2.01 The Return

[David]

2.01 The Return

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Written By: Julie Plec & Kevin Williamson
Directed By: J. Miller Tobin

Original Air-Date: September 9, 2010

KATHERINE HAS RETURNED WITH A VENGEANCE — Picking up on the same night as last season’s finale, Elena (Nina Dobrev) arrives home to a nightmare as she discovers Uncle John’s and Jeremy’s fate. At the hospital, Sheriff Forbes (guest star Marguerite MacIntyre) is comforted by Matt (Zach Roering), Bonnie (Katerina Graham) and Damon (Ian Somerhalder) while she waits to hear if Caroline (Candice Accola) will survive the car accident. After a confusing conversation with Elena about the night’s events, Damon is the first to realize that Katherine (also played by Nina Dobrev) has returned. Katherine’s arrival sends Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Damon on a path to find out what she wants, why she’s back, and how much of a threat she is to the people they love. Meanwhile, still reeling from his father’s death, Tyler (Michael Trevino) is surprised when his charming and mysterious uncle, Mason Lockwood (guest star Taylor Kinney, “Trauma”), arrives to console the family. Sara Canning also stars. J. Miller Tobin directed the episode written by Kevin Williamson & Julie Plec (#201).

Source

Episode Stills:

Promotional Media:

Episode Trailer:


The Vampire Diaries Preview - The Return
Executive Producers Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec talk about the first episode of season 2, "The Return."


Episode Music:
(click on song title to listen)

Silversun Pickups - Sort Of Gemma Hayes - Out of Our Hands Piano Tribute Players - How To Save A Life Piano Tribute Players - Breakeven (Falling to Pieces) Hurts - Wonderful Life Mads Langer - The River Has Run Wild OneRepublic featuring Sara Bareilles - Come Home

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What did we all think? Personally I thought the season got off to a great start, and it did a really good job at picking up where last season left off.

I was slightly disappointed with Katherine, I don't think they really used her to their advantage as much as they could have and she didn't cause nearly enough trouble as I expected. I mean there was the whole turning Caroline thing at the end but when that happened I couldn't help but feel like that was all they brought her on for because she disappeared so quickly. I'm expecting her to return at some point, and of course it would be tricky and not to mention tiring for Nina to be playing two characters for a long time, but still I expected a bit more from her.

Aside from that, I don't really have any other complaints. The Tyler story wasn't up to much and it's been obvious where he has been heading for a while now but I'm not too taken with him so I couldn't really care less. But it's not really a complaint about the story, I just find his character a bit pointless.

Loved Bonnie, I like her cockiness and I know a lot of fans don't but I think it's great character development for her, especially considering that her best friend has now been turned and she played a part in that. I think Bonnie will have a very challenging season.

I liked how they managed to avoid turning Jeremy, I was half expecting him to turn, and not reading any spoilers I didn't know what to expect but I'm happy he hasn't turned since I've really started to like him ever since he met Anna. That said, I was taken by surprise when Damon killed him and then we discovered he had the ring, I expected him to turn then, but now he's got John's ring hopefully he'll get in on the action a bit more.

Elena/Stefan stuff was it's usual. Not a big fan of them two together, definitely team Damon but I did like Stefan showing his darker side when he threatened John in the hospital. It's stuff like that that really makes his character more three-dimensional because at the end of the day he is still a vampire and as we saw last season with the human blood he does have a dark side. Still in comparison with Damon he's pretty 2-D but as I said, I like how we get the odd glimpse of his more dangerous side every now and then.

Damon seems to be slipping, and I think Elena will end up being the only person that can save him, possibly leading to the inevitable love triangle between her, Stefan and Damon. Still, I think he's just confused and a bit lost with everything that has happened with Katherine and what he did to Jeremy was his was of saving face in front of Elena. Weather or not he knew about the ring I don't know (although I'm willing to bet he did spot it).

So yeah, a decent premier. It didn't set a lot of things up other than Tyler's story and of course the twist with Caroline is going to be a biggie this season (I prey she doesn't end up suffering the same fate as Vicki though, I've really started to like her since she got together with Matt).

Hope that all made sense, it's just past 1 A.M. here

[The Matriarch]

Will give my review of the first episode soon. Just waned to let you all know the first post has been updated with a few other things. Thanks for creating the initial post, David.

[Terry]

Totally hooked with this show. When I saw last season's finale, I had to see this one. Now I'm cool with waiting for the season's release to be done so I can watch it in one go. And 'tis weird as well, because this means that somehow, what happens to Caroline was to me a much more suitable end for a season than the end of 1.22. Weird because I couldn't care less for John. And I do like Caroline, even though she's a biatch in the books. Yes, I will admit to reading them, but for educational purposes only, and I haven't and don't plan on finishing them. I feel much more... taken by the show. For once, televisual material was made better than its bookish counterpart. Is that a first or wha'?

Anyway, what the hell is Tyler? And what the hell was his father? What's-his-name Uncle Lockwood hinted it was hereditary, just like the vampire lore and hatred, ah! Still, wonder what they are? Natural nemesis of vampires? Cursed by Emily to keep watch on the town? Devil's minions? Meh, guess we'll see.

And David, you're totally spot on with Bonnie. Gotta love the witch! Not liking that she's not powerful enough to smite Katherine, though I was expecting it. I guess Kathy shouldn't be hanging around when Bonnie discovers what Caroline has become, though! (And ain't it weird to have another show saying a witch's power is fueled/linked to her emotions? Charmed fans on the writing team?)

Reading your post, I realized I didn't quite dig the Stefan/Elena couple either, but I think that's more to do with Damon's looks! ;D Gotta love a man with "longerish" hair! *cough* Anyway. I bet Elena indeed will be the only one able to get to Damon in the end. I think it'd be a good twist, maybe even redeeming, if Damon was the one hitting the stake through the biatch's heart... (And I do mean Katherine ;D)

And just like you, I enjoyed Jeremy's character better when Anna popped up (poor gir--, er, vamp!). Vicky really didn't do him any good.

Is that all the cast worth mentioning? *thinking* Guess so. *shrug*

(*starts mantra* I will wait until the finale premiered before going on with the series!)