Vampire Diaries
Round Table

Every week, The Vampire Diaries gets better and better. Certain mysteries are solved, new ones are presented, and we grow more and more addicted to these vampires and humans.

Our review of "The Turning Point" touched on several key questions that arose last night. Now our panel has assembled for a Round Table discussion of events on the new hit series.

Who did Elena hit with the car? Why did she freak at the picture? Is Tyler a werewolf? Discuss these issues and more in our Vampire Diaries forum, as we tackle them below...

1. Did Elena overreact at the Katherine picture?

The Barnacle: No. Look at it from E's perspective. She was about to exchange bodily fluids (and we're not talkin' about blood) with a 162-year-old vampire who still pines for his vampire ex, who she may or may not be connected to somehow. It's a tad weird.

Dr. Shepherd: Yes, and it was heartbreaking. All I want is for them to be together, and they keep being torn apart. When Elena left, I felt so terrible for Stefan.

M.L. House: Yes. Did you see Stefan with his shirt off?!? So what if he's only into you because you resemble his ex-girlfriend?!? Come on. All that matters is that a guy with those muscles is (literally) into you at all!

2. Is Tyler a werewolf?

The Barnacle: That's gotta be why his father wanted him to fight Jeremy so bad, which just seems ridiculous otherwise. What I want to know is whether Tyler knows or not.

Dr. Shepherd: Zzz. Sorry, Tyler. The only werewolf I have eyes for in about four hours is Taylor Lautner. Shirtless, no less. Talk to us when you've got a six-pack like that, Ty.

M.L. House: The episode sure did imply that, didn't it? But how can he not be aware of that? Don't werewolves also live forever? I can't wait until January 14 to learn more!

Continue Reading...

Was it the best Vampire Diaries episode of the season? It was certainly filled with the most backstory.

One staff writer has already reviewed "History Repeating," but now a few of us have gathered for the latest Round Table discussion of our favorite new series.

Must we say farewell to the Salvatore brothers? And can you muster any sympathy at all for Damon? Discuss these issues and more in our Vampire Diaries forum, as we tackle them below...

Is this the last we've seen of Stefan and Damon?
The Barnacle: Is this question serious?!? Of course not. Kevin Williamson has said any character is vulnerable, but not these two. And certainly not yet.

Dr. Shepherd: Sadly, yes. If there's one thing we know, it's that Damon never goes back on his word. This show is going to suck without them - and suck a lot less at the same time, if you know where I'm going with that. I'm going for a vampire play on words there.

M.L. House: Yes. The Salvatore story is now complete. Expect a new vampire family to move in to Mystic Falls next. I hear they're called the Cullens or something.

Give us your first impression of Matt Davis as Alaric Saltzman.
The Barnacle: It's hard to see this character being too scary, but I'll give him a chance. I would have said the same about Ian Somerhalder a few weeks ago and, boy, was I wrong there!

Dr. Shepherd: I loved Matt in this role, but can't sum it up as well as one of our readers did this morning. And I quote: "ALARIC.....yay! and matt davis as him....totally rocks,his cute....anyway,hmmm since merideth isnt in the tv version,it seems they r making him elena's aunt's love interest???????....anyway,alaric,i just hope they don't kill him off...seems everyone's being killed off....motherchuker!!!! lol"

M.L. House: I'm sorry, I don't do impressions. I'm a TV critics, not a stand-up comic.

Continue Reading...

From a new (now former) friend of Stefan's to a celebration 162 years in the making, this week's episode of The Vampire Diaries introduced new characters, twists and turns.

As usual, our staff has it all covered in the latest edition of our Vampire Diaries Round Table. We encourage readers to sound off on the topics below in the forum or in the comments section.

Let's get to it!

Are you excited for Matt and Caroline to date?
M.L. House: I'm excited for something to happen with these characters, especially Matt. There has to be more to him than just Mr. Nice Guy, right? Maybe it comes out between the sheets!

Dr. Sheperd: Who's Matt again? Just kidding ... kind of. The problem with Matt may not be with Matt, but more a reflection on how awesome Stefan, Elena and Damon are as characters. Whatever the reason, why would I care about Matt? He seems like a really nice guy ... I guess. Similar to Bonnie, I am intrigued, but need something more to work with before I can truly get invested.

