they set up that I never saw coming (or never knew I wanted to see coming) that mean the most. In last night's foray (episode 3.11, "Our Town"), an excellent episode all around, the best and most intriguing development wasn't Elena's harrowing near death/near vamp thrillride with Stefan, it wasn't Stefan's casual assassinations of Klaus' hybrids, and it wasn't even the dead body at the end (jesus, this town has enough to worry about without actual humans killing people). No, the most compelling moment was a two minute scene with one of the unlikeliest pairings imaginable.Not only did the tone and substance of Klaus and Caroline's conversation surprise me, but the implications thereof bowled me over. For as much as I enjoy the love triangle relationshippy stuff with this show, it's never been the primary reason for watching for me. It still isn't, but the writers keep finding more and more ways to make the inter-personal dynamics layered and intriguing, while generally shying away from the more tween-style romances. Sure there are elements here and there, but TVD always gives it something more. For example, a few episodes back, when Elena tells Damon that Stefan won't come back because he loves her, but because he loves Damon, the audience believes it. At its core, this show is about family and the writers keep finding more and more ways to explore that notion and punch you in the gut with it (in a good way). Klaus' emphasis on his family has been an overweening motivation since the middle of last season and has come to a head with
Stefan's current casket-thievin' shenanigans. While Klaus has generally been painted as the uber-villain/the ultimate big bad, the show gives him moments of vulnerability that elucidate who he really is as a person. Though few and far between, their infrequency makes them really hit home. Our first glimmer of his long-suppressed humanity came with flashbacks to his human life and his reactions to his then current situation with his father, sister, and brother. In terms of Klaus' interactions with the citizens of Mystic Falls, his emotional range has been mostly limited to rage, vindictiveness, and frustration. Until now.That beautiful scene between Klaus and Caroline took me completely by surprise, but didn't feel forced or inconsistent at all. THAT is the hallmark of good writing. I never saw this coming, but now that it's here, it makes perfect sense. Beyond that, it's insanely awesome. I honestly had no idea what to expect when Klaus came to Caroline's door, intent on who-know-what. My initial thought was that he was most concerned with gaining an invitation into the house (but do originals need an invitation? I don't think so...), and then he'd bargain with the key players, twisting the knife until he was willing to save her (from the bite we all knew Tyler would impart). What I was met with, quite to the contrary, was an unexpectedly sweet, poignant, almost yearning discourse between two characters who've had only limited interaction thus far. Caroline's still-living, still-human friends tried their best to cheer her up on her birthday, but the life she had that had birthdays in it no longer exists. While Elena, Matt McCArdboard, and Bonnie von Needstodiesoon helped her mourn her old life, it was Klaus who really opened her eyes to the possibilities of her new life. "You can see the world, do everything you've ever dreamed. You can have a thousand birthdays." To hear Klaus, who understands what she's going through in a way that her human-friends can't, espouse the wonders of eternal life gave Caroline a new lease. For the first time
in a long time, Caroline could relate. While Damon would never admit to his humanity or his occasional urges to let it all go and die the true death, Klaus cops to conflicted feelings about the whole situation. He tells Caroline he's considered dying a number of times over the centuries and knows exactly what she's thinking. Sometimes, when you feel all alone, there is nothing more comforting that someone knowing what you're going through and telling you it'll be all right. This episode was about moving on, about letting go of who you were and embracing who you are, and only Klaus could make Caroline see that.Beyond what Klaus actually said, it was the way he said it that really hit home. No longer the mustache-twirling Evil League of Evil founding father, Klaus' interactions with Caroline was unbelievably soft and caring. It was as though he was tending to a sick loved one. Klaus has expressed his almost obsessive love for his family in a number of ways, but never before have we seen him interact with anyone in this way before. As it was happening, it not only gave Klaus a whole new layer to explore, but it made him sympathetic to the audience in a way I hardly thought possible. The fact that he saved Caroline's life, specifically, is important. She is inconsequential to his plans (as far as we know). Not only that, but she's been beat up and brutalized more than probably any other character, even Elena. I adore Caroline. Everyone does. And anyone who makes her see that her new life is one worth living, saves her life, and makes it all okay wins about a million points in my book. In a way, it's kind of like Jesse on Breaking Bad. He's so wonderful, and so
mistreated, that I find my allegiances switching to whoever is treating him well at the moment. So let it be with Caroline.Above and beyond all of that, that scene opened doors that I never would have thought could be opened and never knew I wanted them to be. I had never even considered a Klaus and Caroline pairing (whether romantic or not), but as I was watching that scene, not only did such a prospect totally work with the narrative, but it appealed to me on a number of levels. As I started to think about a relationship between the two, it struck me. Awesome. Simply awesome. I don't know how this will manifest or even whether Klaus' intentions are genuine (if this is all a big game, that would be amazing yet devastating), but I'm so, so intrigued to see it. That he saved her life was compelling enough, but that he gave her a beautiful bracelet (necklace?) for her birthday added that little something extra. Again, I could see where, eventually, this is an elaborate scheme to turn her against her friends (hell, that bracelet could be spelled or something), but I could see it going the other way entirely. Klaus is desperate for connection to people. Desperate for family. Desperate for love. He's been loathed and rejected his whole life and I can totally see where he'd find himself fancying someone as kickass as Caroline. The fact that she probably reminds him of Rebekah to a degree makes it all the more plausible. He just staked his one ally and now he's truly all alone. Could this be a scheme? Could this be genuine? Could this be both? I can't wait to find out.
