Vampire Diaries 2.21-2.22

[meganbmoore]

My reaction to the dreaded parts of the finale was about the same as my reaction to the end of ep 2.8: torn between being grossed out both at what was going on and the idea that it was supposed to be romantic, and laughing at the absurdity of the dialogue and emo. (Look, there are certain kinds of emo that I devour, and the rest either bores or annoys me. At it’s absolute best, Damon’s emo is annoying but unintentionally hilarious.)

Also, I’m pretty sure that the finale was supposed to convince me that Damon loves Elena and only Elena? But, IMO, it only made it even more obvious that she’s nothing but a replacement Katherine who he can control.

And that’s all I’m really saying on the subject of Damon.

In other news:

-I really wish I thought there was chance that the show would even try to explore the psychological ramifications of this level of loss for Elena and Jeremy. I mean, in less than a year, they’ve lost both parents, an aunt, and an uncle. Not to mention that Jeremy lost 2 girlfriends (who are now haunting him) and Elena also found and lost her biological mother.
-Yay! Caroline and Liz! With no mind-wipe! Also, I’m glad Caroline has realized and admitted that that was (understandable) fear and not necessity on her part.
-Wow, could they have been any more blatant with making the ritual imagery be “Klaus rapes three women”?
-Well, if Elijah had to do something incredibly stupid, I’m glad it was for that reason.
-Has anyone else noticed that once Luka showed up, Bonnie suddenly had Cleavage? Her necklines suddenly dropped about 3 inches.
-WERE THERE PANTS?
-Why did Greta and her evil smile only get 2 episodes and a cameo? Why did Jules only get to confirm her motivations as she was dying? Why did Katherine spend the last quarter of the season mostly being quiet and looking scared? Oh yeah, because the show only pretends to like evil and morally ambiguous women when really it just wants to romanticize gross “hot” evil men who get off deliberately targeting women for their violence.
-I’m pretty sure I was promised more Emily than that in the preview. Also, the suggestion that a black servant fancied a powerful white man (who is essentially given the credit for her work within the show…”Gilbert Device,” anyone?) makes me think that Gone With the Wind really is the extent of the writers’ knowledge of the era.

 Anyway, my viewing of next season shall consist of:

Bonnie
Caroline
Katherine
Elijah
Caroline/Tyler
Liz and Carol
Witches
Ghosts
Flashbacks that aren’t about Damon being a woobie.
Parts about the mythology, problematic as it can be.

Things I will do my best not to pay attention to:

Klaus (except for what’s directly tied the Originals/mythology)
Damon as the angst romantic hero
Elena and Stefan’s characters (and no doubt their relationship as well) being sacrificed in the name of furthering Damon as the angst romantic hero, and to try to make Damon/Elena look romantic instead of creepy and abusive.

Based on the second half of this season, I’ll be paying attention to 10 minutes top each episode, but probably closer to 5 more often than not.

I will now try to figure out how this show went from something that reminded me that I can like vampire fiction not named Buffy or Spinoff of Buffy in the first season, and then became 90% about everything I hate about the genre, and 10% things I love and cannot leave.

For people tired of me talking/complaining about this show:  THERE IS NO MORE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS.