your disgust with life speaks to me on a deeper level.

[ever_neutral]

so i was thinking of not doing this, but then i was like -

nope. can't pass up the shade. can't do it.

so:  

note: just a head's up that i'm pretty much disdain!watching this season. so, unless an episode particularly wows me in some way, i'm finished with long "meta"-like analyses of whatever nonsense is on my screen. in it now basically for the few things i can still muster up some caring for, i.e. the narratives that aren't complete pieces of shit. so, letting that be known --


starting with bile first because that's the way i roll:


WHY:

• if Klaroline weren't intolerable to me before, they certainly are now. i recognise that the framing explicitly acknowledged how reprehensible and disgusting Klaus' actions were. but. i don't care. i don't. in what world was this setup even necessary? in what world is it a remotely tolerable narrative choice to subject Caroline to yet ANOTHER gratuitous instance of sexual assault that, in the end, does absolutely nothing for her narrative. it turns the stomach.
• "i need my sister, not another one of them." Jeremy, i want to stan you ths season, so let's stay away from bizarre OOC lines such as this.
• "you respect my choices, like you always do." show: shut. the. fuck. up. you need to shut the fuck up with flagrantly misusing "social justice" and "female empowerment" to make what is a textually abusive relationship supposedly plausible. it is sickening. 
• the 20-minute long montage of ~memories being regained~. dudes, we all saw it the first time. been there, done that, nobody gives a fuck. i almost passed out from boredom!
• Sheila being brutally killed off EVEN AFTER BEING DEAD. that's an impressive new low even for you, show! 
• Stelena. basically

reader, i quit. i thought after the bleakness of the finale that their narrative might be back on track, but - i got to Paul's unintentionally hilarious delivery of "i love you so much" -- and started full-blown cackling. and by the time we got to "i can be with you forever", i was on the floor. folks, this narrative is a farce. it is a farce. i can't pretend to feel rage, or irritation, or disappointment, or anything at all about it because -- it is a complete joke. and death to both characters' individual narratives. sorry about your ship, bros. i'm out. 

(that being said - it struck me during the last rooftop scene that the framing was noticeably ott and tonally off. i don't say this out of ~hope for the narrative because - as established - i am now completely switched off. actually, it's something that struck me even during my cackling. i think it's pretty obvious that the fairytale rosiness of "let's be together 5ever!!11!!" is something that's being set up to crash and burn. at which point, good riddance.)





ACCEPTABLE THINGS:

• Rebekah.
• Klaus/Rebekah. best scene of the night. 
• Damon's general disgust with everyone's narratives, which speaks to my (lack of) soul.
• Elena's transition, esp. the moment where she finally tastes blood. 
• SHOCK: Stefan's characterisation. the fact that even while Elena was pissing herself trying to assuage his guilt, he still didn't really buy it. and his going along with the romantic reunion just like that -- even with his guilt issues -- just says to me that he's doing all of one thing: fulfilling his debt to her. 
• in which i am a terrible person: i have very little problem with the Salvadicks being as terrible as they were to Matt. yes, indefensible. but at this point, it makes nothing but sense to me that the both of them would project their own grief/guilt/anger up the wazoo on to the easiest target. it's ugly and intolerable behaviour, but - not here for nice people being nice, tbh. also, i would feel more judgmental towards Damon and Stefan being like "why are you even still alive" about Matt if i weren't also like "why are you even still alive". dude, what is your purpose on this show.
• Klaus being an effective villain again.
• Caroline. 
• Bonnie. undecided about where this is going, but Bonnie herself was fantastical and heartwrenching. 
• "Elena is not your problem to fix." good.
• "i am that selfish". good.
• and can we take a moment to appreciate that the first thing Elena did after turning was assault Damon. i teared up, tbh.

hm. so, relatively short post (EVERYONE IS GLAD). in conc.: it wasn't the most terrible of episodes? i think? idk. 

Comments

[angearia.livejournal.com]

ALL OF THIS

I've been craving all your shade the way Elena now craves blood, so thank you for posting <3

I couldn't even do anything but sputter during the Stelena scenes and YOU RESPECT ME FOREVERMORE odes. I had special rage for Stefan saying that Elena craving blood would be the worst thing she'd ever experience. STOP PROJECTING, STEFAN. Is there ever a point where Stefan doesn't try to rewrite Elena's trauma in his own shadow? Cannot even.

(remember how I was asking you to explain your S3 Stefan arc feels? Well clearly that was because I hadn't gotten to the back third of the season and by that point I REMEMBERED ALL. I'm frighteningly good at repressing things that upset me. o_O)

and can we take a moment to appreciate that the first thing Elena did after turning was assault Damon. i teared up, tbh.

excellent point.

I'm wondering... does the invite cover barns? I know, it's pointless for me to ponder plot mechanics, but I was wondering whether Damon couldn't just go into the barn... Idk. Whatever, as if Damon would do it any other way besides being a public dick then playing dead to ~lure in his prey.

[ever-neutral.livejournal.com]

I've been craving all your shade the way Elena now craves blood, so thank you for posting <3

lol you are too much. /strokes

Is there ever a point where Stefan doesn't try to rewrite Elena's trauma in his own shadow?

ha. i actually didn't mind it here? firstly because i was totally prepared for it, but also because it's just painfully in-character for him to project all over her. i'd actually be annoyed if he were written as any less than that.

