changing. As Elena and her friends enter into the final stretch of high school before graduation sends them off on different paths, their bond to their home town of Mystic Falls takes on a deeper meaning when a new villain seems intent on destroying it. The series stars Nina Dobrev as Elena Gilbert, Paul Wesley as Stefan Salvatore, Ian Somerhalder as Damon Salvatore, Steven R. McQueen as Jeremy Gilbert, Kat Graham as Bonnie Bennett, Candice Accola as Caroline Forbes, Zach Roerig as Matt Donovan, Michael Trevino as Tyler Lockwood and Joseph Morgan as Klaus. Based on the series of books by L. J. Smith, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES is from Bonanza Productions Inc., Outerbanks Entertainment and Alloy Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios with executive producers Kevin Williamson (“Scream,” “Dawson’s Creek”), Julie Plec (“Kyle XY,” “Wasteland”), Leslie Morgenstein (“Gossip Girl,” “Private”) and Bob Levy (“Gossip Girl,” “Privileged”).

A special thanks to Ruthie for supplying this. @tvdfansonline

We start of right away with the death of her parents. Yes, I know at this point she does not known all the circumstanced that was involved in the car crash. But at such a young age to loose your parents, is a heart break non of us would ever want to go through. Now let’s take a look at all she has lost because of who she is or that others wanted to protect her life.

Throughout the 3 seasons, Elena has lost every parental role she has ever know. Her biological parents, Jenna, Alaric. Aside from Alaric who would have if given the chance, all of them freely laid down their life for the sake of Elena. Showing in the end, unconditional love for her. The way a guardian should behave.

Next we have her friends. Caroline was abused/mis treated and fed upon and in the end turned into a vampire because of Elena. Katherine was sending Stefan & Elena a very strong message. Tyler although Elena not untimely close too, still was turned into something for the sake of showing Elena and the gang that Klaus was serious. Bonnie, how do we even start with her? She has lost so much. Her Grams, her real mother was turned into a vampire again for the sake of Elena being able to stay alive.

Do you really need to carry on? So much has happened in Mystic Falls it’s almost unbelievable. I am not saying that all these people are wrong to have put Elena first. Not at all. What I want you to see is this. Everything that I mentioned above Elena has put on her shoulders. She carries the burden of knowing all these people have died for her. Can you imagine just for a minute carrying that yourself?

Let’s now take you to the car crash. The one with Matt & Elena. She had throughout season 3 come to the conclusion, she was the one that should have died in her parents car crash. But because someone loved her so much, he gave his own life to save her. When Elena woke up under water with Matt, trying desperately to get herself and Matt free and failing. She was scared. In comes Stefan. Elena at this point makes the most unselfish decision she could have made. She was tired of carrying that burden. She was done with loosing any more loved ones for her. She knew IMHO only one could be saved. She choose Matt. She did not want Stefan to save her and she has to yet again live through another heart ache of knowing a loved one is dead because someone picked herself over another. Stefan loves her, we all know this. He wanted to take her first. But he also knew Elena and respected her free will and listened to her wish.

I do not know if Elena knew she had vampire blood in her. I honestly don’t care. The only reason I am writing this is because people are to worried about a darn ship and not able to see the beauty of what Elena finally let go and did. This was HER decision. This was HER wish. This was HER free will.

If Elena knew she had vampire blood in her system, then doesn’t that prove that she was ok with her choice and wanted Stefan to respect it. If she did not know, then why not look to Dr. Fell for giving her vamp blood. With Elena wanting Stefan to save Matt and knowing she probably would die, isn’t that the ultimate unselfish act?

And just checking: Matt did survive, right?
I think for Matt to not survive that after everything would be just too damn tragic.

One of the twists we didn’t see coming — conveniently after Elena said maybe her choice would have been different if she’d met Damon first — was that Damon HAD actually met her first on the night of her parents’ crash, but he compelled her to forget because he didn’t want anyone else to know he was in town.
Damon now has a small collection of things that he’s compelled her to forget. If there’s one thing that everyone knows about our vampire rules it’s that when you die and are in transition, your memories start to come back. So, there’s some new information that will be introduced to Elena in the first episode of next season. I think it’s just all part of the ongoing friendship and romantic entanglement that Elena has with Damon. She’s never gonna be able to shake it completely, and new information is only gonna get under her skin and embed itself into her even more. And so, it will cause complications with Stefan, of course. But she’s committed to Stefan. She loves Stefan. We’ll get to actually see them be together for a little while.

