#tvd 4x01

[lovelyandproblematic]

will we mourn the old me

just like we mourned everyone else?

[laufire]

I’m still amazed (read: o.0) by Stefan’s choice. like. who does that. who. does. that. ??????’

like. it’s not a version of the trolley problem where it was “save the woman you love” (Elena) vs. “save X number of innocent lives”. that’s a different thing where the decision to let Elena die could resonate with me (but of course, we already know what Stefan’s choice would’ve actually being in the trolley problem. Abby Bennett already gives us a good hint!).

no, this is entirely about Stefan’s self-perception + image-management and that is simply INSANE to me lmfao. he allowed the love of his life to DIE because his veneer of heroism is more important to him than that. this choice made in the previous season finale is, IMO, the origin of Stefan’s defeat in the Plecverse: he both couldn’t save Elena OR defeat Klaus. but also, damn if it’s not fascinating to analyze xD

(this is, btw, a choice he wouldn’t, hasn’t, made when it comes to Damon. time and again Stefan saves Damon’s life against his “choices”).

[marril96]

The Vampire Diaries 4.01 | Growing Pains

[tangleddd]

"You mean this never goes away?" she asked, her eyes widening as she stared at him, panicked over the idea that she'd have to deal with the crippling bloodlust on a permanent basis. "I'm going to feel like this forever?" "No." Stefan promised. "No, it gets better, but it's going to take a while. Drinking helps." Tangled Diaries 4.01 'Growing Pains'

[bonivers]

the day that was (at the time) thought to be elena’s last sunset as a human (2x21) and elena’s first sunrise as a vampire (4x01)

[kmze]

Thoughts on 4x01 - 4x12 again I wrote a novel. This is probably my least favorite rewatch half since S1 and it's because the stuff I liked I really liked and the stuff I didn't like I really didn't like. It kind of ebbed and flowed for me, I didn't like the first two episodes (they felt weird I don't know how to describe it) but then I liked Connor and the hunters mythology. I liked the Klefan team-up and the hybrid sire bond breaking with Tyler (I liked his plot the most of anyone) and obviously I liked that the show remembered Steroline existed and all the friendship and sober sponsor goodness. But I didn't like when the hunters mark turned to the cure and Silas because I honestly lost the plot on the convolution of that. I loathe LOATHE the sire bond stuff and DE in general and while 4x09 was a highlight the next three brought it back to not enjoying myself as much (I blame the lack of Caroline).

4x01

“I made a choice that I will regret for the rest of my life” see even Stefan knows that was a stupid ass decision!

Not to defend Matt but can the Salvatore brothers leave him alone like damn it’s not his fault. Especially Stefan like projecting much? Damon wanting to kill Matt so badly is tiring like what is even the point?

God the DRAMA over Elena deciding to transition or not became downright annoying.

Bonnie you need to listen to Grams and stop saving these damn people!

RIP the Council you were useful for one day and then you got blown up.

4x02

I don’t really see how the animal diet wouldn’t cause more duress since you have to kill an animal, as opposed to just drinking from a blood bag? IDK Stefan you need to maybe reassess your vampire training manual because this doesn’t seem to be a diet anyone chooses unless they have drinking problem. Plus the dramatics over Elena feeding and possibly killing someone come on man, there’s like six people watching her I think you can all manage if you do it in shifts.

Damn I forgot how hot Conner is *bites fist* and I love that he shots first questions later! Someone who gets shit done and actually shook the table around here!

Tyler is the only one around here actually willing to put himself in danger to cause the least amount of casualties. A motherfucking G!

I’m sorry but Elena told April to remember it was a beautiful service but like it wasn’t! Tyler got shot! I would have included that information.

Why did Damon start kinda breaking the fourth wall suddenly?

Between Stefan starting it off by listing people Damon killed and Elena mourning HERSELF this is the most in sync’ Stelena has been since S2 LMFAO!

4x03

These past few episodes have been so overly emotional and dramatic it’s a bit much for me. I think it’s because the show is making us “feel” Elena’s transition like we’re doing it along with her, but please show I don’t ever want to be forced to relate to Elena.

Klaus getting so excited to try and breakup a high school couple is both sad and hilarious. Like he is glowing at the thought!

