Friday, April 22, 2011

"Klaus" proves to be much more twisted than we knew!!!!

Is it just me or does the vampire diaries keep getting better, devious and creepy with all the twists and turns each episode? Well yes now that I have just seen this week's titular episode "Klaus", i'll certainly say one thing WOW. This episode unloaded a lot of information upon us viewers......a whole bunch of secrets, and of the important element mythology without seeming forced and definitely did not feel like a letdown.


Writers Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec focused a lot of the episode on Elena's independence and ability to think for herself, qualities that make her so likable as a character. Nina Dobrev is great at bringing Elena's strength to the forefront, yet keeping her vulnerable at the same time. She was excellent as present-day Katherine also, yet in the opposite way. Imprisoned by Klaus, Katherine found herself to be vulnerable, but her undercurrent of strength was always present. Not only Elena but Incorporating flashbacks without diminishing the drama playing out in the present, and revealing secrets that, incredibly, made Klaus seem even more dangerous and hard core, this may have been The Vampire Diaries' best episode to date.


So this week we not only see the truth behind Klaus' obsession with the doppelganger but also the debut episode of Joseph Morgan a.k.a. the real Klaus and well as Daniel Gilles' return to the living world (at the end of the last episode). Non-permanent death has become something of a staple on The Vampire Diaries, and when Elijah was taken out of commission a few episodes ago, I wondered why Stefan and Damon didn't take extra steps to kill him in a way that might stick. This episode answered the question of why the writers didn't have Elijah killed, although it didn't quite explain why Stefan and Damon didn't get rid of him in a more permanent way. 

No matter the reason Elijah was left lying around, it was good to have a chance to see more of Daniel Gillies and to learn about Elijah and Klaus's relationship. Flashbacks to 1492 showed a pre-vampire Katherine being introduced to Klaus and Elijah, with the revelation that they are brothers. That would have been interesting enough on its own, but it was disappointing when it was added that Klaus and Elijah were in conflict over Katherine. The brothers-fighting-over-a-girl storyline is being covered quite thoroughly with Stefan and Damon already; it seems unnecessary to add this to the storyline with Klaus and Elijah as well.

That being said, both Gillies and Joseph Morgan as Klaus were convincing in their roles as centuries old vampires. Gillies showed an Elijah who was much more easygoing back in 1492, while he was understandably aloof and reserved around Elena in the present. Morgan's Klaus, on the other hand, was refreshingly power-hungry and evil both then and now, not an ounce of angst to be found.


What made it so amazing was that unlike some shows, the buildup to these revelations proved worthwhile. Seemingly impossibly high expectations were met. After last episode I called "Know Thy Enemy" a game-changing episode. It was a good one, yes, but I can only laugh now, as "Klaus" was the mother of all game-changers.

Let's break down the secrets Elijah revealed that not only altered the entire scope of the show, but made us more interested in TVD and its increasingly complex characters than ever.

Klaus and Elijah are brothers. Interesting way to start the long list of secrets to be spewed upon us.....the loyal viewers. Their mom had seven children, and are basically the First Family of Vampires. Every vampire came from them. Although he didn't delve into the matter about how one family became the family of original, i.e., the family of the oldest vampire to walk this Earth but this means there are five originals more, that alone is startling and to think we are just getting started.

The Sun and the Moon curse is totally BS. Yup you all heard it the one curse that has our resident mystic falls townies on their toes is not even the real deal. Klaus planted the Sun and the Moon curse and how it originated from the Aztecs, but it's not even true. Just part of Klaus' master plan. I loved this because even though it undid so much of what we learned so far, it actually makes more sense. Why would Klaus care about the Sun and the Moon curse so much? Vampires are doing quite well as it is (especially the originals). His agenda had to be bigger, and it turns out it is. The sun/moon thing is just a deeply-rooted, clever diversion. He wants all vampires and werewolves on the lookout for the doppelganger, because she WILL reverse the curse ... the real curse, which is way worse and impacts only Klaus, since ...


And wait for it the most important and the creepiest detail of all in an Underground-esque way Klaus is a hybridNow I know you all wanna know what does this mean with Klaus as a hybrid....well he is not only a vampire but also a werewolf......he is both half and half........Klaus is practically an abomination of natureSeriously. Elijah reveals a stunner: his mother had an affair and Klaus' real father was a werewolf, making Klaus extraordinarily dangerous. The witches wouldn't allow such an all-powerful supernatural being to exist, so they placed a curse on Klaus (and only Klaus) and his werewolf half has been kept dormant. This is what Klaus is hell-bent on undoing, so that he may realize his true power and create an entire race of ... whatever he is. Basically, the whole world hangs in the balance. Again, with all the mystique surrounding Klaus before we met him, it was a tall order for TVD to make him live up it, but last night accomplished that and then some.

Klaus must die during the sacrifice. The dagger covered in white ash won't work on him. A witch has to do the job during the sacrifice when he's at his most vulnerable. 

However, because Elijah was in love with Katerina, he says he knows a way to perform the ritual without killing the doppelganger, too. 

That's obviously good news for Elena, but on top of his history with Klaus, Elijah definitely harbors some resentment toward Katerina, and it's unclear what his endgame is.



These bombshells not only increase the pressure on Elena and Elijah to take him down once and for all, but also with her newfound or should I say renewed alliance to drive a wedge in between Damon and Stefan. The riveting Elijah/Klaus backstory would have been plenty for this episode, but it was woven in perfectly with the already-escalating tension tearing the Salvatores apart. Differing views on whether they can trust Elijah was ostensibly behind the feud, but then Stefan put it all out there: Damon is in love with Elena, but he'll never have her. Stefan adds that he has something Damon never will: Her respect. This understandably hit too close to home, sends Stefan flying across the room after Damon uncorks a vicious uppercut, and nearly ends in Andie Star becoming dinner. Damon barely has enough self-control to stop. Amazing. Was Stefan right? Does Elena not respect Damon? Jealousy of his brother is one thing, but this really set him off.


In another shocking moment, one that has been a long time coming, Aunt Jenna finally found out about vampires and everything else that has been going on around her for the past two seasons. Poor Jenna found out in the worst way possible – by seeing Stefan's vampire face as he fought off her boyfriend Alaric who was possessed by Klaus. Similar to Matt who recently learned the truth about vampires in Mystic Falls, waiting to see how Jenna will deal with this makes her character more interesting and relevant than she has been in a long time.

Finally, the real Klaus shows up in Mystic Falls in a thoroughly creepy coffin-like box (the man knows how to make an entrance) as his entourage de-possesses Alaric. One last twist here that was practically glossed over? Greta (Luka's sister) is part of that witch entourage, and seems happy as can be. Wonder how long that will last.


Overall, a stunning episode. Between the vampire lore and the Salvatores' feud boiling over, I don't know what more it could've offered. A mythology-heavy installment like this could have fallen short so many times, but it used the characters so flawlessly and if anything, the secrets raised the stakes. 

So now next week is the episode "THE LAST DAY"

Share/Bookmark

2 comments:

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...