Well clearly that was because I hadn't gotten to the back third of the season and by that point I REMEMBERED ALL.

OY. i feel your pain. THE WORST.

Whatever, as if Damon would do it any other way besides being a public dick then playing dead to ~lure in his prey.

you know it, yo. (also: lol, plot schmot.)

[bluesuzanne.livejournal.com]

I'm not going to try to convince you to find Matt entertaining, but I will defend him against charges of being useless due to not having a clear purpose in terms of the show's plot. I don't think he needs one! I like the fact that there's at least one character on the show that is just there because he's there. It adds a smidge of realism to the proceedings. I guess it's the opposite that grates on me. I would never wish Bonnie off the show because I love Kat too much these days, but I am tired of the way her purpose to the plot is so, like, fucking blatant. Bonnie does a spell. Bonnie does a spell. Bonnie does a spell. Bonnie doesn't actually get to have a scene with Elena at the end of the episode because she was just here to do the spell. WHERE IS BONNIE'S EMOTIONAL PAY-OFF. WHY IS SHE NOT GIVING ELENA THE RING SHE MADE FOR HER. FUCK YOU, SHOW. FUCK. YOU.

Um.

I do hope the show improves because I never want you to stop sharing your thoughts about it. They're my favourite thoughts!

Really like your construction of Stefan as fulfilling his debt to Elena. i think that works really well. I want to punch Stelena in the face, but I can still appreciate that Stefan was completely in character tonight.

I still think Joseph and Candice have wicked chemistry but Klaroline might be a bit dead to me too. I just don't see how it can ever be anything other than him having the hots for her in an amusing and creepy sort of way and her being repulsed but tolerating. And just, yeah. Enough with the kidnapping, enough with the sexual assault. Caroline has had ENOUGH.

[ever-neutral.livejournal.com]

but I will defend him against charges of being useless due to not having a clear purpose in terms of the show's plot. I don't think he needs one! I like the fact that there's at least one character on the show that is just there because he's there.

lol ok fair enough. i guess my thing here is that it just makes it hard to invest in him, full stop. like, i have sympathy for him right now in a distant way, and i do appreciate how much he's been through, but i don't CONNECT because the writers aren't interested in developing him. they're not interested in his story. so, i'm not interested either? /o\ and i think that dramatic subplots involving him (see: him v.s. Salvatores) would have more impact if he were a fully-realised character of his own. which... may be asking too much of the show. but idk, maybe this latest trauma will spur more character growth.

of course, 100% word on the treatment of Bonnie.

I do hope the show improves because I never want you to stop sharing your thoughts about it. They're my favourite thoughts!

YOU TOO ARE MY FAVOURITE. ♥ and i actually did think this episode was decent enough. i guess i'm just keeping my distance atm after the disappointment of last season. /o\

I just don't see how it can ever be anything other than him having the hots for her in an amusing and creepy sort of way and her being repulsed but tolerating.

i guess if the writers want to put Caroline on a darker journey it could become plausible? but right now i just don't comprehend why the ship exists, what it does for either character. /o\

[silverusagi]

Klaus being an effective villain again.

Give it an episode or two.
lol

[ever-neutral.livejournal.com]

lol point.

[superkappa.livejournal.com]

Klaus being an effective villain again.

ngl I had a moment of "man why is another actor making Klaus was scarier to me than Jomo has in a while?"

though to give credit where credit is due, the Klaus/Rebekah scene I think may have ruined a part of me so. there's that. (also like for me this proves why Klaroline could never be what fandom wants it to be? Like if he treats his sister who has loved him through EVERYTHING he's done like that you think he is really going to be prince charming for Caroline. get real. )

[ever-neutral.livejournal.com]

awww, don't knock JoMo. he does pretty good with constantly rubbish material, lol.

also like for me this proves why Klaroline could never be what fandom wants it to be? Like if he treats his sister who has loved him through EVERYTHING he's done like that you think he is really going to be prince charming for Caroline.

totally. Klaus is an abusive fuck, period. though tbf i do know some Klaroline shippers who like it for the dark creepy factor? that's pretty much the only version of the ship i could buy.

[vergoldung.livejournal.com]

Only you understand my rage. *clutches*

EVERYTHING YOU SAY OMG EVERYTHING. SO SICKENED. WHOLE SCENES I LEGIT WATCHED WITH A HAND OVER MY SCENE BUT MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE BLOCKED OUT THE SOUND ALSO? The actual worst.

The only thing that annoyed me more than Stelena (just die plz) and Klaroline (wtf, what the actual fuck - he ~saved her? I thought I was going to retch and I wasn't even opposed to the ship until now) was Bonnie's full-blown abuse (but maybe that's her storyline? might as well be as it's the only constant for her... /hate). I can't deal with this storyline anymore it's makes me sick. The moment where everybody guilts/threats/forces her to go to her potential death, because that's what sh's supposed to do? Fucking revolting. I really don't want to watch things like that anymore :(

i got to Paul's unintentionally hilarious delivery of "i love you so much" -- and started full-blown cackling. and by the time we got to "i can be with you forever", i was on the floor. folks, this narrative is a farce. it is a farce. i can't pretend to feel rage, or irritation, or disappointment, or anything at all about it because -- it is a complete joke. and death to both characters' individual narratives. sorry about your ship, bros. i'm out.
Basically? Only that I feel rage @ the Salvadicks distracting me from Elena's pain? I could not start laughing during that absurd (and absurdly predictable) first scene and I really didn't want to. Stop it, show. This is just bad.

it wasn't the most terrible of episodes? i think? idk.
LOL. IDK INDEED.


