Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev in THE VAMPIRE DIARIES - Season 2 - "As I Lay Dying" | ©2011 The CW/Bob Mahoney

Stars: Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, Ian Somerhalder
Writers: Turi Meyer & Al Septin & Michael Narducci, Developed by Kevin Williamson & Julie Plec, Based on the book by L.J. Smith
Director: John Behring
Network: The CW, airs Thursday nights
Original Telecast: May 12th, 2010

Well, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES season finale was not at all what I expected, in a GOOD way! “As I Lay Dying” I figured would just be a dénouement to the season which had already seen a lot of character death and loss and mayhem, but instead there was a lot to this episode that I really enjoyed. Remember by reading this review you are giving yourself over to spoilers so beware!

The big problem of the episode is that Damon (Ian Somerhalder) is still dying from a werewolf bite. Between last week and this week it was discussed among those that watch the show that the only cure could come from the hybrid Klaus (Joseph Morgan), and clever viewers that we are – we were right! So Klaus giving up blood for Damon was pretty much the only way out of a bad situation.

Now on the other hand Stefan (Paul Wesley) going back on the sauce and becoming bad Stefan (or Angelus if you will) was a little bit of a surprise. Klaus can’t be killed, and I know Stefan loves his brother, but what is up his sleeve? He’s leaving Elena (Nina Dobrev) in her hour of need and I really don’t see how he thinks he can kill Klaus and get away from him. I honestly don’t think he’s gone s@#thouse mouse crazy again, but at least this is a good set up for next season. It’d be nice to see Damon and Elena get some quality time. I haven’t read the books, but I personally favor Damon so I’m glad he’s leaning toward a nicer more attractive (at least to Elena) version of himself.

It was unfortunate that former Miss Mystic Falls, Caroline (Candice Accola), didn’t find time to warn anybody of the real danger they are in since her mother the Sheriff (Marguerite MacIntyre) knows the entire story of everyone’s true nature. If she had, everyone might have been expecting it to hit the fan, and the sheriff might not have gunned down Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen).

Steven R. McQueen, Candice Accola and Nina Dobrev in THE VAMPIRE DIARIES - Season 2 - "As I Lay Dying" | ©2011 The CW/Annette Brown

Bonnie’s (Katerina Graham) freakout while she is trying to bring him back from the dead is one of Katerina’s best moments this season and I send her big kudos for a great and powerful tear-jerker of a scene. For a minute I actually thought Jeremy was going to really die, which would have been absolutely awful for Elena, and terrible for the audience since Mr. McQueen has evolved from the dirty skateboard kid brother into one of the hottest guys on the show. Plus Jeremy is just an adorable character and it would have been a BIG let down for the writers to kill him off.

Speaking of tears, another hats off to Candice Accola and Marguerite MacIntyre for their mom and daughter reconciliation. That was a beautiful scene, and even though it was brief if really had a depth of emotion between those two that we needed to see. It helps to remind us that Caroline is really the only member of the group with a parent still alive, so the bond with her mom is a gift that no one else has the privilege of enjoying.

Of course the big cliff hanger ending is great, and how else do you bring back characters that are dead and are supposed to stay dead. Hopefully this will see the return of others like Jenna (Sarah Canning) next season. It’s been a nice ride this year with this show and I will be eagerly awaiting it’s return in the Fall.

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