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This was the info/transition episode. All full of vampire lore, flashbacks and in case you miss it, an overly obedient Jeremy.

Just as Elena pops the big question (no not that big question) they cut to a scene form 1864. OK, flashback episode, let’s have it! Not quite! The flashback lasts about 2 minutes, then it’s back to modern day. The flashbacks this week were just teasers, and not that great to boot. They didn’t feel real. Neither did the ones in Buffy, but they were at least more substantial, and entertaining.

Back to modern Mystic Falls

Elena has demanded of Stefan, “What are you?” and Stefan finally caves. He tells her all she ever knew is about to change, because he is a vampire. Of course Elena must have been hoping for a different answer, because she freaks out and runs away. She knew he was something & most likely a vampire. What sort of answer was she hoping for? “Elena. By night, I am a prehistoric bunny”? She runs from Stefan and Stefan chases her, begging her to understand that he could never hurt her and for her to not tell anyone. Elena makes no such promises.

In contrast, the honesty that the writers insert in the following conversations was refreshing. Stefan admitting that none of what is happening is right, but it is happening and some even had to happen. Real life any one? And we get to see some one struggle with the dilemma of just starting their day, after hear some unfathomable news.  If the whole show had revolved around that, I think I would have been more satisfied.

What of our other cliff-hanger from last week?

The show left Damon muchin’ down on poor, sad, drugged up Vicki. This week we see that Damon has finished of everyone at the druggie encampment. Vicki, to Damon’s surprise however, is still alive. For whatever reasons, Damon takes Vicki back to the house. He plays with her like some crappy doll that he brought back to life for no good reason. (This, by the way, is where the CW dose what it does very well, inserting some great music!. A particular favorite of mine was Depeche Modes’ All I Ever Wanted.)  Needless to say Damon is contemplating turning Vicki, and folks, he wasn’t kidding about it being a complicated process. I found my self hoping Vicki gets turned. The show needs more vampires. Moreover, Vicki will make a great vamp. Not to mention the tension it will cause with at least 3 other characters in the show.

Did anyone else find it odd that vamps, and vamps-to-be, can simultaneously feed off each other? And, did I forget obedient Jeremy? Damon pops up to look for Stefan. Then, even though Damon is forcing his way past Elena, into their house Jeremy, after just one demand form Elena, goes dutifully to his room and leaves them alone together.  Good thing Damon was not interested in killing Elena right then!

While all this is occurring, the Anti-Vamp Clan (we’ll just call them that for now) is tracking the vampires down with a compass and wooden bullets.  Damon’s latest feast on the druggies was all they needed to start a hunt in the woods, as night falls… Hey, no one said they were smart vampire hunters. Needless, to say not everyone fairs well.

Jam packed is not always good.

The episode sounds action packed, and it almost felt that way at times, but mostly it was all over shadowed by Salvatore history and Vamp 101 lessons. The transition process was fascinating to watch and Kayla Ewell, as Vicki Donavon, shines this week. This was Vicki’s episode, and worth watching for her performance alone. Also, it is obviously a key episode for anyone following the show, but over all it was too over run with facts and how to moments. It undermined Kayla’s performance and sucked the fun right out of the show.

Yes, pun intended!

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