Elena is not too keen on the idea of live-blogging. Too much risk. With a vampire as a boyfriend, a witch as a best friend, and . . . DAMON . . . she feels she has all the risk she needs in her life, right now. But Vampire Katherine? She says, “GAME ON, B&TCHES!”
. . . the amazing, brilliantly talented, and insanely hilarious, Amy (author of the AWESOME blog, Imaginary Men) and I, attempted to live blog the bloody festivities in all their so-beautiful-it-physically-hurts-to-look-at-them glory.
And . . . yeah . . . it didn’t work out so well . . .
But we still had a great time doing it . . .
And . . . maybe it’s just because we are gluttons for punishment . . . but we’ve decided to try the whole “live blogging” thing again, for the upcoming Season Premiere.
So, if ogling / completely objectifying hot boys, snarkiness, and OBSESSIVE (slightly nerdy) fangirling are YOUR thing, feel free to click the link below (on Thursday, September 9th at 8 p.m., EST) and watch The Vampire Diaries’ Season Premiere episode, “The Return,” with us. We can’t promise you it will all work out . . . but we CAN bribe you with sexy pictures of the show’s stars . . .
It can make you do STRANGE things. Like dance . . .
. . . or pass out WAY TOO EARLY . . .
. . . or . . . well . . . YOU KNOW 😉 . . .
And SOMETIMES . . . things can get REALLY crazy . . .
Here at TV Recappers Anonymous, we CERTAINLY are not ones to promote excessive drinking . . .
. . . particularly to those of you who are not yet of legal drinking age . . .
However, if any of you were to . . . hypothetically . . . play a drinking game that was somehow related to The Vampire Diaries (say while watching the September 9th Season Premiere), here are some things you MIGHT consider doing . . .
You MIGHT want to invest in some “good” red wine . . .
. . . because bags of blood are hard to come by, these days . . .
. . . and violence NEVER pays (Plus, it’s very messy.) . . .
Once you’ve got your wine in hand, here are some situations that MIGHT occur during the Season Premiere, to which you MIGHT want to drink in celebration:
1) If Elena and Katherine appear in the same scene, say, “Let the doppelganger hijinks ensue!” and take a drink.
2) If Stefan and Damon appear in the same scene, pretend to faint from the hotness overload . . . then, take a drink.
3) If two characters kiss, makeout with your pillow (or the person next to you, depending on who that is), then . . . you guessed it . . . take a drink.
4) If two people “do it,” sing “Bow Chicka Wowwow,” while thrusting your pelvis rhythmically, and take a drink.
5) If Damon compels someone, hold your arms out in front of you like a zombie, say, “Whatever you wish, Master,” then, take a drink.
6) If Tyler turns into a werewolf, howl like one, and eat a steak. Just kidding . . . take a drink.
7) If Damon does the eye thing, attempt to do it too, then drink.
8 ) If someone dies on the show, play dead for a few seconds, then drink.
9) If someone you THINK is dead, ultimately miraculously comes back to life, say, “IT’S ALIVE!” and drink.
10) And, finally, if something TOTALLY INSANE happens during the episode, that you weren’t at all expecting say, “Holy Crap!” – then drink. (This will probably happen, without your consciously thinking about it, anyway.)
So, there you have it — a drinking game specially designed for the Season Premiere of The Vampire Diaries. Just remember, moderation is key. And please . . . don’t drink and drive. 😉
Do you adore this new promotional poster for Season 2 of The Vampire Diaries as much as I do? If so, you are going to LOVE THIS ONE!
Labor Day Weekend is just days away. And you all know what that means . . . summer is almost over.
But it ALSO means that the fall television viewing season is about to begin! And would anyone like to guess what the FIRST show to RETURN will be? I’ll give you a hint . . .
It’s The Vampire Diaries! And it’s coming back to the CW on Thursday, September 9th, which is only ONE WEEK AWAY!
And yet, when hot shirtless vampires are involved, a week can seem like a REALLY LONG TIME! That is why I have devised this fool proof ten-step plan to get you through the last Salvatore-less week of YOUR LIVES (at least until the next hiatus). So, without further adieu, here are ten things you can do to tide yourself over, while you are waiting to watch the season premiere of The Vampire Diaries.
1) Rewatch ALL of Season 1!
Not only does today mark the final week before Season 2 of The Vampire Diaries premieres, it also marks the day that the Season 1 DVD was released in stores and online. What better way to refresh your memory on old TVD episodes than to watch them in the comfort of your OWN home, on your OWN time schedule. In addition to all 22 original episodes, the DVD also features: deleted scenes from the show, creator and director commentary, a gag reel, a webisode series, and much more! You can purchase it here.
Low on funds right now, and not quite ready to shell out the “big bucks” for the Season 1 DVD? Fear not! You can find a fairly comprehensive (if I do say so myself ;)) recap of the Season 1 Finale, by clicking here.
2) Watch Season 2 Promos (and then watch them again . . . and again . . . and again)
In anticipation of the upcoming second season of The Vampire Diaries, the CW has been releasing titillating trailers for the series, throughout the summer. You can probably find ALL of the trailers, by doing a quick YouTube search under “The Vampire Diaries Season 2 Promo.” However, I’m going to post the three most popular ones, right here, for you to enjoy. The first trailer, of course, belongs to my favorite character on the show, DAMON SALVATORE!
