Saturday, November 10, 2012

The Vampire Diaries Season Four Episode Five: The Killer

This episode begins where episode four left off. Connor tells Professor Shane that he spent the last two days tied up by Klaus. Professor Shane admits that Klaus can be terrible and Connor reminds him that Klaus is a vampire/werewolf hybrid and asks if he knows how hard it is to kill them.Connor says that he could have used some help and information but Professor Shane reminds him that the deal was that Connor would get information about the mark after he killed more vampires.
Professor Shane says that this is why he sent him to Mystic Falls and that there is a witch mixed up  in all of this that he wants kept out of harms way because she is part of her plans.  Connor replies that if anybody gets in his way they are dead. Professor Shane agrees reluctantly and says that he will occupy Bonnie himself. Professor Shane instructs Connor to do what he does because the less he knows about it the better. Connor returns to the Mystic Grill where Jeremy works. He sneaks up on Jeremy and tells him that they need to talk about vampires.

Elena is writing a diary entry and starts to by saying that she hasn't wanted to write this stuff down but does not want to say it out loud either.  Elena admits that she is now a vampire and hates it.  At the same time (cause what we need is dueling angst) Stefan is writing a diary entry about how Elena has been spiraling since her transition and how at times he barely recognises her.  Elena says she feels hopeless, depressed and angry and Stefan writes about his hope of giving her back her life.  Elena writes that she thinks of ending it but needs to find a way to get through this for Jeremy.  

Stefans journal entry is interrupted by a text from Klaus which reads, "we have a problem."  Klaus is calling from a dig site in Italy and talking to Stefan who is now standing over the chains which used to bind Connor. Stefan says that Connor could be anywhere and Klaus says that he has to find Connor and to be wary, because while he is Italy, Stefan will have no access to his blood, which is an antidote to werewolf bites. Klaus says that Connor is no good to them dead and when Stefan reminds him that Damon is looking for Connor, Klaus is adamant that Damon should be kept away because he cannot be trusted. Klaus believes that Damon likes Elena better as a vampire. Stefan counters saying that he trusts Damon more than he trusts Klaus. Klaus replies that he trusts no one and that is why his sister is lying daggered in a box.  Klaus reminds Stefan that the more they find out about the cure, the more they will be able to go after it. Klaus suggests that nations have gone to war for less. Klaus says that if  Stefan tells one person that he will throw the sword into the Mediterranean.

Matt is opening the bar and calls Jeremy to find out where he is.  April walks in and apologetically asks Matt if he has seen Rebekah.  When Matt asks why she thinks he would know where Rebekah is, April admits that she thought that Matt and Rebekah were a couple.  From a corner of the room, hidden from view, Connor has a knife to Jeremy's throat. Matt says that he and Rebekah are not a couple. When April says that Rebekah promised to help her investigate the fire that killed her father, Connor steps into view, still with the knife to Jeremy's throat and tells April that this is the least of her problems.

Damon is in Elena's bedroom, and Elena is not impressed to see him there. Damon tells her that Stefan is not answering his phone and is not there, which might be a big deal because they have a killer vampire hunter on the loose. Elena admits that she has not spoken to Stefan yet for the day. Damon asks for Elena's phone to see if Stefan is dodging him.  When she asks why Stefan would be evading his brother, Damon says that Elena probably told him about what happened on campus. When Elena makes a face, Damon realises that she didn't tell Stefan. Elena says that what happened was a mistake and that Stefan has enough to deal with, trying to get her through this vampire stuff.  Damon tells her that she is in a shame spiral but Elena denies it. When Damon calls Stefan from Elena's phone, the call goes straight to voicemail.  Damon says that Stefan is either dodging the both of them, or he is in trouble.

Back at the bar, Connor orders everyone to sit down. Connor demands Jeremy's cell phone but Jeremy begs him to let April go.  Connor says that both April and her father Pastor Young have everything to do with what is going on.  Connor tells April that the two of them have history. When he notices that Jeremy is wearing a vervain bracelet, Connor tells him he needs vervain that no one can just take off him because he would have been able to remember their conversation at Klaus' yesterday. Jeremy gets upset and asks if someone compelled him.  Matt points out that if Connor knows so much, he should realise that they're friends are going to come for them.  This however is exactly what Connor wants because each vampire that comes for them, is another vampire for him to kill. Connor asks who he should text first?