Never leave me.

[ever-neutral.livejournal.com]

Only you understand my rage. *clutches*

ALWAYS, BROSKI

I can't deal with this storyline anymore it's makes me sick. The moment where everybody guilts/threats/forces her to go to her potential death, because that's what sh's supposed to do? Fucking revolting.

oy. i completely understand you. i have so many mixed feelings and i really don't know what to say about it anymore. /o\ /o\ /o\

Only that I feel rage @ the Salvadicks distracting me from Elena's pain? I could not start laughing during that absurd (and absurdly predictable) first scene and I really didn't want to.

haha, that was the Elena/Stefan scene i actually liked the most? because it was about Elena first and foremost. though ita that it was predictable. ugh, Stefan needs to get out of Elena's narrative so i can actually enjoy it unreservedly.

Never leave me.

i promise you, i will never leave you.

[scorpiod1.livejournal.com]

Your reviews are the best, tbh.

Rebekah was basically my favorite thing about this episode. I actually went to upload a Rebekah icon because I deleted mine over the summer and forgot how much I loved her /o\

- your Klaroine feelings are mine; I'm glad show framed Klaus's behavior as disgusting and terrible (that's more than I expected, tbh), BUT WHY DO WE KEEP SEXUALLY ASSAULTING CAROLINE? WHAT WAS EVEN THE POINT OF THAT? CAN WE STOP NOW, SHOW???

"i need my sister, not another one of them." <-- I'm glad you thought that was OOC, I wanted to burn that line to the ground, it's just so not how I characterize Jeremy (what happened to the cute "have your fangs come in yet?" bit from the trailer?). Though Jeremy was mostly a plot device during this ep, I felt like the scene where he says said offending line he was mostly info-dumping for the audience; idk, it was not delivered well.

YOUR STELENA REACTION, LMAO. I had this weird cognitive dissonance where I generally enjoyed most of their scenes and was all "CUTIE FACES" at them, and also at the same time wanted to yell "YOU CANNOT LAUGH ABOUT BRIDGES WHEN YOU JUST TRIED TO DRIVE ELENA OFF ONE A FEW WEEKS AGO, STEFAN" and felt like their scenes were so dishonest and wondering if the writers were pretending S3 never happened (understandable, I want to forget that season too), because seriously, the way they're writing Stefan, I feel like S3 may as well not have happened. I was vaguely appalled that "I can be with you forever" was played so straight, THAT SHOULD NOT BE A GOOD THING, RUN ELENA RUN (I suppose they're being SET up for a fall? but lol I trust nothing o this show).

LOL, the way Damon & Stefan treated Matt was terrible, but do we expect anything better from them? Damon would be OOC if he was all mature about it. Also, the Stefan & Matt scene was honestly one of my favorites.

I WAS BOTH TORN AT HATING WHAT THEY DID TO SHELIA BUT LOVING MOST THINGS ABOUT BONNIE IN THIS EP? "ELENA IS NOT YOUR PROBLEM TO FIX" \o/

Eh, it wasn't a terrible episode (it didn't make me as ragey as I thought it would, tbh), but I was kinda underwhelmed, tbh? Call me when Elena eats people.

[ever-neutral.livejournal.com]

lol but this post is just like a couple hundred words of bile! you people are easily impressed, tbh. ;P

(what happened to the cute "have your fangs come in yet?" bit from the trailer?)

OMG THIS. and yes, i can't really hold that (ooc) line against Jeremy himself because it felt so inorganic?

i seem to hold the unpopular opinion that Stefan's characterisation was good this episode, lol? it might just be Paul's considerable talent, but i thought it showed clearly in Stefan's reactions that he certainly had not forgotten that s3 happened, but was choosing to accommodate Elena since she's in such a rocky place. and yeah, i'm pretty appalled that ELENA is unironically saying "i can be with you forever" (since that's not at all how i read her emotional response to Stefan at the end of last season, i.e. she didn't even seem to particularly WANT to be with him again); but still i really got the impression even through my inability to take anything seriously that the saccharine stuff was classic narrative misdirection. i mean, we know for a fact that it's not gonna last.

Call me when Elena eats people.

soon, friend.

[fluffyfrolicker.livejournal.com]

lol, you. but generally, i see what you mean. here, have gifs.

[ever-neutral.livejournal.com]

this asshole's hate @ the universe gives me life, tbh.

have some E in return:

[upupa-epops.livejournal.com]

I want Elena to eat everyone. Then she can team up with Bonnie, Damon and Rebekah, and be gloriously snarky for the text 3 seasons. Questions? Comments?