Watch him be deliciously DAMON-Y, to the tune of OneRepublic’s “Everybody Loves Me.”
This next trailer was the second one released in the series. And it definitely wins the award for SEXIEST TRAILER EVER! The song featured in the trailer is “Cosmic Love” by Florence and the Machine.
But, if I had to choose a favorite trailer, it would have to be the this next one, because IT features BRAND NEW SCENES FROM THE SEASON PREMIERE!
For a more in-depth look at THIS trailer, click here.
3) Rock out to music from the show!
Nothing gets you in the MOOD for a show about sexy vampires, like the music you were listening to when you first met them. CW shows are known for their amazing soundtracks. And The Vampire Diaries is no exception. Featuring a host of songs from a”Who’s Who in Contemporary Artists” including Katy Perry, The All-American Rejects, Placebo, The Fray, White Lies, OneRepublic, and TONS more, The Vampire Diaries soundtrack has a little something for everybody.
The official soundtrack for the show is slated to be released in October 2010. However, you can check out the track listing here.
“But WAIT,” you say. “How am I supposed to PREPARE for the season premiere by listening to a soundtrack that ISN’T EVEN OUT YET?”
Good point . . .
Fortunately, I found this AWESOME website that lists EVERY SINGLE SONG featured in The Vampire Diaries (organized by the episodes in which they aired). This website also offers you links to download the songs (and accompanying music videos) from iTunes and other popular music download sites. Ready to rock out to some fangy tunes? Just click here, and get ready to do some serious dancing!
4) Follow the stars and creators of The Vampire Diaries on Twitter.
These days, it seems like EVERYBODY (except me) has a Twitter account. And the cast and crew of The Vampire Diaries are no exception. And while I don’t actually “tweet” myself, I still like to visit the Twitter pages of the stars of my favorite shows on a fairly regular basis. Why? Not only is it a great way to get to know the real people behind the characters you love, it’s also a FABULOUS way to get the inside scoop on your favorite shows, from the people working on the front lines. Sometimes, they even post set pictures and script pages there!
Here are the Twitter pages for MOST of the stars of The Vampire Diaries. (Paul Wesley doesn’t have one. 😦 )
For Ian Somerhalder (Damon Salvatore)’s Twitter page, click here.
For Nina Dobrev (Elena Gilbert)’s Twitter page, click here.
For Steven R. McQueen (Jeremy Gilbert)’s Twitter page, click here.
For Michael Trevino (Tyler Lockwood)’s Twitter page, click here.
For Candice Accola (Caroline Forbes)’s Twitter page, click here.
For Katerina Graham (Bonnie Bennett)’s Twitter page, click here.
For show creator / writer Kevin Williamson’s Twitter page, click here.
And for show creator / writer Julie Plec’s Twitter page, click here.
5) Watch cast and crew interviews on YouTube.
If reading a star’s Twitter page helps you get to know what he is like as a person, watching that star interview helps you get to know what he is like as an actor, and how he develops his respective roles. The cast and crew of The Vampire Diaries interview like CRAZY! And folks on YouTube POST these interviews online like crazy. A quick YouTube search of “[insert TVD actor’s name] interview” is sure to find you more content than you could ever watch in a lifetime.
But, just in case you AREN’T a vampire, are NOT immortal, and, therefore, have limited time to watch interviews, I have taken the liberty of posting a few for you here. For example, here is a fun one featuring Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec discussing how they came about casting Nina Dobrev, as Elena, and Ian Somerhalder, as Damon. (There is some GREAT audition footage of both actors in here as well).
Here’s a nice interview with Paul Wesley . . .
. . . and here’s one with Nina Dobrev . . .
. . . and here’s one with Ian Somerhalder . . .
But, of course, the ULTIMATE TVD cast interviews would have to come from Comic Con 2010. . .
For THOSE interviews, and more information on THAT event, click here.
6) Watch video of the cast of The Vampire Diaries from BEFORE they were vampires . . .
Believe it or not, Ian, Nina and Paul weren’t ALWAYS on The Vampire Diaries.
In fact, they each already had pretty extensive acting resumes, by the time the show aired. Sometimes, watching stars in some of their earlier work, can be as much fun as looking at your friends’ embarrassing baby pictures. For this reason, I would like to introduce you to two non-TVD videos for each of the show’s main stars.
Check out Paul Wesley’s brief career as an angel in the short-lived ABC Family series’ Fallen (and watch him converse with a talking dog).
Angelic, Dog Whisperer, Paul Wesley, not your thing? Perhaps, you’d prefer him evil, shirtless and doing pullups, his guest starring role as the nefarious Lucas on Smallville.
Before Nina Dobrev was Vampire Katherine, or even Elena Gilbert, she starred in a Nickelodeon version of High School Musical, entitled American Mall.
Watch her sing, dance (and act a little) here.
But even before American Mall, Nina got her start as Teen Baby Mama, Mia Jones on Degrassi: The Next Generation.
Watch her cope with a possessed high school pal, in this “very special” Halloween episode of the show.
And then, there’s Ian (sigh)!