Man Rebekah is RUTHLESS!

The motorcycle scene is so bad!

I know I get more of a buzz from this than most but the Steroline scene is really just a nice scene. There is so much self righteousness and postering going around in these episodes and finally someone is like “I need help will you help me” “of course” and it is so nice! Stefan gives her these heart eyes when she says she's good at it because of him that just make me melt. I don't even think it's about the boost to his ego, I think he just really needed to hear that he did something right. This is also such a huge moment in relation to Stefan because it's the first time he ASKED for help with his blood addiction. With Lexi, Damon even Elena they told him they'd help him and they all did a bit but Caroline was the first person he sought out help from. And he trusted her when she said he could come to her whenever he wanted and she wouldn't let him lose control. Because Caroline is a genius at self-control. I always liked how we got the line "you don't have to pretend with me" from Stefan to Caroline in 2x13 and now you see how Stefan starts to learn he doesn't have to pretend with Caroline either.

4x04

Even the voiceover recap is dramatic!!

Stefan’s “we’re not in a fight this is our resting phase get over yourself” comment was hilarious.

How does Caroline not know how hard it is Elena hmm not like she woke up all alone having no idea what was happening to her since NO ONE told her about the supernatural world before that! The only possible information she had was visions of Damon abusing her, raping her and feeding on her! Not like she didn't have to work her ass off to prove to EVERYONE she could do it (only Stefan had some faith in). Then after that she was tortured by her own father despite being "too good at it". Yep no idea how hard it is.

Klaus sitting at the bar with a glass of wine smirking at Rebekah’s failures should not be as funny as it is but I am DYING!

Klaus’ smile when Stefan figured out his motive, what a sap! At least he's using new methods to get his (boy)friend back now. Instead of ruining his life he's like "wanna manipulate people and be shady" the best way to Stefan's heart.

While I do enjoy the Bonnie/Shane storyline (mostly) I am immensely tired at how often Bonnie loses her powers. This never seemed to happened to the witches on TO... and of course we all know why (racism).

Everything about Damon in this episode disgusts me. When he basically described S1!Caroline as the perfect "feeding victim" I wanted to reach through the screen and stake him. Can't even enjoy Bamon crumbs during this time period.

Stefan manipulated Rebekah into giving up all the information after one conversation… I just cannot. If Rebekah wasn’t mostly indestructible there’s no way she’d have lived this long, she will give all her secrets away to the first person who shows her a modicum of warmth.

4x05

Elena is so out of the loop and I love it (because I am a HATER)

I'm glad Bonnie got to just vibe with Shane instead of being forced to help this hostage situation, good for her.

The Hunter plot is good, I do like how they have their own symbols and the tattoo only other hunters can see. It gets a bit too complicated when Silas and the cure get introduced but it was good while it was just about the hunters.

Matt and Jeremey getting April a vervain bracelet THANK YOU!

Farewell Connor you should have been Too-Hot-to-Die!

The cracks in Forwood are starting :( because Tyler is right, Chris was his friend and more importantly Tyler wants to keep everyone safe and values everyone's life not just those he believes are important. But Caroline doesn't believe that, she'll try to save everyone and she'll at least feel bad but she will always save her friends first. There's also the fact that she's already started picking Stefan's side over Tyler's which will come to a head soon...

4x06

Caroline’s grin at tricking Klaus LMFAO

They would make Elena be haunted by her first kill after telling me how SHE JUST CARES TOO MUCH and her compassion is her greatest weakness the last five episodes. I hate it here.

Jeremy being so eager to stake Damon LMFAO!! I mean can you blame him? You know how many problems would have been fixed if they killed his ass.

They make it the Stelena break-up all about Elena's feelings for Damon which... is not the full problem here. If anything the problem is Elena's feelings for Damon mean her and Stefan aren't in sync like they were in S2. Because when SE works it's when Stefan can be the ideal boyfriend who respects Elena's choices and always protects her (at the expense of others if needed) and Elena can uplift that. She'll even remind people of it, like Elijah in 2x19 or when she would remind Damon, like when she invited Stefan into the boarding house first and embarrassed Damon on the condition he follow her rules (and Stefan smiles smugly). I mentioned it in my 2x12-22 recap thoughts how Elena wants to have a relationship with both brothers, but it only works if Elena isn't in love with Damon. Because then the roles don't work anymore, and Stefan has more self respect than Damon and quite frankly has zero interest being a side piece. Because we KNOW Damon will be in love with Elena no matter what like he was in love with Katherine for 145 years (until he transferred that over to Elena) but Stefan can move on (and does fight me).