Stefan, Elena and Damon are talking about what is going on.  Damon suggests walking in there and ripping out Connor's heart and of course, Stefan cannot go along with this plan.  Tyler enters and says that he called in the hybrids and Caroline enters shortly thereafter to say that her mother has squad cars surrounding the bar now. Damon says that there are no cops and no witnesses, so they should all go in.  Tyler says that Connor shot him nine times and if they are going in, then he is coming as well.  Elena adds that because Connor has Jeremy, she is going as well.  Stefan tries to calm everyone down and says that no one is going anywhere until he figures out what they are walking into.  Damon is not impressed by this and asks how come he is the boss.  Stefan reminds everyone that Connor is known to set traps and that they would be silly to walk into one, especially if he has werewolf venom. Damon says that if Stefan wants to do reconn, he has one hour and asks where Bonnie is.  Caroline says that Bonnie cannot do magic but Damon insists that Bonnie be called. Because Bonnie never has anything better to do than serve the White people of Mystic Falls on demand.

Bonnie is with Professor Shane and she is thumbing through a book he wrote. When she threatens to go online to discover his other books, Professor Shane reminds Bonnie that she promised no internet or phones during witch therapy. When Bonnie asks if Professor Shane really believes that she will do magic again, he assures her that this is possible and tells her to drink a tea he picked up while back packing with Aborigines in Australia. Professor Shane tells Bonnie that what he has in mind might come off as a little unorthodox and then asks her about hypnosis.  When Bonnie expressed doubt, Professor Shane points out the ridiculousness of practicing magic and not believing in hypnotism.  He tells Bonnie that she is afraid to practice magic because the witch spirits told her that it is wrong, that they threatened her Grams and made her feel guilty and that she just has to confront the fear and guilt.  Bonnie says that it won't work because witches are naturally immune to any sort of manipulation.

Stefan calls Klaus to tell him the situation and suggests that Klaus get his hybrids on board with his plan.  From the window, Elena watches Stefan and wonders who he is talking to.  Damon replies that he hopes it's Bonnie. Damon pulls out schematics of tunnels under the bar which are from the Mystic Falls underground railroad. Elena gets a call from Stefan, who says that he could only make out three voices and that Matt and April are in there. Elena says that they have to get them out of there, but Stefan says that he just needs a little more time. Elena says she is going in through the tunnel but Damon stops her and says that Connor does not know that she is a vampire and they should keep it that way.  Elena plans to offer herself in exchange but Damon says that the best cases scenario is her being a hostage and the worst case scenario is that Connor figures out what she is and kills her on the spot. Elena pulls away and demands that she stop being treated like she cannot handle herself because Alaric trained her and she has been practicing with Stefan. Damon replies,"So what? Now you're going to take on a professional killer?" When Elena continues to walk away, Damon grabs a weapon from the bed and says, "bang you're dead." (Oh if only.) Elena charges forward grabs the weapon and tosses Damon on his back saying, "a head shot is no good, it has to be the heart, so now you're dead." Damon moves the weapon aside saying, "For someone who doesn't want to be like me, you sure are good at it."  Elena tells Damon that Jeremy is the only thing holding her together right now. That's an interesting statement because she has barely spent two seconds talking to Jeremy because she has been caught up in her live triangle with Stefan and Damon.

In the bar, April says that Connor is clearly delusional and Jeremy adds that Connor is a nut and that April shouldn't let him get in her head.  April asks Jeremy if Connor told him why he is doing this and Jeremy replies, "maybe, maybe I just can't remember." Matt tries to encourage Jeremy to let it go but Jeremy gets up and walks over to Connor. Jeremy asks about the conversation they had yesterday and Connor tells him that they will get into and asks him to look at his handiwork.  Apparently, Connor has rigged an explosion, which will kill vampires. Jeremy asks what Connor gets out of all of this and Connor answers, that he has realised that the mark has the answer to why he is the way he is because the more he kills, the more it grows.  Once the mark is complete, Connor says he will know his story and all of this will have meant something.  Connor turns to April and Matt and instructs them to get in the back but warns them that he has all of the other exists rigged.

Elena is looking out her window and Damon says that Stefan is on his way and that everything will be over soon.  Elena reminds Damon that they have already been through this with Jeremy and this is why they sent him to Denver in the first place.  Damon says that they will just compel him to forget and send him down to the Bahamas.  Stefan walks in and asks if they found a map of the tunnels.  When Damon says yes, Stefan says that they have to wait because Klaus is sending one of his men to take the front and that he and Damon can take the tunnel. Damon is shocked by this and asks why they are teaming up with Klaus.  Stefan says that Connor has werewolf venom and that they need someone to draw his fire and a hybrid will be immune to this. Damon is not convinced and again asks why Klaus is involved and demands the truth. Stefan says that this is the truth and that this is the best way to deal with the situation.  Damon is convinced that Stefan is being compelled and so he says, "screw your plan, I'll just take out Connor myself." When Damon turns to leave, Stefan stabs him. Elena asks why Stefan is doing this and Stefan replies, "Damon had the right idea with the tunnels but I am not going to go in there, if I can't count on him to do it my way."  Elena is still shocked that Stefan vervained Damon but Stefan points out that Damon does not care about Matt or April. Elena insists on going with him, but Stefan asks what happens if Connor attacks and Elena kills him defending herself?  Stefan says that the guilt will wreck Elena and promises her that this is the most important thing that he has ever asked her to do.  They kiss and Stefan uses his vampire speed to disappear.