Here’s a guy who could make even INCEST sexy. And he DID, as Boone Carlyle, on Lost. (OK, Boone and Shannon, weren’t blood-related. But still!)
OK. So, most of you probably already knew that Ian Somerhalder played Boone on Lost. However, many of you may not have known that he also played Hamilton on the ill-fated Dawson’s Creek spinoff, Young Americans — a guy who fell in love with a girl, who he THOUGHT was a guy (even though his character wasn’t supposed to be gay . . . weird).
7) Ogle Photos and Gifts of Your Favorite TVD stars!
One of the great things about being a television recapper, is that you manage to amass a FABULOUS collection of stills, photographs, and animated GIFS of actors and actresses from your favorite programs. For your viewing pleasure, here are just a few of my favorite TVD photos and GIFS:
8 ) Get to know the NEW TVD characters (and the actors who play them) BEFORE the season starts.
By now, you are probably pretty familiar with the characters of The Vampire Diaries and the actors who play them. However, this season, the writers will introduce at least TWO more characters (and actors) into the mix, with whom you might not be so familiar. The first is, Mason Lockwood, Tyler Lockwood’s uncle, a fellow werewolf, and the black sheep of the Lockwood family. He will be played by actor, Taylor Kinney. You can hear what Taylor has to say about his new role, in his interview with TV Guide, here.
Another new character that will be introduced during Season 2 of TVD is Vanessa, a Duke University graduate student, with supernatural origins. (She’s a “blue devil” — whatever THAT means.) Vanessa will be played by actress, Courtney Ford.
A bit more information on Courtney and her character can be found here.
9) Read the novels on which The Vampire Diaries are (loosely) based.
As you may or may not know, the idea for The Vampire Diaries television show was derived from the characters in a series of four books written by author, L.J. Smith — the first of which came out as early as 1991! Those books were entitled: The Awakening, The Struggle, The Fury, and Dark Reunion, respectively. Although you will notice quite a few differences between those books and the CW series (the LEAST of which being that “Book Elena” is a blonde), the former are still interesting and intriguing in their own right, and, therefore, worth a read by TVD fans.
The books are sold in groups of two. The first two, The Awakening and The Struggle, can be purchased here.
The second two, The Fury and Dark Reunion, can be purchased here.
As a result of the success of The Vampire Diaries series, L.J. Smith decided to add a new trilogy to The Vampire Diaries Series, nearly two decades after the first book was written. The books in The Return series are entitled Nightfall,Shadow Souls, and Midnight,respectively.The first two are already available in bookstores and online. The third is said to be available some time in 2011.
You can purchase the not particularly popular, Nightfall, here, and the slightly better reviewed, Shadow Souls,here.
In addition to the aforementioned books, L.J. Smith has recently joined forces with show creators, Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec, to produce a prequel trilogy, based on the SHOW itself. The first of those three books, which have been collectively entitled Stefan’s Diaries, will be available sometime in November 2010. Howevver, it is available for preorder (but, so far, only in E-book format) here.
10) Purchase FABULOUS TVD-themed swag online!
Have money burning a hole in your wallet, and nothing to spend it on? Or, perhaps, you have a birthday coming up in the near future, and could think of nothing you would want more than a little TVD magic to take home with you, and enjoy during the show’s off hours. Fortunately, the internet is FILLED with fabulous Vampire Diaries -themed swag. From t-shirts, to calendars, to book marks, to posters, to coasters – if you can dream it up, it probably exists. While a quick internet search of “Vampire Diaries Merchandise” is likely to find you more than enough swag from which to choose, I’ve decided to post a few of my favorite TVD items here, just for you.
For example, check out this AWESOME WWDD t-shirt. (It stands for “What Would Damon Do?” of course!)
You can purchase this lovely article of clothing here.
This funky vintage tee can be found at the WB store website, along with other choice merchandise
.And finally, since you ALREADY count out the days of your life, based on when The Vampire Diaries airs (Don’t deny it! I know you do!), why not do it with a Vampire Diaries’ CALENDAR!
So, there you have it, 10 ways to pass the time, while waiting for Season 2 of The Vampire Diaries to begin. Happy fangirling (or fanboying?)!
(As if it bears repeating, The Vampire Diaries’ Season 2 premiere episode, “The Return” airs September 9th at 8 p.m. However, thanks to this post, we now have plenty of things to do to keep us busy until that time . . . See you then!)
Fall 2010 is just around the corner . . . Are you ready to BITE into the new season?
It’s here! It’s here! After months of making us wait, the CW has FINALLY given us Vampire Diaries fans the action-packed, new scene- filled, drool-worthy, trailer WE deserve! And, from what I’m seeing here, Season 2 will NOT disappoint! Check it out for yourself . . .
Let’s analyze, shall we?
:00 – For those of you curious about the song in the trailer, it’s entitled “Make Me Wanna Die.” The song was produced by a band called Pretty Reckless, which is headlined by none other than Annoying Little J / Jenny Humphrey from Gossip Girl, herself, Taylor Momsen . . .
I almost hate to say it, but she doesn’t sound half bad!
:12 – “It’s YOU!”
This scene gave me the chills! A few months back, David Anders, who played the sublimely creepy Uncle John Gilbert on the show
Having the finger containing your Ring of Immortality chopped off your hand, just moments before being staked in the stomach, can do that to a guy . . .