That said, I quite enjoyed the episode? I was mostly there for Elena's transition, and it pleased me, so I'm happy. #priorities, I has them

There needs to be more assaulting *leers*

[ever-neutral.livejournal.com]

your optimism is like a three-headed tentacled beast in a corporate firm.

[ladygawain.livejournal.com]

AMEN. AMEN. AMEN.

What is a Stelena? A mystical rodent? Galactical fungus? Most noxious thing currently on the show (and on this show, that's a legit feat)? I can't. I'm not here for it. I will not be here for it until the writers do something tolerable. Every time Stefan opens his mouth these days, I have to spit into a shot glass to cleanse my palate. WOE.

As for the rest, d'accord.

I was just really irritated with everyone in one way or another. Like, I love that the Salvatwits were shitting on Matt (because I do so in my head all the time) but they are, themselves, so annoying that it was just like - can't you all just go away for a long time out and leave me with Elena, Bonnie and Caroline. And Rebekah? Thanks, bye.

Scared about this Bonnie narrative. But it has potential. And many of the feelings as expected. Because Bonnie. (Elena is not your problem to fix. Besides the fact that I was laughing when Grams just appeared and bellowed, "No," - this had me holding up my gospel hand. Thank you, show. Please can we start indoctrinating Bonnie with such messages.)

What is a Klaroline? I believe it's in the same class as a Stelena for me, just a different flavour. No time for it. Whatever. Give Caroline a storyline about her and I'll come back.

Elena's blood-licking scene was the best.

Klaus being an abusive ass was also the best. Because that's what he is. I do feel that it's telling that the only times he's been truly effective as a villain to me are when he's abusing his family. I can't help but believe that that's the point.

[ever-neutral.livejournal.com]

What is a Stelena? A mystical rodent? Galactical fungus? Most noxious thing currently on the show (and on this show, that's a legit feat)?

your hate is pure and beautiful 2 me.

Like, I love that the Salvatwits were shitting on Matt (because I do so in my head all the time)

TROLOLOL word. but yeah, sit the fuck down, nincompoops.

same feelings about the Bonnie of it. parts of the episode made me punch the air! yet, also some distressing stuff. we'll see.

What is a Klaroline? I believe it's in the same class as a Stelena for me, just a different flavour.

they're both vying for "literally the worst ship ever to exist" for me atm, tbh. WHY MUST IT BE THIS WAY.

I do feel that it's telling that the only times he's been truly effective as a villain to me are when he's abusing his family. I can't help but believe that that's the point.

most def. horrible horrible. but: rare things the show gets right.

[wheatear.livejournal.com]

Haha, I was actually expecting more shade from you. This is relatively mild.

the 20-minute long montage of ~memories being regained~

Yeah, I think I drifted off during that scene.

Sheila being brutally killed off EVEN AFTER BEING DEAD.

I KNOW. Did they bring this dead character back to torture/kill her again? Wow.

Klaus/Rebekah. best scene of the night.

YES. I am glad that my f-list seems to be in agreement about this. It amazes me that they could write a beautiful heart-wrenching scene like that, and immediately follow it with whatever was going on in that Stefan/Elena cheese-fest.

[ever-neutral.livejournal.com]

Haha, I was actually expecting more shade from you. This is relatively mild.

OHO. well, it wasn't as bad of an episode as it could have been.

It amazes me that they could write a beautiful heart-wrenching scene like that, and immediately follow it with whatever was going on in that Stefan/Elena cheese-fest.

this show works in mysterious and inscrutable ways lbh.

[energybar]

i'm finished with long "meta"-like analyses of whatever nonsense is on my screen.

It's like there's a hole in my heart now and I don't know what to fill it with.


Other than that...I don't have anything to say at the moment, because...I still don't know what I think. Except that what I think is I need to see it again to know what I think.

Shut up, it's early.

[ever-neutral.livejournal.com]

It's like there's a hole in my heart now and I don't know what to fill it with.

better meta, tbh.

enjoy your rewatch! ;)

[mollivanders.livejournal.com]

and can we take a moment to appreciate that the first thing Elena did after turning was assault Damon. i teared up, tbh.

That was the highlight of the episode to me, tbh. That and the "I am selfish line" but really all I could think when Elena attacked Damon was...this gunna be gooood. Maybe the show will actually give me something I want?

Honestly I was too fucking relieved that Klaus/Caroline didn't happen to think about the wider ramifications but yeah, you're right. I was just glad it didn't go further than it did (my bar for this show is super fucking low).

Also weirdly sentimental now that Tyler is back and he and Caroline can have lots of sex and go on the run together like planned?

God, while I liked Damon's anger at everything and specifically Matt and Stefan, I did not like that Stefan was telling Matt he had to earn the right to live. You do not get to force your debt onto other people. Honestly more upset over the Jeremy + Elena scene because I call a big rift between them this season over the vampire thing. While I agree Bonnie shouldn't sacrifice herself (or Sheila, jfc) for Elena left and right, I think it's worrisome it's Jeremy who said that (though not entirely OOC with his prioritizing his girlfriend over everything else).

I was kind of hoping Elena would feed on Matt as her first human, ya know, to complete the narrative. WHATEVER, I DON'T WRITE THIS SHOW.

(P.S. Icon! Icon! Finally fucking canon! Icon!)

