Episode 2.11 – “By the Light of the Moon”

The episode opens with Tyler getting some supplies together, mostly chains, into a duffel bag while the video of Mason writhing in agony is running on his computer.  He calls Mason’s home number, leaving a voicemail about how it’s the full moon tonight and how he’s freaking out.  Cut to a girl in Mason’s apartment listening in to the message, and I’m thinking… werewolf girlfriend? 

Just as Tyler is leaving the house, the mystery girl shows up at the Lockwood mansion introducing herself as Jules, a friend of Mason’s.  She lets them know that he never returned to Florida and Tyler’s mom calls the sheriff to report him missing.   Jules seems awfully interested in Tyler and calls someone to report that not only is Mason missing but there’s another werewolf; his nephew.   (I’m thinking Elijah, what do you guys think?)

Jeremy, Elena and Bonnie are talking about how to try and de-spell the moonstone now that they’ve got it.  Elena flunks the test they’ve set out for her by stealing the moonstone to try and sneak out with it the first chance she gets.  But Bonnie’s already anticipated that she would try this and spelled the house; Elena can’t leave, just like the vamps in the tomb. 

Damon brings Stefan a care package with candles, lanterns and blood but Stefan refuses the blood, not wanting to have to share it with Katherine.  Once again Stefan says not to worry about trying to get him out of the tomb; just worry about keeping Elena safe and the moonstone.  I have to think – he sure is calm about being trapped in the tomb with Katherine!  Maybe the promo will really be about a steamy moment between them?

Episode 2.10 – “The Sacrifice”

We’re back with another episode!  We start with Elena waking up in her bedroom to some strange noises coming from the hallway.  Suspenseful music plays, and we see a flash of Jonas (Luka’s dad, remember?) stalking her.  Elena gets up to see who it is but after a few tense moments she runs into Alaric and Jenna on the way back from the kitchen with some Chunky Monkey ice cream.  Assuming that they’re the ones making all the racket, they stand out in the hallway making awkward conversation long enough for Jonas to steal some very personal items from Elena’s bedroom like hair from her brush and jewelry.  Uh oh… this does not bode well in the hands of a warlock.  (Can I just mention again how much I hate the use of that word?)

The next morning Stefan and Damon pay Katherine a visit in the tomb to ask for the moonstone back.  Did they really think this would work?  Katherine wants out of the tomb now because she’s bored out of her mind in there.  She offers to give them the moonstone in exchange for her freedom and her promise to leave Mystic Falls forever?  Anyone else not believe her?  I didn’t think so.

They tell the plan to Elena to release the spell from the moonstone which they figure will keep Elena from being sacrificed.  Elena doesn’t believe that Katherine will just give it up.  “We will pry it from her cold dead hand.”  Damon tries to reassure her.  They want Bonnie to release the seal long enough to get the moonstone and get out, leaving Katherine trapped inside. 

The only problem is… Elena wants no part of this plan.  She isn’t ready to risk Klaus’ wrath and possibly get everyone she loves killed in the bargain.  Interesting to note that she is definitely including Damon in that group of people she loves.  Damon looks a little stunned by the admission.

Bonnie admits to Luka that it’s become a lot harder physically to work spells lately.  He tells her that it’s because she’s not drawing power from the available resources around her.  Luka shows Bonnie how to channel their energy together.  They exchange personal trinkets and raise up a little wind at school and Bonnie looks almost giddy with the rush of power.  Luka leaves just as Jeremy walks up, but before they can talk much, she gets a text from Damon.

Episode 2.9 – “Katerina”

So many reveals in this episode!  That almost makes up for the fact that we have to wait a while till the next episode.  Almost.

We start off the show with a flashback to Bulgaria 1490 where Katherine or should we say Katerina, is giving birth to a baby girl.  Her father immediately gives orders to have the baby taken away, not even letting her hold it despite Katherine sobbing and pleading to her mother.  I guess that explains how the Petrova line has continued over the years. 

Back in the present, Elena comes to see Stefan at his request, because Rose has some truths she wants to share.  Elena seems very uncomfortable to be confronted by her former kidnapper (I’m betting she’s got some lingering issues over that backhand Rose gave her that knocked her out, but maybe I’m just the petty type?), but sits down to listen to what she has to say.  Rose goes on to tell her about Klaus and the Originals and how they’ll stop at nothing to get her since she’s the Petrova doppelganger.  Apparently Elijah is the Easter Bunny compared to this Klaus.  The short and the skinny of it is, the oldest vampire in history in time is after her and if she’s not afraid of him than she’s an idiot. 

Elena takes the news fairly well, no histrionics; instead she just grabs her bag and heads off to school – sans Stefan by the way.  Where has the love gone?  Stefan looks as baffled as I am.  But instead of going to school, she drags Caroline out to the tomb to get her to move the giant stone so she can talk to Katherine.  Elena swears Caroline to secrecy, but I think we all know how that’s going to turn out; even Caroline admits that she’s horrible at lying.  But Elena pulls out the big guns and asks her to keep the secret as her friend.  Caroline reluctantly promises to keep her visit to the tomb a secret from Stefan.