Well, shit!  That was pretty awesome.  And if you have to have a midseason finale (which you DO, because recapping this show week in and week out is emotionally exhausting, let me tell you), this was definitely the way to do it.  We got the inevitable fucking up of one plan, and the really exciting set up of the rest of the season.

So I think I’m going to do this recap a little differently.  We all know what happened (well, more or less–you guys know I’m kind of a plot dumbass), and I could basically run through it all for you, or you could just hit play on your DVR.  So instead, I would like to break this down by characters.  We’ll have some good discussion, I’ll still drop plenty of F-bombs, and a good time will be had by all.  Let’s roll.

I’ll start with Bonnie.  She wasn’t in much of the episode, but she was shockingly tolerable in both of her scenes.  I feel like the show has possibly realized their Bonnie problem, and I say that at least partially because we know they’ve cast a mom for her.  (Incidentally, I google image searched the actress, and she looks younger than perpetual “teenager” Bianca Lawson, so I’m hoping she reads as older on screen.  But she’s definitely eye candy … not that there was ever any doubt.)  But also, in this episode, Bonnie was quality, and not quantity.  She wasn’t grating, or a buzzkill, or just being a general bitch, and best of all, she didn’t do anything actually all that necessary to the plot.

Hear me out–that sounds like a bad thing, but it’s not.  The show has, historically, relied on Bonnie as more of a plot device and less of a character.  She’s around when they need a witch to do witchy shit for story reasons.  So it was really a welcome change when she was just being Elena’s bummed out friend who was trying to not put Elena in the middle of an awkward situation between her best friend and her brother.  (Sidenote–I thought that was cool and mature of her.  Sucks that she can’t go to her BFF, but that’s also the price you pay when you date your BFF’s brother.  Just saying.)  And I loved the scene where she jumped in and stopped Damon and Tyler from killing each other.  Bonnie has really come a long way with all this.  I hope we get more character developments in the coming episodes, and I’m actually kind of optimistic that we will.

Oh, before I move on–I admit, I kind of hoped that Matt’s backup homecoming date was going to be Bonnie.  All I REALLY want is for Bonnie and Alaric to not happen.  What is the opposite of shipper?  Because goddamn motherfucking son of a BITCH, I cannot handle one more show right now with students and teachers hooking up.  It’s gross, and weird, and at this point, not even original.  I trust you, TVD, but seriously–don’t go there.

Moving on, Caroline really didn’t have a whole lot going on in this episode.  Mostly, she was annoyed with Tyler (giiiiiirl, aren’t we all?), freaking out over homecoming, and being passed out.  She broke my heart at the end when she and Tyler basically broke up, even though it was the right call–how can you be with someone that you can’t trust, even if you DO love them?  I love Caroline for being strong enough to do that, for being able to let go of someone that she cared about because she cares enough about herself.  That’s important.  I don’t know that it’s completely over for Caroline and Tyler.  I love them together, so I hope not.  But that scene at the end is SO why Caroline (and Candice Accola!) is my favorite.  I love how everything that she feels is always right on her face.  Caroline was always an open book, and I do feel like it’s intensified subtly now that she’s a vampire–like, this isn’t even something that’s been written in, at least not with dialogue.  Her face is like … PERFECT.  I don’t know if it’s Candice Accola’s conscious efforts, or good directing, or WHAT, but her character is just SO well done.

Now, even though I do support Caroline in the breakup, I still have hope that this can be salvaged.  Klaus did say that he left orders for the hybrids after he died, BUT we know that compulsion ends when the compeller dies.  However, we don’t really know how siring works, and especially with hybrids, since … these are the first ones (presumably).  So might Klaus be blowing smoke?  Possibly.  Wouldn’t be the first time.  And listen.  I hate what he’s done to Tyler.  I want sweet, devoted-to-Caroline Tyler back.  But I think that guy is still in there.  Tyler really has no choice (or very little choice) but ultimate loyalty to Klaus.  He seems to have slightly more control than if he were flat out compelled, but what’s going on isn’t entirely his fault.  I wasn’t too thrilled with his thoughtful logic about how he was never really in control of himself so now at least SOMEONE is, but then I have to remind myself that, okay, that’s addict talk.  Stefan’s been there and back (and there again, but that’s a whole other thing), so maybe Caroline can make an epic rescue mission for HER man.  And maybe it’ll even actually work, because Caroline is badass and NOT ELENA.

But I got derailed there.  Tyler had to do what was best for Klaus, and obviously spreading the word that Klaus was prepared for an attack would be to Klaus’ advantage.  But Tyler’s first thought, his immediate reaction, was to take care of Caroline.  He was looking out for her and he got her the fuck up on OUTTA there.  And yeah, the whole situation still IS super fucked up, but I DO think there’s something to be said for still prioritizing Caroline’s safety over Klaus’ bidding.  He’s not all the way gone yet.  Plus, I hope that this is a way to incorporate these two into the rest of the season and to hopefully get possibly Tyler but at LEAST Caroline involved in the takedown of Klaus.  She has a very personal stake (heh) in it now.

