This week on Bite On This (@BiteOnThis), the gang discusses Vampire Diaries episode 3.08 – Homecoming.  Highlights include: Can Tyler and Caroline really work?; Why can’t Bonnie talking to Elena? and Elena and Damon letting go, what does that mean?  Thanks for listening to the podcast!

Bite On This: A Vampire Diaries Podcast
Episode #64: It’s Been A Long Time Coming
November 13, 2011

Opening:

• Thanks to everyone who sent in a voicemail this week.  The voicemail you just heard came from Robin.
• Check in to Bite On This in Getglue
• No new episodes of TVD until January 5, 2012.  BOT is going to take a break until December.
• Bonnie’s returns to Mystic Falls.
• Tiki’s granddad on twitter.
• Contact information: www.biteonthis.net, e-mail: podcast@biteonthis.net, voicemail: 484-324-8348, follow us on Twitter: BiteOnThis
• This episode: 3.09 – Homecoming

Last Week’s poll:
Who is your favorite Original we’ve met?

Episode Commentary

General Comments:

• Ratings: 3.34 viewers, second most watched episode of the season.
• Overall, did you like the episode?
• First Bite

Bonnie Gives Elena A Lesson in Brothers

• Do you really think that Bonnie can’t talk to Elena about what happened?  Do you really think that Elena would choose to side with Jeremy just because they are siblings?  Is this the case for all people?

Stefan Has To Believe What He Says:

• Was it really that big of a task to lure Klaus back to Mystic Falls?
• What did you think about the plan to involve Stefan and Mikael in the plan?

Caroline and Tyler Go Through Growing Pains:

• Is Caroline expecting too much out of Tyler?  Is Caroline being understanding of Tyler’s situation?

How The Plan Played Out:

• Did you think Katherine was going to be involved in the plan?  And when did you realize that she was actually apart of the plan?

Humanity: It Gets The Best of Everyone:

• Is this the season of family and humanity?  Does it really get the best of everyone? Why is Klaus so afraid of being alone?  Will bygones really be bygones when it comes to reunite the family?

A Plan of Revenge:

Closing:

• Don’t forget Bite On This is taking a break until December when we’ll come back to talk about the most influential moments of the season 3 thus far and some of our favorite moments.
• Contact information: www.biteonthis.net, e-mail: podcast@biteonthis.net, voicemail: 484-324-8348, follow us on Twitter: BiteOnThis

Bite On This: A Vampire Diaries Podcast
Episode #62: I’m A Ghost, Not God
October 30, 2011

Opening:
● Check in to Bite On This in Getglue
● E-mail from Andrea
● Contact information: www.biteonthis.net, e-mail: podcast@biteonthis.net, voicemail: 484-324-8348, follow us on Twitter: BiteOnThis
● This episode: 3.07 – Ghost World

Poll:
Do you think Elena is trying to change Damon?

Episode Commentary

Did you like the episode?

Anna:
- Bonnie and Jeremy: Will their relationship survive?
- Is it unrealistic for Jeremy to have those feelings?
- Was Anna manipulating him to get what she wanted?

Mason:
- The Damon apology vs. The Alaric apology
- Did you think Damon learned any valuable lessons from the day?
- What do you think about the cave writings? Could this mean the end of Klaus?

Lexi:
- Given more time, do you think Lexi could have helped Stefan?
- Does Elena have what it takes to help Stefan?
- Has Elena turned a new tide with Stefan? Will it work?

Grams:
- Grams tells Bonnie to stay away from the original vampire drama, will she be able to do so?
- What about the necklace coming back? Did the spell really work or is the witch just that powerful?

Closing:
● We’ll be back next week to talk about 3.08 – Ordinary People
● Contact information: www.biteonthis.net, e-mail: podcast@biteonthis.net, voicemail: 484-324-8348, follow us on Twitter: BiteOnThis

I know it’s only October, and last night’s episode of TVD was a Halloween special, but to me it felt like a Valentine.

According to a tweet from Julie Plec, “Ghost World” was a gift to viewers.  And it was very, very special.

I know that today’s technology – social media in particular – makes it possible for fans and producers/directors/writers/actors to interact in a new, immediate and powerful way.  But there is nothing compelling (no pun intended) the creators of TVD – or any show – to act on fan
feedback.  The fact that they did shows just how much they appreciate the fans, and who doesn’t love that?

Moreover, TVD is some of the best television ever, with its rich characters and complex plot-lines.  Yet these people took the time to weave into this incredible tapestry some of the most beloved former characters in a way that closed out the past, included just about everyone (Tyler was the
notable absence last night), and not only did not destroy the integrity of the current story line – Klaus and the Original family – but enhanced it.

And because of that, I continue to be awestruck by the production, writing, and acting on this show.  That it doesn’t get recognition from The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences or SAG is criminal.  This show defines the term “ensemble”. But the acting and writing stand on
their own merits, individually as well as collectively.

In a season that has so far been marked by one standout episode after another, this one was particularly sweet.  And if you didn’t cry – at least once – you have my deepest sympathy.  This show is superior because of the way it makes the fans care about the characters. Their happiness – and their pain – is ours as well.

So what happened?  For me, it was a story of redemption and hope.

Vicki is gone.  But Anna is still there, and Mason has appeared.  And Mason appears to be out for revenge against Damon.  So Damon finds Bonnie and gives her an order – “fix it”.  Bonnie is concerned because if Mason is here, things are much worse than she imagined.  Vicki and Anna are bad enough, but just how many ghosts are there?

Her grimoire drops and falls open to a page with a manifestation spell to reveal “veiled matter”.  Say what?  In a word – ghosts.  Bonnie and
Caroline are off to the old witches house (the one where Bonnie brought Jeremy back to life) and Bonnie starts chanting the spell.

Suddenly, ghosts start to pop up everywhere.  And they are corporeal – they can touch people and people can see and feel them!

Lexi appears to Stefan, and she has one of the best moments of the night.  When Stefan is less than happy to see her, she cracks his head against the side window of an SUV and knocks him out!  Lexi was beloved for her spunk as much as her humanity.  She’s the kick-ass precursor
to our beloved Caroline!  She is there to help Elena get rid of the Ripper and get the “feeling” Stefan back.

Mason shows up at the bar next to Damon and Alaric – and Ric can see him! Mason is not there to mess with Damon – he just wants an apology, and to help.  He knows where there is information on how to kill Klaus, and that will free Tyler.  He even accepts the left-handed, half-assed apology that Damon offers up!  I always liked Mason.

Elena enters the restroom at the Grill and sees Jeremy – kissing Anna – she can see Anna!

And Sheila Bennett shows up in the abandoned house.  Grams!

Bonnie starts to cry but Grams tells her there is no time for that.  When Bonnie brought Jeremy back from the dead, she upset the balance of nature.  Grams is going to help her to get the balance back.

In an unexpectedly sweet moment, Caroline greeting Grams with “Hi Miss Shelia” and it had just the right touch of southern gentility and respect for her elders.  Anyone who is not in love with Caroline has a hard, hard heart.

Grams explains that the Original Witch gained a foothold into the human world when Bonnie opened the door for Jeremy to enter.  And then she used Vicki, knowing that Bonnie would send her back – which only opened the door wider.  Basically, anyone with unfinished business can come back now.  They need to destroy the OW’s talisman (the necklace) to send all the ghosts back and close the door between this world and the next.

It was very fitting that Grams was the one who got to explain what’s going on, including the information about the Original Witch, the necklace and the warning about staying out of Original Vampire business.   Jasmine Guy nails the part of Grams once again.  Sheila Bennett is the perfect combination of maturity, beauty, wisdom, compassion and love.  She is stern, but in a way that conveys love and concern.  It is why she is so beloved.

Caroline calls Elena and tells her that Bonnie needs the necklace – the OW is using it to draw power from the living.  Elena says she doesn’t have the necklace – Damon does.  Bonnie and Caroline are off to Casa Salvatore to look for it (even in the soap dish), but it’s not there.

Mason sets off on a hunt on the Lockwood property with Damon, looking for something that will help Tyler – information on how to kill Klaus.

Lexi gives Elena lessons on how to rid Stefan of his Ripper impulses and restore his humanity and emotions.  It’s basically a course in tough love.  Turns out that the necklace was a symbol of hope to Stefan in his darkest time.   (It’s perfect that a talisman that represents hope wound up with the character who, among all the characters in Mystic Falls, best represents hope.)

But not every ghost who has appeared is there to help someone.  Frederick and some of the tomb vampires appear in the square, ready to resume their vendetta against the founding families, and they start with a Fell – of course.  (Those Fells just can’t catch a break.)

And it turns out Anna, who really does love Jeremy, loves her mother too.  She took the necklace because she doesn’t want the door to close before she can find her mother.  And if she can’t find her mother, she wants Jeremy.  She doesn’t want to be alone.  She can’t quite believe that
there are people on the other side who have found peace because she hasn’t.

Elena tells her she is not being fair to Jeremy, but Anna knows that.  Jeremy tells her he believes there is peace on the other side, and she gives him the necklace.  He takes it to Bonnie (who –now that she knows about all the love between Anna and Jeremy – is really pissed.)

Bonnie takes the necklace, throws it into the fire – and starts to chant, and suddenly Grams is beside her, slipping her hand into
Bonnie’s hand and chanting along with her.  With a crack and a pop, the necklace disappears.

And suddenly, Damon is alone.  Mason is gone.

Mason provided one of the key moments of the night with his “revenge versus redemption” speech.  He understood he made bad choices in his
life, but they are over.  He wants to help Tyler.  His part in the story was the key to what is going to happen in the next episode, because he leads Damon to the location of information on Klaus and the originals – information that may provide a way to kill Klaus – and free Tyler from his grasp.

