As Tom Hanks told Private Ryan after saving him oh so many years: earn it, Bonnie Bennett. You better earn this second chance at life.

Following a number of wayward Vampire Diaries Season 5 episodes - full of crazy plots twist, dopplegangers pouring out of Damon's ears and, okay, some really hilarious Silas lines - the show finally put one storyline to rest this week.

By putting three bodies in the ground.

Silas is dead. Amara is dead. Tessa is dead. And Bonnie is (sort of) alive. It took a long, meandering time to arrive at this place, with the latest run of episodes bogged down by side characters and crazily complicated backstories. So allow me to reiterte:

You best make this worth our while, Bonnie.

If it's possible for an hour to feature a trio of deaths and one long-awaited resurrection, and yet conclude without feeling like much was really accomplished, The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 7 pulled it off well.

Because that really is all that went down this week: two characters killed themselves, one because she was sick of living and the other because she's crazy in love, and Stefan finally got his revenge against Silas.

Granted, it was definitely nice to get some insight into all Stefan went through while trapped in that safe and it was definitely moving when he admitted he wanted to see both Elena and Damon's faces when the door was finally. I complained in my review of The Vampire Diaries Season Episode 6 that the series has gotten away from character development, so I do need to note the focus here on Stefan's inner turmoil.

That said... those three are goners and Bonnie is now the anchor for The Other Side.

Someone could easily have not watched this installment, be informed of those facts and be instantly caught up, ready to view The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 8.

Which is okay I guess. Especially when Damon is making references to crazy island dwellers and their volleyball pals and Silas is lamenting the price of gas. At least as the storylines have become more convoluted, The Vampire Diaries quotes have become funnier. A lot funnier.

But I didn't feel anything when Silas was saying goodbye to Amara... or when Amara stabbed herself... or when Tessa took her own life. And I simply felt relief when Bonnie was brought back, not any kind of joy. Did anyone doubt this would actually take place? And, sorry, but does anyone really care about Bonnie?

I'll wait to reserve judgment on what the consequences of her feeling all supernatural deaths will be, but I can't say it's the most exciting cliffhanger. Nor is Stefan collapsing due to his memories of being submerged in water for three months.

So let's not call this episode filler. Let's call it a house cleaning. The side characters that infused the series with some humor but who mostly overstayed their welcome are now gone. Bonnie is back. Stefan has regained his memories. Let's shift focus, shall we, Julie Plec?

Dr. Maxfield is involved in some intriguing stuff at Whitmore. And let's not forget that there's an entire person inside Matt. Those storylines have potential. Let's hone in on them and leave this Other Side mumbo jumbo alone for awhile.

What did everyone think of "Death and the Maiden?" Were you affected by any deaths? Did you shed any tears over Bonnie hugging Caroline and Elena? And a sitcom based around Damon's home life? Sold! What should it be titled?

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