The Vampire Diaries Round Table: "The Last Day"

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Suffice it to say, between Damon's uncertain future (and Elena's, and Jenna's) and Klaus' backup plan, there's a lot to cover in our Vampire Diaries Round Table.

Below, TVF managing editor Steve Marsi is joined by staff writers Carissa Pavlica and Nick McHatton for an in-depth Q&A discussion of "The Last Day" ...

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What was your favorite quote/scene from the episode?

Steve: Elena admitting she doesn't want to be a vampire. This salvaged what would have been a melodramatic scene and posed an interesting, unexpected debate.

Nick: I liked Tyler's return to visit his mother. The amount of maturity and confidence Michael Trevino brought to the table in that scene was breathtaking to watch.

Carissa: When Damon said "I can't lose you," just before forcing Elena to drink is blood. He is the ultimate bad boy with good intentions. Why can't I have a Damon???

What was the most surprising twist to you?

Steve: Matt showing up to save Caroline. Who saw that coming?!

Nick: Jenna being in transition. Of the people who are potential candidates for dying on TVD, she wasn't even on the list for me.

Carissa: Definitely Klaus making Katherine turn Jenna. Poor Jenna. She went from having no knowledge to becoming that knowledge in what seems like a matter of hours. I am glad she got her "kick ass" vibe on before she was trapped and turned. Taking action with the crossbow shows she can handle just about anything, even being a vampire. It also makes me wonder if Klaus will go back on his word and kill Katherine as the other vampire. I hope not, she's great.

Do you like that Elena doesn't want to be a vampire?

Steve: Definitely. Not that TVD is a Twilight clone, but it was still a welcome departure from that world. It was great to see her longing to remain human and taking such an anti-Bella approach, as Nick said in his answer (intentional Swan dive pun or not).

Nick: Absolutely, especially because, to me, Diaries tends to glamorize the supernatural while humans have a little bit of a stigma that comes along for the ride. It was nice to see Elena embrace her humanity and everything it offers her instead of being ready to swan dive into becoming a vampire.

Carissa: I don't think it's that she's against being a vampire as much as she is against being one so soon. She wanted children. But, she doesn't know that she would be able to have them anyway. She wanted to grow old, but, truly, what are the odds of that happening in her situation? Slim to none. A regular person's future is more of a fantasy in the life of Elena Gilbert than that of being a vampire. Expressing her feelings was almost like saying she wants to be a princess when she grows up, because at this point, she'd be lucky to turn 21, let alone grow into old age and have a family.

Are Jenna, Jules and Greta doomed? Which, if any, will survive?

Steve: I think Greta may play a bigger role than my colleagues expect, but I agree with Carissa that she is expendable. Jules, too, simply because there are so few werewolves and we can't lose Tyler. Personally, I'm not sure Jenna's safe either, but I think she stands the best chance to survive of the three.

Nick: My guess is the only one with the potential to survive is Jenna, if only because she represents the quickly diminishing familial ties for Elena and Jeremy.

Carissa: Jenna will survive. Jules and Greta are expendable, to say the least. Of course, as soon as I say that, I realize that no one is absolutely safe on the show, but to keep ripping into Elena's family seems unfair. I'll stick with Jenna remaining on this earth and moving, either dead or alive.

Elena and Jenna Pic

Will Elena forgive Damon?

Steve: I think so, as will Stefan. The irony of Damon going haywire and ending up in the predicament he's in now is that it will finally help him realize his humanity and earn Elena's respect. The question is who will save Damon, and how ...

Nick: Maybe, luck is definitely on his side now that he has a bite from a werewolf to contend with.

Carissa: Yes. She will realize that it was his love for her (even though she doesn't return it) that made him do it. If she becomes a vampire, something tells me she will be happy to be alive, no matter the method. Saying you're okay with dying and actually dying are two different things.

How outstanding is Ian Somerhalder?

Steve: He's always great, but was particularly so in "The Last Day." This delivery is always pitch perfect and his expressions reveal more than words can say.

Nick: Outstanding! I'm continually amazed at his range and the level of emotion he brings to Damon.

Carissa: I am so glad that he was underused in Lost. He deserved a better outlet to become a star, and The Vampire Diaries certainly does not disappoint.

Steve Marsi is the Managing Editor of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Google+ or email him here.

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The Vampire Diaries Season 2 Episode 20 Quotes

Damon: And you're going to die, Elena.
Elena: And then I'll come back to life.
Damon: That is not a risk I am willing to take.
Elena: But I am. It's my life, Damon. My choice.
Damon: I can't lose you.
Elena: You won't.

The problem, Damon...you talk a good game but you don't actually know anything. She'll never forgive you. And never for a vampire...it's a very long time.

Elijah