[TV] The Vampire Diaries Season 4 - The Originals picked up!

[CeeKay]

surprisingly good.  After my aborted attempt with Being Human I I just caught up with Season 1 of VD's on DVD, and noticed Season 2 starts this week on the CW.  It's like a way darker version of Buffy, and in some ways darker than True Blood.  anyone else watching these?

[YellowKing]

My wife and I are watching them. We're suckers (ha ha) for anything vampire-related except for Twilight.

While the series does contain a lot of brooding teenage vampire emo bullshit, I find it surprisingly un-annoying. I guess they distract you enough with the love triangles, sibling rivalry, town secrets, etc. that you forget to be irritated.

Definitely looking forward to Season 2. It's a nice companion piece to Supernatural.

[Teggy]

anyone else watching these?

Teenage girls. And Rittchard

[Autistic Angel]

I have never, ever seen a show that was paced the way The Vampire Diaries is.  The speed at which they introduce, explore, and then resolve major plotlines is absolutely astounding!  It's like the writers assumed the series wouldn't survive its first season so they just decided to fire out as many crazy story arcs in rapid succession as they could.

TVD can't maintain this breakneck pace forever.  I'm curious to see if its characters and mythology are well enough established to sustain an ongoing series, or if it's going to completely flare out with episodes about vampiric squirrels, pirate ghosts, and the time-traveling significance of Elena's journals.

For the moment, though, I'm totally hooked.

-Autistic Angel

[CeeKay]

I have never, ever seen a show that was paced the way The Vampire Diaries is.  The speed at which they introduce, explore, and then resolve major plotlines is absolutely astounding!  It's like the writers assumed the series wouldn't survive its first season so they just decided to fire out as many crazy story arcs in rapid succession as they could.

that's true.  I found that amazing too, plus another thing I've learned during season 1:

Spoiler for Hiden:

never fall in love with a character outside of the main cast.

[CeeKay]

wow, they really know how to kick a season off with a bang, don't they?

[rittchard]

anyone else watching these?

Teenage girls. And Rittchard

LOL, did you remember me mentioning it or was it just a good guess and I am that predictable?

Back OT, VD surprised me last season being one of (if not) the best new show (tough call against Glee and Modern Family), and arguably the one I was most looking forward to each week.  I almost dumped it after the first couple eps felt a little slow and too familiar, but all of a sudden they ramped up the pace and just went full bore.  The pacing is relentless, both the season finale and this year's premiere felt like they covered about a whole season's worth of plotlines.  Every time I thought the episode had to be over, there were still more twists and turns.  Just a whole lot of fun.

Also somewhere along the line I became a big Ian Somerholder fan, even after he used to annoy me as Boone on Lost.  Here as Damon he pretty much steals the whole show every episode. 

[CeeKay]

is it wrong to want to see Elena and Katherine have a catfight in a pit filled with jello?

[Chaz]

We just finished watching episode 4 of season 1.  Tell me it gets better.  So far, we're finding it pretty dopey.  We did come up with an amusing drinking game though.  You can get pretty messed up if you drink whenever someone's jealous or wearing all black.

[rittchard]

I don't remember when I thought they turned it around, probably somewhere in the middle of the season.  I do remember it seeming kind of whiny and a bit boring at first.  But after the pacing picked up, it really is a lot of fun.  It's still a teen soap mixed with action/adventure though, so don't think it's going to turn into something completely different.

This week's new ep was a lot of fun, the love triangle/square is definitely one of the more compelling and complicated ones, and the lead actress is definitely having a lot more fun playing Katherine.

[CeeKay]

what?  no new episode last Thursday?  I wanted to see who Katherine was going to snog next!

[rittchard]

This show is all kinds of awesome, I can't get enough.

[CeeKay]

re: last episode:

HOLY SHITE.  It's awesome how Damon can be a totally irredeemable monster one minute than seem to have a conscience the next.

for example:

Spoiler for Hiden:

torturing mason then literally ripping his heart out then taunting Katherine about it, but at the end the look on his face after Jenna stabs herself because of him doing so.

[CeeKay]

another great episode last week.  I have a feeling the situation is about to blow up in a big way this week.

[rittchard]

another great episode last week.  I have a feeling the situation is about to blow up in a big way this week.