[ever-neutral.livejournal.com]

Maybe the show will actually give me something I want?

yeah, i'm not worried at all about Damon/Elena this season. that "i am that selfish" scene proved to me that the writers know what they're doing with them.

Honestly I was too fucking relieved that Klaus/Caroline didn't happen to think about the wider ramifications but yeah, you're right. I was just glad it didn't go further than it did (my bar for this show is super fucking low).

yeah, i know that feel. /o\ it's actually the worst that we have to BREATHE A SIGH OF RELIEF THAT THERE WASN'T RAPE. w o w.

You do not get to force your debt onto other people.

heh, i seem to be in the weird minority in liking that Stefan's being written this way? because, it's totally what he would do. not pretty, but i'm glad the writers are being honest about it, i guess?

you're probably right about an upcoming Elena-Jeremy rift. SAD.

I was kind of hoping Elena would feed on Matt as her first human, ya know, to complete the narrative. WHATEVER, I DON'T WRITE THIS SHOW.

i'm not opposed to Matt getting eaten, tbh.

P.S. :DDDDDDDDDD

[petitebelette.livejournal.com]

So happy you decided to share your thoughts. c: I always love reading them.


subject Caroline to yet ANOTHER gratuitous instance of sexual assault that, in the end, does absolutely nothing for her narrative. it turns the stomach.
Not to mention yet another kidnapping. :| At that point I was just finding it acceptable it was framed at wrong and reprehensible. I guess that says a lot about the show and what it's capable of, which is just. Meh.


"i need my sister, not another one of them." Jeremy, i want to stan you ths season, so let's stay away from bizarre OOC lines such as this.
Oh god, THANK YOU. I remember being taken aback by this the first time he said it, and then when I rewatched I figured, hey maybe if I try to read this in a different light? Yeah no, you're telling me Jeremy Gilbert has a problem with his sister surviving anyway she can? I can buy that maybe his opinions and acceptance on the vampire front may have changed, but dude.


Stefan/Elena: basically this on everything you said. I think I had season premiere goggles on (or that was the wine) because it didn't bother me so much at first; I even ended the episode deciding I cared about them again, but that's... faded the past few days, on the account of nothing has actually changed. I found them tolerable perhaps, both watches, simply because their epic true love wasn't shoved in the audience's faces as much as last season, so I didn't feel the pressure of accepting them so much?

i think it's pretty obvious that the fairytale rosiness of "let's be together 5ever!!11!!" is something that's being set up to crash and burn.
also this made it tolerable

you need to shut the fuck up with flagrantly misusing "social justice" and "female empowerment" to make what is a textually abusive relationship supposedly plausible. it is sickening.
but this wasn't. I believe Elena says and believes these things to put weight on the validity of their love and how they are good for each other, because she honestly needs to believe in them and I'm so fucking tired of it. It kills me a little inside watching ELENA SAY THESE THINGS with no hope of seeing otherwise, ever. although...

just says to me that he's doing all of one thing: fulfilling his debt to her.
that part's awesome. show, keep doing that.

p.s. also yelled at my screen "I DON'T BELIEVE YOU ANYMORE, STEFAN" when he told her he loved her soooo much.


I love Matt as a character and I do feel for him (but I won't try to convince you since it looks like somebody else did c;) but yeah, I gotta say, did not care at least about the why Damon and Stefan used him as a punching bag. That is what they do, it there own ways. I did enjoy Damon attacking him, even. Stefan's speech about how he gets to live with Elena's love, devotion, and sacrifice was kind of sweet, too? I was thinking: wow Stef, is this about Matt or you?

[ever-neutral.livejournal.com]

Haha, what have I done to deserve such an audience as you? ♥

At that point I was just finding it acceptable it was framed at wrong and reprehensible. I guess that says a lot about the show and what it's capable of, which is just. Meh.

yeah. low bar, man. things like this really shouldn't be worth giving credit to.

Yeah no, you're telling me Jeremy Gilbert has a problem with his sister surviving anyway she can?

i just can't wank it away at all. and now i'm wondering where they're going with this. mollivanders suggested a possible Elena-Jeremy rift, which seems likely.

I found them tolerable perhaps, both watches, simply because their epic true love wasn't shoved in the audience's faces as much as last season, so I didn't feel the pressure of accepting them so much?

lol idk. declarations such as "you're the best choice i ever made" and "i can be with you forever", played straight no less, still feels pretty Epic True Love to me. ;P

I believe Elena says and believes these things to put weight on the validity of their love and how they are good for each other, because she honestly needs to believe in them and I'm so fucking tired of it. It kills me a little inside watching ELENA SAY THESE THINGS with no hope of seeing otherwise, ever.

yep. i just can't deal with the way Elena is always written re: Stefan. can't deal with her having to bend over backwards 24/7 to reassure him of her undying love for him. can't deal with her unironically saying nonsense like "you always respect my choices" and "he would never hurt me" after his overt physical and emotional abuse of her last season. MAKE IT STOP. FUCK. i've lost all hope that she'll be allowed to break out of this Good Woman responsibility in this relationship.

p.s. LOL SAME. i thought that line sounded super forced, but maybe that's because Stefan was actually really forcing it out because he felt it was the thing to do. i could buy that.