In all honesty, the prospect of them as a romantic pairing is pretty fabulous. The thought of Caroline becoming a big bad in her own right is even more fabulous. Caroline got about 800 times better after becoming a vampire, so who knows how awesome she could become if she were a bad vampire. Hell, it did wonders for Stefan. This show burns through story faster than any other show on the air, and I keep thinking they'll run out of road, but they just keep building more and better highways to cruise down. Klausoline may be the best yet. I never even would have thought of them as a potential pairing before last night. Now, that's all I can think of.
This season has been about personal transformation and change. Stefan lost his soul (or did he?), Damon bared his, and Elena went from being a whiny damsel to actually pretty badass. Add Klaus and Caroline to that list. All these characters (and others as well) are on a journey of self-discovery and identity. Last night may have hit hardest with Klaus and Caroline, but a close second was Elena.
I loved that scene at the end on the bridge. Caroline finally said goodbye to her old life and Elena is trying to follow suit. She doesn't have to be "that girl" anymore. She has taken charge of her own destiny in a way I never would have expected in the first two seasons. It's incredibly refreshing and makes me like her about 50 times more. In previous seasons, I've always kind of thought Damon could do a lot better. Now, Elena is finally becoming the person I always wanted her to be. Just in time to give up on vampires and Damon altogether. I think that kiss last week, a real kiss, rocked Elena to the core. I think she loves Damon more than she'd ever admit, but in her mind, that kiss was step one down the vampire-werewolf-doppelganger-hybrid rabbit hole and made her re-evalutate her feelings entirely. Meeting Stefan was the beginning of Mystic Falls' dubious honor of murderiest town on the planet, and in a number of ways, she can't imagine going down that road again. No matter how much she loves him. She's been loving blindly and entirely for year now and it's gotten about 13,870 people killed. I can see where that might cause someone to take pause... especially after her last vampire boyfriend just almost drove her off a bridge...I'm not sure where we're headed from here, but I can't wait to find out. Although I can absolutely see where Elena would want to separate herself from all of this, the final scene with her and Matt opened a door that I wish would have stayed closed. Matt has always been a block of wood and the prospect of a rekindled romance doesn't excite me. But, I'm confident the show will make whatever happens as awesome as possible. Bring it.
Stray Observations:
- Jeremy needed some time off, that's for sure. It is very much to this show's credit that they realized he didn't have much to do and sent him on his way. I actually like Jeremy quite a lot, and they did a fabulous job of sending him off on a high note (ensuring we'll be happy to see him when he returns), but sometimes a character just isn't necessary. This show is very willing to kill off characters, but they know how to work around it as well.
- In that same vein, I love how if a character isn't needed in an episode, he/she simply isn't in the episode. True Blood could definitely take a page here. TVD's storytelling is tight and efficient and they know how to use their resources wisely. There are very few (if any, really) throwaway plotlines and it's very much appreciated.
- "Hey Jeremy, your suitcase looks a little light. How about you take some extra baggage in the form of the most annoying, sanctimonious, holier-than-thou witch in town?" Bonnie needs to go. Look, this show needs a witch. I grant that. But does it have to be her? She's not even a very good witch! Seriously, when lighting birthday candles takes that much effort, what good are you? What's worse, your friends, who've seen basically all manor of supernatural everything, were actually impressed by your candle-lighting ability. Come to think of it, for someone as inept as she, that was kinda spectacular...
- The Klaus and Caroline dynamic, whether potentially romantic, conspiratorial, or both, is intriguing enough on its own, but then throw Tyler and his sire-bond in the mix and things get even more twisted and fabulous. Can't wait to see how that turns out.
- Meredith Fell: "Some English guy just promised to match all the donations made tonight."
Alaric: "Wait, what do you mean English guy?"
(Ummm... a guy who's from England?) - The woman who plays Dr. Fell is actually married to Paul Wesley in real life. TVD fun fact.
- Alaric: "Wait, you mean you actually care who lives or dies?"
Damon: "I have a short list."
("Have you seen my list? It's a piece of paper that says 'Elena' on it.") - Caroline: "Are you going to kill me?"
Klaus: "Not on your birthday."
(I loved how Klaus seemed genuinely offended that Caroline would imply he might kill someone on their birthday. Hehe. We all have a line we won't cross, even the baddest of the bads. Klaus' line is apparently covered in frosting.) - Even though it appears that Elena may be moving toward living boyfriends, her sexual chemistry with Damon is scorching. Seriously, it becomes more and more apparent with each passing episode that Ian and Nina are a couple.
- I love that in Mystic Falls, vampires, werewolves, witches, and hybrids are par for the course in terms of murder, but a regular guy? THAT's the surprise. The fact that it looks like it could have been Alaric makes it the real cliffhanger (although I seriously doubt it was him... more like Meredith, methinks, but really, who the hell knows).
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