Episode Commentary: “Bloodlines”

Damon and Elena go on a road trip without her magic necklace and the mystery of Alaric the history teacher deepens. Meanwhile, Stefan tries to help Bonnie come to terms with her abilities. The chemistry between these two is better than the whiny relationship that he and Elena share.

On their adventure in Georgia, Elena tries to put together the pieces of the night she found out she’s a dead ringer for Katherine. Just who was the vampire she ran over? And why is Damon traveling to Georgia? It involves an old flame of his (Gina Torres), who happens to be a witch. Then there’s Elena’s little brother. His history assignment is rattling the skeletons of good old Mystic Falls. In the interim, he meets a girl named Anna (Malese Jow), who can only be described as “awkward.” Is she a future victim or a hunter?

It seems that the hiatus from the show has improved the acting abilities of Katarina Graham (Bonnie). In her struggle with dealing with her powers, Bonnie projects a sense of fear and her scenes with Stefan and her grandmother (Jasmine Guy) feel genuine. On a side note, Jasmine Guy should be a regular. Her mere presence elevates the acting of everyone around her.

One of the highlights of this episode is the created folklore that Jeremy and Anna exchange. The idea of demon-warriors and Jeremy’s explanation of their metaphoric existence makes you want to hear more. Unfortunately, these scenes are too short. Delving into the history of this town makes for a more interesting show that improves when the ensemble cast is utilized. When it’s only about Stefan and Elena, the episode drags.

There are several surprises and the action scenes have increased in intensity. As the past comes back to haunt Damon, Bonnie continues to cope with her abilities; you should watch next week to see what unfolds.

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