Downstairs, Tyler is arguing with the hybrid that Klaus sent. When he leaves the room, Caroline notices Hayley.  When Hayley says that she has heard a ton about Caroline and has been staying there for a few days, Caroline is shocked. Caroline says that she knows all of Tyler's friends and has not heard about her and demands that Hayley cut the crap. Hayley replies, "Yeah, I don't do teen drama, take it up with Ty," before walking away.  That has got to be one of the best lines on The Vampire Diaries in quite sometime. Finally they are acknowledging the teen angst but of course acknowledgement doesn't mean that they have any plans on stopping.


Hayley walks into the other room and tells Dean that he doesn't need to do this and Tyler affirms that the plan is suicide. Dean insists that Klaus gave him a direct order.  When Hayley intervenes again, Dean points out that she is not a hybrid and does not understand. Tyler says that he used to do everything Klaus said but he doesn't anymore. Dean hands him a phone and tells him to prove he can stand up to Klaus. Caroline tells Tyler not to, but he calls Klaus anyway. Tyler tells Klaus that he can do whatever he wants because he is not sired to him anymore, so Klaus takes to the opportunity to remind Tyler that he knows all about his lecherous behaviour. Tyler hangs up the phone and tells Dean to do whatever the hell he wants.

The phone in the bar rings and it's Stefan saying that he wants the hostages freed.  Connor refuses him and Stefan promises Connor more information about what he is and the Brotherhood of the Five. Connor believes that this is a sign of desperation but Stefan reminds Connor that Klaus saved his life and asks if he is curious why Klaus needs him alive.  In frustration, Connor slams the phone down.

In the backroom, April is telling Matt that as a child her father used to tell he scary stories about vampires. Matt says that they're just stories but April points out that they aren't to Connor.  Again, April says that there is something familiar about Connor. Matt tells her that this is a messed up situation and that she cannot buy into Connor's craziness.  When Matt opens the exit to the old wine cellar, he finds that it has been bricked over.  He grabs a chisel of sorts and starts to hammer his way out.

Dean is making his way to the bar and on the phone, Klaus tells him that Stefan is approaching from the other side and that his job is to get Connor out alive.  In the bar, Connor is tinkering with something when Jeremy approaches from behind.  Connor says, "you may be a potential hunter, but you make one move, I will break all 27 bones in your hand."  Jeremy insists that not all vampires are bad and that some of them are his friends.  Connor tells Jeremy about a friend he had who was turned and that she was unable to keep it under control.  Connor says that a vampire is like a loaded gun, eventually it's going to go off.  Connor then shows Jeremy the tat he got for killing his friend. When Jeremy gets upset, Connor says that Jeremy has to understand that "vampires kill humans, hunters kill vampires."  When Connor hears a sound, he turns the music up and forces Jeremy to hide.

Dean enters the bar slowly and pauses when he see the trip wire. When he steps over it, it activates a bomb.  Connor steps forward and shoot him with vervain.  In the back, Stefan has made his way in and instructs Matt and April to leave.  In the front, Connor watches as his tat grows but when he catches sight of Stefan, he shoots off a round.  In the confusion, Jeremy ends up stepping on yet another bomb.

Elena is freaking out because she heard the explosion and calls Stefan only to get no answer.  Damon comes awake and when the suns rays touch him, he starts to sizzle.  Elena is shocked that Stefan took Damon's ring and asks why he would do that. Damon says that Stefan had either made a deal with Klaus or he has been compelled. Elena says that she needs to get in there and once again Damon reminds her that Connor is dangerous. Elena turns in anger and says that she is dangerous as well. Damon reminds Elena that she needs to be smart because Connor does not know that she is a vampire. He instructs Elena to get as close as she can and then kill Connor.

Back at the bar, the bomb is still blinking and Stefan tells Connor that he should put the gun down. Connor screams that he doesn't make deals with vampires, but Stefan counters and reminds Connor that if he dies right now, then all of the killing he has done will be for nothing. Stefan promises to give Connor the truth and Elena rushes in.  Elena begs Connor not to kill Jeremy and Connor threatens to shot Jeremy in front of her.  Connor counts to three and shoots Jeremy in the abdomen, and Elena charges Connor.  The two have a struggle as Stefan pulls Jeremy off of the bomb and uses a table to protect them from the blast.  As Elena gets overpowered, Stefan pulls Connor off of her and disappears with him.