This surprisingly scary trailer scene, in which Elena arrives home to find Uncle / Father John stretched out on her floor, bleeding to death, and calls 911, while her Evil Doppelganger, Vampire Katherine, looks on with menace, may serve to clear some of the aforementioned discrepancies . . .
:17 – This is the face of a hot Vampire who THINKS he has just kissed Elena . . .
Observe the luscious lips, and the equally luscious tongue licking them . . .
. . . and THIS is the face of the OTHER Hot Vampire who just found out his girlfriend may have cheated on him . . .
We feel your pain, Stefan!
:22 – “Jeremy, please, WAKE UP!”
As if finding her Bio-Dad bleeding to death on her kitchen floor wasn’t BAD enough, just moments later, Elena finds her little brother Jeremy unconscious, after a potentially fatal sleeping pill overdose. What she DOESN’T know, is that before taking those pills, Jeremy ALSO ingested a nice dollop of HIS now-dead, dead, girlfriend, Vampire Anna’s blood . . .
So the question remains, is Jeremy Gilbert dead . . . or undead?
: 24 – There’s a full moon in Mystic Falls tonight . . .
And we ALL KNOW what happens during a full moon to folks like Tyler Lockwood, right?
:32 – “We haven’t officially met. I’m Katherine.”
Apparently, it isn’t a Vampire / Witch Party, until somebody gets strangled . . .
:39 – Foreplay, anyone?
KATHERINE: “Wanna play with me?”
STEFAN: “How do I play, if I don’t know the rules?
KATHERINE: No rules, Stefan.
(This scene made me feel all tingly inside. Is it weird that I think Vampire Katherine may have more on-screen chemistry with Stefan, than Elena does?)
:47 – Double the Damon, double the fun?
Man, does he look angsty and broody in this screenshot! Mommy LIKE!
:49 – This next scene requires no explanation whatsoever, except for the following, “OMFG!”
1:02 – “Wanna know why I’m here, Stefan. I came back for you.”
This scene is a bit of a rehash from the one we saw in The Vampire Diaries “The Return” trailer released exclusively at this year’s Comic Con. But that doesn’t make what Vampire Katherine says in the scene any less shocking, the second time around . . .
1:04 – “Kiss me or kill me. What will it be?”
How about kiss her, THAN kill her, Damon? Who says you can’t have your cake, and eat it too?
1:11 – “She will try to break us. How we respond to that will define us.”
Salvatore and Salvatore! Reunited and it feels SO good!
1:13 –
Question fellow fangbangers: Does vampire-on-vampire sex lead to vampire babies?
It looks like Season 2 of The Vampire Diaries will definitely be The Year . . .
“The Ex-Games are about to begin.” And, I don’t know about you, but I, for one, CAN’T WAIT!
The Vampire Diaries premieres Thursday, September 9th at 8 p.m. on the CW. Will YOU see it? Wait . . . why am I even asking? OF COURSE YOU WILL!
It’s a choice that heroines in teen dramas have had to grapple with for ages: the brooding and sensitive good boy versus the unrepentant and dangerous bad one.
And nowhere on television is that eternal question more fully explored than on the CW’s The Vampire Diaries, where good can be bad . . .
. . . and bad can be deliciously GOOD!
Unlike in other shows, where the “good guy” is so bland and boring as to make the heroine’s choice completely obvious, writers Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec actually make a startlingly good case for both the “straight-laced” Stefan Salvatore, and his “fun loving killer” brother Damon. Nonetheless, a choice HAS to be made . . .
Threesomes are fun, but they can’t last forever . . .
. . . and I’ve made mine. In Stefan’s defense, 9 times out of ten, when this sort of question is raised, I will throw MY lot in with the Bad Boy, without a second thought. But there is something about Damon’s and Elena’s relationship that makes it special.
Unlike most heroines in these type of dramas, Elena is NOT drawn to Damon out of any sort of need for rebellion against authority. After all, Elena’s parents are dead, and Useless Aunt Jenna certainly isn’t going to be “reigning her in” any time soon. As for Damon, well, sure, his attraction to Elena may have started because (1) he wanted to stick it to his baby brother; and (2) she looked SO MUCH like his ex . . .
. . . but that changed almost immediately after he met her.
Damon and Elena understand one another in a way no one else around them can. They know eachothers’ vulnerabilities and weaknesses, as well as their respective strengths. This allows them to be at ease with one another, and let their guards down in conversation.
When Damon and Elena are in the same room together, the sexual tension between them crackles and pops like a sparkler on Independence Day. And even when they aren’t saying anything, the pair can carry on entire conversations through eye contact and body language.
This is why what I am about to do here is so difficult. When EVERY interaction between two individuals is electrically charged with sexuality, emotion, and meaning, how can one POSSIBLY boil down their entire complex relationship into JUST 10 scenes? Nonetheless, I figured it was worth a try. What follows are ten Damon / Elena scenes from Season 1 of The Vampire Diaries. These scenes, in my opinion, really encapsulate the pair’s relationship, and comprise the best of what this couple has to offer.
