You know, when Damon told Caroline to skip the teen drama and get to it, I did giggle, but listen … NEVER skip the teen drama.  Never, ever, ever.  EVER.

So I know that last week was supposed to be the big game changer, but COME ON.  I feel like with this episode, the season just turned a major corner, not the least of which is that Katherine is semi out of the picture.  And I like how they kept her alive, albeit trapped–it made good sense to the story and Damon’s logic made Damon sense.  There was a poetic justice in Katherine FINALLY getting trapped in that damn tomb, and in Damon being the one that got to do it to her.  Still, I doubt she’ll be there for another century and a half, given that she clearly knows something about the dude that showed up and kidnapped Elena.  Also?  You know what would’ve made that even creepier?  If he’d been wearing the Burger King mask.  Oh, yeah.

But yeah, I’m glad she’s not permanently gone yet because she REALLY dialed up the evil this episode.  I was shocked by her killing Amy (although good riddance to that bitch), and I did NOT see the Elena injuries coming AT ALL.  Plus, there was everything with Damon.  I laughed when she told him how inconvenient his obsession with her had been for her, and he was all, “You and me both, sister,” but you know, when she was torturing him with how she’d been stalking Stefan (and torturing me with mentions of Lexi), you could tell it still hurt him.  That wound is covered with a giant scab of hate, but underneath, it’s still a wound and if you pick at it just right, or maybe in just the right spot, you can still cause a twinge.

Although I could’ve gone for another round of Damon kissing … anybody.  Couldn’t you?

Alright, speaking of people I could go for seeing kissing, MATT AND CAROLINE.  It was nice to see them together, even just for a few seconds at a time but the lingering look at the party, with her looking GORGEOUS in her red dress and him looking so smiley and drunk?  More please.  More more more more more.  I know she wants to keep Matt out of it, but … maybe it’s time to drag Matt into it?  Everyone else is in, and you know what?  I kind of like it.  And those two NEED to be together.  They’re really blue-balling me here.

Still, Caroline had a lot of great moments, both in funny Caroline style (“I did it!  I tricked YOU!”) and in badass, taking-care-of-business style with breaking up the Matt and Tyler fight.  And I like that she and Tyler had a little bonding moment, because it makes sense–they’re both new to what they are.  I’m way too Team Matt to be on board with a hookup there, but I could be seriously down with a friendship.

Meanwhile, everyone seemed to think they were trying to make Bonnie and Damon happen, but it turns out it’s Bonnie and Jeremy, and I LOVE it.  And let’s pause briefly here to discuss … OH MY GOD HOW HOT DID JEREMY LOOK IN HIS SUIT?  I won’t say it was exactly the same, but it did make me momentarily flashback on the first time I saw the Winchesters in suits, and that is the highest compliment I can offer.  But yeah, Bonnie was much more … FUN in this episode.  I liked the other witch and am glad she promised to be back, but mostly I’m glad that she convinced Bonnie to take off her bitchface and just embrace her place in the whole situation.  If we can get more smiling Bonnie and more sweet, grown-up and chivalrous Jeremy … man, I’m gonna be so happy.  What is it about this show that makes them able to pair up literally almost anyone and turn me into a squeeing fangirl?

And apparently it works in the reverse too, because I’m also happy about Stefan and Elena staying broken up for a little while.  I know it’s not forever, but we do need the Damon and Elena stuff to straighten out because that dynamic is a little off right now, and seriously, can’t be said enough–Stefan is SO much more interesting without Elena, even though Elena is his motivation.  You guys know how I love angst.  I have NO problem with this whatsoever.

Okay.  I think that hits the major points for me.  I loved it, and that’s saying so much for an episode that was kind of light on Damon, and can I also just confess something really quick?  I barely even though about how there’s no more hot surfer werewolf (and there’s a sentence I never thought I’d write).  The show continues to push forward at an exhilarating pace, and as questions get answered, new ones get asked and I feel continually engaged and satisfied.  GOD, this show is good.

What did you guys think?  Favorite moments?  Lines I missed?  Theories?  What do you think about the current on, off, and potential romances?  What about the Katherine situation?  So much, SO MUCH, to talk about.  Let’s do it!