Review: The Vampire Diaries, “Let Her Go”

Oh. My. God.

The one and only disclaimer I will begin with is: no one, and I mean, absolutely no one will be judged by the amount of ugly-face crying that happened during this episode of The Vampire Diaries.

On the forefront of “Let Her Go” was Liz’s funeral. And I cried, and cried, and cried some more. It was honestly great seeing Damon give Liz the best eulogy she could have asked for. And as he looked at Caroline and told her that her mom was proud of her because she was beautiful and strong, I couldn’t help but feel that maybe that was Damon’s way of saying: I’m sorry for using you as my personal blood bag in season 1.

It’s great to see how mature Damon and all the characters have become since the beginning. Matt and Tyler deciding to join the police force, and the absolutely beautiful way Elena consoles Damon while he has a melt down about writing the eulogy — everything was perfect.

Except maybe Stefan. Maybe Stefan’s been 17 for so long that he can’t NOT think like a teenager anymore. Because the way he handles his situation with Caroline is horrible. I could pinpoint the exact moment Caroline realizes he wanted to tell her that he didn’t love her– or even like her in a romantic way, and I couldn’t help but cry a bit more for her.

Because really, TVD? After all that build up and that swoon-worthy kiss last episode, you’re going to make us watch Stefan question his feelings for her?

Which leads to one of the most heartbreaking story arcs to come. With everything going downhill — her mom, and now Stefan, Caroline ultimately decides to turn her humanity off. It was a long time coming. We’ve seen Caroline be strong for so many people for so long, I honestly think she deserves a break. And, it may be rude, but I hope Stefan feels extremely guilty. Because, you know what? He should have realized his feelings for her could be epic, a lot sooner.

Stefan: “I realize I may not be able to explain what I feel for her, but it is something. And yeah, maybe all love isn’t TRUE LOVE in the way you and I have experienced it, but I think this could turn into something even better.”

By the time Stefan decides he needs to proclaim his undying love for Care, she has already turned her humanity off and broken Elena’s neck. The worry and concern on Stefan’s face makes me even more excited about how this is going to play out.

And then, TVD’ers, something amazing happens. Bonnie comes back. Some wonky stuff happened in her prison world where she was going back and forth from 1994 to 1903, while Jo was giving her magic to Kai, but she comes back. But not before coming across a very beautiful woman in period clothing, who as it turns out, is Mama Salvatore. They’ve been dropping hints of her in the past episodes, and I’m wondering if this means she’ll come over to present day — and what secrets she’s hiding.

Naturally, she makes Damon pancakes. The way Ian Somerhalder played this scene was excellent. You can see the confusion and then cautious hope on his face. Then he spreads his arms out, smiling the brightest smile ever as Bonnie literally jumps him. It was honestly the sweetest thing ever. I know ‘Delena’ just came back to us, but could we have some Bamon drama for a bit please? Because I’d be okay with that.

I’d be okay with it all.

Random Thoughts:

1. Can Tyler go to an AA meeting, and can Matt be his sponsor. Please?
2. Can we see Katherine’s prison world- where she has to go pee in the woods, and doesn’t have fabulous clothes all the time? So like, the 70s?
3. How quickly do you think Rick and Jo will tie the knot now that she’s preggers? I hope we can get a best man speech out of Damon before the season ends!

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The Vampire Diaries airs Thursdays at 8/7c on The CW.