Stefan's speech about how he gets to live with Elena's love, devotion, and sacrifice was kind of sweet, too? I was thinking: wow Stef, is this about Matt or you?

EXACTLY! it was so true to character, so i loved it. idec.

[xx-pinkstar.livejournal.com]

I AM SO HAPPY YOU ARE ALSO SHADING. I FELT LONELY IN MY NON-EXISTENT REACTION TO THIS EPISODE.

I didn't even enjoy the Klaus/Rebekah scene that much. This is what my life has come to. It was like a repeat of every plot they ever had in S3 that is now doomed to repeat the circle in S4.

leave poor matt bb alone ;_;

[ever-neutral.livejournal.com]

I AM SO HAPPY YOU ARE ALSO SHADING.

YOU CAN COUNT ON ME, FRIEND. (also: apt icon.)

I didn't even enjoy the Klaus/Rebekah scene that much. This is what my life has come to.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO BUT MY PAAAAAAIIIIIIN. rewatch it immediately, i order you.

leave poor matt bb alone ;_;

LOL! /pats his apron

[next_to_normal]

Basically. Everything you said. I can't even really muster up a reaction? Like, I had the post open to do it and... had nothing to say, lol.

I JUST NEED TO DRUNK!WATCH THIS SHOW, OKAY. Anything else is unsatisfying.

[ever-neutral.livejournal.com]

NOOOOOO YOU WOULD DENY US YOUR PUBLIC SHADE??? *shakes fist*

I JUST NEED TO DRUNK!WATCH THIS SHOW, OKAY. Anything else is unsatisfying.

we will have more beer next time, bb.

[shipperjunkie.livejournal.com]

I am going into this season focusing on the positive and doing my level best to ignore shit I can't stand/don't care about. (WHY COULDN'T BONNIE GIVE HER THE MOTHERFUCKING RING? WHY DID EITHER SALVATORE HAVE TO BE THE ONE TO GIVE IT TO HER? STELENA CHOICE RESPECTING BULLSHIT AN EIGHTEEN YEAR OLD CHILD SAYS SHE WANTS TO DIE AND HER DEATH WOULD AFFECT EVERYONE AND YOU DON'T TRY TO I DON'T KNOW REASON WITH HER EVER? HATE U MOFO)

That said, I look forward to your shade posts! I agree with prettttyyy much everything, especially the delicious Matt shade. (My fluffy soul could have just watched that memory recall on repeat. Damon's hair, tho. DNW. SO I shall troll you a little with my icon. ;p)

[ever-neutral.livejournal.com]

lol you are my favourite troll.

BUT WHAT WAS SO WRONG ABOUT DAMON'S HAIR? i thought it was an improvement, tbh.

[pocochina.livejournal.com]

heh, I guess my emotional investment and general expectation level for this show is lower than everyone else's by several degrees of magnitude. I thought it was a lot of fun; about what I was expecting for the main characters, and way above and beyond for Bonnie's arc, Rebekah's characterization, and Trevino nailing Klaus.

"i need my sister, not another one of them." Jeremy, i want to stan you ths season, so let's stay away from bizarre OOC lines such as this.

lol. I actually think Jeremy being like I HAVE HAD IT WITH THESE MOTHERFUCKING VAMPIRES IN THIS MOTHERFUCKING TOWN could be the most interesting storyline he's had yet. But yeah, it is a change in POV and should be explained.

[angearia.livejournal.com]

I dunno, I thought Jer's line was a natural extension of his feelings ever since he chopped off a hybrid's head with a cleaver and the way he wanted Stefan to GTFO so that he and Elena could mourn Ric without vampires around for just one day.

Tbh, it didn't seem like a new development for Jer in terms of how he views vampires.

[cranmers.livejournal.com]

LOL, you. I love me some shade.

You are also super efficient with your shade. I still haven't replied on our Doctor/Amy thread. I will get to that asap.

Anywayyy I can't really compete with the Malificent gif! BUT



... just sayin' :)

it turns the stomach.

wrong time, wrong place, wrong equipment. ;)

NGL, I liked her wanting to rinse her mouth out. Like, she never got the opportunity with Damon, so..

i almost passed out from boredom!

LOL I didn't pass out but it seemed like a massive cop out. What was needed was a montage, a montage! With new music, obv...

sorry about your ship, bros. i'm out

LOL this is new? :P Was it the scenes themselves the bothered you or the fact that they came right after all the crap in S3? Would they have bothered you if they had come following a good S3 arc?

/sorry lol I'm very curious.

Because as 'bleak' as the finale was, it wasn't apparent to me personally that Elena wanted a Salvatore, either Salvatore, and therefore the "choice" thing was quite artificially set up and wasn't going to make sense either way. But it was never going to be Damon when the whole season was about Elena trying to get Stefan back and not even being to articulate how she feels about Damon (right up until ~consumes, which = no). Meh. It will happen eventually, never fear!!! ;)

Klaus/Rebekah. best scene of the night.

THIS!

Klaus being an effective villain again.

ALSO THIS. Nothing could make me happier, tbh.

[ever-neutral.livejournal.com]

lol ok Ian.

I still haven't replied on our Doctor/Amy thread.

honestly, i've forgotten the point of that conversation.