4x07

When Caroline is talking to Stefan about her disgust at Delena and goes “and you’re you” the way Candice says it and her body language is PERFECTION! You see that small part that feels a tingle for Stefan pop out for a second after she buried it when they became friends in S2 (it stays there until S5 IMO).

Klaus is such a dick lol, he knows exactly what’s going on (that Elena is sired to Damon) and he just gives Caroline another riddle.

Everything with Damon and Elena this episode (most episodes lbr) makes me ill so I'm just going to ignore it :)

The Klaus and Caroline scenes at Miss Mystic Falls are kinda cute, I liked when he was teasing her with the application lol. The hummingbird analogy was kind of like "what TF is he talking about" though. Also why didn't we get Caroline saying if she'd take the cure or not, feels like they purposely wanted to keep that lingering.

I do like how much shadiness is going on this season, like not really knowing Hayley's motives and now we know she's working with Shane. Stefan and Klaus' team-up and how that brought a lot of hostility to the trio and also makes Caroline a more primetime player.

Another precious moment! When Caroline is going on her pro-Stelena rant and she’s like “her and Damon” *shakes in disgust like her whole body icks over the idea* (samsies). Then Stefan does this d’aw look and shy smile trying not to laugh because Caroline is Caroline and just BEING HER makes him forget how crappy his life is.

Now one of my favorite eras begins aka "Stefan and Caroline figure everything out by the fireplace (and fall in love)" era.

4x08

Stefan is being more sanctimonious than usual and if it were any other character than Damon I’d be like "let's not throw stones from glass houses..." But since he’s Damon and he still doesn’t do the right thing after all this, I'll allow it.

The show tried to push the side bond as feelings but like that’s not why the sire bond is bad. It’s the lack of consent because you are forced to act based on what you’re told by one person and it prohibits free will. THAT'S THE PROBLEM! No one thinks Elena didn't have feelings for Damon before she turned we fucking know this.

The scene with Caroline, Elena and Bonnie drinking and partying in the Salvatore living room is very cute and funny and I love it and it sucks that every other interaction between them this episodes fills me with hate. The part where Caroline says "It's not your fault, Elena. Damon took advantage of you!" you really hear the fear in her voice.

Elena is a bit too intrigued watching the hybrids bow to Tyler...

I thought Stefan was going to say "because he's my brother" when Caroline asked how he could trust Damon and how utterly annoyed it was going to make me, his excuse was a least a little better than that. He was wrong of course, because Stefan never learns when it comes to Damon.

4x09

The first scene of this episode is… why? They just established the lack of consent with the sire bond and Damon and Elena are laying on top of a bed together.

Caroline looks ETHERAL (and yes the very petty part of me loves that she gets to look stunning while Elena looks dull and miserable even her hair doesn't pop like it used to *evil grin*)

The way Tyler says "you told HIM" AJSHBCFJSFHJ god I love this scene, and the way Stefan moves in front of Caroline to protect her from HER BOYFRIEND, god I love it. I love when two characters just straight-up do not like each other based on personalities and not plot contrivance. Because Tyler and Stefan have never gotten along and they would never speak to each other if they could help it but they have to, because they both care about Caroline. That's how you do a triangle. Love how Tyler threw in Stefan's face that he already got one of the hybrids killed so he doesn't owe him anything. Sterowood you deserved more.

The Klefaroline stuff is also so great, the little art critic remarks and Klaus saying "you've been dodgy and Caroline's been lovely which I've come to recognize as a tool of distraction" (took him long enough lol). I do really enjoy the Klefan conversation about loneliness (which was what Caroline said about the snowflake) and memorializing their dead. Then the remorse that Stefan and Caroline feel at leading Klaus to slaughter and then cutting to... Klaus brutally murdering 12 hybrids to a Christmas carol. This show!