Elena uses her blood to heal Jeremy and then apologises.  Jeremy says that it's okay and that he trusts her not to hurt him.  When Elena asks Jeremy why Connor came after him, Jeremy reveals that Connor said that he is like him. Jeremy says that he can see Connor's hunters mark and asks if Stefan and Damon told her about this.  Elena wants to know who else knows and Jeremy says that he was with Connor all day yesterday but cannot remember what happened because someone compelled him.  Elena stands and says she thinks she knows who.

In the tunnels, Damon tells Stefan that he did good work and Stefan says that it's all over. Damon tells Stefan that he doesn't know what he is up to, or what Klaus has on him, but even if he has to go through him, he intends on killing Connor. As Damon takes a step forward, Stefan tells him to back off and Damon asks if this is because Klaus wants Connor alive.  Stefan says that it has nothing to do with Klaus and that Damon is just going to have to trust him. Damon says he doesn't have to and asks Stefan to hand over Connor.  Stefan instructs Connor to run as fast as he can and the two begin to fight.   Stefan quickly looses and then admits the truth of what is going on.

Connor makes his way through the tunnels and Elena attacks him telling him to stay away from her brother.  Connor says, "look at you, worried about your brother, when you're the biggest monster he'll ever meet."  Connor takes the moment of distraction to stab Elena but he misses her heart and so Elena snaps his neck.

Bonnie is still in the office trying to induce hypnosis with the professor.  She is shocked when she realises that seven hours have gone by.  The professor takes a candle out of his desk drawer and asks her to light it.  Bonnie says that she can't and the professor says that if she can't do it, it's because she is afraid.  The professor says that Bonnie is stronger than the spirits and does not have to be afraid of anyone. Bonnie closes her eyes and lights every candle in the office.

In the woods, Elena digs a grave for Connor as she is crying.  The Salvatore brothers approach her and she says that she needs to bury Connor.  When Stefan tries to take the shovel away from her, Elena stops him and says that she heard him talking with Connor and is aware that he made a secret deal with Klaus. Elena says, "you said that you were going to protect Jeremy - keep him from this. You said that I could trust you Stefan."  Damon tries to say that it is complicated and Elena reminds Damon that he told her to kill him.  Elena starts to cry and says that she killed someone.

Hayley and Tyler are hugging and he says that he is sorry.  Caroline walks in the room and Tyler  immediately jumps back.  Tyler tells Caroline that it's not what it looks like and Hayley says that she is going to leave to let them talk. Caroline is extremely upset and believes that Tyler fell for Hayley, when he was trying to break the sire bond.  Tyler assures Caroline that Hayley saved his life but that nothing happened. Caroline asks why Klaus believes that he cheated and Tyler replies, "because I would rather him think that than know the truth. There are other hybrids that need to be set free and Hayley and I can help them but if Klaus found out about what we're trying to do, he'd kill us all."

Jeremy is sitting by himself on a bench, when he is approached by Matt and April, who have clearly been compelled to forget what happened in the bar. Jeremy says that he needs to get home and Matt agrees that he should go as well.  Jeremy drops his bracelet on the ground and when he picks it up, he puts it on April.  When April leaves, Matt asks if he is okay.  Jeremy says that he is just sick of all of the secrets.  When Jeremy looks at this hand, he sees the tattoo.

At the Salvatore house, Damon asks if Stefan has figured out how to tell Klaus that he lost a hunter and a hybrid. Damon promises to have his back when Klaus returns. Stefan thanks Damon for not saying anything to Elena about the cure.  Stefan says that she doesn't need to know that she killed he chance of being human again.  Stefan reminds Damon that the brotherhood is made up of five men and that he is going to continue to search until he finds them. Damon agrees to have his back on the search.  Yes, another bonding moment for the brothers.  Damon asks if Stefan wants a cure because Elena is a vampire and is not cut out to be, or because he can't love her if she is one. Stefan replies that he will always love her but Elena is not supposed to be this person and he doesn't want her to be. Damon says that he is fine with Elena either way, so if he does this, he is doing it for him.

Elena is upstairs writing in her diary saying that the worst feeling in the world is when you realise that you've lost yourself.  Suddenly blood starts to drop on her hand. When she follows the trail of blood, it leads to the bathroom, which is covered in blood with the word killer written on the mirror.  Elena slips and when she stands up, all of the blood has disappeared.

For the record, the moment I saw Connor, I knew that he was dead man walking because other than Bonnie, it seems the writers and producers are determined to ensure that Bonnie remains the only person of colour on this show. There can be no denying that The Vampire Diaries has an extreme race problem. It routinely disposes of characters of colour or drops them into the plot box when they cannot be of service to the White characters. Seeing the underground railroad appropriated on this show which regular celebrates White plantation owners appropriate African-American history is yet another stunning example of how racially obtuse the writers and producers are.