Read rest here.

WHERE TO EVEN BEGIN?!  I don’t know about all of you, but I think this episode was beyond fantastic, an epic finale that I still can’t manage to fully process. The acting in this episode was phenomenal, literally everybody was on point. I don’t have a clue how to begin discussion on this rollercoaster finale – I’m still dizzy from all the twists and turns.

I guess let’s try with the opening:

So, we open with the birds chirping and Elena peacefully sleeping in her bed [immediately I’m wondering why there’s no trip to the hospital], until we suddenly get a wake-up call from Elena’s alarm clock rocking out to Pink’s “So What?” which is obviously Flashback Music.

Sure enough, Elena hops on out of bed, dons her cheerleading uniform and heads down to breakfast to chat with everyone’s favorite aunt: Jenna Sommers. We get a cute little exchange between Elena and her Aunt Jenna, and we also finally get to see Elena’s mom! [Oh, these poor little orphans, these Gilberts].

Suddenly, we’re back to present day, in the Mystic Falls hospital – Elena is waking up alone in her hospital room, obviously confused and disoriented. Meanwhile, in the hallway, Meredith Fell has made her guest appearance to heal her – and comfort Jeremy, telling him that he has nothing to worry about because Elena will be fine [apparently bleeding from the ears is no longer a sign of imminent death]. Dr. Fell assures Jeremy that Elena’s just had a rough go of it [how observant, doc]. In the first of many ridiculous lines of this episode, Meredith asks Jeremy, “Is there anyone you want to call?” [sure, rub it in that they have no family left to call – but hey, there’s always the Salvatores].

Of course, Jeremy immediately calls Stefan and Damon – who, naturally, panic that he took her to the hospital what with all of the supernatural world wanting to kill her [along with a lot of the non-supernatural TVD viewers – but I digress]. They tell Jeremy to get her out of the hospital and take her home.

"Our life is one big, proverbial coin toss." -Damon

Stefan and Damon discuss which one of them will go back to Elena and Jeremy to sort out the latest drama. As Stefan points, out, one of them has to take Klaus’ body far from Mystic Falls before Alaric catches up with them. How do they decide which Salvatore gets to rush to Elena’s rescue? Another coin toss, naturally.

Back at Mystic Falls’ Hospital, Meredith walks into her office to find Alaric hanging out waiting on her to show up. His feelings are all hurt because no one called him – Elena’s guardian – to tell him that his charge was hospitalized. Alaric jacks her supply of vampire blood and dumps it out – simultaneously telling her that her medical license is about to be suspended and that the Founder’s Council is [finally] caught up on the real situation here in town.

He also kindly informs her that Sheriff Forbes and Mayor Lockwood have been fired. He then goes down to Elena’s room in hopes of collecting his wayward charge – only to discover she’s vanished; her hospital bed is empty.

Her fast-moving rescue team has done its job – Tyler, Matt, and Caroline have managed to get her safely home. While Tyler and Matt conduct a search of the house, Caroline and Elena have a moment – where Elena gets to enjoy being mothered by Caroline while reflecting on her time before her parents died.

Cue another Flashback, this time to Bonnie, Matt, and Elena casually strolling around Mystic Falls High School [my how things have changed – look at them, going to school back in the day], chatting about clothes and bonfires, typical teenager stuff. We also realize this is the afternoon before the accident, as Matt encourages her to ditch family night in favor of going to the bonfire.

Sweet Matt Donovan tells her he loves her (to which she says nothing) and then heads off [to meet up with his coach; you know, staying in school – you go, Matty]. Bonnie calls her out on her silence – and also tells her to tell him that she doesn’t love him anymore [it would seem that Elena was just as ridiculous with her love life back then as she is now].

Back to the present – Matt is on Elena duty. They chat about the good old days; Elena apologizes for stringing him along and not being honest about it. She realizes that what she’s done is not right, and that she’s doing the same thing to Stefan and Damon. Matt asks her which one she wants to let go; Elena pauses to answer… and in walks Stefan – as if on cue.