Watching Tyler find all the dead hybrids... damn I just feel so awful for Tyler. He was just trying to help them and never really wanted to be the alpha and now he has to feel immense guilt over them trusting him.

4x10

I’m sorry Becks but getting mad at Stefan for his dirty tricks girl... maybe stop letting yourself get manipulated ALL THE TIME!

I do appreciate Damon shooting Klaus for Carol.

Man Shane can resist compulsion too why are these idiots still not learning that! Morons all of them.

The prospect of Rebekah ramming the cure down Klaus throat does give me a perverse amount of joy! Really would have loved to see him deal with that predicament MWAHAHAHAAAA!

Stefan is such a drama queen this episode. Look the sire bond is gross and the way Damon is using it to his advantage is gross but like... Stefan is mad at Elena having feelings for Damon because of the sire bond but HE KNEW SHE DID BEFORE HE LET HER DROWN! And again maybe you shouldn't have been so comfortable with your brother being in love with your girlfriend Stefan because it "proved their was a part of him that was human" or whatever bullshit he used to say.

4x11

I do love how sassy Stefan got once he detached from Elena, he’s so much more fun this way!

Even Matt is questioning Elena’s choices about Damon oh how the mighty have fallen!

Sorry not sorry but I’m ready for the Original family to leave for their spin-off. I don’t care enough to even understand their issues now it’s so zzzzzzz, Klaus is the only one who mildly entertains me and that’s only when he’s around Stefan, Caroline or Tyler.

I know he's just trying to aggravate Damon but Klaus saying "Stefan would never dream of hurting Elena" um sir we all know that is not true. You were on the phone with him when he threatened to turn her into a vampire and drive her off a bridge! So much so that you actually stood down!

For someone who wants to be human so bad Rebekah is obsessed with Ripper Stefan and I don't get it! Do you know what Ripper Stefan does to humans? He eats them! And not in the sexy way! I'm also forever over these vampires say they want to be human so badly when they clearly love their vampire powers.

Elena like “wanna commit genocide real quick” girl...

4x12

CTFU at Stefan looking so guilty when Klaus opens the door like he’s been caught cheating!

Two episodes in a row with no Caroline WTF I don’t deserve this!

I know Bonnie’s Dad literally appeared out of nowhere but he’s not wrong in basically everything he’s been saying. She can’t really protect the town like she says when she’s working in vampires' interest. And thank god someone put vervain in the water supply!

It’s kind of sad to watch Bonnie’s parents finally give a shit about her and started telling her to stop putting herself in danger for Elena. Because they are completely right with everything they’re saying and Bonnie just won’t listen now.

The Stebekah 80s “date” does a good job of showing the duality of Stefan. I think he’s being completely genuine in having fun with Rebekah and that it reminded him of his time with Lexi who always made him happy. But he’s also doing this to distract her while Elena and Jeremy try to kill her brother. And I like that he doesn’t have Matt dagger her because she was honest with him and he didn’t want to betray her after she did. But then he manipulates her into being back on his side to get the cure and to not be mad Jeremy and Elena killed Kol. Oh when he’s good he's good.

There’s so many mentions of burning Elena’s house down lol. They couldn’t wait to torch this sucker.

The Klonnie scene where Klaus is like "witch" and she gives him a death glare... they could have been a fire hateship man!

Bonnie’s face was like oooooo watching the triangle drama lol (samsies).

Lines that made me laugh:

Klaus: For future reference, one voicemail is just as effective as nine (this was an ongoing theme with Klefan and it was hilarious)

Stefan: *snaps Damon’s neck* You’re welcome (LMFAO all in the delivery sassy Stefan never leave me!)

[ollyvxz]

LEGACIES, S04E01

You Have to Pick One This Time

[jbuffyangel]

Hello! I finished TVD. I knew about Damon endgame beforehand, but from the moment I started the show and saw Stefan and Elena and their chemistry and connection, I was like: "Wow, I know Delena is endgame, so they must have done something amazing with Delena to top that couple right here." The problem is they didn't and threw Stelena away for nothing. I read your old reviews and they are amazing. Do you still think about them the way you did? Are you still watching occasionally?