Lexi passes the “de-Rippify” torch to Elena, and she is gone.

Lexi got to offer Elena hope – that Stefan is still in there somewhere, regardless of what Klaus has done.  And now Elena knows how to knock the Ripper out of him, if she is so inclined.

Grams tells Bonnie “You’re stronger than all of this.  I’m proud of you.”  And she’s gone.

Bonnie finally gets closure with her Grams.  Sheila passed away unexpectedly in Season 1 and Bonnie spent a good deal of time away from
Mystic Falls mourning her loss.  Sheila is one of those earthy characters that ground everyone around her, and that her last words to Bonnie were words of encouragement felt so right – yes, it was one of the crying moments.)

Finally, the sweetest moment was with Anna.  As the ghosts disappear one by one, we see Pearl in the middle of the road.  (I’m getting teary-eyed thinking about it as I write this…)  Anna sees her and they run to each other, pure joy radiating from their faces.  And they disappear together, holding each other.  Best moment of the episode – in an episode that was full of best moments, as always.

But we’re not done yet.  Because this is- after all – The Vampire Diaries.

Ric has found his way to the Lockwood caves and Damon.  And discovers some interesting writing on the walls!

With a flash, crackle and pop, the necklace suddenly reappears on the hearth!   It would not make sense for something that represents hope to simply disappear.  Besides that, if you cheated (like I did, naturally) and saw the pictures of Original Mom wearing that necklace in next week’s
episode, you know it’s not really gone.

Looks like the Original Witch is one powerful Bitch!  She will not be stopped.  She must really hate Klaus.

(WARNING:  If you have not yet seen the promo for next week’s episode, you might not want to read further.  If you can’t stand the wait, carry on!)

Next week?  Well, it is impossible for me not to comment on next week’s eagerly anticipated episode about the Original Family back before they were vampires. When the short promo was posted, it wasn’t long before we had screen caps to show details of who we will see – some old
friends, some new.

And apparently, these people have a Viking heritage.  As usual, a hint of this was dropped in a past episode by Rebekah.  Everything on this show is done with deliberation.  Nothing is wasted. Rik tells us the writing on the walls of the cave is Viking script – and it includes the names of the Original Family members.

Original Mom, in episode stills, is wearing the necklace, so either she is the Original Witch (play on words?) OR she is wearing a gift from someone else.  While she may be a witch, I still think she’s a Petrova.  There are no Viking Petrova’s as far as I know.  Mikael may have picked
her up on a previous journey across the seas. And I don’t think she’s the Original Witch (mother’s don’t hate their children, no matter what they do)  - but I do think she’s the OW’s BFF.

It also looks like presumed youngest Original sib is dead (in Klaus’ arms).  We don’t know really if he’s the youngest sibling of the Original Family, or the child of one of the Original siblings.  We just know that he sure looks dead in Klaus’s arms.  Did Papa Werewolf and his clan
attack the Original Family Settlement?  Is Original Dad Mikael sword fighting with Original Werewolf Dad – or Klaus?

And I think I see a tree burning in the night sky?  The oak?

As usual, the anticipation is killing me.  Let the countdown begin.

After so many months of wondering just what was going to happen to Matt, he turned out to be the most important character in this episode – and proved that he loves his friends enough to make the ultimate sacrifice for them. 

Matt and Bonnie accidentally happen upon Klaus in the gym, just after he’s killed “Not Now Dana.”   Klaus informs Bonnie that he needs information from the Original Witch on how to make his hybrid army – and promptly forces his blood into Tyler’s mouth and snaps his neck to add a dash of urgency to his request. 

The look on Matt’s face when Klaus snaps Tyler’s neck is priceless – go Matt!

Despite feeling alone and isolated, Matt determines that if Jeremy could talk to the dead after dying and coming back, so could he.  He then trusted Bonnie’s skill with CPR and stepped off the deck and into the pool, with a big old weight hooked to his belt.  He drowned, but before he is completely dead, Bonnie is able to save him, and he gives her a message from Vicki – so that Bonnie can save Tyler.

If Caroline is the character who represents cheerful perseverance, Matt is the one who represents genuine loyalty.  It is going to be interesting to see what happens now that he can communicate with the dead.  Vicki’s motives – despite her love for her brother – are clearly suspect.

Matt’s story arc – and specifically the information he gets from Vicki before Bonnie successfully revives him – provides key information for Klaus.  And I am left marveling at how the writers have – once again – made the best use of all the characters to weave an irresistible story that, once disclosed, not only explains the past but moves the plot forward yet again, all while dropping yet more interesting clues as to what may happen next.    

It seems that the Original Witch hated Klaus, and told him that the doppelganger needed to die in order for him to become a hybrid.  Vicki tells Matt that Elena must die in order for Bonnie to save Tyler.  But Klaus suspects the information and tries an experiment.  Rather than killing Elena, he has Tyler drink her blood – and Tyler, unlike the other hybrid attempts – does not get the bloody eyes, go rabid, and die.