Needless to say, that conversation is dropped for the moment, while the three of them get ready for dinner. Wise Matt Donovan suggests leaving town, getting the heck out of Dodge, but Elena refuses because (as we all know) she’s an idiot who makes stupid decisions. Stefan sides with Elena because he refuses to take away her free will. Matt questions his judgment, at which point Stefan responds with: “Nothing wrong with free will, Matt – you don’t realize that til you lose it.”

"Hello again."

This is about to become yet another conversation interrupted because… in walks Elijah!

Moving on, we have Jeremy dropping by the Mystic Grill to pick up dinner for the gang back at the Gilbert residence. Who should pop up to chat? None other than Mr. Alaric Saltzman, himself, with a couple of beers [giving alcohol to a minor, Mr. Saltzman? And you call yourself their guardian...].

Alaric asks Jeremy to tell him the location of Klaus’ body – using Jeremy’s worry for Elena’s safety as his leverage. Alaric promises in exchange that, after he kills all of the vampires, he will let Bonnie desiccate him so that Elena can live out the rest of her life.

Meanwhile, back at the Gilbert residence, Elijah proposes a plan: for the gang to help the Originals get the stake away from Ric, give them Klaus’ body back, and the entire family will go on the run until Elena’s life is over. [Don’t you just love the way Daniel Gillies has Elijah pronounce “Elena”? I do.]

The group seems to be considering the plan, until we get a voice from nowhere – it turns out Damon is on speakerphone. [Why did I find that completely hysterical?] Of course, as this plan has a whole lot of danger for Elena, Damon is not at all down for the plan. His exact words? “No, no, no, no! Did I mention no?” Stefan is not okay with the plan either, but in typical Stefan fashion, he’s willing to let her make the choice herself.

Elena considers it, and asks Elijah why he even wants Klaus’ body back (because he basically promised to leave him in the coffin until Elena’s grandchildren died – to teach him a lesson), to which Elijah responds that he wants him back because he’s his brother – so she agrees to Elijah’s plan.

The gang concocts a plan, and Jeremy calls Alaric [who’s just chillin' in Mystic Grill – guess you don’t have many options in that town] to tell him where the coffin is.

“If you stay, you’re going to end up dead – you don’t have a choice.”

Meanwhile, Tyler and Caroline go to see their moms at the Lockwood Mansion, who tell them they have to skip town. They promise to get them school records [as if these kids are worried about school], and tell them that they can’t protect them anymore [yeah, because you two were doing such a bang-up job before Vampire Alaric took over].

Caroline and Tyler debate leaving town. Caroline doesn’t want to – but Tyler convinces her. He offers to pack for her, but Caroline says she only needs him – and maybe a curling iron. They make plans to meet up in two hours at the cell.

Out at the Storage Unit, Bonnie and Damon are working some magic [by that I mean a spell] so that Alaric can’t find Klaus. Bonnie talks to Klaus and basically tells him she won’t let him die [again with the apparently selective vampire hearing – Damon is clueless]. Bonnie leaves and Damon gets blindsided by Alaric [Bonnie – what have you done?!]. Alaric snaps his neck or breaks his spine – not sure which but does it matter really? He’s down for the count.

Once again back to the Gilbert residence, Stefan promises Elena he’ll do his best to make sure no one dies [always know those statements are doomed on this show]. Elena acts like she’s going to tell him her decision, and changes her mind. Stefan starts to walk away, then comes back and kisses her.

Stefan: “That’s just in case there is no later.”

Matt brings Elena some tea. “Over-honeyed” tea, that is. [Personally, I think he put something in it. I don’t buy into the “over-honeyed” ploy, but we all know how naïve Elena Gilbert can be.] So, while Elena sips on her roofied “over-honeyed” tea, she and Matt have another triangle conversation. Matt is determined to get to the bottom of the dilemma [maybe he’s as tired of her stringing the Salvatores along as we are – or maybe he’s just hoping she’ll open her eyes and realize she wants her some Matt Donovan instead].

We get another Flashback, this time to the bonfire she skipped family night for, where Elena and Matt got into a fight. He’s all about their future together – getting married, having babies, going to college [not necessarily in that order] – and she doesn’t want anything to do with it. Mommy Gilbert gives Elena some sound advice: drop Matt, let him go.