Aside from issues with Bonnie (both the character and actress seem exceedingly lame) and character power levels being a bit inconsistent, the show continues to rock.  I read somewhere the big reveal for the season would have something to do with why exactly Katherine looks like Elena, and that it would be a "game changer" for the show that would lead to next season.  Could just be hype but for this show it really doesn't matter.  So many things happen per episode that a single big reveal is not that big a deal.

[CeeKay]

About Katherine and Elena looking alike:

Spoiler for Hiden:

Katherine started to say something about a doppleganger before Damon slammed the door on her.

I knew like the way They're handling Bonnie. I figure since she's had no formal training her powers would be indeed all over the place. I really liked how everyone managed to work as a team up until Kat's back up plan was revealed.

[rittchard]

CeeKay, will you be my Doppleganger (TM)?

- - -

Another fine episode, with a classic Damon moment near the end.

My only complaint? 

As I say in every show that involves creatures/zombies/monsters, etc, CHOP THE F-ING HEAD OFF and burn the body to ashes, then nuke it from space.  It's the only way to be sure.

[CeeKay]

CeeKay, will you be my Doppleganger (TM)?

LOL, not sure I could pull that one off 

As I say in every show that involves creatures/zombies/monsters, etc, CHOP THE F-ING HEAD OFF and burn the body to ashes, then nuke it from space.  It's the only way to be sure.

I saw that bit coming:

Spoiler for Hiden:

he seemed to go down a bit too easily, I figured that, even though they tend to move fast with stuff storywise, the brothers aren't that good at killing a 500+ year old vamp (yet)

[Nth Power]

I've been digging this show.  This and Nikita make for good Thursday night TV.

I saw that bit coming:

Spoiler for Hiden:

he seemed to go down a bit too easily, I figured that, even though they tend to move fast with stuff storywise, the brothers aren't that good at killing a 500+ year old vamp (yet)

I was hoping

Spoiler for Hiden:

Elijah would stick around. No pun intended.  Too go out like that would have been a waste.

That was one bad ass judo chop.

[CeeKay]

man, I'm glad this show is back.  just finished watching last nights episode, and as usual it's full of win and a great pick up from the downer of the previous episode.

Spoiler for a whole bunch of things:

Uncle John is back
Tyler finds out the truth about his uncle
more werewolves show up
werewolves and the Salvatore brothers throw down
Damon rips out a werewolves heart in mid leap.  (I  Damon)
Daddy Warlock shows up to save them and lays an epic smackdown on the werewolves
Uncle John and Katherine?  this can't be good.
and did Damon just reveal himself to a reporter who avoided his compulsion? (her eyes didn't seem to dilate)

[rittchard]

Loved it too!

BTW I started a new blog with TV commentaries, filled with spoilers though, in case you are interested in more of my inane rantings.

http://whatsonscrubz.wordpress.com/2011/02/07/richard-vampire-diaries-2-13-daddy-issues/

[CeeKay]

great new promo.

[CeeKay]

another great episode.  I was speechless at Alaric's bit:

Spoiler for Hiden:

I forgot he had the resurrection ring and thought he was gone for good.

other minor bits:

Spoiler for Hiden:

bye-bye Brady Bunch.
I was wondering when Elijah was going to step in, and man did he step in.
The Salvatore Brothers need to step up their game, they keep getting chumped by the werewolves.
Uncle John is a real prick.

oh, and what would happen if they sacrificed Elena while she was wearing the ring?

[rittchard]

another great episode.  I was speechless at Alaric's bit:

Spoiler for Hiden:

I forgot he had the resurrection ring and thought he was gone for good.

Not to be mean, but they pretty much telegraphed that, didn't they?  In the scene he had with Uncle John earlier?

My review is up btw:

http://whatsonscrubz.wordpress.com/2011/02/11/richard-vampire-diaries-2-14-crying-wolf/

[CeeKay]

another great episode.  I was speechless at Alaric's bit:

Spoiler for Hiden:

I forgot he had the resurrection ring and thought he was gone for good.

Not to be mean, but they pretty much telegraphed that, didn't they?  In the scene he had with Uncle John earlier?

My review is up btw:

http://whatsonscrubz.wordpress.com/2011/02/11/richard-vampire-diaries-2-14-crying-wolf/

I think I missed that scene.  I see it in your review and I must have been in the kitchen  because I was making dinner while watching at the same time.