What was needed was a montage, a montage! With new music, obv...

LOL??? i don't think i could have handled that, tbh.

LOL this is new? :P

well, i did have a moment of "and then there was hope" in the finale.

and if there had been a good s3 arc, the Stelena scenes in this episode wouldn't even exist as they did. because had there been "a good s3 arc", they wouldn't be acting exactly as they were doing in, like, episode 1. had there been a good s3 arc, then Elena wouldn't be unironically claiming that Stefan "would never hurt me" after an entire season of him physically and emotionally abusing her. had there been a good s3 arc, then right now there would be some modicum of character progression and emotional continuity in their scenes in place of the narrative continuing to brush every instance of abuse under the rug and romanticise their patently unhealthy relationship. like. does it even need to be argued that the writing is unsalvageably bad.

But it was never going to be Damon when the whole season was about Elena trying to get Stefan back and not even being to articulate how she feels about Damon (right up until ~consumes, which = no). Meh. It will happen eventually, never fear!!! ;)

i don't fear. but i'd hope you're not operating under the assumption that my criticisms of Stelena are rooted in me being ~pissed over Damon/Elena not happening yet, because -- okay.

[stainofmylove.livejournal.com]

Your "WHY" section is so my "WHY" section. And I agree that the final Elena/Stefan scene felt really tonally weird. Just like ... how in the world did they reach that conclusion after the events of this episode? I felt like I was in a nightmare; I kept asking myself, you know, Is this really the last scene of this episode? What the hell is happening? What is life? Lol.

[ever-neutral.livejournal.com]

I felt like I was in a nightmare; I kept asking myself, you know, Is this really the last scene of this episode? What the hell is happening? What is life?

lmfao, there could be no better way to describe my state of being watching that scene. i felt like i'd fallen into a bizarro world of unspeakably bad fanfiction. and agreed on how little emotional sense it made after the events of the episode - which is why i'm inclined to think that it's just the two of them burying their heads in the sand rather than dealing. i don't say that to try to be optimistic (at all, lol), it's just what leaps out to me.

[verdant_fire]

Your music choices continue to be flawless.

just a head's up that i'm pretty much disdain!watching this season. [...] in it now basically for the few things i can still muster up some caring for, i.e. the narratives that aren't complete pieces of shit.

Word.

show: shut. the. fuck. up. you need to shut the fuck up with flagrantly misusing "social justice" and "female empowerment" to make what is a textually abusive relationship supposedly plausible.

ugh, yes. All of the 'yay S/E, Ripper Stefan never happened!' stuff in the episode made me feel ill. "You'd never hurt me"? WTF. I hate so much about what this narrative chooses to be.

the 20-minute long montage of ~memories being regained~. dudes, we all saw it the first time.

That did stretch on. I could practically see the 'this is for new viewers' sign over the whole thing.

and by the time we got to "i can be with you forever", i was on the floor. folks, this narrative is a farce.

RAAAAAAAAAGE. Yes. S/E is the true horror story on this show. :(

Klaus/Rebekah. best scene of the night.

Totally agreed. Claire Holt is magnificent.

Damon's general disgust with everyone's narratives, which speaks to my (lack of) soul.

Sometimes our shared disgust is the only thing making said narratives at all tolerable.

and can we take a moment to appreciate that the first thing Elena did after turning was assault Damon. i teared up, tbh.

It was lovely. I'm going to choose to read that as foreshadowing. ;)

[ever-neutral.livejournal.com]

i thought you would approve of my ~music.

Sometimes our shared disgust is the only thing making said narratives at all tolerable.

i'll drink to that.

I'm going to choose to read that as foreshadowing. ;)

you know it, dude.

[onerepublicgirl.livejournal.com]

I'll miss your long meta, but I understand where you're coming from. I was sick forever, and all I wanted to do was see what you thought of 4x01, and as usual you didn't disappoint!


"you respect my choices, like you always do." show: shut. the. fuck. up. you need to shut the fuck up with flagrantly misusing "social justice" and "female empowerment" to make what is a textually abusive relationship supposedly plausible. it is sickening. /i>

Thank you! I do not like the epic love, true love, Official Couples, because they are always (to me) more fucked up and creepy and just hard to swallow than anything else on a show. I have about one functional, awesome, canon couple and that's on Castle. And I ship everything. But yes, I enjoy your Stelena hate. I can't bring myself to think of them as anything more than a joke, and the characters themselves as merely fulfilling some complicated obligations no one even cares about anymore.

Damon's general disgust with everyone's narratives, which speaks to my (lack of) soul.

I understand Damon's pain. It's much easier to just like what you like and leave the rest for the delusional part of fandom to dissect in those tiresome essays defending their ships to the death and motivations. In general, I just like Damn when he hates everything.

"Elena is not your problem to fix."

Remind me, who said this line again? I need to rewatch.

and can we take a moment to appreciate that the first thing Elena did after turning was assault Damon. i teared up, tbh.