Bex shows up at the Storage Unit and can’t find Damon. She’s wandering the corridors, Alaric stalking her from afar [I don't really understand why he didn't just stake her right then - I mean, besides the fact that the writers didn't want her killed off, obviously]. Damon rescues her, and they try to make off with the coffin. However, Alaric busts them, pops open the coffin and stabs Klaus. Klaus goes up in flames while Rebekah and Damon watch [have to admit I did not see that one coming. Of all the Originals, I thought he was the safest bet]. 

Rebekah runs, Alaric chases after her. Damon calls Stefan to tell him that, basically, they’re all about to die. Stefan passes on the message, Jeremy informs him that Matt has taken Elena and ran out of town, so neither Damon nor Stefan get to say goodbye [hah! Like her decision would be made for her that easily]. Jeremy calls Matt to tell him that Klaus is dead. Matt makes Elena choose whether she wants him to take her back to Stefan or out to Damon.

"He's gone, Elijah. There was nothing I could do to stop it."

She chooses Stefan, but calls Damon to tell him. She tells him that she never stopped loving Stefan, that maybe if she had met him first instead of Damon things might be different [was anyone else kind of surprised about that decision - because I kind of didn't see that coming, and even though I really couldn't care less who she ends up with, I still couldn't help but feel sad for Damon]. Eventually, they get off the phone, Damon sees Alaric, who is mad at Damon for helping Rebekah get away from him. Alaric knocks him out.

In the meantime, Caroline goes to meet up with Tyler at the cell, bringing the news that death is coming for them all. Tyler starts to turn, for some weird reason [maybe that's how hybrids die when the creator of their bloodline dies]. Caroline doesn’t feel anything, so Tyler tells her it’s probably because Klaus lied about siring them. He makes her leave him. Caroline calls Elena to tell her and Matt that Tyler’s dying. Matt has a breakdown because of the way their lives have turned out [I'm surprised he's kept his cool this long. Poor Matty, I just want to hug him - the lone human].

We flash over to a poignant scene in the woods between Elijah and Rebekah, who can’t figure out why Tyler was the only one who died. They confirm that Klaus was the one who originated the Mystic Fall gang’s bloodline. Rebekah, ever the impulsive one, goes off and makes Matt drive him and Elena off the Wickery Bridge so Elena, and thus Alaric, will die.

Bonnie goes into the cell, calling for Tyler. They talk, and we learn that Klaus is in Tyler’s body, that Bonnie helped him get there so that her mom and friends wouldn’t die [quite possibly one of the biggest plot twists I think I've ever not had even an inkling of]. Bonnie tells him that she’s tired of everyone pushing her around and using her, so she’s not following the spirits anymore, but just doing what she wants to do [pretty sure we all saw that one coming, but still: you go, girl!].

Back at the Storage Unit, Alaric is beating Damon senseless. Damon ends up passing out and flashes back to that night before Elena and her parents went over Wickery Bridge. We learn that Damon actually, technically, met Elena first. They have a conversation about the type of love Elena is looking for (Damon says “consuming” love with adventure and danger), but he compelled her to forget [I don't really know that this scenario was in character for who Damon was back then, but it was interesting to see, anyway].

[My heart has literally shattered into a million pieces over these last few scenes - starting with this one.] Damon comes to, and decides that he’s finally going to fight back, presumably for Elena. In the middle of their tussle, Alaric begins to die [because, of course, Elena is drowning back at the Wickery Bridge]. Damon panics because he realizes that if Alaric’s dying, then so is Elena. [Meanwhile, I'm panicking because as I'm not prepared to say goodbye to Alaric yet, and he's dying. Didn't really care that much about Elena - we all knew she wouldn't actually be dead.]

Finally, we are taken to the hospital, where Stefan is sitting with Elena’s body. Damon comes running in and is stopped my Dr. Fell, who informs him that she gave her vampire blood to heal her injury the night before [essentially stating that she's going to become a vampire]. The camera pans back to Elena, lying there, at which point her eyes snap open, and then the credits roll  [Twilight: Breaking Dawn style, or was that just me?].

So, in conclusion, we are left with a ton of cliffhangers:

Will Elena complete her transition to vampire?

Is Alaric sticking around in ghost form, or was that his last goodbye?

Will Tyler ever return, or is Michael Trevino going to be playing Klaus from now on?