Hi Nonnie! Welcome to the pain that is Stelena. I absolutely still think of them and they are one of the true great injustices in my television viewing experience. Especially after I read Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson's interviews when the show ended. I think they would have put Elena and Stefan back together in the end. When I listen to their perspectives on the show I think Stelena was endgame. I know Kevin absolutely wanted that. So it gives me some peace knowing that I wasn't totally off my rocker.

The show was actually moving in that direction in Season 6. Elena forgot all her memories of Damon & that would've played out much longer. She would fall for Stefan again (not unlike the sire bond storyline for Damon). They were all about balance on the love triangle. A supernatural element broke Stefan & Elena up and put Elena & Damon together, so they would've done the same thing to Delena. And then we move towards Elena becoming human, getting her memories back and having to make another choice.

Julie likes to say that they couldn't reunite Stelena or do the final choice because Nina left the show, but honestly it was totally doable in Season 6. They broke Stelena up in like 6 episodes in Season 4. I had whiplash. It would've been easy to sell Elena was in love with Stefan again due to the memory loss. They like to blame it on Nina leaving but honestly I think they just took the easy way out. Delena was more popular. They didn't have to make an endgame decision and if Stelena fans were unhappy then they could just blame it on Nina... which is exactly what they did.

And then they killed my Stefan.

I do occasionally rewatch Season 1 - Season 3. I rewatch 4x01 on repeat and pretend it's endgame. Or I like to pretend Stefan and Elena visions of a happy human life was how it really played out. Stelena had a proposal (which Steroline basically coped which i found SUPER WEIRD) We saw their happy life together. I think Delena fans were really hosed on that end.

I tried to have a podcast of TVD with my friend @lipstickandwifi but it just ended up with me yelling in every episode because I'm so ticked off at the writers.

[zalrb]

I loved the part of your SE preview where you had Elena mention that "damon loved kat for 100+ years and where did it all go." I think it's so understated by tvd fans how long that is & how impossible it was that he was over her

oh thanks, yeah, in the past we've spoken a lot of about how he transplanted his obsession and then anon asked for a conversation about that in the fic so i was like this is how the 4x01 talk with them should've gone, lmao, because elena is super casual about damon nearly killing matt after everything she did to save him and i was like this would be a good opportunity for her to be like he just doesn't understand me at all and for her to really think about katherine

[nikkiruncks]

"I had to choose and I picked you. Because I love you. And no matter what happens, it's the best choice I ever made." - Elena to Stefan in 4x01 (TVD)

[kiss-my-freckle]

This may be a challenge, but what are your thoughts on TVD timelines? I have a season companion book that creates one timeline, several fandom sites that claim another timeline (school in VA starts early October?) I'm in NY, while the series makes it known it was 1 yr from Miss Mystic to Miss Mystic? Am I wrong?

Curious to know how long from 1x19 to 4x01. TVD time not ours.

Your thoughts always appreciated!!

Our school years here start at the end of August. I can give you a real timeline with a single dialogue.

Elena: Today's our anniversary. Technically, Stefan and I met on the first day of school last year.

1x1 to 3x6 is exactly one year. Because of that, I'm sure Miss Mystic to Miss Mystic is exactly one year. I'm not sure about 1x19 to 4x1, but it should be less than a year.

[ashleyinwondrland]

STEFAN PUT THE DAYLIGHT RING ON HER RING FINGER !

HOW WERE THEY NOT ENDGAME!?

[laufire]

Trevino was such a good Klaus... I’m glad the body-snatching lasted very little (and frankly wish it’d lasted less than the KC makeout with Klaus in Tyler’s body ew), but still. he excelled at it.

[evanescentdawn]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: The Vampire Diaries (TV) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Klaus Mikaelson & Rebekah Mikaelson Characters: Rebekah Mikaelson, Klaus Mikaelson Additional Tags: Angst, Everything Hurts, POV Rebekah Mikaelson, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence Series: Part 2 of Klebekah Summary:

“Do it, then!” Rebekah hisses. “Do it!”

[tangleddd]

She smiled to herself as she asked; "Do you want to know what ran through my mind that night?" Damon cocked his eyes brow. Tangled Diaries 4.01 'Growing Pains'

[sassenachscreencaps]

(The Vampire Diaries, 4x01 - Growing Pains)