Rebekah reflects that the Original Witch is still screwing with Klaus after a thousand years.  But Klaus says it makes sense if you look at it from her point of view.  The intent was that Klaus would be alone for eternity.  The Original Witch hated him.  So this isn’t about balance at all – this was revenge. 

But for what?  I have a theory on that – read further please.

Now that he knows he can breed his hybrid army with Elena’s blood (a supply of which he is taking by compelling hospital staff),  Klaus reveals to his sister Rebekah that the whole point of creating a hybrid army was not for power, but so he would not have to be alone.

The look of pain on Rebekah’s face is perfect.  Klaus had a loving family – one that he apparently can’t completely abandon because he’s carrying them around with him.  But Rebekah knows that Klaus destroyed it.  And now he wants to turn around and create a new one.  Klaus is ashamed in the moment and tries to hide his shame from his sister, who walks away – just as Damon shows up.

From Damon and Katherine’s road trip (with Jeremy in the trunk) we learn that Katherine’s friend Pearl knew about Mikael the Vampire Hunter, but did not divulge the information to Katherine – only to her daughter Anna – thus the need for Jeremy.  Anna tells him (with a little persuasion from Damon) that Mikael is asleep and you don’t want to wake him. But Damon tells Klaus that Mikael is on his way to Mystic Falls. 

Klaus is so terrified that he leaves, presumably with only the blood he’s managed to get from Elena so far, because he leaves without Elena and his new hybrid, Tyler.

Damon carries Elena home from the hospital, returns the Original Witch’s necklace to her, offers to compel her to forget (this is progress for Damon – he asked her permission), which she refuses, and tells her he will never leave her again. 

But Stefan unexpectedly enters the room, takes a drink, and announces that he’s Klaus’s watchdog – and Damon and Elena are free to “carry on”.

I strongly suspect that Stefan has not “turned off” his emotions at all.  I think it’s an act.  Klaus is gone, but little sister Rebekah remains behind and will undoubtedly be reporting back to her big brother.  Klaus himself said he’d never seen anything like the love Stefan has for Elena – and regardless of what Elena thinks she saw happen, I don’t believe Klaus was truly able to compel Stefan to turn off his emotions completely. 

After all, Klaus’ test of the compulsion was for Stefan to feed on Elena – and Elena’s still alive.  What happened to the Ripper?  My suspicion is that Klaus – now a hybrid – has lost some of his Original Vampire power, including the power to compel another vampire.  Or it could be something else?

Mind-control vs. compulsion?  Where have we seen that before?

At the end of the episode, we see Katherine and Jeremy (how’s that for an odd pairing) at a crypt with the name “Pickett” on it, in the oldest wing of the largest cemetery in Charlotte, NC.  Mikael was apparently entombed there in the 1990’s by a witch.  (I’m betting that witch was Sheila Bennett, Bonnie’s grandmother.)

Why is Mikael – a vampire – hunting vampires?  I think he cultivated his reputation as a vampire hunter for the sake of fear, but that his true mission was to kill Klaus before he could remove the curse and become a hybrid.

I am also guessing that the Original witch hated Klaus because she was aligned with the Original family BEFORE they became vampires. 

So here is my theory.

The Original Vampire Papa is Mikael, and his last name is Saltzman, and his descendants include Alaric Saltzman, Mystic Falls’ resident Vampire Hunter.

The Original Vampire Mama is Esther, and her last name is Petrova, and her descendants (through her daughter Charlotte) will be the Petrova doppelgangers.

Her best friend was the Original Witch, whose descendants will be Bennetts, and the origins of the Bennett animosity towards vampires is explained further below.  

When they were human, Mikael and Esther had 7 children, but Mikael was not the father of one of them.  Esther’s secret shame is that she sired a son by another man (who happened to carry the werewolf curse).  This son was Klaus (who has inherited the werewolf curse).

When the family was still human, Klaus fell in love – with the daughter of the Original Witch.  Klaus’s older brother was also in love with Original Witch daughter (the proverbial triangle). 

Two events occurred that altered both families in profound ways. 

First, the Original Witch discovered Esther’s shameful secret.  Mikael – outraged by his wife’s betrayal, tracks down the other man and kills him and his entire family, thus creating the seeds of animosity between the werewolves and vampires.

Second, Klaus, as a result of being “outed” by the Original Witch, is now a virtual outcast from his family.  He attempts to kill her daughter (who, once the secret was revealed, wants nothing more to do with Klaus, isolating him even further.)  The Original Witch intervenes in order to save her daughter – who escapes.  The Original Witch, however, is mortally wounded.

Feeling betrayed by her friend, and angry that her daughter had been put in danger because Klaus’ lineage and attempted murder, and knowing her end is near, the Original Witch puts a curse on the entire family, turning them into vampires.

But Mikael begs the Original Witch for help.  He wants to know if there is any way to kill a vampire.  He will take care of exacting revenge on Klaus.  She tells him that she only way to kill an Original Vampire is with a dagger carved from the wood of a white oak tree.