[Note: For whatever reason, The CW has always been a bit finicky about what videos it allows us fans to embed in our blog posts. Therefore, most of the below videos will require you to click on an internal link, that will redirect you to YouTube, before you can watch. That being said, when I tell you the slight inconvenience you must endure to see the videos will be entirely worth it, I promise, I am not lying . . .]
10) Damon and Elena get flirty in Elena’s bedroom . . .
Nothing says “manly” like a boy in a pink bed, cuddling with a Teddy Bear.
Episode: “Under Control” – 1 X 18
Setting the scene: Elena invites Damon over for an emergency meeting to discuss Stefan, who has been acting strangely ever since he ingested Elena’s blood, during the prior episode . . .
Potent quotables:
DAMON: “You ask, I come. I’m easy likethat.”
DAMON: (Calls out to a suspicious Jeremy, who is eating cereal in the next room) “No, Elena, I will NOT got to your bedroom with you!”
Why it made the list: I love how Damon challenges Elena’s growing attraction to him here, by invading her personal space. Watch the glee Damon takes in laying on Elena’s bed, hugging her teddy bear, fingering her photographs, and fondling her bras and delicates. Then, at the end of the scene, Damon invades Elena’s person, as he moves in close, trapping her up against the vanity table. In that moment, without saying so, Damon is forcing Elena to confront her feelings for him, and how they differ from her feelings for Stefan.
9) Damon gives Elena a rose
Episode: “Under Control” – 1 X 18
Setting the scene: Damon and Elena are at a Founder’s Day pre-party, where Stefan is drinking heavily, in an attempt to dull his hunger for human blood. Elena expresses her concerns to Damon as the two sit next to one another at the bar. But Damon is more concerned about Elena’s brother, Jeremy, who has been asking questions about Vicki Donovan’s death.
(Background: After Damon made Vicki into a vampire, she violently turned on Elena and Jeremy. Stefan killed Vicki to save them. Then, at Elena’s request, Damon buried Vicki’s body, and compelled Jeremy to forget what had happened.)
Potent quotables:
DAMON: (Mimicking Jeremy) “Oh, but sheriff, someone buried her. Who would do that?” (raises hand) “I know, I know! ME!”
And later . . .
DAMON: (Upon agreeing not to use any more compulsion on Jeremy) “OK. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Why it made the list: For me, this scene really illustrates the snap, crackle, and pop of Damon’s and Elena’s witty banter. These two are clearly at ease with one another. Check out the pair’s body language, as they angle their chairs toward eachother, and repeatedly brush limbs. I also love the old-fashioned way Damon “courts” Elena, by selecting a rose from a nearby bouquet, sniffing it to make sure it is of top quality, and delicately placing it in her hand.
So often, we forget that Damon “grew up” in the mid 1800’s. This scene gently reminds us of that. When Elena receives the rose, she can’t help but be flattered and intrigued by Damon’s gesture, even though she knows she shouldn’t be.
8 ) Things “heat up,” while Damon and Elena are in the kitchen together. . .
Episode: “Children of the Damned” – 1 X 13
Setting the scene: Damon has dropped by the Gilbert home for dinner, unannounced. After the meal, Damon and Elena wash dishes together. Things quickly evolve from fun and flirty, to serious and intense, when Damon inquires as to Stefan’s true motives, in agreeing to help Damon free his long lost love, Vampire Katherine, from a nearby tomb. Elena initially shrugs off the question, but Damon confronts her directly, imploring her to be honest with him. She isn’t . . .
Potent quotables:
ELENA: “Don’t do that”
DAMON: “Do what?”
ELENA: “That move was deliberate.”
DAMON: “Yeah, I was deliberately trying to get to the sink.”
And later . . .
ELENA: “I’m wearing vervain, Damon. It’s not going to work.”
DAMON: “I’m not trying to compel you. I just want you to answer me . . . honestly”
Why it made the list: So many of Damon’s and Elena’s interactions revolve around the issue of trust. Can these two individuals trust one another? Well . . . that really depends on the episode.
For me, this scene can really be broken down into two parts. The first part of the scene is lighthearted and flirtatious. Notice Damon’s highly sexualized “Ohhh . . . mmmm” when he “accidentally” bumps into Elena on the way to the sink. While Elena pretends to be annoyed by the grope, the sly grin on her face says otherwise.
The second scene is more intense. Damon can sense that Stefan and Elena are lying to him, but instinctively trusts Elena, and refuses to believe she could do anything so dishonest. When Elena accuses Damon of trying to compel her to tell him the truth, he appears to be truly offended that she would think he would do that to her, after all they had been through. When Damon asks Elena if he can trust Stefan, he is revealing to her a vulnerable side of him that she hasn’t seen before. She feels guilty about lying to Damon, as evidenced by the way her eyes drift downward, refusing to meet his, at 1:18. Then again, she may just be mesmerized by those gorgeous lips of his . . .
7) Damon and Elena get wet (in the rain)
Episode: “Let the Right One in” – 1 X 17
Setting the scene: Stefan is being held captive by the Hidey Hole Vamps (a random plotline developed, and promptly discarded mid season). The Hidey Hole Vamps came from the tomb Damon opened during “Fool Me Once” (Episode 14). You know, the one that was SUPPOSED to contain Vampire Katherine, but didn’t? So, understandably, Damon feels a bit responsible for his brother’s kidnapping. Elena of course, is beside herself, and wants part in the rescue. But Damon fears that if Elena comes along, the responsibility will become too much for him. And he will lose both Stefan AND Elena, in the process.
