Note: Do not read on if you have not seen Season 3, Episode 17 of The CW's "The Vampire Diaries," entitled, "Break On Through."
It's hard to follow-up last week's epic, game-changing episode "1912," and while I can't say "Break On Through" was one of my favorite episodes of the season -- I mean, where is Klaus?! -- it did have a few important moments of its own.
The theme of this week's episode was all about self-control. Some characters fought their instincts, like Stefan, while some characters crumbled under the pressure, like Abby. And then there was Alaric, who is going to need a lot more than self-control to stop from killing people.
We find out out that Alaric can go psycho with -- or without -- the Gilbert ring. In fact, poor Dr. Fell becomes his next victim.
Thankfully, Stefan and Elena were there just in time to find Meredith unconscious and bleeding out in the upstairs bathroom. Don't worry. It's nothing a little vampire blood can't fix.
Speaking of Stefan and Elena, the two spent most of the episode together, much to the delight of Stelena fans everywhere. Sure, Elena was mostly just following Stefan around like a lost puppy, but it's not like she had any other choice. Bonnie is still keeping her distance -- you know, after Operation Rescue Elena #138 causes her mom to lose her life and become a vampire -- and Alaric is slowing losing his mind and becoming mentally unstable.
And while I am wondering where Matt (a.k.a. Elena's knight in shining armor) was this hour, I'm glad we finally got to see Elena and Stefan spend some time together. When Stefan walked into the bathroom to find Meredith's blood everywhere, he almost lost himself in the scent -- but with one look from Elena, he was able to control his urges.
See? These two sad puppies really need each other. The episode also featured a surprise appearance from Jeremy. Sadly, not in person.
When Elena has finally reached the end of her ropes, she calls her brother to check in and to tell him how much she misses him. It's a truly exceptional scene for Nina Dobrev.
It was heartbreaking to see her cry, and even more painful to know Jeremy isn't exactly capable of picking up on her emotions at the moment. Regardless, it was pretty weird to see Jeremy outside of Mystic Falls. He looked -- dare I say it -- seemingly happy.
Meanwhile, Caroline is helping Abby through her transition, and it's not easy. When Bonnie's mom became a vampire, she lost her ability to feel nature and the life within the Earth. I mean, what's a woman to do when she can't talk to her flowers anymore?
As a vampire, Abby is distraught; she can't feel anything any more. Even a cooler of blood can't put a smile on Abby's face. However, as a newborn vampire, she also couldn't control her new urges, and poor farm boy Jamie was on the receiving end of her first bite.
It was all too much for Abby, who once again, decided to leave and abandon her daughter for a second time.
Excuse me, but where exactly is Abby headed? She doesn't really have the best track-record when it comes to self-control. I just hope she doesn't meet up with Esther at any point along the way. Something tells me that Mama Original and loyal son Finn are never too far away.
However, after Damon gets his hands on the last remnants of the second White Oak Tree -- coincidentally from the Wickery Bridge sign -- they may want to keep their distance for now.
That's right, Damon got his hands on the only thing that can kill and Original, and it was all thanks to Sage, who, after 100 years, decided to come back to Mystic Falls in search of her one true love, Finn. Yeah, good luck with that Sage.
Regardless, if there's one person who hates Rebekah more than Damon, it's Sage. So she convinces Damon to use the skills she taught him to get Barbie Klaus at her most vulnerable state so that she can go in and read Rebekah's mind -- to find out what she's been hiding.
Operation Seduce Rebekah was a go, and much to Damon's delight, it called for a little ménage à trois action.
With Rebekah's defenses down, Sage read her mind and clued Damon in about the existence of a second White Oak Tree, which was used to build the Wickery Bridge. But even though Damon promised to spare Sage's love, Finn, she read his mind and found out that Damon was lying. After all, the Originals are all bound together now; you kill one and you kill them all.
Sage was not happen, so she beat Damon to the bridge and started to burn it down; but sneaky Damon walked away with the Wickery Bridge sign, which happened to be made of the same white oak.
It's not a safe time to be an Original in Mystic Falls, but something tells me that Klaus is up to something big. I mean, where has he been hiding? Could Jeremy be a part of his master plan? Or is he rounding up his brothers for a little family reunion?
Notable Quotables:
"Because we're vampires Elena. We need human blood to survive. We're predators, not puppies."
-- Damon
"Ah, yes. Back when you two were in love and it was all rainbows and unicorns."
-- Damon
"We totally lucked out. The hospital was having a blood drive, so I got some O negative, some A and my personal favorite, B positive."
-- Caroline
"I heard Finn was finally free from that casket your rage-aholic brother Klaus carried him around in."
-- Sage
"You know what they say: Two's company and three is a party."
-- Damon
"Unless you're interested in a Sage-Rebekah sex sandwich, then get."
-- Damon
"I can help you be a vampire. I can help you with self-control, but being a parent? That's all you."
-- Caroline
"The Vampire Diaries" airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on The CW.