Tick... tick... tick...

The clock almost ran out on Elena on the final episode of The Vampire Diaries for a few weeks, but Damon and Elena came to their true love's rescue. Much to the chagrin of Bonnie, of course.

In this edition of the TV Fanatic Round Table, staff writers Matt Richenthal, Eric Hochberger and Dan Forcella relive "All My Children" while wondering: what the heck will they do on Thursday nights until March 15?!?

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What was your favorite scene from the episode?
Matt: The cave-based, gasoline-laden exchange between Elena and Rebekah. The former totally called the latter out on her vulnerabilities, but the latter still holds a trump card over her human foe: Rebekah has slept with Stefan and Damon.

Eric: Damon turning Bonnie's mom. Not because it was particularly riveting, but because I'm glad to have my evil Damon back. Poor Klaus has been going too soft on me since he discovered what our Round Table has known for years: Caroline is awesome.

Dan: I absolutely loved the few bonding moments between Damon and Stefan. They're slowly but surely returning to their old ways, and each of them recognizes that they were better off that way. Damon did always make a better bad guy.

So, is Meredith really the Mystic Falls Murderer?
Matt: THE Mystic Falls Murderer? Probably not, it seems too obviousy. A Mystic Falls murderer? Yes, if her aim is as steady as her surgical incisions.

Eric: Oh, just paint the girl red and give her some gills. Yeah, I remember my 10th grade English class. What I'm trying to say here is I don't care how much you try to trick us, she is NOT the murderer. Nobody keeps those documents around unless they're investigating. Now as for the knife and shooting Alaric, well, I'll just have to tune in on March 15 with the rest of you.

Dan: Yeah, like anyone has ever had a hidden knife and not been the one going around town murdering people?!? In all seriousness, though, she did just shoot Señor Ric, so we can't count her out just yet.

Biggest heart string tugger: Damon's speech about guilt to Stefan, Elijah's speech about humanity to Rebekah or Caroline's speech to Elena about Bonnie's pain?
Matt: Elijah FTW! And not just because this is an easy way for me to plug my interview with Daniel Gillies. What a complicated, conflicted character The Vampire Diaries has created here. Only TVD can depict someone tearing out another's heart one moment, and then have the viewers' hearts melting over this same someone the next moment.

Eric: Option four: learning that there's a new tree, and thus a chance to actually lose my favorite new cast members to a plan we won't see fizzle out due to everyone's love of Elena. Also, Elijah's speech.

Dan: It definitely wasn't the last option  Caroline giving Elena a guilt trip about Bonnie's pain? I love her as much as anybody at this Table (well, maybe not Eric) but Caroline was in the wrong here. Elena has had just as much pain as anybody in Mystic Falls. Her entire family is gone. Give her a break, and let her bond with Bonnie.

What line would you use to pick up Caroline at a bar?
Matt: Hybrid? More like LOWbrid! I'll make you howl at the moon, baby.

Eric: Well, geesh, after learning that romantic drawings don't work, I'm currently tearing up plan one. But don't worry, after watching seven seasons of HIMYM I got plenty of Barney Stinson tricks up my sleeves. Yes, and most of those will involve magic.

Dan: The same one Josh Duhamel used to pick up his now wife Fergie: "You're hot." 60% of the time, it works every time.

Is this the last we've seen of Esther?
Matt: I'm actually gonna say yes. Why bother to return after that debacle of a plan? She should be spending her time getting as far away as possible from creepy Finn anyhow.

Eric: No! This is The Vampire Diaries! Even if they did manage to kill Esther for the second time, there's always "Ghost World."

Dan: Do not talk about Ghost World in my presence. I've been repressing those memories like it's my job. And no, this isn't the last we've seen of Esther. She will be back for another battle or two, as soon as she figures out what her weird son Finn's deal is.

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