Potent quotables:
DAMON:(Lovingly cupping Elena’s wet face in his hands). “Elena, I know. But I don’t know how to get him out.”
Why it made the list: This short scene is intensely emotional for both Damon and Elena. Both characters have completely let their guard down. Elena, who is intensely strong willed, and usually highly adept at keeping her emotions in check, is near tears, at the thought of Stefan being killed by the Hidey Hole Vamps. She feels helpless, and has stored all her hopes in Damon.
As I mentioned earlier, Damon feels responsible for this whole situation. He desperately wants to protect Elena and Stefan, and fears he is about to let them both down. Damon, who has always been supernaturally strong, and can usually mask his feelings with bravado and snark, is completely stripped down and vulnerable here. And he hates it . . .
6) Damon watches Elena sleep
Episode: “Friday Night Bites” – 1 X 3
Setting the scene: Ummm, I think you all are smart enough to figure this one out on your own . . .
Potent quotables:
STEFAN: (in voiceover) “I felt there was hope. That somewhere deep inside, something inside Damon was human, normal.”
Why it made the list: This scene, from the third Episode of The Vampire Diaries, is important, because it is truly the first time we see anything resembling humanity in Damon. Up until this point, all we have seen him do is kill and manipulate people. Every word spoken by him had an ulterior motive. Every gesture was made in malice. Here, we know, Damon’s actions are completely uncalculated, BECAUSE no one else can see them. Not even Elena, herself, who is unconscious the entire time.
It’s a short scene, only a few moments long, and (aside from the voiceover) dialogue free. But those few seconds speak volumes about Damon’s complexity as a character, and his early feelings for Elena — feelings that would only grow stronger, as the series progressed . . .
5) Elena falls victim to Damon’s “Eye Thing”
Episode: “Founder’s Day” 1 X 22 (The Season 1 Finale)
Setting the scene: Elena has just changed out of her 1800’s attire, following the Founder’s Day parade, and a ride on the Miss Mystic Falls float. Ever since Elena’s biological mother told Elena that Damon “loved her” (“Isobel” – Episode 1 X 21) things have gotten a bit awkward among our favorite Vampire Threesome. And Elena desperately wants to clear the air.
Speaking of clearing the air, things of become unusually chilly between Elena and her little brother, Jeremy, following Jeremy’s discovery that Elena has been keeping information aboutVicki’s vampiric demise from him. She also played a major part in having Jeremy’s memory of the event wiped from his consciousness.
Potent quotables:
DAMON: “I like you better like this. The period look, it didn’t suit you.”
ELENA: “Is that an insult?”
DAMON: “Actually, Elena. It is a compliment, of the highest order.”
And later . . .
ELENA: “So, I think you should stop with the flirty little comments, and that . . . Eye Thing . . . that you do.”
DAMON: “What eye thing?” (Does Eye Thing . . .)
ELENA: “Don’t make me regret being your friend.”
Why it made the list: In this scene, we can truly see how far Damon has come, from seeing Elena as a conquest, and a doppelganger of his long lost love, to being a sexy, intelligent, and caring woman, in her own right. The fact that Damon prefers Elena wearing modern clothes, to Elena wearing Katherine’s clothes, speaks volumes about how much his feelings for her have grown. Further evidence of that is found later in the scene, when Elena tells Damon not to make her regret being his friend.
Initially, of course, Damon’s face, which has been playful and seductive, since the opening of the scene, falls. Here’s a sexy popular playboy, one who has NEVER had any trouble with the ladies. And he has just been placed in the Friend Zone.
But what makes things really interesting, is what Damon does next. We watch as he takes a beat to ponder his relationship with Elena. Instantly, he comes to the conclusion that a friendship with Elena would be far better than no relationship at all. He nods sadly, but with a deep understanding and respect for Elena’s strength, as she goes to talk to Jeremy. And don’t even get me started on that “Eye Thing.”
4) Damon tries to compel Elena to kiss him / gets slapped in the face
Episode: “Friday Night Bites: – 1 x 3
Setting the scene: Damon has basically been compelling Elena’s friend Caroline to be his blood whore throughout the entire episode. But Caroline has started to bore and annoy Damon, so he sets his sights on greener pastures, Elena’s. Never one to go about things the “hard way,” Damon corners Elena, alone in the parking lot, during a high school football game. He plans to compel her to be his love slave, just as he has done with Caroline. Little does he know that Stefan has armed her with a vervain necklace, rendering her impervious to all mind control . . .
Potent quotables:
DAMON: “You’re right, I do have other intentions. But so do you . . . I see them. You want me . . . I get to you. You find yourself drawn to me. You think about me, even when you don’t want to think about me. I bet you’ve even dreamed about me . . . (Damon’s eyes glow green, with the power of compulsion behind them). And right now, you want to kiss me.”
And later . . .
ELENA: “I am NOT Katherine!”
