The Vampire Diaries Review: Mommie Dearest (Season 7 Episode 7)

It’s Thanksgiving at the Salvatore mansion…. Or is it house now? And what better way to celebrate than to recruit your mother to plot the murder of her boyfriend?

Yeah. I couldn’t think of anything better either. And that’s what this episode of The Vampire Diaries, “Mommie Dearest” focuses on.

First things first — a special shout out goes to Ian Somerhalder.

Damon does shitty things all the time, like killing Julian knowing his mom’s life is in danger too. But when anyone, usually Stefan, expresses their hurt and anger towards him, he says this amazing speech, and we get to see just how hurt Damon really is. It gives us perspective into the Damon we met in Season 1, and all the choices he’s made since then, and why.

And the fact that we can sympathize with him is a testament to Ian Somerhalder’s acting abilities. In “Mommie Dearest,” we get to see just how much Guiesspe’s abuse, and Lilly’s abandonment has scarred our Damon Salvatore, and just how many trust issues he really has.

Damon: You’re never gonna stop straining to find one tiny speck of redemption in Lily, and she’s never gonna stop disappointing you. I don’t want to know the whole story, Stefan! I don’t want to know any more excuses or lies or anything that tells me anything other than the way I know it went down. Our mother faked her death, left her sons behind, started a new family, and went out of her way to forget us forever!

I have to admit, for a while — aside from that scene — this episode comes across as filler. But almost ten minutes in, if you look really carefully, you realize that this episode is everything but.

It shows character development — hallelujah for Lilly realizing what a monster Julian really is — and talks about something this show hasn’t really touched upon before.

Abuse.

My absolute favorite thing about this episode is Lilly’s realization that she chooses horrible men, who abuse her. It’s so interesting to watch, because Lilly is a strong, independent woman! She turned her back on her children, and she honestly has not shown any vulnerability at all, up until this episode.

But that’s what abuse is, isn’t it? It happens to the people we suspect the least, and most of the time, they are in denial.

I love the contrast between Giuseppe slapping a human Lilly, to Julian’s carelessness for a vampire Lilly’s life. Sure, he doesn’t actually hit her, but it has the same effect. And the juxtaposition of Lilly seemingly forgiving both men, is both heartbreak, and adds much-needed pathos to her character.

You have to be excited when she arrives back at the Salvatore house to say she is in on killing Julian, and she has a plan. Because nothing is more beautiful than a woman sticking up for herself and the people she loves. And so, the theme of family hits home once again.

Speaking of family… seems like Caroline may have one, and very soon. Even after the pregnancy test coming up negative, Valerie realizes that the babies are just cloaked and it is revealed: Caroline is pregnant with Alaric’s babies.

How weird is that? Especially since he once taught her about the French Revolution? But somehow, I believe it all!

This season is coming together so beautifully and organically, that I can believe pretty much anything they throw onto the screen. The flash forwards do an amazing job at keeping us interested while making us go insane with more questions, and the present day storyline lays down just enough hints for us to believe the different possibilities of the future.

It’s fantastic, and so refreshing from a show I once thought was starting to get dull. It’s great to be wrong in these circumstances.

What did you think of “Mommie Dearest”? Tell us in the comments below!

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