The Vampire Diaries Review: The Simple Intimacy of the Near Touch (Season 8 Episode 9)

Here we are back at the birth of Damon and Elena’s vomit-inducing love story… at least according to Stefan!

Miss Mystic Falls sets the stage for a walk down memory lane on The Vampire Diaries Season 8 Episode 9, titled “The Simple Intimacy of the Near Touch.”

Ripper Stefan doesn’t hold anything back when confronting Damon about his love for Elena, which seems to be inching closer out of his subconscious. I enjoy watching Stefan be bad as much as the next person, but I hate the way he speaks about Elena.

Despite the fact that I have always been Team Delena, I always admired how much Stefan gave Elena a choice. He always did his best to respect her agency. This version of Stefan rewrites the narrative of their relationship.

He speaks about Elena like Damon took her from him. Or if he had been at Miss Mystic Falls that day, then Elena would have never eventually fallen for Damon. The fact is Elena made a choice. Elena made many choices that infuriated me as a viewer, but they were her choices.

Damon claims he doesn’t feel anything for Elena, but there’s a reason he’s still holding onto her necklace. Without thinking, he grasps it.

I think the writers have done a phenomenal job incorporating her without her physically being there. The reality is her character was crucial, not just to the overall story, but in the story between these two brothers. To ignore her now wouldn’t make sense.

I would much rather have Elena still have a hold on Damon than Sybil. Luckily, it looks like Damon has broken his link to Sybil. She evens seems shocked when Damon manages to get her out of his head.

However, Sybil manages to have one more trick up her sleeve despite being taken Damon’s captive. She wakes up Damon’s humanity and sends the guilt rushing back in like a tidal wave.

If only Stefan’s humanity could make an appearance so it could save his relationship with Caroline. Their engagement seems to have been put on hold for good.

Stefan looks like he couldn’t care less about Caroline, and I don’t blame her for throwing that engagement ring back at him. He explains that he doesn’t plan on stopping working for Cade anytime soon because he’s having too much fun. Is anyone surprised?

This was my fear when he flipped his switch. Humanity-free Stefan has way too much fun killing. I wish Stefan had been stronger and not shut his humanity off.

Obviously murdering people while having guilt would be downright miserable, but at least he could actively work toward getting away from Cade. Without guilt, Stefan doesn’t want the good times to end.

Once again, Bonnie and Enzo prove to be the shining beacon of hope in the midst of all the relationship drama. Bonnie comes back from her trip wearing Enzo’s blood in a necklace around her neck.

Bonnie’s stance on becoming a vampire hasn’t changed. Even if she wanted to the rules around her being a witch and her connection to Elena seem to squash that possibility.

Enzo’s motive for her wearing the necklace isn’t so she would promise to become a vampire, but for her protection. If she’s in danger and he isn’t there, his blood could save her.

Why did no one think of this before? In addition to her vervain necklace, Elena should have been wearing some vampire blood as well. The girl got injured so many times, that a blood vile around her neck would have been practical.

Anyway, Bonnie and Enzo came to understanding about where she stood on becoming a vampire. However, Bonnie has a thought that could change their entire relationship. She wants him to take the cure so they can live out their days together.

I am in full support of this plan! Nothing would make me happier than to see Bonnie and Enzo grow old together. That way Bonnie can live out a full and happy life, then pass away so Elena can wake up. I would much rather have this version than Bonnie die in the near future.

Odds and Ends

• Matt and Dorian (Alaric’s remaining intern) team up to find the bell that will play a large role in… your guess is as good is mine.
• Seline convinces Dorian to take her to Matt so they can take down Sybil, but I’m weary to trust her. Once a Siren always a Siren!
• Matt will end up playing a larger role than I realized, considering his family is the only one who can ring the bell.
• Caroline guiding the young woman as she turns into a vampire is sweet, but I’m not particularly interested in seeing that storyline go any further.
• For as long as she protested their relationship, I’m happy to see Caroline try to remind Damon about his epic love with Elena.
• Will the weight of Damon’s guilt crush him?
• Stefan wants to go solo without Damon. Are we gearing up for a showdown between brothers?

What did you think of this episode of The Vampire Diaries? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Reviewer Rating:

User Rating:

 

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

Follow us on Twitter @telltaleTV_

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!