Well, this is probably going to cement my status as a Rose hater (and although “hate” may be a strong word for it, I’m also not exactly going to deny it), but … did anyone else feel like this episode just flowed SO much better than they have been lately?  And right after she bites it (pun!)?  I just think it’s not a coincidence.  And I realize now that the issue is, this show has more than enough protagonists right now.  However, as with Jell-O, there is ALWAYS room for bad guys!  But anyway, this was a totally classic episode and really fired on all cylinders, and I pretty much have nothing but nice things to say about it, which is always fun, so let’s do it!

As you guys know, there is nothing in this world that I love more than Caroline, so a juicy, Caroline-centric episode is where it’s at for me.  Kevin Williamson has been spouting some shit on his Twitter that has made me VERY nervous for her (EEEK times a million, and not in the good way), so any time anyone did ANYTHING to her, and especially any time she turned her back on Jules, I was HORRIFIED.  And speaking of horrified?  Matt catching her lying.  Sigh.  Guys, I am still SO Team Matt.  Yeah, I said Team Matt.  Do I need to call them Maroline, or Catt?  Because I will.  I will do it.  Don’t push me to that edge.  But yeah, I keep thinking she’s going to tell him everything and then shit keeps coming up (NOT NOW, DANA!).  Here’s my theory–my guess is either Matt will find out everything by the end of the season, or one of them will die.  That is my total, unspoiled, uninformed feeling.  Which probably means it’s totally wrong.

But don’t get me wrong–I also love Tyler and Caroline.  I love how deliciously complicated it all is, and how well the show writes what’s going on with them.  They both totally sell it, and add complexity to it with their acting, but the story is THERE.  I am STILL not over the complexity of the characters on this show, and these two are prime examples.  I mean, look at how they both started off, and how they’ve evolved so realistically in the span of a year.  Caroline is right … she’s not the same girly girl that she was, but that girl is still there, and I love Stefan so much for knowing that and knowing what she needed, which was a girly slumber party.  Adorable.  That scene where he brought Elena and Bonnie over was like the most precious fucking thing I’ve ever seen.  I DIED.

Sidenote: I realize that I like this show a lot more when I’m really into Stefan, which is weird, because he’s actually not my favorite character.  Hell, he’s not even my favorite Salvatore.  But for whatever reason, when Stefan’s story is engaging, the entire show like … sparks.  Does that make sense?  I don’t know, I don’t understand it–all I know is that Stefan is magic.  Think about it–Stefan with Lexi.  Stefan crying at Elena breaking up with him for real.  Stefan telling Elena he’s a vampire.  Stefan bringing Caroline a slumber party.  Any time Stefan has a genuine, overt emotion, it’s like everything stops.  WEIRD.  Good weird.

What were we talking about?  Oh, right.  Tyler.  So Tyler was SUCH an asshole when this show started, but I like how the show has slowly revealed his insecure and vulnerable side to us.  And the thing is, I really want Tyler to do the right thing, and I actually believe he might.  I just think he’s really confused, and I don’t know if he’ll do it in time.  And while I understand that Caroline went through utter hell in the Werewolf Torture Trailer, I was still a little surprised that she was so hard on Tyler.  I mean, he found out a whole lot in one day.  But Caroline is only human (even if she IS a vampire), and so is Tyler, and neither one of them reacted perfectly.  See what I mean?  GOOD WRITING.

While we’re on the subject of Werewolf Torture Trailers … the werewolves–pretty badass, no?  I like Jules.  She’s a really good villain–very cold.  And Brady is a good loose cannon type–they’re a good pair, although I wish Tyler would’ve left with the vamp trio and not gone back to the wolf pack.  Not that Caroline left him much choice, I suppose.  But what’s wrong about just going home and sleeping in your bed by yourself?  That’s such an underrated activity.

And what do you guys think it meant that Tyler didn’t drop when Witch Daddy showed up?  My interpretation was that he wasn’t trying to hurt anyone so he didn’t fall under the spell.  That makes more sense to me than Elena caring enough about Tyler for him to be encompassed in the Elijah deal.  Speaking of which, I really didn’t see that one coming.  A lot of things in this episode took twisty turns, which, again, was true to form.

And of course, Jeremy was back.  Siiiigh.  Cute and smiley Jeremy, with cute, messed up hair.  And Bonnie!  Bonnie was smiley and pleasant during the whole episode too!  What’s going on here?  Are they campaigning to be the next Matt and Caroline?  Because if so?  I approve.

Sidenote #2: I was watching Buffy earlier this week (duh) and totally thought of this show, because Willow had a mega witchgasm.  Everything old is new again!

Oh, right.  And Uncle Bastard.  Yeah, he was there too.  He was pretty fuckin’ useless until the end, when we find out he and Katherine and Isobel are up to no good.  Well, presumably no good.  He’s just such a dickweed.  Meanwhile, Katherine still looks like a million bucks while wasting away in a cave, but at least Elena started dressing more like her normal self.  If you read last week’s TVD Review Panel with www.smallscreenscoop.com, you know her kindergarten wardrobe was starting to grate.  But this week, she looked cute, and I liked the ponytail.

Other miscellany before we wrap:

• I love badass Stefan killing people/vampires/werewolves.  You know, basically just him killing.
• Billy is still calling the Mystic Grille “The Max”.  Hee!
• Damon in a bathtub … mmmmm.  But as much as I liked the conversation, as well as Damon compelling the slutty reporter on the scene to not be afraid so they could just talk, they pushed it just a TINY bit too far with, “Now be my distraction.”  Still, I forgive it because Damon was so otherwise entertaining tonight and we do need the occasional insight into his thoughts, however we can get it.
• When is Alaric ever going to have a storyline again?  Please?

Alright, that wraps it up for me for tonight.  What did you guys think?  Is there anything I forgot?  Any favorite moments or lines?  Theories?  Other stuff we need to discuss?  Let’s chat it up like a big, girly slumber party in the comments!