Why it made the list: The acting in this scene between Ian Somerhalder (Damon) and Nina Dobrev (Elena) was positively brilliant. For starters, the sexual tension between these two is undeniable — even though, at this point, Elena is trying desperately to deny it, and Damon is trying to force it, for his own personal gain. When Damon first makes his speech about how “hot for him” Elena is, we, as viewers, know that a lot of what he is saying true. Elena DOES feel drawn to Damon. She DOES think about him, even when she doesn’t want to. And she HAS dreamed about him.
But what’s really interesting is to watch the scene from Elena’s perspective. That dreamy, faraway, look in her eye. The way she keeps leaning closer and closer to him, as he speaks, unable to break eye contact. The first time I saw the scene, I wondered, for a moment, whether Damon had SUCCEEDED in compelling Elena to want to kiss him, in spite of the fact that she was wearing vervain.
Then I wondered whether Elena knew what Damon was trying to do. Based on that theory, she was just pretending to fall under his spell, only to catch him off guard, when she went in for the slap later. But here’s the thing: at this point, Elena doesn’t KNOW that Stefan and Damon are vampires. (Notice how Elena didn’t catch on to Damon’s ironic intimation, that he was MUCH older than Caroline.) So, she has no idea, they are capable of mind control. So, Elena’s seemingly lovestruck initial reaction to Damon’s words? It was REAL!
3) Damon and Elena do the “Mating Dance”
Episode: “Miss Mystic Falls” – 1 X 19
Setting the Scene: Elena has unwillingly agreed to take part in the Miss Mystic Falls pageant. Stefan has agreed to be her escort. But on the day of the pageant, Stefan mysteriously disappears. (Turns out he’s gone all blood lusty, and has set out to eliminate Elena’s competition, by eating it.) Unbeknownst to Elena, Damon has stepped in to fill Stefan’s shoes, and, subsequently, save the day.
Potent quotables:
USELESS AUNT JENNA: “What is she doing with Damon?”
ALARIC: “I have NO IDEA!”
Why it made the list: Like the earlier referenced scene, where Damon watched Elena sleep, this scene is nearly silent, save for the music to which the contestants dance. I love the first part of the scene, where Elena has her “Oh so Teen Cliched” Staircase Moment, and we see Damon’s eyes light up with love and sexual desire, as he sees her in that blue dress for the first time.
You can see the changes that take place in the couple, as the dance progresses. When it first starts, the two are wary of one another, stiff and business like. But then the music starts to take over. Smiles form on their faces. They are actually enjoying THIS!
Damon’s a surprisingly good dancer (much better than his younger brother). The first part of the dance, during which the partners can’t touch, is a mating ritual in every sense of the world. Damon and Elena circle one another like predator and prey.
But things really heat up when they are finally able to grab hold of one another. He grasps her body firmly, in a manner that is strong and protective. They both get a bit lost in the moment, wanting to move in closer, but unable to do so, based on the regimented nature of the dance. When the music stops, and the pair are forced to break from one another, they both seem a bit jarred by the intense emotions this experience has brought to the surface.
2) Damon kisses Elena Katherine
Episode: “Founder’s Day” – 1 x 22 (Season 1 Finale)
Setting the scene: At the Founder’s Day Carnival, Bonnie, at Elena’s behest, used her magic to rescue Damon from death by fire. Filled with gratitude, Damon goes to Elena’s house to set things right with Elena’s brother, Jeremy, by explaining to him, what truly happened with Vampire Vicki. As he leaves the house, he runs into who he THINKS is Elena. (It isn’t . . .)
Potent quotables:
DAMON: “I’m not a hero, Elena. I don’t do good. It’s not in my nature.”
KATHERINE (as Elena): “Maybe it is.”
And later . . .
DAMON: “She did it for you [saved me], which means that, somewhere along the way, you decided that I was worth saving. And I wanted to thank you for that.”
KATHERINE (as Elena): “You’re welcome.”
Why it made the list: At first blush, it may seem like sacrilege to put a scene that didn’t even INCLUDE Elena, in a list of the “Top Ten Best Damon and Elena” scenes. But the fact remains, that, from Damon’s perspective, this WAS Elena, to whom he had bared his soul, and with whom, after an entire season of trying and failing, he had finally shared a kiss. All this time, us fans always assumed that Damon did “bad things” simply because he wanted to. Now, we realize, that he did them, because he thought himself to be completely incapable of goodness. He is confused by, and uncomfortable with, his growing humanity, but at the same time, excited by it.
And Damon is excited by Elena, who for the first time, seems truly open to his advances. He kisses her tentatively at first. And then, when she doesn’t pull away, really lets himself get carried away in the moment. His hands cup her face, his fingers run through her hair. All thoughts of this awful day, escape from his head, and all that is left is love and passion.
In hindsight, we can see that “Elena” was different — that she seemed colder and more aloof, then she had in previous scenes. A few cocked eyebrows and vague responses here and there, betray Katherine’s lack of knowledge, as to what has been going on in Mystic Falls this season. She notices the change in Damon immediately, and is bit intrigued by it, especially since, all this time, she thought SHE was the only woman who held any power over him. And when they finally kiss, Katherine shows none of the extreme guilt the ever-faithful Elena would experience had she just made the decision to cheat on her vampire boyfriend.
And it’s this complexity, that makes the scene so compulsively watchable . . .