Mikael, following the witch’s instructions, attempts to kill Klaus with a dagger carved from white oak, but because of his werewolf blood, Klaus is completely unaffected.  Stunned by his Father’s attempt to kill him, and angry with his family, Klaus sets the white oak tree on fire.

Enraged, Mikael comes after Klaus again, but Klaus side-steps him and Mikael plunges the dagger into his wife, Esther, who dies instantly.

Now, knowing that her spell will be ineffective on Klaus, the Original Witch curses him further and very specifically.  Although his werewolf blood is protecting him from death by means of the white oak dagger, the Witch suppresses his werewolf attributes with a curse, which she seals with the blood of a Petrova –Esther.

Klaus – knowing that she is dying – forces the Original Witch to tell him how to remove the hybrid curse.  She reveals that he will need a vampire, a werewolf, a witch, and to drink the blood of a Petrova doppelganger (who will come from Esther’s Petrova lineage through her daughter, Charlotte) until she is dead.  Klaus then kills the Original Witch and fleas his home, accompanied by his loyal brother Elijah.

Klaus, whose sister Charlotte had children, now begins a hunt for Charlotte in order to track the Petrova doppelganger – while the Petrova family members take pains to protect Charlotte and her descendants.  In 1490, Katerina Petrova – a doppelganger – gives birth to a baby girl.  The baby is immediately removed before Katerina can even hold her.

Katerina is banished and winds up in England, where she meets Trevor, who recognizes her as a Petrova doppelganger. Wanting to ingratiate himself with Klaus, he introduces her to his brother, Elijah, who immediately knows who she is, and who is struck by her resemblance to his sister Charlotte.

Klaus, believing he has found his doppelganger, makes plans for her sacrifice.  Katerina thwarts his plans.  Klaus goes on a murderous rampage, killing everyone in her family.

But he doesn’t stop there.  He then starts killing off members of his, Original family.  Believing Elijah has betrayed him, Elijah becomes his first intended victim.  But Elijah escapes Klaus’s wrath.

Those in his family who can do so escape.  Klaus spends centuries hunting them down and killing them with daggers dipped in white oak ash, but places them in individual coffins and carries them with him wherever he goes.)  Due to his hybrid lineage, using the dagger and white oak ash doesn’t kill Klaus when he uses it to kill his vampire family members. 

Mikael, however, eludes Klaus at every turn.  Mikael becomes the first in a long line of Vampire Hunters, tracking Klaus across the centuries in order to get his family back, and to prevent Klaus from becoming a true hybrid and creating a hybrid race.

 I can hardly wait for the next few episodes for those breadcrumbs that the writer put into each episode as they continue to weave the story of these people and their families.  I don’t care if I am right or wrong about any of my speculation.  The Vampire Diaries is like a great book that you can’t put down.

Best Show On Television!!!!!

This week on Bite On This (@BiteOnThis) Angela, Willie and Marcy talk about TVD 3.05 – The Reckoning! Highlights include saving Stefan, Michael and poor Tyler. There almost wasn’t a podcast this week, but we thought something was better than nothing. Stay tuned to the end for a special treat.

Bite On This: A Vampire Diaries Podcast
Episode #60: He’s Really Gone Now
October 16, 2011

Opening:
● Weird episode of the podcast this week.
● CW signs with Netflix
● Contact information: www.biteonthis.net, e-mail: podcast@biteonthis.net, voicemail: 484-324-8348, follow us on Twitter: BiteOnThis
● This episode: 3.05 – The Reckoning

Episode Commentary

First Bite:
Did you like 3.05 – The Reckoning?

Did you like the episode?
Ratings Info: 2.892 million viewers, 1.4 rating share 18-49, 2.2 in W18-34

General Comments:

The Final Countdown
- Stefan and Elena come to a head
- Klaus takes Stefan’s humanity
- Bonnie is left to find out how to stop the curse.

Damon and Katherine Take A Road Trip
- Information about Michael through Anna.
- Should they really awaken Michael?

The Truth About The Doppleganger
- Tyler becomes a hybrid
- What will happen to Tyler now?

Stefan Is Left to Watch Over Elena
- What will happen with Damon and Elena?
- Will they try to save Stefan while he’s left unattended?

Closing:
● We’ll be back next week to talk about 3.06 – Smells Like Teen Spirit.
● Contact information: www.biteonthis.net, e-mail: podcast@biteonthis.net, voicemail: 484-324-8348, follow us on Twitter: BiteOnThis

I am going to do something I rarely do – speculate.  The reason I rarely do it is because I have proven to be terrible at it.  No matter how closely I pay attention, how detailed my notes are, and how much I analyze the plot, the writers of TVD are so incredibly clever, they almost always dish up a total surprise.  I may catch a clue here and there, but where the story is ultimately going never fails to have me saying “WTF?” at my television set.

