The Vampire Diaries Review: Best. Prank. Night. Ever.

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Paging, Bonnie! Stat! After sitting slack-jawed and bug-eyed through the "The Reckoning," one thing is for certain: Matt was not the only one in need of CPR tonight.

What an incredible episode of The Vampire Diaries. Consider, Klaus apprehended Elena, compelled Stefan and snapped Tyler's neck; while Matt drowned himself, Katherine kidnapped Jeremy and the rising seniors took some serious TP to the school hallways.

And all that happened in the first 30 minutes.

Got Her Finally!

Were there a few plot holes? Yes. Let's get them out of the way now: Klaus created the hybrid he's been dreaming about for decades... and then just left him? Klaus discovered the key to building his own army of these creatures was Elena's blood... and then just left her? (Under newly non-human Stefan's creepy protection, I know. But still. Seems hard to believe Klaus would let the doppleganger out of his sight again.)

Moreover, despite all the action packed into the hour, the key points were all expository. They were just laid out to us. We were simply told that Klaus figured out the Original Witch lied to him; and it seemed awfully convenient that Pearl told Katherine that she knew about the vampire/vampire hunter... who told Anna... who told Jeremy via the great ghost beyond.

That's a lot of seemingly random telling and not a lot of showing or coherence.

But, man, when an episode takes you on that kind of ride, it's silly to pick at too many nits. Did any character's life not change tonight?!?

I'm still smiling over Damon and Stefan's role reversal, right down to the latter's drink-pouring and snarky one-liners. Oh, please, continue, Delena. Don't mind me and my utter lack of humanity hovering around the mansion. Creepy. Cool. Funny. Awesome.

I've also complained in the past about how VD was dragging out the longing looks between Damon and Elena, teasing a relationship that would never take place just because it knows how to get fans clamoring - but Damon's actions here spoke a lot louder than even his most heartfelt words ("I promise you. I will never leave you again."). The guy came back for her. He took on the oldest Original of them all for her. Bryan Adams really said it best: everything Damon does, he does it for Elena.

I actually believe there's a chance for these two now, and I'm actually rooting for one. Sorry, Stefan. I know you couldn't control it, but it's hard to maintain a relationship after killing two innocent students in front of your girlfriend in the high school gym, only to later drink the blood from her neck. It's almost never happened.

Forwood Photo

Elsewhere, it's great that Tyler is all happy and powerful and all, but, ummmm... Klaus just turned you into a hybrid, dude. Yes, you have a gorgeous, fun girl on your arm and, absolutely, senior year of high school is a blast, but you might wanna contemplate your next move against Klaus more than your next move with Caroline in bed.

As for Matt, I had completely forgotten he ever dated Elena. That feels like decades ago. Was I happy he got to see Vicki again? Sure. But when you compare his storyline to attacks from Klaus and stolen necklaces by Katherine and the resuscitation of Michael from his chained-up slumber... it's hard to be overly interested. Gotta admire the dedication to communicating with his sibling, though. I love my sister, but it's unclear if I'd risk suicide just to chat with her apparition.

Questions from the episode:

  • So Michael is a vampire and a vampire hunter (Vunter? Hampire? Hampire it is.). But what makes him so scary to Klaus? Wouldn't an Original still be stronger than any other vampire?
  • Unless Michael is also an Original?
  • Which was a more tense 20 minutes on the hardwood: the clock ticking down to Elena's death, or the second half of the Duke/Butler National Championship Game?
  • Super glue on Alaric's desk, Elena? Really? The best prank for this teacher would be to replace his name plate with one that reads "Ric."
  • Take away her thirst for blood and her lack of care over the human condition and Rebekah is pretty awesome, isn't she? Tyler is dead... ish. Loved it.
  • Is anyone else's heart still racing?
  • Can you handle a look at next week's episode? HERE IT IS.

The Reckoning Review

Editor Rating: 4.8 / 5.0
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User Rating:

Rating: 4.9 / 5.0 (441 Votes)

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.

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The Vampire Diaries Season 3 Episode 5 Quotes

Damon: Stop being cute.
Katherine: I can't help it.

Bonnie: Where are you going?
Elena: To super glue Alaric's desk shut. I'm making memories.