The Vampire Diaries (2009 - Present): Review By Vamp

Well here we are at the seventh episode of the CW series, "The Vampire Diaries." This one is called "Haunted," and due to the course of events throughout the episode, I feel this is a very good title indeed. This episode has topped all the other episodes that I have watched in the series so far, which is definitely a job well done for the creators of the show. Now, those of you who, like me, are a fan of the books by L.J. Smith, may be a little disappointed with how the series has turned out so far, plotwise, but I honestly think that they're doing a fantastic job building on what Smith's novels had. You're not going to get a full-length series out of five books, you know. Anyway, while the plotline of the series may be taking a little walk away from the books at the moment, it's a very epic walk and it's turning out absolutely wonderful. This episode had so much action, suspense, comedy, and even tear-jerking moments. It's all thrown into the mix very well, though, so that you're not completely overwhelmed by the episode. This one manages to keep your attention all the way throughout, which is definitely very nice. What I liked most about this episode, was the use of Vicki as a vampire. This is her shining role of the series, and the plot turns out fantastic. Damon and Stefan are great as they flash about trying to keep Vicki under control. Many I know think that this show is just a rip-off of "Twilight," and once again, I must insist upon making sure you know that it is nothing of the sort. First of all, "The Vampire Diaries" was in existence long before "Twilight" came about, even if the movie "Twilight" and the buzz around it was used to make this show possible. "The Vampire Diaries," though geared at young adults, also proves to be a series worthy of watching. So when you scoff at it, make sure you've seen it before you do so. It is actually a VERY good show.

As usual the visuals of this series continue to do well. This episode features quite a bit of different visuals that we can all see. The first one is the change in Damon's eyes as he tries to charm the Mayor's wife into telling him some information he wants. His eyes dilate and it looks really awesome, so that was somehting that was definitely handled well again, since we all know that it's been shown before in previous episodes. Once again we get more of that vamped-out look, but this time we get it from newly-turned, fledgling-vampire Vicki Donovan. Her vamped-out look is actually pretty terrifying. It seems that the new thirst within Vicki has driven her completely out of control, meaning that the vamped-out look was taken to a new extreme to show just how hungry for blood she was. This technique was definitely utilized very well for the episode, and made that whole scene really pop. Giving it a very suspenseful edge that manages to keep your interest very well. Now, this episode is the Halloween episode, and we see tons of different Halloween costumes on the kids as they gather at Mystic Falls High for a big Halloween bash. This effects adds more intensity to the episode, I felt, and made things much more interesting. How this works, I don't know, but maybe you'll get the same feeling if you watch the episode for yourself. It's very cool to see blacklights and strobes used in the scenes as well. The odd lighting effect made it all the more fun because you felt the franticness that Stefan and Elena felt in that scene. So overall, the visuals of this episode were definitely used to full potential and help keep your interest locked with the episode.