But before I speculate, I have a few comments on “Disturbing Behavior” and Season 3 in general.

My major disappointment so far this season is that Damon appears to be reverting to Season 1 Damon – the selfish, impulsive vampire, which we’ve already seen.  What made Damon so great in Season 2 was that we saw his struggle.  In Season 3, perhaps we will see Stefan’s struggle, but it’s not nearly as interesting to me as Damon’s. 

However, now that Katherine has shown up, and Damon is about to go off with her to who knows where and what, I will likely change my mind.  I think now that Damon’s made up his mind about Katherine, having the two take on an adventure could be a kick.

The least interesting part of Season 3 for me is the whole Jeremy and the ghosts of Anna and Vicki thing.  I love the actresses who play them, but not this story line – yet.  But I do think the “environmental” aspects of Anna’s new universe are interesting – she’s alone – I wonder if all vampires who “die” are alone.  I also like the fact that Jeremy seems to have caught on quickly to his part in controlling how much of them he sees.  We shall see.

LOVE LOVE LOVE Caroline – no matter what happens to this girl, she is unerringly cheerful and smiling and enthusiastic.  Nothing keeps her down.  When she shows up at Elena’s door with her bowl, she is fairly bursting with happiness and enthusiasm!  Who can resist her?

But I think Caroline’s remark to Elena- about changing Damon – is misplaced. Elena is not trying to change Damon – she is trying to come to terms with him, and her relationship to him.   

I think this comment, and the fight later (which I loved) are all about Caroline’s history with Damon.  Who can blame Caroline for wanting to give Damon a good ass-whooping at the least provocation?  I love how she stands up to him – and a part of him lets her!  I think Damon has a soft spot for our Vampire Barbie, just like everyone else.  He even stands up for her with Bill – in his own way, of course.

And honestly, I don’t believe that mad trumps age in a show of strength between vampires.  Yes, Damon has a soft spot for our dear Caroline, just like everyone else.

I also loved that when she offered her Dad her own blood in order to heal him, and he refused, she tells him to “Grow up” with a touch of exasperation.  There is no better illustration of the deep ties of family than this scene – Caroline defending her father.  The same bigoted SOB who can’t accept who is daughter is now is saved by her.  She is his loving child regardless of the fact that he tortured her. 

Caroline is the most emotionally honest and resilient character on this show.  She’s just been tortured by her own father, but she is keeping her friends honest, building a new relationship with a new love, and just being there for the people she cares about the most. 

Strength + Courage + Loyalty = Caroline!

(Note:  Bill has vampire blood in his system – I think it would be poetic justice if he were killed and came back as a vampire – becoming the thing he hates most. But I’m not holding my breath.)

RIP Gloria.  I believe Gloria was a Bennett witch, not too far removed from Emily’s generation.  And I believe the Original Witch was also a Bennett, and that is why retrieving the necklace was important to Gloria.  It may have superior juju, but it’s also a family heirloom! 

As Julie Plec promised, this is truly the season of family.  It is all over the opening scene with Rebekah, Klaus and Stefan – and I especially love the dialogue between the siblings.  It’s so very real.  You can just hear the family history between brother and sister.  Even the lines exchanged between Stefan and Klaus seem “brotherly”. 

We can also see it in the final scene between Stefan and Rebekah.  She tells Stefan that her brother is a vindictive little bastard, but Stefan responds that Rebekah cares about him nonetheless.  There is an echo here in the relationship between Stefan and Damon – no matter what Damon does, Stefan loves him.  Blood ties are strong.

Rebekah also reveals that Klaus has told her the only reason Stefan is with him is because of the bargain between them – that if Stefan joined him, Klaus would give him the cure for Damon’s werewolf bite and let him live.  Rebekah says she thinks Klaus secretly admires that quality of loyalty in Stefan – that Stefan would sacrifice anything for family. 

But Rebekah is so jealous of Stefan’s love for Elena that she betrays Stefan to Klaus.  Clearly Rebekah’s own loyalty is to her brother – not the man she once loved.  Blood is – once again – thicker than water.

In other news, after snapping his neck and killing him (again), Damon arouses Alaric with his own “breakfast of champions”.  Ric is not in a forgiving mood – and he runs off to demand a role on the town council.  He wants to protect the “actual people” in the town.  It sounds like the “vampire hunter” lineage in the Saltzman family is starting to show up again.

Which brings me to the central question of the episode – who is this Vampire Hunter – Michael – and why is Klaus, an Original Vampire who cannot be killed – afraid of him?

One aspect of this “Vampire Hunter” storyline line is that this guy – Michael – has been chasing Klaus and Rebekah (and who knows which other family members) across the centuries.  So, either he is also a vampire, OR he has had a spell cast on him – possibly by the original witch – in order not to age.

Some are speculating that Michael the Vampire Hunter is actually Vampire Papa.  I think this is a good possibility.  But I have a theory of my own.

I think Michael – the Vampire Hunter – is Vampire Papa, and that he has a last name – and it’s Saltzman! 