Yes, that was my favorite! I didn't really care about anything other than Elena is a vampire and Elena attacks Damon as soon as she turns. Just, how are they real? I haven't picked up the books in years, but after that scene I remembered how book!Damon basically did blackmail her into drinking his blood and when Elena turned she didn't even care, just proceeded to try to rip Stefan's throat out before Damon intervened. And they just continued to be dysfunctional vampire BFFs. I am saddened there is no throat ripping. Also, just for the lulz, I wanted Elena to forget and think she chose Damon just for Stefan's face. He was so bitter about that in the book and neither of them cared.


Also,Klaus/Rebekah. Not a big fan of Klaroline, still. Again, didn't see the point of that. But I like Bonnie better. And Jeremy's line was bizzare. Why do they keep Other-ing the vampires?

Oh, which reminds me, Rebekah's line does Matt even have automobile insurance? I was wondering the exact same thing! Again, no one cared about Matt-also, his purpose?

Also, Damon, that is not your house. What are you doing?

[ever-neutral.livejournal.com]

lol i have a flist full of flatterers. happy to entertain, dear.

I do not like the epic love, true love, Official Couples, because they are always (to me) more fucked up and creepy and just hard to swallow than anything else on a show.

this. society's vision of Epic True Love is arsenic in a glass.

Remind me, who said this line again? I need to rewatch.

Sheila to Bonnie.

And Jeremy's line was bizzare. Why do they keep Other-ing the vampires?

i guess to heighten Elena's ~angst over being one now? there may be continuing Elena-Jeremy tension this season, possibly.

Also, Damon, that is not your house. What are you doing?

TROLOLOL reasons why fave tbh.

[12-12-12.livejournal.com]

"you respect my choices, like you always do." show: shut. the. fuck. up. you need to shut the fuck up with flagrantly misusing "social justice" and "female empowerment" to make what is a textually abusive relationship supposedly plausible. it is sickening.

Yeah, the whole "Stefan respects Elena's choices" line is such bullshit. And also...I'm really annoyed by how it's presented as a feminist issue, when it's not just Elena's choices at stake, if that makes any sense. Like, Stefan helps to make it Elena's call and only Elena's call, when really we're talking about decisions that affect a whole bunch of people who should also have a say? IDK, it's late and maybe I'm not making any sense but this has bothered me for a long time.

The "Elena recovers her memories" scene mostly just left me horrified thinking that Caroline must have gone through the same thing with her memories of Damon. And angry at the show that they won't let us see the fallout from that, maybe because they haven't thought of it and maybe because they want to preserve Damon's status as a romantic lead. IDK.

[smells_corrupt.livejournal.com]

I am so late to this party. But this is the only episode I have seen at this point (There were internet issues. Basically our campus internet gets pissed when you try stream things. So it takes about a million years of starting, pausing for fucking ever, and then coming back and hoping it actually loaded. But my apartment is now splitting the monthly cost of our own wifi. And I have about 48 solid hours of tv to catch up on, not to mention Netflix and- Whatever. The point is I am slowly but surely catching up). And I wanted to read some reaction posts, so hello!

in what world is it a remotely tolerable narrative choice to subject Caroline to yet ANOTHER gratuitous instance of sexual assault that, in the end, does absolutely nothing for her narrative. it turns the stomach.

I do not understand Klaroline. Or. I guess I understand non-canon potential but I do not understand why it is a thing that is happening on the show, or why anyone would still be shipping it at this point, because it is vile and horrifying. What are they even trying to do there? Because it feels like the show is trying to somehow have "this can and never will be because it is awful" while also having "look at them aren't they so starcrossed and precious?" And those two things don't really go together well at all. AND CAN WE PLEASE STOP ASSAULTING CAROLINE FOR NO GODDAMN REASON?

"you respect my choices, like you always do." show: shut. the. fuck. up. you need to shut the fuck up with flagrantly misusing "social justice" and "female empowerment" to make what is a textually abusive relationship supposedly plausible. it is sickening.

Oh my God. Oh my GOD. That line. I was sitting here like, "hold the fuck up. WHAT JUST HAPPENED?" This shit is getting to the point of not even making sense in-world. I mean, a lot of Elena/Stefan things make at least a little bit of sense for the the characters, while also being sickeningly horrible. But the E/S justification is starting to seem ooc and forced as well as sickeningly horrible and I'm going to need that to stop.

sorry about your ship, bros. i'm out.

Yes to this, and the rest of the stelena stuff. We are brain twins in this regard, yo.

Klaus/Rebekah. best scene of the night.
Damon's general disgust with everyone's narratives, which speaks to my (lack of) soul.
Elena's transition, esp. the moment where she finally tastes blood.

Yes good.

and can we take a moment to appreciate that the first thing Elena did after turning was assault Damon. i teared up, tbh.

It was a beautiful thing. *nods*

[ever-neutral.livejournal.com]

Hello! Hope you enjoy the next three episodes, they're (mostly) more interesting than this one.

I guess I understand non-canon potential but I do not understand why it is a thing that is happening on the show
Yeah, this. I'm not even ashamed to admit I've read stunning Caroline/Klaus fic from stunning writers in this fandom. And it's been ten times more compelling than this nonsense.

re: Elena/Stefan - I will say that the show is a lot more upfront with how fucked up they are in the next few episodes. So, I've kind of gotten over the seething contempt I had while writing this post. Still not totally sure where the story is going, but I'm currently a bit more comfortable with the handling of the ship. Hope that eases your worries a bit.