More than halfway through "For Whom the Bell Tolls" I was moderately bored by this week's The Vampire Diaries. I was ready to rate this episode a solid, mediocre 3. 

Then Jeremy revealed a secret we've known since The Vampire Diaries Season 4 finale and everything went to pieces. 

The lives of the group in Mystic Falls was forever altered, the way it has been so many times before. And this time, I found myself crying along with them. 

Starting from the beginning, it was Remembrance Day in Mystic Falls. Because this town doesn't have enough holidays already? As Damon tells it, people used to bury their dead with a string that was attached to a bell above ground for them to ring in case they were actually buried alive. Now, like so many other holidays, everyone uses it as an excuse to drink.

That said, drinking is supposed to curb a vampire's thirst and with the amnesiac Ripper on the loose, curbing hunger was definitely a good thing. It's too bad Elena had to take things one step too far by bringing Stefan down memory lane. Don't get me wrong, it was great that she wanted to help Stefan because he's helped her so many times before, but she fully let her emotions and her memories get the best of her. It was mere minutes before Elena was flirting with Stefan, talking about fond times from their past only to drop the ax on the guy when he kissed her. It's not his fault he felt a romantic vibe, he doesn't remember!

Amnesiac Stefan, as soap opera as the plot may be, has a different perspective than regular Stefan. He sees things simply and he sees them from another angle.

Instead of all the love triangle crap we're so used to, he sees that his ex-girlfriend is now with his brother. And quite frankly, that sucks to be around. I like Damon and Elena together, but I also liked Stefan and Elena together. Bottom line, no matter who you like together, it would suck to see your ex with your sibling and have to hang out with them. He doesn't want to be the guy from the journals and with his memory erased, now seems like the perfect time to hit reset.

I was so glad to get some good old-fashioned Stefan/Caroline scenes again. Even if Stefan wasn't quite himself, I always enjoy their dynamic and their friendship. I also liked that even though he couldn't remember Caroline, he knew he could trust her. Speaking of Caroline, her sexy plot device boyfriend is back! Tyler, where the hell have you been, man?

Stalking witches on The Originals?

So with all of this chaos, who does everyone want to turn to for help? Bonnie. It's been a lot on Jeremy to contain her secret for all of these months and even though he went against her wishes, it was ultimately the right call that everyone knew the truth. Bonnie eventually saw that too. Her funeral scene, particularly when Elena brought in the feathers reminiscent of The Vampire Diaries Season 1, was a total tearjerker. Especially when Bonnie spoke to each of them through Jeremy:

Jeremy: I'm not sure what else to say.
Bonnie: Say that I'm not going anywhere. Say that even though they couldn't see me, I've been there the whole time. | permalink

So the real question now, is Bonnie gone for good? As Damon said in the previews, he wants to kill Silas to bring Bonnie back. Could crazy Qetsiyah help out? Also what's up with Dr. Maxfield and his experiments? Hopefully we'll get more answers regarding that now that Bonnie has demanded the girls return to college!

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