Yes folks, he’s an ancestor of Alaric’s.  Remember, the writer’s have already told us that the Saltzman’s showed up in the US in 1755.  The writer’s don’t drop hints for no reason.  I think this hint is about to become important.   

It’s very possible that the Saltzman’s started out as world class Vampire Hunters – until one of them (after marrying and siring 6 children) was bitten and turned by one of the vampires he was hunting.  I mean think about it – this is a dangerous occupation and getting bitten is always a possibility.  One day, it finally happened. 

But old habits die hard, and once Klaus’s true lineage was discovered (and the possibility that he could be truly immortal and reproducible) that old skill came right back to Daddy and he’s been hunting Klaus and his loyalists ever since. 

I also don’t think it’s a coincidence that Alaric is starting to separate himself from his supernatural friends.  Again, the writers do not divulge information for no reason.  We know that Alaric was married to Isobel – and we know that Isobel was studying the supernatural, vampires in particular.  If the Saltzman family was originally in New England, how did Alaric wind up in Virginia – with a woman studying vampires – who’d had a baby with the most vampire-hating family in the state – the Gilberts?

Surely this is not all coincidence.

As I said, I’m really bad at speculation, but that’s my theory and I’m sticking to it until the writers spring the next fantastic, unexpected, epic plot twist on us all – you know, the one absolutely none of us sees coming!

This week on Bite On This (@BiteOnThis), Angela, Willie and Marcy talk about Vampire Diaries episode 3.04 – Disturbing Behavior.

Bite On This: A Vampire Diaries Podcast
Episode #59: Harshin’ My Juju
October 9, 2011

Opening:

• Marcy’s back.
• Contact information: www.biteonthis.net, e-mail: podcast@biteonthis.net, voicemail: 484-324-8348, follow us on Twitter: BiteOnThis
• This episode: 3.04 – Disturbing Behavior

Poll:
Do you think Klaus knows Elena is alive and kicking?

Episode Commentary

First Bite:
Did you like 3.04 – Disturbing Behavior?

Did you like the episode?

Ratings Info: 2.63 million viewers, 1.2 rating share 18-49, 2.0 in W18-34

General Comments:

-       Is this the end of Bill Forbes in Mystic Falls? How did you feel about the storyline in all?
-       Caroline and Tyler: cute or annoying?

Jeremy and Anna: The Real Love Story?

Damon Needs To Take A Beat

Lots of Talk of Diabolical Plans

Rebekah Has Stefan’s Mark

Closing:

• We’ll be back next week to talk about 3.05 – The Reckoning.
• Contact information: www.biteonthis.net, e-mail: podcast@biteonthis.net, voicemail: 484-324-8348, follow us on Twitter: BiteOnThis

Previously on the Vampire Diaries, Klaus took Stefan back to Chicago and reminisced about the good ol’ 1920s, Katherine reappeared, Caroline got tortured by her dad, Elena and Damon went to Chicago to bring Stefan back home, Stefan and Elena officially broke up, and Klaus brought back his sister, Rebecca to life.

This week episode, Disturbing Behavior, is about Stefan trying to keep Klaus and Gloria from finding out the necklace and Elena.

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

Chicago:
Now that Rebecca is alive and in 2011, she needs to update her wardrobe. Klaus and Stefan take her shopping. She tries on clothes while the boys drink champagne. That must be the life, really.

While Stefan steps away from the original siblings, Katherine signals him to follow her. Katherine has been keeping an eye on Klaus and Stefan. She’s up to speed on the whole necklace thing and pretty much everything that Klaus and Stefan had done throughout the summer. She wants to know what Stefan is up to. I want to believe that Katherine really does care for Stefan and wants to help him, but I can’t help but think that this woman never does anything that isn’t going to benefit her somehow. If Stefan is going to Klaus, of course she want in because she wants Klaus dead.

Mystic Falls:
Meanwhile in Mystic Falls, Damon is helping Elena cook chili for the Founders’ party. Domesticated much? These two are already acting like couples. Is this the season Damon and Elena are finally going to get together?

Rick doesn’t seem to be happy about this closeness between Damon and Elena. I don’t blame him though. Now that he’s staying at the Gilbert house and looking after Elena and Jeremy, he’s their guardian. I wouldn’t want my kid to be dating a psychopath vampire like Damon, either.

Jeremy:
Jeremy is still seeing ghosts and this episode, he not only sees Anna’s ghost but he feels and talks to Anna’s ghost. Anna says that she only appears when Jeremy thinks about her. So, does that mean that Vicki only appears when Jeremy thinks about her too? Is it really just all in Jeremy’s head? Anna and Vicki won’t appear if Jeremy doesn’t think about them.

Bonnie’s Return:
Bonnie is finally back after three episodes. Her reunion with Jeremy is kind of awkward to watch. I still don’t see the chemistry between those two.