The Barnacle: Heck yes! Their cool couple's nickname will be Catt!

Should the show have killed off Lexi so quickly?
M.L. House: Absolutely not. Finally, they find someone to go toe-to-toe (fang-to-fang?) with Damon, only to have him win out so quickly and, relatively, easily? The death would have had more impact if we had gotten to know Lexi even more before Damon drove that stake through her chest.

Dr. Sheperd: It's too bad they did, as Lexi was awesome and I liked the idea of Stefan's past (and personality) being explored through old vampire pals. I knew that Damon was planning on setting her up after he met with the Sheriff, though. At least Lexi didn't go out like some punk after one measly vervain injection and forced Damon to personally finish the job after she briefly broke free from the cops.

The Barnacle: Yes. There's not room for another character on this show and this truly showed how manipulative Damon can be. I can't be the only person now wondering what it will take to bring him down, right?

Continue Reading...

Following the latest, revealing episode of The Vampire Diaries, our staff couldn't wait to sit down for this week's Round Table discussion.

There's so much to discuss and so much to analyze, that we should just get right to it. As always, feel free to leave a comment with your take on these issues and/or post in our Vampire Diaries forum...

Elena breaking up with Stefan: Smart move, or dumb decision?
VDLover: Smart. At least for now, Elena needs space. Even the best hair on television isn't enough to win over a girl after you just told her you've been 17 years old since 1864.

DoMeDamon: Smart move. The chemistry and palpable desire between Elena and Stefan has been established, only for them to be driven apart by forces seemingly beyond their control, leaving them to pine hopelessly for a forbidden love affair along with four million of us watching at home. It's a cliched, boilerplate tactic that we've seen countless times, from The West Wing to Grey's Anatomy to Gossip Girl ... but props to the Vampire Diaries writers, because doggone it, it works so well.

ElenaLova: DUMB! Don't you want a vampire on your side, Elena? Ignoring how how Stefan is, it just seems to make practical sense to be in the best of graces with one half of such a potentially dangerous duo.

Should Stefan have given Damon his ring back?
VDLover: What was the alternative? The ring just kept Damon locked up during the day, and we saw what kind of harm he can do then anyway. An angry Damon, let loose at night, is not a good thing.

DoMeDamon: I think he had to. Loathesome as he is, Damon is his brother, and did just save his life. Plus, Damon doesn't die without the ring, he's still free to do his thing in a slightly weakened (but still deadly) state. If Stefan plans to plot Damon's demise, or find what shred of humanity lies within him, it's going to have to happen much later.

ElenaLova: No way. It was the one piece of leverage Stefan had over Damon. It kept him from killing Elena, remember? Stefan gave it up too easily.

Continue Reading...

Welcome to the latest edition of The Vampire Diaries Round Table!

Following a suspenseful episode, during which the stakes were raised considerably in the final scene, our staff can't wait to delve into various characters and developments from "Family Ties."

We'd love to hear from readers, too, as we cover the most pressing topics from this week's installment...

Will Damon escape the basement?
VDLover: Call me crazy, but I don't think this is the last we'll see of Damon. I know Stefan doesn't wanna become like his brother, but come on. He couldn't have done a better job of incapacitating him?

DoMeDamon: Yes, and Zack will help, turning on Stefan.

ElenaLova: I love this show, but that part bothered me. Stefan went to so much trouble to poison his brother... and then stuck him in a locked-up cellar room?!? Damon can jump through windows, overpower any human being. I'm pretty sure he can find his way out of there.

When will Elena find out Stefan is a vampire?
VDLover: I've never read the books, so please don't ruin this for me, people. I think it needs to happen soon. There's only so long it can remain beliveable that she gets all these clues and doesn't put them together.

DoMeDamon: The promo for next week makes it sound like this will happen sooner, rather than later.

ElenaLova: Within the next couple of episodes. That's why I like this show so much: it's not really about hiding Damon or Stefan's secret. That would get old quickly. But it's established great characters I actually care about; two of whom happen to be eternal blood suckers.

Continue Reading...

Another week, another entertaining episode of Vampire Diaries.