Caroline’s essentially skipped town by herself, no word on where she’s heading, or how long she’ll be gone.

What’s going to become of Bonnie now that she’s not playing nice with her magic?

Is Matt Donovan even alive after all of that?

Recap done by Brittany @ItEntertainsMe

See the rest of the Round Table here. you do not want to miss this.

We open with suspenseful music, and a pan of Alaric chilling in his history classroom [reliving the glory days?] twirling the indestructible white-oak stake between his fingers, while Caroline is wandering the hallways before she’s supposed to meet with Rebekah, the other vampire Barbie, for a clean-up session after the latest Decade Dance. [So, are their vampire powers selective? Why on earth would Caroline be able to hear her mom and the Salvatores back in Season 2, but not be able to hear or sense Alaric chilling down the hallway?]

Caroline and Rebekah exchange condolences – sorry for your mom’s death, sorry about your teacher’s death – and we can’t help but feel bad for Rebekah as she misses yet another dance, with the statement: “I didn’t even get to attend the dance that I organized.” Poor Bex. Life suddenly gets even worse for her when the newest town vampire (formerly known as Mr. Saltzman) pops out of his classroom to take her out. Luckily for her (unfortunately for Caroline), he lets her go in favor of just kidnapping Caroline.

Meanwhile, in the Gilbert house, Jeremy and Elena are busy repainting Alaric’s old bedroom, trying to move on with their lives after the latest family death. Of course, in comes Stefan to check up on them Elena [and who can blame Jeremy for his attitude towards vampires at this point?]. Elena rushes to assure Jeremy that she and Stefan are not dating again, but Jeremy’s having none of it. He throws some sass Stefan’s way before stomping off in protest of the ever-present vampires in their lives.

Back at Klaus Manor: Klaus and his “loyal” hybrid Tyler are packing. Rebekah tells Klaus about Alaric’s new vampire status – and that he tried to kill her. Klaus’ solution is to just skip town, but not without his doppelganger. Rebekah, ever the impatient one, says she’s leaving now, and without him, if he doesn’t ditch his doppelganger. Of course, Klaus won’t leave without Elena, so Bex leaves without him.

Back at the Gilbert house: Damon and Bonnie show up to inform the gang of the new town vampire. We also learn that Damon saved Bonnie from dying at Alaric’s hands. They’re interrupted when Klaus arrives, politely knocking on the door asking for his doppelganger so he can skip town [normal, everyday requests]. Naturally, the Salvatore brothers do not find that acceptable, and shut the door in his face.

They search the house for Elena, who had just received a call from Ric. His normal, everyday request? Come alone to the high school [you do still remember where that is, right Elena?] or else Caroline will die. [Again with torturing poor Caroline… who will blame her if she skips town with Klaus? At least he’ll make sure she doesn’t get tortured by every random supernatural being who strolls through town.] Naturally, martyr Elena can’t resist a call to sacrifice herself, so she runs off to Alaric without telling anyone.

She shows up to the school, tries to free Caroline, who is staked to a desk with pencils [brings a whole new meaning to “detention”], until Vampire Alaric stops her. Elena whines that he’s breaking his promise to release Caroline. Of course, Alaric then delivers one of the most epic lines of the episode: “How many times do I have to tell you, Elena? STOP trusting vampires.”

Meanwhile, back at the Gilbert house, which is under siege courtesy of the local Original hybrid Klaus, the gang is busy dodging newspapers, soccer balls, and fence posts – hyped up on Original power [you know, just your everyday Saturday afternoon in Mystic Falls], reminiscent of Elijah’s tricks from Season 2.

Fortunately, Klaus’ aim isn’t up to par, so he mainly just causes some damage to the house, until Stefan steps in – or rather, out – and informs Klaus of Alaric’s new master plan: Klaus has to turn himself over, or else he’ll kill both Caroline and Elena. [Crazy Vampire Ric is not wasting any time here. Some of the other “villains” of the season should be taking note because this is how you get things done around Mystic Falls.]

In an interesting turn of events, now the gang has to join up with Klaus to save Elena and Caroline, and “put down” their old friend Alaric. [Cue resident witch, stage right, to come in and save the day.] Bonnie has a plan, using Abby’s old spell, to desiccate Alaric, but needs the local vamp muscle to hold him down until she can do it.

