Night Of The Comet

Two episodes in and I’m totally on board with the bad-ass Damon love. People, he is so evil! And he looks like Rob Lowe. What is not to love? The second episode of Vampire Diaries was way more watchable than the pilot, mainly because we don’t have to suffer through so much boring character exposition. This really freed up the writers to get creative with Damon and Stefan, which was a great boost. And aside from some scenery chewing at the end, a very well paced and exciting episode.

We start the second episode of the season by picking up where we left of last, with a drugged up Vicki in the hospital having flashbacks of a vampire attack, and her brother Matt by her side. I really like the relationship these two have, though, it, uh, seems a little too close. If you know what I mean. Both Kayla Ewell and Zach Roerig are doing a decent job as Vicki and Matt, but their chemistry seems too flirty.

While Matt and Vicki are dealing with her trauma, Stefan and Elena are busy making eyes at each other in class. The two dance around their feelings for one another through the episode, debating whether or not they should date. This is all fine and good, but Paul Wesley is still creepy as Stefan. Though, he does a nice job of being just a bit out of place with the other high school kids that it’s in character, but his brooding stone-faced look is getting old already. It’ll be nice to see another side of this character as the series progresses.

Right now, the only character that really has me excited is Damon. The show just gets an extra spark whenever Ian Somerhalder appears on screen. He’s so unambiguously evil it’s fun to watch someone completely embrace their Id and not struggle with pesky things like right and wrong. Damon’s really the catalyst that will turn things around in Mystic Falls, making Vampire Diaries more than another soapy teen drama. Not only does he have zero qualms about his blood-sucking ways, but he’s brilliant at toying with and torturing humans.

Like I said last week, the Damon and Stefan back story will be enjoyable to see unfold. It’s clear the two hate each other, but for reasons we don’t know yet. And, as suspected, Katherine is Stefan’s long lost love, but apparently Damon had something to do with that ending as well.

I’m also curious as to what Mr. Tanner’s story is. He and Aunt Jenna had a pretty tense parent-teacher conference, but I wonder if he’s not hiding something. He seems like the only responsible adult in this town, but still a bit shady.