As always, our staff has returned for an edition of the Round Table, where we sit and discuss a series of storylines, developments and quotes from the most recent installment.

Readers are encouraged to chime in with their opinions on the issues below, as we tackle the episode "Friday Night Bites." Let's get right to it...

Are you on Team Jeremy or Team Tyler?
VDLover: Jeremy, obvi! It's clear that Tyler only cares about Vicki because it either pisses Jeremy off or because she's attractive. But, even though we didn't see them together this summer, it's equally clear that Jeremy and Vicki have an actual bond. I have no idea why she's wasting her time with Tyler.

DoMeDamon: Neither. Bros before hos, fellas. You should never fight over a woman.

ElenaLova: Team Tyler. For the alliteration. And because I kinda feel sorry for him.

Has Damon really lost his humanity?
VDLover: No. Did you see him when Elena apologized about Katherine's death? It may have only lasted for a split second, but Damon was clearly affected by the gesture; he was mourning Katherine and actually appreciating Elena's kind words.

DoMeDamon: Not yet. His response to Stefan's speech outside the gym was almost clinical: exposed and vulnerable, he deflected his feelings onto to someone else. He just happened to do so by killing the football coach.

ElenaLova: I'd like to say no, because whether or not he is truly evil is obviously a key component of the show. But come on, the guy devoured a football coach just to prove a point.

Continue Reading...

Following this week's episode of The Vampire Diaries, we can't say enough good things about Ian Somerhalder as Damon.

That will be evident below, as our staff gathers for its weekly Round Table discussion of the series. What did we like best about "Night of the Comet?" Where does it all go from here? Let's get right to it...

Will Ian Somerhalder win an Emmy Award?
VDLover: Haha, it may be early to ask that question, but I was blown away by his performance this week. He makes Damon creepy, funny and intense, all at once. Not an easy balance to achieve.

DoMeDamon: Somerhalder really does walk a fine, perfect line in his portrayal. If he were too light-hearted, no one could take his evil side seriously; if he were full of rage at all times, it would take away from the times when he really goes off (like with Caroline at the end of the episode). Somerhalder absolutely steals every scene he's in.

ElenaLova: It's almost hard to believe this is the same guy that played Boone on Lost. He was fine on that show and all, but the role required very little of him. On The Vampire Diaries, Damon can go from sarcastic to mean-spirited over the course of one line of dialogue. It's been very well done so far.

The use of diary entries: Cheesy or romantic?
VDLover: Remember: the series is based on a series of books. Elena and Stefan write in journals in the novels, so the show must remain loyal to that on screen.

DoMeDamon: It's cheesy. I know what the show is titled, and I know it uses these diary entries because L.J. Smith did so in her books. But I cringe a bit every time I hear the words "Dear Diary..." I hope this narration decreases as the show goes on.

ElenaLova: I thought it was cheesy, but then used well to conclude the latest episode. It was nice to see Elena realize that she has to stop writing everything down and start actually living her life.

Continue Reading...

Every week, soon after the latest episode of The Vampire Diaries, our staff will gather around and analyze the latest quotes, storylines and developments from the show.

Following a record-setting series premiere of the new CW hit, we can't wait to delve into the world of the Salvatore brothers and Mystic Falls. That said, let the first ever Vampire Diaries Round Table commence...

It's early, but choose a side: Team Stefan or Team Damon?
VDLover: Stefan. Call me crazy, but I'll go with the vampire that doesn't feast on human blood.

DoMeDamon: Does my moniker not make it obvious enough? I want a strong man, one that will keep me on my toes and, hopefully, on my back.

ElenaLova: Much like Elena will be, I'm sure, I'm a sucker for the bad boys. Gonna have to go with Damon on this one.

Is Bonnie really psychic?
VDLover: Not based on the information she's revealed so far. Sadly, it was well known that Heath Ledger has a drug problem; and once Obama won the Democratic primary, the general election was his to lose.

DoMeDamon: Absolutely. Nothing is normal in Mystic Falls... if that even is the town's real name!

ElenaLova: As psychic as Alice Cullen! Kidding. I totally know The Vampire Diaries was written first.

Continue Reading...