Abby shows up to the Salvatore residence with a message from Bonnie’s latest love interest [who, I guess, opted not to ditch her even after almost dying for her at the Decade Dance – some people just don’t have any sense], who was worried about her. Abby also brings some interesting news: Bonnie will have to tap into her dark magic to desiccate Alaric. She will have to stop a human heart. [Still have expectations of a Dark Bonnie next season – maybe one that will team up with this new Dark Alaric?] Abby is doubtful of Bonnie’s abilities, but Damon is all about some Team Bonnie, so they go ahead and make a plan.

Now it’s time for some product placement, so in lieu of a tracking spell, they use a handy stalker-app on one of their cell phones to find Caroline and Elena [because I guess they didn’t already know that they were in the classroom? – Far be it from us to knock a product placement]. Jeremy volunteers to be the human heart donor, the idea being that his ring will bring him back to life – again. Naturally, Damon is concerned about Jeremy using the ring, what with how well that ended for Alaric, but as we know, Jeremy is a stubborn, relentless Gilbert.

Now for some triangle love: we learn that Klaus ships Stelena. [Obviously: Klaroline + Stelena = Klaus’ OTPs – Maybe he just has hopes of roaming the world together – him and Caroline, with his BFF Stefan and his doppelganger Elena in tow.] Klaus feels that Stefan, not Damon, is the better option for Elena because of how much he has done for her and Damon. [Stefan obviously agrees.] Of course, Stefan assures Klaus that he and Damon are closer than ever [Team Salvatore!] because, to quote Stefan himself: “Damon and I have been through a hell of a lot worse than you.” [Epic quote of the episode #2].

The rescue team congregates to pass around a vial of Bonnie-blood (so that they’ll be connected). They lay out the plan to take down Alaric, and Klaus drops the bombshell that he’s their originator. [Of course, as Mr. Salvatore points out, he could just be lying so that they don’t kill him… but it’s not really a chance they can take.] Then the newly-formed rescue team heads into that thing, I’ve heard, they call a high school, and Bonnie and Jeremy head off [to the woods, for whatever reason] to do the desiccation spell.

Meanwhile, within the school, Alaric attempts a heart-to-heart with Elena, trying to make her see the error of her ways, that all vampires are evil, that her parents would be so disappointed in her. He tries to get her to kill Caroline, telling her that if she won’t he’ll kill her himself, just more painfully. Being the devious Elena Gilbert, she pretends that she’s going to, until she switches and goes after Ric instead. Caroline runs out the classroom – straight into Klaus’s arms. The two share an intense wordless moment, before Klaus tells her to go home and let them save Elena. Making a smart move, Caroline does what he says.

Alaric and Elena are scuffling, until the rescue team breaks them up and tries to hold him down so Bonnie can do her witch thing. Elena gets frustrated when he immediately takes them all down, and demands that Alaric just kill her already. Through Alaric’s refusal to kill her, they realize that if Elena dies, Alaric dies, so she’s safe from him [unless he decides he’s tired of life, anyway].

[Can I just stop for a minute and comment that I LOVE this episode so much – minimal ship stuff, just violence and family and vampires… and violence.]

With this new realization, Klaus makes off with his doppelganger and takes her back to his mansion. He ties her down and tells her he’s just going to drain her dry. [I guess he finally realized that trying to keep Elena Gilbert alive is more trouble than it’s worth.] Tyler the “sired” hybrid sees and wants to help her, but Klaus stops him and tells him to shove off, basically. So now here is the test: is his sire bond broke? Tyler hesitates, but then leaves [so we’re left wondering if he left because Klaus told him to – or because he’s going to fetch help for Elena].

But anyway, Tyler leaves, and Klaus informs the viewers that Elena won’t choose one of the Salvatores because she knows she’ll destroy their bond. So, he says that he is doing her a favor by killing her – no broken hearts and no broken bond.

Klaus leaves the room, and Tyler comes to rescue her – which Klaus ends up walking back in and witnessing. [So much for that sire bond.] In the next epic quote of the episode, Tyler tells Klaus: “I’m not your little bitch anymore,” and he proceeds to tell Klaus that he did it for Caroline because “real love is stronger than fake loyalty”. [You go, Tyler!] Klaus tries to tell Tyler that he did him a favor turning him into a hybrid – but Tyler has clearly broken his sire bond for good as he responds: “You didn’t give a crap a about me; you just didn’t want to be alone.”