Bill:
Sheriff Forbes brings Damon to the cellar where she is keeping Bill captured. She asks Damon to compel Bill to leave town, but Damon had his little fun first before completing his assignment. He bites Bill to check for vervain before compelling him to leave town and erasing his memory of ever knowing Caroline as a vampire.

Finding the Necklace:
Gloria is using her powers to locate the necklace. She’s having trouble until she holds Rebecca’s hand to enhance her powers. Meanwhile, the necklace burns Elena’s skin. Whatever Gloria did to locate the necklace, had caused the necklace to burn Elena. Elena takes it off, but the damage is already done. Gloria had heard that Elena was talking about Stefan. But she tells Klaus that she needs more time.

Switching Salvatores:
While Bonnie tries to find an identification spell that will help her find out what’s going on with the necklace, Caroline grills Elena about Damon. She calls it “switching salvatores”. Elena denies it saying that nothing is going on with her and Damon. I almost want to believe her.

Alaric’s Warning:
Alaric is being very fickle this season. He started off being a bum, brooding, and not caring about anything. Now, he’s trying to be a great role model for Jeremy and looking after Elena. He tells Damon to “take a beat” with Elena. Seriously, it’s Damon we’re talking about. He’s not going to listen to anyone.

Gloria:
Don’t mess with witches. Especially one who’s been alive for over 100 years. Stefan goes back to the bar to ask Gloria what she saw about the necklace. Gloria says she heard the girls were talking about Stefan. She did not tell Klaus because she doesn’t want to help Klaus, but she wants the necklace for herself. Stefan isn’t going to help her get it, obviously; so, she tortures him with weird voodoo witchcraft. She’s finally able to get inside Stefan’s head and sees all the memories he’s had of Elena. Just when Gloria finds out the reason why Stefan wants to keep Elena away from Klaus, Gloria is stabbed in the neck by Katherine. I guess this would be the last time we see of Gloria. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but thank goodness for Katherine.

Super-human Power:
Apparently, Bill can fight off vampire mind control. How is that even possible, really? He’s told Caroline that if she practice hard enough, she can suppress the vampire part out of her completely. I thought he was a nut job for saying that. Apparently, he’s been practicing for decades to fight off mind control. I am finding it hard to believe that anyone can do that, but Bill can and Damon’s compulsion didn’t work on him. He doesn’t leave town and threatens Damon that he would out him to the counsel. Big mistake for you, Bill. Don’t threaten Damon unless you have more power than him.

Of course Damon wants to kill him and if it wasn’t for Caroline, Bill would probably be dead.

Not Stefan:
Elena got angry at Damon for hurting Bill. Damon not only hurt Bill, but he killed Alaric. Don’t worry, Rick was wearing his ring, so he’ll be waking up in no time. Damon was upset at Rick and Elena both for making him change from who he is. Elena wants him to be better. Damon doesn’t want to change, not even for Elena.

Katherine’s New Partner in Crime:
After helping Stefan escape from Gloria’s torture, Katherine wants to know what Stefan’s diabolical plan is regarding Klaus. Stefan finally tells her about the time in 1920s and how Klaus and Rebecca were running from someone. Katherine connects the dots and figures out that it was a hunter. She’s heard about him centuries ago. Stefan wants to know more about the hunter. It’s interesting how a vampire that can’t be killed would be afraid of a vampire hunter. How powerful is this vampire hunter? Why would Klaus be scared of him? Is this the reason why he wants to create a hybrid army?

Katherine wants to team up with Stefan to make a move against Klaus. Stefan doesn’t trust Katherine enough to let her in on his plan. He tells her to look elsewhere for a partner in crime and she does. She finds it in Damon. Katherine pretends to be Elena and gets the necklace from Bonnie. She asks Damon to join her and Damon accepts the offer. Everyone around him is telling him to “take a beat” anyway. What does he have to lose?

Stefan’s Diabolical Plan:
Seriously Stefan? Your diabolical plan to find out about the hunter was to ask Rebecca? She’s not going to betray Klaus ever again after Klaus killed her in the 20s. And at least pretend to enjoy it when you kiss her. Rebecca sees right through him and tells Klaus she thinks there’s something wrong with Stefan and that he’s asking about Michael. Michael must be the hunter.

Klaus knocks Stefan out and brings him back to Mystic Falls. Things are going to get bloody again in Mystic Falls.

NIGHT OF ILLUMINATION — As Mystic Falls prepares to celebrate the traditional Illumination Night, the town is invaded by spirits of the dead. After a particularly violent encounter with an angry spirit, Damon (Ian Somerhalder) asks Bonnie (Kat Graham) to find the reason behind the ghosts’ surprising power. Elena (Nina Dobrev) convinces Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen) to use his connection to the other side to help her find a new way to reach Stefan (Paul Wesley), leading Jeremy to a terrible choice. Finally, Alaric (Matt Davis) discovers a long-hidden clue to the past. Candice Accola and Zach Roerig also star. David Jackson directed the episode written by Rebecca Sonnenshine (#307).