It took a long five episodes, but he's backkkkk!!! Yes, that's right, Damon Salvatore made his anticipated return to the modern world in The Vampire Diaries Season 6 Episode 6.

Since this is Damon we're talking about, naturally not everyone was excited to see him. This much he expected. But finding out Elena had her memories of him erased? Well, that burned about as much as it would if he took off his daylight ring.

Okay, well, not quite, but you get the picture.

The Vampire Diaries Photos from "The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get"

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Damon was about to give his own brother the condensed version of his time in 1994 just so he could rush off to be with Elena.

You have no idea how long I wanted to hear you breathe.

Damon [to Elena]

• Permalink: You have no idea how long I wanted to hear you breathe.

Wow. Without falling too much into the frightening land known as "shipper territory," we can all acknowledge that the potential reunion of Delena was a bit intense. The way they spoke through the door, mirroring hand movements, Elena's trembling as she reached for the knob, a truly emotional Damon...the writers were looking to tug at viewers' heartstrings. 

Alaric was not lying when he told Damon that Elena loved him so much that missing him was killing her. After hearing testimonials from her various friends, Elena decided by the end of the episode that she wanted her memories back.

However, dare I say that Delena had some serious competition with Jo and Alaric (Jolaric?) this week? Not in terms of messy emotions and love, but in terms of keeping my interest on the storyline. 

We were all wondering on last week's The Vampire Diaries Round Table just how it was possible for Jo to resist Alaric's compulsion. Elena sipped Jo's coffee, she snooped on her bracelet, but Jo cut the crap. She knew what Alaric and Elena were. Light bulb! Who doesn't need vervain to resist compulsion? Witches.

Theory: Jo is Kai's sister. Don't you recall Kai saying that he left one sister alive? Perhaps it explains why Jo didn't care to elaborate on her status and didn't use anything beyond normal medicine to save Alaric. 

That brings us to the climax of the episode.

Jo: Why don't you just compel me out of the way? Look don't you think it's about time we level with each other?
Alaric: Okay, how's this: my best friend, he just came from the dead but now i have to save him from a vampire hunter before he's driven across an anti-magic border and killed...again. So here's some friendly advice: it's probably a good idea to stay as far away from me as possible.

• Permalink: it's probably a good idea to stay as far away from me as possible.

After Stefan undid all of this season's douchery to save Damon and Enzo, he realized Alaric was still across the border. Luckily Jo pulled a stalker move and had followed him there. She also happened to have the exact kind of gauze and tools needed on hand. Hmmm, more than coincidental but I'll accept it.

Alaric is human again. This sucks for Elena but she did make her own bed deciding to compel her emotions, so gladly she isn't blaming Ric. Plus, Alaric was awkward as a vampire and he hated it. I'm ready to see him get back to him old self sipping bourbon at the bar with Damon, ya know?

The question I want to ask you viewers tonight is: would you have accepted Damon's explanation about Bonnie? I'm not sure I'd be so quick to believe Bonnie was actually dead. Especially because Bonnie is never actually dead.

For a reminder of the hundreds of times Bonnie came back from the dead, watch The Vampire Diaries online at anytime!

One thing is for sure, Jeremy needs some grief counseling ASAP. At the very least a shatter-proof phone!

Here is your first look at The Vampire Diaries Season 6 Episode 7. Ready for Damon to meet Liam?