About this time, Stefan and Damon show up to rescue her [having been awaken and caught up on the situation by Vampire Alaric]. As they’re fighting, she hits her head on the table [which, from the emphasis placed on it, must mean something important later]. Bonnie does her desiccation spell on Klaus instead – while Stefan and Damon hold him down. Unlike with Vampire Alaric, it works on Klaus, who goes down where he stands. [As an aside: Bonnie looked real happy doing that dark magic – again, possibly setting us up for a Dark Bonnie next season?] She uses Jeremy, who’s heart stops – but he survives [though it isn’t really made clear how he survives, whether it was from Bonnie’s magic or from his ring].

Meanwhile, still at Klaus Masion – Elena just gets up and walks out of the house [she should not be walking after just being drained of blood – and then hitting her head – so what’s going on here?]. Stefan and Damon both drive Elena home – and walk her to her door – and say their going to stay with her. Elena apologizes for appearing to be stringing them along – which she is – but she says that it’s because she doesn’t want to lose either one of them.

Damon and Stefan tell her that they’re going to dispose of Klaus and then leave town to escape Vampire Alaric, but that they’ll call her later.

Elena walks into the house – to discover the old high school crew is staging a raver to celebrate that Klaus has been taken down. [Can we take a second to appreciate the Gilbert Family cleaning crew? I wonder who they paid to come in and clean up their shattered living room….] Anyway, the whole, pre-vampire gang is there [which is just absolutely adorable, and a display of more family bonding – of a different kind].

[It’s funny to think that in the beginning of this show, everyone standing in that kitchen was human… now we look at them, and the only humans left are Matt and Jeremy. What does this town do to people? Get out while you can, you two. (But really, please don’t, because we love you.)] Matt is sad that the gang didn’t call him in to help take down another Original, to which Tyler replies: “He would have taken you right down to the hospital, bro.” [Which is, of course, very true.] Elena thanks Tyler for standing up to Klaus, and then they all do a shot together. [How adorable, this little dysfunctional family!]

Next we get a flashover to an emergency Council Meeting [anyone else forget that even existed?] – which, it turns out, has been summoned by Alaric. Ric tells the council about sheriff’s vampire daughter and the mayor’s hybrid son. [Guess the cat’s – or dog’s – out of the bag!]

Meanwhile, in the Salvatore road-trip bonding scene, they, too, are sounding their victory cheer, with another epic quote, courtesy of Damon: “Once more with feeling.” [Super casual BTVS references... totally NBD.] Stefan and Damon chat about how well they work together now, which only took about a century and a half. This conversation was eventually steered towards that thing standing between them, the other end of this love triangle, named Elena Gilbert. Damon says that, like how these things usually go, she’s going to choose neither [which is what I’m expecting, too, personally.] Stefan volunteers to leave town if she chooses Damon. Not to be outdone, Damon follows with “I guess I will too.”

“All this over one girl.”

“She’s a pretty special girl”

“Yes she is.”

Back at the Gilbert house: We get to witness some more sibling bonding, this time between Elena and Jeremy. Elena admits that it makes more sense to just let Ric kill them all, like their parents would have wanted. In a twist, Jeremy becomes the advocate against that – but not because some of their friends would die – but because then Ric might kill Elena so that he could die. Jeremy, of course, is against that idea, because he doesn’t want to lose his sister. [And who can blame him? If she dies, he literally won’t have any family left.]

[I cannot stress enough how much I loved these last few scenes of familial bonding. It’s no secret that I am not a ship fan, of any kind. But, shipping wars and everything else aside, I love that the writers are bringing things back to the basics for a bit, showing the importance of “family above all”.]

For the episode cliffhanger: Jeremy leaves the room.

Just kidding, the real cliffhanger: After Jeremy leaves, Elena passes out [remember the focus on her head wound from earlier.]

Of course, it’s not really much of a cliffhanger because we know she won’t really die. However, this could have some implications for the finale, depending on their methods of healing her. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see!

Recap done by Brittany @ItEntertainsMe

Also in Damon & Bonnie clip, we see that Klaus is not at the bottom of the ocean.

Extended Promo..

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