‘The Vampire Diaries’ Review: Episode 3.21 ‘Before Sunset’

The Vampire Diaries is always a fast-paced and exciting show to watch. Unlike some TV shows, it doesn’t try to string along every storyline until all potential drama has been pulled from it. That quality writing is as strong as ever right now as the show leads up to the season three finale. If you haven’t watched this week’s episode, you may want to stop now and avoid the spoilers. Also, why haven’t you watched it yet?

Alaric – if we can still call him that seeing as every shred of humanity in him is gone – was in fine villain form. He failed in his attempt to stake poor Rekebah (that girl just cannot catch a break!). After he kidnapped Caroline, Alaric tried to convince Elena to kill her best friend. He also told Elena that her parents would not be proud of her and made her watch as he dug pencils into Caroline’s hands. We miss the real Alaric.

The Salvatore brothers, in collaboration with Bonnie and Jeremy, were forced to work with Klaus in an effort to rescue the girls and kill Alaric. Bonnie begrudgingly sought advice from her mother, who warned Bonnie not to use the dark magic required to ‘put down’ evil Alaric. The spell to stop a vampire’s heart required a human’s heart to stop as well.

Klaus and Stefan face off. Photo Credit: The CW Network.

Seeing as Jeremy had a ring to bring him back to life, he offered to be the stopped human heart. This show does not lack heroes. Unfortunately the group’s plan failed when it was discovered that Esther had bound Alaric’s life with Elena’s. Even from the beyond, that witch is still torturing them.

After Elena threatened to kill herself in front of Alaric, Klaus managed to escape with her. Klaus decided to drain Elena of her blood so that he could make a few hybrids and kill Alaric. While Elena would disagree, Klaus suggested he was doing Elena a favour by saving her from choosing between Stefan and Damon. In an amusing sidebar, Klaus offered Elena a cheeky grin and asked, “Between us girls – who would you have picked?” Naturally Elena stayed mute on the subject.

Tyler finally proved his sire bond with Klaus was broken when he ignored Klaus’s orders and freed Elena. The two had a dramatic argument and were in the middle of an aggressive fight when the Salvatore brothers showed up to lend a hand.

Joseph Morgan as Klaus. Photo Credit: The CW Network.

In a surprising twist, Stefan held his hand to Klaus’s chest, allowing Bonnie to make a connection with his heart. The hearts of both Klaus and Jeremy came to a slow stop, but only the latter came back to life. That scene between Klaus (Joseph Morgan) and Stefan (Paul Wesley) was very powerful. Betrayal and regret hung in the air, which is a testament to the skills of those two actors. Making the destruction of a villain a sad scene instead of simply a poignant victory is no easy feat.

The episode ended with a couple of major developments. For starters, Alaric called an emergency council meeting. He told the shocked council that Sherriff Forbes and Mayor Lockwood had a vampire daughter and hybrid son, respectively.

As to be expected, Elena made no decision between Stefan and Damon in this episode. However she did note to the brothers that she was having a hard time with it. Admitting that she knew she seemed selfish at this point, Elena told the guys she was afraid of inevitably losing one of them. It was a tiny bit awkward for Elena to say this while the brothers stood at her doorstep like all three of them had just returned from a first date. At the same time, it seemed appropriate for Elena to openly address the problem with both of them. Later on the brothers fairly amicably agreed that when Elena makes her choice, the brother she doesn’t pick will leave town.

The disturbing final scene showed Elena all alone as she collapsed to the floor, bleeding from her nose. While it would be understandable for her to feel faint after nearly being drained of blood, there’s probably going to be more to the story.

There were quite a few suggestions in this episode about how life in Mystic Falls might be a lot safer if all the vampires were gone. Could this possibly be a hint about Elena’s upcoming romantic decision? Hopefully not, but this show keeps us on our toes so you never know.

What did you think of the episode? Is anybody else postponing the mourning of Klaus until we’re sure he is gone? Personally, I haven’t myself go to that dark, sad place yet.