So now let’s talk about Rebekah.  Small detail, but I liked that she actually DID wear the red dress from the zombie cheerleader fashion show that Elena picked out for her.  It was a small but nice moment of continuity, and I like when shows do that because it shows that they care and are paying attention to their own show.  After last week and basically conducting the episode, Rebekah had a smaller role in this one.  In fact, her role was basically to be sidelined because, as is a major running theme through this show, no one can be trusted when it comes to family and loyalties and following through.  Still, Rebekah (and Claire Holt) was KILLER in this episode.

I love how much fallout from last week there was with her in a relatively small amount of screen time.  She still seemed very fragile, even in the midst of being her usual dangerous, loose canon self.  And can I say right now that I wouldn’t mind if she stayed forever?  I think she’s an awesome addition to the show.

Anyway, basically every moment of Rebekah time was like, GUTWRENCHING.  Did it or did it not tear at your heart a little bit when she said she’d never been to a high school dance and actually never really had time for high school?  (Suck it, Cullens!)  It just kind of said it all about what had been going on in her life (and, granted, most of the fun, modern, high school dance years were spent daggered in a coffin), and she seemed excited and maybe even a little nervous (also, I love that her date was supposed to be the sweetest little puppy of a boy ever–a puppy that was looking very hot tonight, I might add).  But the best part for me was how Rebekah seemed very on the verge of breaking down at any moment.  God, how many of us have been right there, when you’ve just got so much going on that it’s not even one defined thing anymore and it’s all just threatening to spill over at any second, but you’re trying to hold it together for the sake of your makeup?  It was a BEAUTIFUL scene.  And oh my GOD, Elena giving her back her mom’s necklace.  Just … after all Rebekah had just been through, I thought that was a nice gesture, and maybe Rebekah will be SLIGHTLY more forgiving when she gets undaggered.  And hopefully she’ll be able to understand why Elena had to do it.

The other Rebekah moment that just destroyed me was when she was waiting for Mikael to wake up.  I don’t know what my deal is lately, but I’ve really been enjoying daddy issues on TV lately (hello, the Evil Queen on Once Upon a Time?), and Rebekah and Mikael were fantastic.  Listen.  They didn’t have that much time but I BELIEVED all of it.  For her part, Rebekah wasn’t wrong–families are what they are because of how they interact and the choices that they make.  And when your dad has a bad temper, and hates your brother, and turns you into vampires, or whatever, that shit informs your entire world.  So for her to put that on him felt justifiable, anyway.  And you could just tell that it had been stewing for EVER.  She’d probably practiced that speech a zillion times and you could tell she was just bursting at the seems to spit it all out.  As for Mikael, he just really seemed like he hadn’t thought about it before.  Which … sometimes people do that, you know?  When he said it was never about Rebekah, I truly believed in his sincerity.  I think he just never considered how he had affected her, which I would guess probably drove her even more insane.  And I liked how they had their issues, which of course Klaus was wrapped up in, but they had their own separate family-related shit, just like we all do.  It was so, so GOOD.

And I can’t be the only one sad to see Mikael gone already, right?  I mean, goddammit, he was a BABE.  Like an actual, honest to god, sexy MAN.  Bravo, casting department.  And the VOICE.  I can’t even.  We can’t go down this road, I have a lot more to get through.  But seriously, I could go on all day.  And I loved his intensity.  I wouldn’t have necessarily thought it before this guest stint, but Sebastian Roche truly does have the perfect face for playing both scary intense AND tender.  He’s my new fave.  Now if we could all just channel our collective energy into the universe that he does NOT get cast on Ringer, because I am still unwilling to watch it, and I don’t care how hard you try by throwing hot dudes on it, Universe!  I WILL NOT EAT CAT POOP.

Where was I?  Oh right, Mikael.  So when he showed up at the Lockwood mansion and couldn’t come in, and he and Klaus were having their standoff in the doorway, it was intense.  I knew immediately that it had to be the scene that Joseph Morgan was referring to when he said that there was one scene in particular that he considered some of his best work.  In fact, he even mastered a skill that we prize very highly here–The Single Perfect Man Tear™.

Oh you're good, Klaus. But you, sir, are no Dean Winchester.

Seriously, though–he was phenomenal.  And again I’m pissed that the stupid assholes in charge of awards refuse to consider CW shows.  Fucking morons, I say.  I mean, the whole thing was … it wasn’t like an actor doing it, you know?  That shit was EMOTIONAL, like he was an Indian and Mikael had just littered on his land!  (Okay, no really, no more single tear jokes.  I just joke around when I get emotional.  I’m an emotional Chandler Bing.  Also, I had to REALLY fight the urge to post a picture of Dawson crying.  What is WRONG with me?  I need therapy to be able to properly deal with my emotions.)

What were we talking about?  Oh, right.  The standoff in the doorway.  I think that this is the point where I realize that we just need more information on the hybrids.  I assume they’re killable … well, because we did see Damon rip a heart out of one, but also because they aren’t Originals.  Klaus did acknowledge Mikael’s point that the hybrids tearing him limb to limb wouldn’t do shit, but like … what CAN they do?  And not do?  And also, if you’re an Original, are you really on the clock as to who has to break first on the “no, you come out”/”make me” debate?  I mean, there is an endless supply of food wandering through the Lockwood property at any time (and by “food”, I of course mean “partygoers dressed in period costumes”), and what else do you actually need?

