3.01 The Birthday

[melbell]

This episode felt darker, in a good way. VD is a dark show by nature because it's about vampires and supernatural but tonights episode felt even darker compared to previous seasons. I guess some of that may have to do with Stefan's turn to the darkside. Do we think Klaus just wanted Stefan to help him create more "hybrids" or is there somethin more to it than that? David Gallagher (Simon on 7th Heaven) was barely recognizable in his role, which was refreshing. Tyler and Caroline are SO HOT together! I really liked that Alaric had remained in the house w Jeremy and Elena and hope he ends up back with them eventually.

[True Love]

Well.. I've heard a lot of things about what will happen in S3, but now when I've seen it, it feels so much different. In a good way.

I'm really going to enjoy Ripper Stefan. Yes, my first reaction was "Stefan? You're not going to actually kill those two girls, right? OH MY GOD HE ACTUALLY KILLED THEM! Stefan!!!!?", and then I started crying. Yeah, I'm very emotional when it comes to Stefan. But, he's really hot. I think Paul will pull him of very, very well. But.. I'll never stop wanting the REAL Stefan to come home, and I'm going to miss Stelena terribly. I'll enjoy this new side of him, but I hope we won't have to wait for the whole season for him to come home. Although, I have a feeling we will.

Tyler and Caroline! Fantastic! There was so much sexual tension, you could cut it with the knife! But, how did Carol found out Caroline is a vampire? Did Liz betrayed her own daughter and told her? And what's she going to do with her? I know they're not going to kill her off.. but they have to stop scaring us with that. I mean, I've been scared for Caroline's life so many times during the show.

How did Elena actually lose her necklace in Alaric's apartment? Also, Nina was great in this episode. Really, really great. When she grabs on her necklace and starts tearing up when Damon tells her Stefan is not coming back, I actually started to cry with her. I love that.. because I love how pure her acting is when it comes to Stefan. Because of that, being a Stelena shipper is much, much more easier.

I kinda felt sorry for Damon. He probably feels guilty.

And I don't think Klaus wanted Stefan just to help him make hybrids. Klaus could have done that all by himself. He has a greater plan for him.. and we'll find out about that. Julie said when Katherine comes back, she will come back with some valuable information. Maybe she'll tell us something more about that..

And my favorite scene in the episode, and from now on, one of my favorite scenes from the whole show. Phone call scene. This is why I love them. This is why I believe in them. She knew it was him. No words were necessary. It could have been anybody, but she knew it's him. And he had to take comfort in her. In hearing her voice. I watched that scene for 100 times, and I cried every single time. You can see all that he's feeling right on his face, and you can hear in her voice happiness and sadness mixed together.

[Peyton Sawyer]

MAN!

Right up until the last scene I was laughing at how much I was okay with Ripper Stefan. Until that phone call and I totally broke down. I miss my Stefan.

Anyway, Ripper Stefan is so hot. He is so evil, it's delicious - even though it appears he's only acting right now. I love that we now know where that name came from - he feeds so violently that he blacks out and literally rips them apart before putting them back together. I found it interesting that Damon said he puts them back together because the remorse kicks in. If Stefan hasn't reached that point of no remorse when he's regressed before why should he now? And then we're back to the phone call. Because at the moment he is holding on to the fact that Elena loves him. It is the only comfort that he has. But when he finds out about Elena and Damon, he won't have that any more. I really do now think I was right about what sparks that change in episode 3.

Caroline and Tyler were totally hot. I liked Matt and Caroline but I really like the Tyler that Caroline has brought out in him - a little bit like Stefan did with Caroline herself. As for Mrs Lockwood, well she's one of the founding families. She will have grown up with being aware of vampires - it doesn't surprise me at all that she can spot them or at least wonder and then test it with vervain. I don't think Liz would have betrayed her.

I don't think Klaus needs Stefan for the hybrids. If that were the case I think he'd have turned him. I think we'll have to wait to find out about that a bit more.

Very much looking forward to the Stefan/Klaus dynamic. It's very interesting.

I felt bad for Damon, especially the Andy thing. That was a bit heartbreaking. That's when I knew Stefan was gone - because he was acting like Damon. After seeing Damon's reaction and the fact he hid that the victims were Stefan's from Elena makes me doubt what Somerhalder said a few weeks ago even more. His anger is far too intense to be about being jealous. He feels guilty and I think he is genuinely shocked at how far Stefan has gone. For him.

Enough rambling. A great season opener. Now excuse me while I go and cry for Stefan for the rest of the evening...

[Lorelai Gilmore]

I've literally just finished watching it. So glad I'm not the only one who was finding Ripper Stefan incredibly Hot, it's just so wrong but yet I couldn't help myself ;D

And I'll admit I did cry during the phone call scene. Paul Wesley is so good in those kinds of moments, I don't think he gets enough credit.

[Peyton Sawyer]

I totally agree, Lor. I get frustrated when some fandoms get so into one character and actor that they seem to feel the need to berate the other. Paul is a fantastic actor and I think he has the potential to out run Ian when it comes to being evil.
Which reminds me - at the start when Klaus says "now can my friend come in" and the girl opens the door...the way Stefan stands....totally hot! lol

I think the only time I didn't find it hot was the Andie thing. But I think it was meant to be that way.

[Lorelai Gilmore]

I'm hoping with his current storyline that Paul/Stefan will get noticed a bit more.
Totally agree P, I think Paul easily has the potential to out run Ian with the evilness.

[Peyton Sawyer]

At the moment it's the smile that does it. His face in that Appetites promo is haunting!

I think Paul will be much more sinister. There always something...flamboyant? about Ian/Damon's evilness. Stefan's like the real deal y'know?

The one thing with the fandom (outside of here because we're all relatively normal lol) is that people will jump on Stefan for doing things that Damon was either loved or excused for. I can really see that happening.

[True Love]

Right up until the last scene I was laughing at how much I was okay with Ripper Stefan. Until that phone call and I totally broke down. I miss my Stefan.

I know what you mean. For the whole time I was like "Lalalala, Ripper Stefan, lalalalalalalala, he's so hot, lalalalalalala" and then, bam! Paul is amazing. He didn't even say a word, and he broke my heart. His face expression was enough. That, and the way Elena said Stefan. The more I listen to it, the more it gives me goosebumps. You can feel surprise, happiness, hope in her voice. That scene broke me down. I wasn't crying real tears, I flooded the room with them.. they were like waterfalls. I miss Stefan. The real Stefan. The one that's still there.

And I'm afraid of the fact that Stefan will soon be gone. Because I'm convinced that when he finds out about Damon/Elena kiss, he will lose it. Because he'll be doing what Elena told him. He's holding on her love.
But like I said in few occasions, Stefan is really afraid, and you could have seen that last night. He's afraid of not coming home, of being that way forever, of actually starting to enjoy the hunt and the kill, of not being with Elena, of not touching her, kissing her, whispering to her that he loves her. But most of all, he's afraid that if he comes home, she'll no longer be his. He knows his brother is in love with he girlfriend, and he knows she cares about Damon. And I believe he spends every waking hour thinking what are they doing, are they getting closer, and how much time will it take before Damon pushes him out of Elena's heart. And when he finds about the kiss.. that will be it. He'll lost that rope that was holding him with her, because he'll think he lost her. Because Elena is his life.. and without her, what is there to live for? I just wonder.. what will bring him back if that actually happens? How we she reassure him that she still loves him more than anything. And is that her place.. or will Damon bring him home? After last night, I'm afraid of losing Stelena more than ever. Because Elena is one with the choice here.. she has many. Stefan, Damon.. who male species. But for Stefan, there's only her.