The Vampire Diaries. Season 3

Meredith has a long lifespan for a guest character, don't you think?

The Vampire Diaries Season 3 has been more like a soap opera with a fantasy twist, specifically witches, vampires, werewolves, hybrids, and ghosts. We have grown to love the ultimate villain that is Klaus that there was no real threat to our heroes this season. We had Mikael, Esther, and Vampire "Alaric" Hunter, but no one really measured up to Klaus. But our Original Hybrid is kind of busy painting and sketching.

We're always pleased by Elijah's surprise presence!

Don't get me wrong, I love that we had a glimpse of the Originals and their humanity. It's enriching to know how a villain became who he is and the reasons behind his actions. It will still be good to have Daniel Gillies, Claire Holt, and Joseph Morgan (please say his body is intact, albeit burnt) around. Elijah, Rebekah, and Klaus all bring that royal, regal, and ancient yet edgy feel to the show.

These two, on the other hand, are terrific, romantic or not.

But I also want to see our vampires in action again. I'm not sure what kind of villain or threat is going to outrank Klaus and the Originals, but I have hope that with the new dynamics─Elena turning vampire and all─they'll find someone or something fearsome and worthy to hate again. It could even turn out to be Vampire Elena? Nina Dobrev could easily pull that off, but I guess that's Katherine's turf.

I'd still choose Damon anywhere, any day, any time.

The Salvatore brothers have been through a lot and this season also solidified their blood relations. It's so good to see them come together even if they still have their differences. We saw Paul Wesley take on Stefan's history; I want to see Ian Somerhalder show why Damon ended up as this bad-ass vampire we know and love. Stefan might be Elena's choice now (even though I have a feeling he's always going to be her choice), but "The Departed" is all in favor of Damon (like I said, Stefan's guilt and Elena's refreshed memory). But I hope the brothers only get stronger after an uphill climb getting over Elena's turning in the season to come.

If only we could freeze this moment... then the show is over. So we will NOT.

We say goodbye to Alaric, yes. Our resident witch going dark, maybe? Caroline and Tyler (who is actually Klaus posing as Tyler at the moment) still on the run? Will Matt's near-death experience make him not-so-normal now? Who are the ghosts Jeremy will have contact with? How the hell are they going to turn back Mystic Falls to the way it was? Our vampires can't compel each and everyone to forget.


The Vampire Diaires gets a seven out of ten, for insights on the Originals, the Salvatores, Elena, and more (specifically a stronger Bonnie, empowered humans, and villains we all hate to love or love to hate).



*photos from The CW (here and here) and by VLC