Back in the fall of 2009, in the height of Twilight hysteria, a little show premiered on The CW called The Vampire Diaries. Quickly written off as a "cash in" of sorts, the show faced an uphill battle proving the reason for it's existence. Hailing from Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec, the early episodes had a rather tonally awkward feel to them. On one hand, the Pilot felt very "Twilight-y" but subsequent episodes revealed a different, darker show striving to break through. In the show's seventh episode, "Haunted," it did just that. In a shocking twist, the show killed off a main character in such a gloriously dark, devastating manner that it proved just how far it was willing to go to mess with our emotions, its storytelling AND anyone on the show. In that moment, it announced itself, free of any baggage, as The Vampire Diaries, one of the best genre fantasy shows of our time.
Throughout the past five seasons the show has had so many standout moments it's essentially impossible to narrow them down. Sure, it's guilty of a few missteps here and there and there have certainly been stretches when too much time was spent on a wasted story line or an over-complicated mythology. But what matters most is that it always returns to its characters and their history and their home. This is its most important attribute because a show like this NEEDS grounded, relatable characters that you care about. Without them, who cares what insane, violent, unbelievable things happen to them? Because then, they are just that, unbelievable. Luckily, the audience cares about Elena, Stefan, Damon, Caroline etc. For a show that burns through plot as fast as the The Vampire Diaries does, it's a testament to this admiration and honor to its characters that the audience even has specific cherished moments to hold onto. For me, I'll never forget the moment Stefan whisked Elena up to the top of the ferris wheel in the second episode of Season 2, "Brave New World," or Aunt Jenna's funeral set to Birdy's "Skinny Love," or Elena finally being turned into a vampire after a harrowing car crash off the Mystic Falls' bridge in the Season 3 finale, "The Departed." So yes, the show burns through story lines and it doesn't always go down smoothly but boy do they make up for it in the long run. I've never lost faith in the creative team for a second and after five seasons, that's saying something.
Tonight's 100th episode was a perfect mixture of continuing the present day plots forward while also taking a moment to pay some fan service to its history. If these creators have learned everything, it's that their fans are very passionate. In terms of my fandom, I'm always for whatever will service the story best as a whole, but from some of the things I've seen on the internet, that cannot be said for everyone. Last night's episode, "500 Years of Solitude," revolves around Katherine and her impending death. Naturally, this brings everyone together to sit around, drink bourbon and reminisce of all the times Katherine screwed them over. I can't quite explain the joy I experienced seeing everyone lounging around in the Salvatore mansion bitching about their individual history with Katherine and each other. The Vampire Diaries is often a very fragmented show so when an episode finds a way to bring it's large cast together, it usually makes for very good television. While this is happening, Elena, Stefan and Damon all get a special moment with the bedridden Katherine. Elena decides to forgive her (mistake!), Stefan has long since forgiven her of the pain she has caused, noting she has done what she needs to do to survive, and Damon can't get past his anger and resentment towards her so he can't do anything but torture her in her final waking moments. Of course, this is all for naught as Katherine has a plan — as she always does — and ends the episode swapping bodies with a defenseless Elena. If there's one thing Katherine Pierce will never be — it's a victim.
Before that madness that closes the episode, we are treated to two other big moments meant purely to service the fans. I bet some people could draw criticism from either one but as a big fan myself, I loved every second of it. Firstly, Caroline and Klaus in the woods. Klaus' return wasn't exactly a surprise but him and Caroline having a forbidden hook up IN the woods was. It was exhilarating and satisfying but at the same time, I'm a tad concerned that it will just be something of a one-off and not really affect Caroline in the grander scope of Season 5. I hope that's not the case and that the creative team will follow this through but either way it was thrilling. The other special moment was Bonnie explaining her new role as an anchor between the worlds of the living and dead which allowed for a glorious revolving door of past characters. Writing wise, it wasn't the most graceful of transitions, but that it allowed us to share moments with Vicki and Alaric was worth any awkwardness it took to make it happen. Damon and Alaric's bromance is one of the show's best creations and any chance to revisit it is A-okay in my book. Remember in the Season 4's "Memorial," where Damon drank his sorrows away at Alaric's grave, desperate for guidance on what to do next? Emotional brilliance, truly. When Damon said "cheers, buddy" to an invisible Alaric tonight, it spoke to the power of the character's relationship AND Ian Somerhalder and Matthew Davis' performances that the moment still resonated.
Simply put, this was a fantastic 100th episode. Equal parts honoring its past and servicing its future. I look at The Vampire Diaries as the story of a bunch of lost souls forming a family on their own and using that family to forge ahead in their lives and fight off anything standing in their way. As the show marches on, I hope they can start to set the pieces for an end game. I know the show is a huge hit for The CW but I would hate for the show to run too long and risk tarnishing it's legacy. For a show this complex, this detailed, this well-executed, it deserves its perfect ending. Basically, I just want to have 'The Vampire Diaries: The Complete Collection' on my self one day and I hope it's just that, complete. But really, why am I worrying? If a show looks this good in the middle of its 5th season, I should just sit back, enjoy the ride, and trust the powers that be. Long live, TVD!
The Vampire Diaries airs Thursdays at 8/7c on The CW.
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