That was an aside.  Where I was going was … they really acted like a father-but-not and a son who hated each other, and what was genius about it was that Mikael knew ALL the buttons to push with Klaus because he knew him SO WELL.  These family touches are just amazing, and I’ll say it again–they’re what give this show so much depth.  We all have families and we all know it’s true that shit never, EVER stops going down.

We didn’t really learn anything new about Klaus tonight, not as a character, so I’m going to bail on him in this post and wrap up on Mikael.  Again, I’m disappointed that he’s gone.  I liked his character, and I liked having him hanging over all the proceedings like a rain cloud.  Obviously now he’s gone, and the one weapon that could kill Klaus is gone (and that really was all a blaze of glory, if I may be so cliche for a moment there).  My one concern is that I already see where we’re headed as far as who is going to have to step in to eliminate Klaus, and I don’t feel like I should know what in the hell is going on at this point.  If my dumb ass knows what’s going on, it may possibly be too telegraphed.  (For the record, I don’t KNOW know what’s going to happen, but it’s speculation on my part.  Out of courtesy to people who might not be into speculation (and because I hate when Billy does it to me), I won’t do it in the post, but if anyone wants to speculate in the comments, I’ll join you there.  Please just, as always, don’t spoil anything for others and definitely don’t tell us anything that you know for sure.  There are two kinds of people in this world–people who look for their Christmas presents under their mom’s bed and people who don’t.  That’s all I’m saying.)

Similar to Klaus, we didn’t really get any new information on Damon.  We already know that he loves Elena and was protecting her, and while their scenes together, and especially the one by the fire, were pretty intimate, most of Damon’s action tonight came in the form of badass fighting.  I like this, although I confess that I still prefer shirtless dancing Damon to all other Damons.  (Shallow and proud, y’all.  Shallow and proud.)

I guess I don’t have much to say about Elena, either.  And that’s okay.  That just means that she was acting consistently with her character.  As for Katherine, we saw more of the human side of Katherine.  And sure enough, someone’s humanity fucked shit up, it’s just that no one thought it would be her.  What I do want to point out, though, is this–it’s getting harder and harder to tell Elena and Katherine apart.  I LIKE this.  I briefly thought that Mikael stabbed Elena and I was SO EXCITED.  You have no idea, like … BESIDE myself excited.  I don’t think Elena is really anyone’s favorite character, but it’s really not that.  She’s fine, you know?  It was just that … how CRAZY would it be for a show to kill off it’s central character for the fucking MIDSEASON finale of it’s third season?  That would be like … WHAAAAAAAAT!  I mean, obviously it didn’t happen, but just the idea is so awesome that I’m getting overly excited.

Anyway, it’s getting harder to tell Katherine and Elena apart because they’re both slowly moving toward that midpoint between their personalities, and I KNOW that’s intentional because Damon told Elena earlier in the episode that stabbing Rebekah was very Katherine.  And it was.  It just … needed to be done.  Elena is still Elena, so she feels guilty about it, but that also didn’t stop her.  Meanwhile, Katherine was still willing to let compelled Stefan allow Damon to kill Klaus so she could be rid of him, but she also told him the other part–that if Klaus died, Damon would also die (which may or may not be true).  That’s HUGE for Katherine–she actually gave someone a choice.  She loosened her grip on the situation and just let things happen how they were going to happen.  More than admitting that she had loved both of the boys and that shutting off her humanity was getting harder, I really felt like a moment free of manipulation and giving of free will was a HUGE development for her.

And finally … Stefan.  Oh, Stefan.  Well, needless to say, he doesn’t want his humanity back because he’s gonna feel hella guilty about all the stuff he’s been up to with Klaus.  But you definitely do get the sense (and again, it’s subtle, awesome acting choices) that he’s really only pushing it away for now.  And instead of thinking about all of the people he’s killed, and all of the people he’s hurt, and all of the loss he’s endured, he’s thinking about revenge.  (Revenge–so hot right now.)  I love this direct nemesis/one-on-one situation we’ve got set up here.  Everyone else?  PAWNS.  Sitting ducks.  Cannon fodder.  I predict a bloody second half of the season, but I think I’ll just try to not freak myself out over the hiatus and not think about it too hard.  (Except now I’m trying not to think about it and it’s all I can think about!  GODDAMMIT!)

Okay.  That’s it for me.  There’s no chance I didn’t forget SOMETHING, and there’s a decent chance I got something not quite right, so if you think of and/or notice anything, call me out in the comments!  Also, please share your favorite moments, favorite quotes, pet theories, stray observations, questions, answers, etc.  I tell you this every week like you guys don’t know how to comment, when obviously you’re awesome at it.  BUT since this is the beginning of a huge hiatus, I am going to need some comment love or this is how I’m going to end up:

All I ever wanted was for you to comment on Sarah's TVD blog!

Yeah.  I couldn’t resist after all.