The Vampire Diaries- Bad Moon Rising Review and Recap

Damon, Elena, and Alaric went to Duke University to look at Isobel’s research in an attempt to find information on the Lockwoods and Katherine. We love this show, because it doesn’t drag out what we already know by making it take a long time for the characters to catch on. About two minutes in, the main characters brought up lycanthropy. The three went on a research trip to confirm the information and find out more about werewolves vs. vampires. We were happy to see Alaric back. At Duke, the trio found a very pretty research assistant. I don’t know if anyone working on this show has actually SEEN a real research assistant, but they look less like models and more like they haven’t seen the outdoors in a decade. The research assistant recognized Damon and Elena (thinking she was Katherine) from Isobel’s research and tried to shoot Elena with a crossbow. Damon took the hit for her, making us wonder if Elena is going to start liking him again soon. Not freaking likely. After an amusing moment where she pulled the stick out of Damon’s back, she continued to snub him while manipulating him into helping her find information about her doppelganger. Damon was mostly concerned about the lycanthropes, especially when the research assistant (with whom they made friends, after the shooting) informed them that, according to legend, a bite from a lycanthrope will kill a vampire.

Meanwhile, Caroline was still adjusting to her transition, and Stefan stayed behind from the research trip to help her. We love that Stefan let Elena go on a trip with Damon. This is just another reason why this show is so much better than Twilight. Controlling, weird Edward would never have Bella go. Just as we were wondering how Caroline is going to go to school when summer is over, Bonnie showed up with a day-walking ring and a willingness to do the spell, as well as a few threats. Caroline was having none of Bonnie’s cold smack talk. We are hoping for a Bonnie/Caroline showdown, where Caroline takes Bonnie on for being such a shrew lately. For now, Caroline’s main concern was that she “doesn’t get to pick the ring she has to wear for the rest of her life.” Very Caroline, but we sympathize. Stefan informed us that Caroline’s emotions and personality are going to be amplified. Oh dear. In the middle of the episode, she was starting to remind us of Bill’s annoying protégé on True Blood, but then she calmed down.

There was a little run-in with a new girl, Amy, who is after Matt. Caroline compelled Amy to go find someone single to flirt with, and Matt got upset, thinking Caroline was running too much drama. Caroline apologized to Matt later, promised that there would be no more drama, and started kissing him at night, in the woods. Somehow, Matt cut his wrist. We think it was on a tree. This prompted Caroline to start eating him, until Stefan stopped her. Then there was a little run-in with Uncle Werewolf Mason where a finally useful Tyler saved the whole crew. Tyler ended up discovering the truth about his uncle. Caroline compelled Matt to think he was attacked by a wild animal. Later, at the town restaurant everyone seems to like, Caroline saw Amy talking to Matt again. Realizing that she can’t be in a relationship until she figures out her new inhumanity, Caroline freaked out about Amy again, purposefully causing Matt to dump her. That was really mature, especially the way she went about it. If she had dumped him, it would have hurt him. This way the only person really hurt was Caroline. She is really starting to become a useful and likable character this season.

At the end of the episode, Damon gave Elena a book on Katherine that he picked out of all the research. Damon was honest with Elena about the Jeremy incident from the premiere. He even apologized. But it wasn’t enough for our heroine, who said that Damon had lost her forever. Damon called Elena out for using him by making him think there was hope for their relationship. Alaric hooked up with Aunt Jenna. Katherine appeared at Caroline’s bedside, saying, “Don’t be frightened. We’re going to have so much fun together.” Love.

We liked this episode, because there was a lot of good Damon/Elena time. They flirted, he saved her, and the episode ended on an intriguingly cold note with them. It opened up lots of potential storylines for Matt and Caroline, who are quickly becoming two of our favorite characters. It finally got the werewolf thing out in the open to everyone. And the werewolves don’t look like large Chihuahuas like in Harry Potter! Plus, Katherine is back. The makers of this show are not interested in giving us filler episodes, and we are grateful.

Episode Grade: A