The Vampire Diaries: Daddy Issues

Friendships betrayed, new alliances revealed, old alliances rekindled, blood and bravado spilling all over the ill-fated town of Mystic Falls, and the unforgettable debut of a wolf-tastic new rival … not to mention Damon had his fangs out again. These are what made “Daddy Issues” one of the most entertaining episodes of Season Two yet and definitely one of my favourites.

So without further ado, let us on with the review.

Show Stealer

“They’re vampires. They cross one of us, they cross all of us. THAT’S who we are.”

Yes, I know after last night all of fandom is out for Brady blood – including me – but I have to give this week’s Show Stealer to the seriously Big Bad Werewolf for an absolutely stellar debut. Brady is the wolf I have been waiting for: strong, sexy, cruel, complex and loyal to the death. I screamed at my television when he shot Caroline, I cursed him vehemently when he tortured her over and over, and when he nearly staked Damon. Damn, this dude is NOT to be messed with! Yet I also found myself sympathizing with him when he relayed what it means to be a wolf in his world and when he brooded over a bottle of bourbon in the aftermath of the Showdown Gone Wrong. That is a great ‘bad guy’. We should be out for his blood yet find ourselves in unexpected moments of hesitation when we get a glimpse of his viewpoint, his complexity of character. The world out there is not black and white. The villains aren’t always completely bad and the good guys aren’t always completely good. When a character pulls this off as convincingly as actor Stephen Amell did with Brady, chances are, they’re bound to steal the show.

More Applause Triggers

Oh My, Stefan Salvatore. Last night, I realized two major things about me and Stefan Salvatore: 1) If he’s going to keep going around slamming Lockwoods into walls, vamping out to intimidate, and taking on werewolf packs with mid-air stake catches, flame-throwers and good ol’ fashioned fight club tactics, this Damon girl is going to have to suck it up and applaud his badassness; 2) I seem to be developing a ‘thing’ for Stefan Salvatore slamming people against walls and exerting his badassness. Oh. My.

“Better watch your back. I may have to go get a hero hairdo of my own & steal your thunder.” Oh Damon, bantering with your broody baby bro always brings out the finest in your unforgettable one-liners. Snark on, baby, snark on!

Every Day should be Salvatore Banter Day. Who do we have to talk with to make this happen? Somebody should get on that.

Pack Power! So our wolves do run in packs! I had no idea until Jules whistled that they were going to make their appearance this episode. Finally a full-on vamps and wolves showdown! And guess what? Our vamps got their fangs kicked! Not they didn’t put up one hell of a fight: but the wolves had them, which was awesome and super applause-worthy because now I can see how werewolves can take on vampires without a full moon.

Jonas “Magic Fingers” Martin. As much as I cringe to applaud this character – because I KNOW it’s going to come back to bite me – his saving our vamps from certain torture and death with his magic finger wiggle on the werewolves was quite a surprise and a pretty good twist. I especially liked his line about Elijah making Elena a promise and he being there to make sure it is kept. Wonder if he meant that in a broader sense than the scene at hand?

Everything Elena. I cannot write enough about my love for how much the character of Elena Gilbert has grown in Season 2. She is courageous and bold and compassionate and loyal – everything a heroine should be. Also, she should wear the ponytail more often: gorgeous and far more functional when she needs to kick a li’l ass.

“You should’ve stood up for you friends!” Damn straight! I 100% agree with Caroline kicking Tyler to the proverbial curb. When it comes down to the line, that’s when you find out who your real friends are. Friends go to the line with you and right over the edge if they have to. Tyler couldn’t do either. For anyone. Better watch your back, Wolfboy. Oh wait, you already do. *Hiss! Spit! Overdoses your Gatorade with wolfsbane*

Caroline and Stefan. We witnessed its potential back in “A Brave New World” and now after “Daddy Issues”, I think we can all agree that the friendship between Vampire Barbie and Vampire Broody is fast becoming one of our favourites. The chemistry and sincerity between then is equally electric and I, for one, hope it lasts through many seasons and ‘significant others’ to come.

The Power of Three. When Elena and Bonnie showed up to comfort poor, recently-tortured-nearly-to-her-undead-death Caroline with a slumber party, I sobbed and sniffed my way to commercial break. The reuniting of our Girl-Power Trio was so long overdue and so right to happen in this episode. Great, great moment, “Vampire Diaries”

Blood and Bubbles. *rewind, slow motion replay, rewind, slow motion replay*

Devious Daddy Gilbert. I knew I was going to love the return of Uncle/Daddy John Gilbert and I was not disappointed. He completely held my heart in is hands when he gave Elena the “You lost you father, I lost my brother” speech, and then promptly turned around, threw my heart on the ground and stomped the hell out of it when he showed up at the vampire tomb to reveal he’s in cahoots with Isobel AND Katherine! Whoa.

Fang Triggers (The no-applause triggers that brought my ‘fangs’ out … or would have, if I had any)

Truthfully, I found it really tough to find anything to fang-snap about this episode. I know. I’m shocked too. That’s just how great this episode really was. However, that being said, in the spirit of keeping with the usual flow of the program here, these will do:

The Irrelevant Couple. Oh, Alaric and Jenna. Can we PLEASE do something with their storylines, PLEASE? *headdesk, fang-snap, headdesk*

Uncle/Daddy Hook sans a hook. *sigh* No matter how much we tag it, I suppose we can’t have everything our way, fandom.

Brewing on the Brain

How far will Jonas Martin go to ensure Elijah keeps his promise to Elena? Will he cross even Elijah to keep it?

What is John Gilbert up to allying with Isobel and Katherine? And more importantly, why didn’t the writers give him a hook?

Other than the one who succumbed to The Damon Heart-Snatch, did any of the wounded werewolves actually die? Because they shouldn’t have, right?

Are Brady and Jules are the Alphas of The Pack?

Why does Jules want Tyler? I get the distinct sense there is a significant secret here. Maybe Caroline isn’t the only one not telling you everything you need to know, Tyler. Act surprised and I will come over there and kick your traitorous junior wolf-ass myself.

Do our vampires’ fangs retract or do they just elongate when they vamp out? Have no idea why I have never asked this before, but when Damon bit Andie, it just popped right in there.

Will Alaric and Jenna ever find relevance again, or are they destined to remain convenient eye-candy teasers and dialogue fillers?

Wonder if Stefan totally stalked the slumber party?

There you have it, Diaries fans: “Daddy Issues” raved, ranted, and reviewed. Do you agree? Disagree? What did you think of the episode?

Photo Courtesy of The CW