[rittchard]

I think CK and I are the only 2 people watching this show, but damn this show knows how to rock n roll.  No other show I can remember just drives its plotline this way.  Sure there are moments of soapiness and flashbacks, but they never "waste" an episode, it's all just forward momentum, even when you think it's not going to be that way.

Spoiler review is up:

http://whatsonscrubz.wordpress.com/2011/02/18/richard-vampire-diaries-2-15-the-dinner-party/

[CeeKay]

I think CK and I are the only 2 people watching this show, but damn this show knows how to rock n roll.  No other show I can remember just drives its plotline this way.  Sure there are moments of soapiness and flashbacks, but they never "waste" an episode, it's all just forward momentum, even when you think it's not going to be that way.

yep, one episode of VD is would probably take 2-4 episodes of a normal show.  I can't remember any throw away one off episodes so far.

on another note, they cast Klaus.  the article has some bad new though:  After next week no new episodes until April 7th 

that said, GO ELENA!

but....

Spoiler for Hiden:

shouldn't they burn the body?

[CeeKay]

OK, there should be a law against last minute reveals when the next new episode is over a month away 

[CeeKay]

squeeee!!!!!  Damon and Company return this week!


but it's for the last six episodes of the season, then no new ones until fall 

I haven't seen an official word on season 3 yet, but it has been mentioned. 

[rittchard]

squeeee!!!!!  Damon and Company return this week!


but it's for the last six episodes of the season, then no new ones until fall 

I haven't seen an official word on season 3 yet, but it has been mentioned. 

I'm not 100% sure, but I think they were so hot on it during season 1, it immediately got picked up for 2 seasons.  Could be my imagination, but I think this was the only show I heard of that did that.

[CeeKay]

damn, I'm not sure I like where things are going.l  I can see the following not surviving the season:

Spoiler for Hiden:

Bonnie
Caroline
Katherine

and wow...

Spoiler for Hiden:

Klaus can switch bodies?

[Razgon]

Seriously - Is this show good? Its rare I see so many posts about a single show here. Isnt' it just a teenage drama with vampires thrown in?

[rittchard]

Seriously - Is this show good? Its rare I see so many posts about a single show here. Isnt' it just a teenage drama with vampires thrown in?

JUST a teenage drama with vampires?!?!?  How dare you!!!  (just kiddin!)

Seriously though, exactly how many teenage dramas with vampires are on regular TV?  Even if you count Syfy, there's exactly... 2 (this and Being Human).  That already sets it apart.  I don't know if you were counting True Blood or not.  Neither cable series has the same volume of content.

This one's got Kevin Williamson (Scream, Dawson's Creek) at the helm, and if there's one thing he's good at, it's driving plots forward while simultaneously ensuring emotional angst and good background music with a hotter than hot cast.  You may not like all his plots or the angst or the lack of consistency at times, but he'll make sure the show keeps pushing forward mercilessly.  TVD goes even further in that it's plot pacing is faster than pretty much any other show.  They just keep going.  And they are perfectly willing to kill off characters; no one is safe (aside from the Big 3, I assume).  Even better you add dopplegangers and magic and flashbacks so the same actors get to do a wide variety of stuff.  As much as I loved Buffy, they laced it with lots of filler episodes (good filler but still filler).  TVD has pretty much no filler, it just keeps going with the core plotlines.  The flashbacks are used sparingly, but always help to move the current plot forward, or fill in some holes for you. 

[El-Producto]

It's awful.  My wife loves it, but she also likes Grey's Anatomy.  Only redeeming quality are the hot chicks.

I really love how they got a lookalike for Edward.

[CeeKay]

It's awful.  My wife loves it, but she also likes Grey's Anatomy.  Only redeeming quality are the hot chicks.

I really love how they got a lookalike for Edward.

I thought he looks more like Dawson...

[hepcat]

Seriously though, exactly how many teenage dramas with vampires are on regular TV? 

1 is too many.

[El-Producto]

[CeeKay]

I should have put a winky

[rittchard]

As a connoisseur of hot men, and men in general, I respectfully say they really don't think they look all that much alike.  Neither is really exactly my type either, though I'd definitely hit Stefan over Edward any day of the week.

[CeeKay]

plus Stefan doesn't sparkle.  plus Edward would never

Spoiler for Hiden:

mind control the lone living occupant out of a house just so he could snap their neck thus letting them enter the house freely like Damon did.