The storyline of this episode continues at the same break-neck pace that the last episode had. By this, I simply mean that anyone who starts the series here will probably be very confused as to what characters are talking about. There's always the "Previously on 'The Vampire Diaries'" bit that bookends the beginning of the episode, but even that doesn't waste it's time explaining EVERYTHING that went on. Like always, I must urge you to watch the previous six episodes before you try your hand on this one. This episode picks up pretty much RIGHT where the last one left off. Vicki Donovan (played by Kayla Ewell of "Fired Up!") had fed on the blood of a man, Logan Fell (played by Chris J. Johnson of "Behind Enemy Lines: Columbia"), who had been attacked earlier by Damon Salvatore (played by Ian Somerhalder of "Pulse"). Now she has become a raging vampire, and she fled the scene. Now Stefan Salvatore (played by Paul Wesley of "Killer Movie") must hunt her down to keep his promise to Elena Gilbert (played by Nina Dobrev of "Degrassi: The Next Generation"), and keep Vicki out of trouble, and away from humans. Immediately Stefan finds her about to feed on the blood of Tyler Lockwood (played by Michael Trevino of "Love Finds a Home"). Stefan wrenches her away, while Damon erases Tyler's memory. Now they take Vicki to their place, where they begin to explain to Vicki what she is going through, and how she can cope with it, even though it may be very hard for her to do. Meanwhile, Matt Donovan (played by Zach Roerig of "Assassination of a High School President"), Vicki's brother, and Jeremy Gilbert (played by Stephen R. McQueen of "Club Soda"), Elena's sister and Vicki's boyfriend, are putting together a search party to find Vicki. Bonnie Bennett (played by Katerina Graham of "17 Again"), in the meantime, has been speaking with her grandmother, Tituba Bennett (played by Jasmine Guy of the made-for-TV movie, "The Feast of All Saints"), about her powers as a Witch, and learning about the history of their family. She begins to understand things, but is still frightened and unknowing of what she can do, as she finds out accidentally when Damon confronts her about something. Vicki, meanwhile, has become agitated because she hates being cramped up in Stefan and Damon's house, and finally, when Damon underestimates his hold over her, gets free of them and goes out on the town. Now Stefan, Damon, and Elena must rush to find Vicki before she hurts anyone.

In this episode, I believe, the actors have all showed their full potential. Each one handles his or her respective role perfectly, belting out the proper tones and emotions that those characters should each feel, so that you feel completely sorry for those who you're supposed to, and can't stand the actions of those characters that you're meant to hate. It's definitely a great job. Nina Dobrev whose done a great job portraying Elena Gilbert throughout the series so far shines here as she begins to realize what life knowing about Vampires and how they work is really going to be like. She's a great actress, and if she chooses to pursue it, I could see her going into much bigger films in the future. Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder both continue to play the brothers who cannot stand each other, and they do it perfectly. Wesley handles Stefan's humanity like a pro, and where he seemed uncomfortable in the beginning of the series, he now shows the prowess he has as an actor. Somerhalder gets Damon's bitterness down perfectly, and utters the witty comebacks and banter just like Damon did in the books, which is definitely a plus. Katerina Graham once again shows her skills as she plays Bonnie, who is still trying to get a hold over her wiccan powers, and keep them in check. Her and Jasmine Guy, who plays Tituba, Bonnie's grandmother, have a great onscreen chemistry as family, and you definitely believe the relation that the two are trying to portray on screen. Zach Roerig plays Matt with great skill, and you really feel sorry for him throughout the film because he is just trying to do right by his sister, Vicki, even though she won't let him, and what's more is that he has no idea what is REALLY going on with her. Finally, Stephen R. McQueen continues his performance as Elena's younger brother, Jeremy, and he does a fantastic job in this also. You feel really sorry for Jeremy because, like Matt, he just wants to do right by Vicki, and he has absolutely no clue what is really going on. So all around, the cast does a great job with their performances, and help make this episode very awesome.

So, if you're bored on a Thursday night and are looking for a show that will suck you in and keep you entertained for an hour, then "The Vampire Diaries" is definitely that show. While starting with this episode you may be confused, you'll definitely get sucked in once you know what's going on. Like I continue to remind you, though, you should make an effort to see the first six episodes, and get your knowledge of events down straight. This has to have been the best episode of "The Vampire Diaries" that I have seen yet, and you all know that I've been watching the series since it's Pilot episode. It's got the proper amount of suspense, thrill, action, comedy, and tradgedy that make television shows succeed, and if the future episodes continue at the pace that this episode took, then I'm completely confident that this show could be in for a very long running, which is something that I will not object to because I have become absolutely hooked on this show. In fact, I think it's safe to say that it's made it's way into my top five favorite shows of all time. So once again, if you're bored on a Thursday night and are looking for somehting to keep your interest, then watch "The Vampire Diaries" because it's one hell of an awesome show. Give it a try! Not everyone is going to like it, but it's definitely worth a shot. I'm nearly POSITIVE that you will not get disappointed with it. I know I didn't!!!!!