‘The Vampire Diaries’ Recap: Episode 4.10 “After School Special”
After a lengthy hiatus, The Vampire Diaries is back – and not without the drama it’s so well known for. With the show’s return comes a new mayor, reappearances by Rebekah and Kol, an interesting revelation by Elena, and an odd pairing of teams in the race for The Cure.
“I think this town could use a few more rules.” ~ Rudy Hopkins
With Mayor Lockwood’s death, Mystic Falls has a new interim mayor, Rudy Hopkins – aka, Bonnie’s father. A bit odd that we haven’t seen much of him in all four seasons of the show and suddenly he’s back, wanting to be a father to Bonnie and a mayor to the town? Hm.
“Lately I feel like I’m a project. Like I’m a problem that needs to be fixed. I think I make him sad, and I can’t be with someone like that because when he looks at me, all he sees is a broken toy.” ~ Elena
Rebekah crashes the school memorial, and she’s not a happy camper. She’s after The Cure and she wants answers. With a little compulsion and a lot of hatred, she snags Elena, Stefan, and Caroline in the school library. She starts asking a lot of questions, wanting to play catch-up on all the news of The Cure that has come about since Klaus daggered her. Using compulsion, she gets Elena and Stefan to fill her in on the details of The Cure. Once Rebekah discovers that Elena and Stefan have split up, the games are on. With a little spiteful bitchiness, she compels them to play a game of Truth or Dare. Sadly, for Stefan, Elena reveals some hard-core truths about her feelings for the Salvatore brothers – a low blow for poor Stefan. Rebekah summons Tyler, compels him to turn into a wolf, and sets the vamps loose within the hallways – a chase that’s over before it’s even really begun. Although it was a great way to move things along with Stefan and Elena, the whole Rebekah/compulsion scene felt a bit odd … anyone else agree?
“If you throw Jeremy out into the world right now, he’s chum.” ~ Damon
Damon and Matt are training Jeremy in a remote cabin in the woods. Everyone’s after the map on Jeremy’s arm – the map that will lead them to The Cure – and the only way for the map to grow is for Jeremy to kill some vampires. With Jeremy’s hunter training moving at a snail’s pace, Klaus arrives to rush things along and serves up a whole string of vamps for Jeremy to slaughter.
“You don’t need my help anymore.” ~ Professor Shane
Professor Shane gives Bonnie a necklace made of human bones – a necklace rumored to belong to a two thousand year old witch who drew on it for strength. He sends Bonnie on her way with reassurances that her magic is precisely where it should be and that she’s the “key to everything”. Enter Kol, another unhappy camper. Kol and Rebekah want answers from Shane as to where The Cure is hidden, but Shane reveals that he’s not after The Cure. All he’s after is resurrecting Sileas – a name that sends shudders of fear through Kol, causing him to lash out and stab Shane.
When Bonnie realizes that Shane is in trouble, she uses the pendant Shane gave her to do a protection spell. The spell works in saving Shane from Kol’s brutal attack, but not without a hitch. Somehow, the spell has connected April to Shane. Does this mean that spineless April may have a purpose other than looking permanently perplexed and tattle tailing on the town folk?
“Look, I’m gonna get this cure for you and I’m gonna have to do things you’re not going to like. But listen carefully. Get in your car, right now. Come to me.” ~ Damon
Elena and Damon share a sweet moment where she reveals her love for him, despite the sire bond. Surprisingly, instead of pushing her away again, he tells her to “come to me.” Sire bond or not, a beautiful moment for this couple. Curious to know what the next episode has in store for them.
“Whoever finds the cure first gets to decide what to do with it.” ~ Stefan
In the end, we see several vamps teaming up, and the race for The Cure is on. Damon/Jeremy, Klaus/ his sword, Shane/Bonnie, and Stefan/Rebekah. Who will get to The Cure first? What will they do with it? Does it even exist?
Which team are you routing for?
Tune in for ‘The Vampire Diaries’ Thursdays at 8.7c.