And finally . . . (drumroll please)
1) Damon returns Elena’s necklace
Episode: “Fool Me Once” – 1X14
Setting the scene: Having recently learned that Stefan and Elena have stolen the spellbook that he needs to free his love Katherine from the tomb, Damon feels hurt and betrayed. After all, the couple had promised to help him get Katherine back, and Elena had given Damon his word that their intentions were genuine. Later, Elena comes to visit an uncharacteristically broody Damon at his home, waving the metaphorical “white flag” and carrying the proverbial “olive branch.”
Potent quotables:
ELENA: “I was protecting the people I love, Damon. But so were you, in your own twisted way. As hard as it is to figure, we are all on the same side, after the same thing.”
DAMON: “Fool me once, shame on you.”
And later . . .
ELENA: “You and I, we have something. An understanding. And I know my betrayal hurt you — different than it was with Stefan. But I promise you, I will help you get Katherine back.
And still later . . .
DAMON: I didn’t compel you in Atlanta, because we were having fun. I wanted it to be real. I’m trusting you. Don’t make me regret it.
Why it TOPPED the list: This scene contains everything we LOVE about Damon and Elena, all rolled up into one beautiful and sexy package: the witty banter, the silent looks filled with meaning, the complex innuendos, the invasion of personal space, gentle caresses, and an admission, on both Damon’s and Elena’s parts, that their relationship is special. It travels far beyond the expected boundaries of friendship. The episode, begins with a betrayal of trust, and concludes with the ultimate exchange of trust. Elena, who has always secretly worried that Damon has been trying to compel her (how else could she explain her strong romantic feelings for him), really puts herself out there for Damon.
By taking off the vervain necklace that protects her from mind control, Elena is exposing herself completely to Damon. She might as well be standing naked before him. And Damon, who wonders whether he will ever be able to trust Elena again, has the perfect opportunity to exert ultimate power over her. And just like in Atlanta, he refuses to take that opportunity. He will not take advantage of Elena in that way. When Damon closes in on Elena, and reaches behind her to take the necklace, she is frightened and a bit aroused. All of this is evident, when, to her surprise, Damon gently clasps the necklace back around her neck.
A gentle brush of Damon’s fingers across Elena’s throat is enough to send her eyes rolling back in her head in pure ecstacy. But this scene isn’t just about sex or power. It is about love, friendship, understanding, and a willingness to let someone see you at your most vulnerable. And THAT is why this scene made Number One on my list . . .
Season 2 of the Vampire Diaries premieres Thursday, September 9th at 8 p.m. on The CW, and we all know what THAT means — more juicy Damon and Elena scenes to gush over and explore. I for one, CAN’T WAIT! Can YOU?
Paul Wesley, Nina Dobrev, and Ian Somerhalder signing autographs at Comic Con 2010!
Yesterday, July 24th, at 4:15 P.M. PST, the cast of The Vampire Diaries literally took Comic Con 2010 by its teeth (fangs?), during a 45-minute panel session. This kickass panel included:
(1) a insightful Q&A session with the shows stars, producers, and writers;
(2) a “sizzle reel” featuring the hottest moments from the show’s first season;
(3) a blooper reel, where the cast discovers the wonders of “gonorrhea” and Nina Dobrev falls on her bum in a fancy dress; and
(4) EXCLUSIVE scenes from the show’s Season 2 premiere, entitled “The Return,” which is set to air on the CW on Thursday, September 9th at 8 p.m.
Nina Dobrev writes “Team Katherine” on Ian Somerhalder’s hand. OMG! These two are SO doing it!
AGAIN . . . I wasn’t there.
HOWEVER, thanks to a little help from my friends, most notably the ALWAYS AWESOME Amy over at imaginarymen (who seriously deserves an award for Fangirl Sleuthing Excellence), I’ve managed to gather quite a bit of fabulous intel about the event, including video clips and pictures galore!
But first: THE SWAG! To promote the upcoming season, the CW offered attendees of The Vampire Diaries panel, THIS:
How cool is that? Honestly, I would cut off the fingers on my right hand to get that bag (I’m a lefty, of course.)
On second thought . . . maybe not . . . Eww!
(Please, don’t take me up on that offer, Vampire Katherine.)
As if that bag wasn’t enough, patrons at the hotel where the conference was taking place, arrived at their respective rooms to find THIS on their door . . .
Adorable . . . but a bit misleading. Imagine getting a knock at your door, and THINKING it’s going to be the enchanting Ian Somerhalder, only to find out that its ACTUALLY a 300-pound maid named Rosa, bringing those extra towels you asked for. That would seriously BITE! (No pun intended).
Misleading or not, the door knocker provides some handy tips on how to view a sneak peek at The Vampire Diaries gag reel, which will be featured on the show’s Season 1 DVD. That DVD won’t be released on August 31, 2010, but it’s available now for pre-order. Fortunately, YOU don’t have to go through the trouble of going to the website and entering the code provided, because I have the video for you RIGHT HERE!
As for the ACTUAL panel event, it featured all of our favorite TVD stars! In attendance at Comic Con were . . . wait . . . Why would I TELL you, when I can SHOW you!
Unfortuately, they haven’t posted the entire panel session in its entirety on YouTube yet. However, you can catch a good ten minutes of it here and get a nice play-by-play, courtesy of the folks from E! Online and Give Me My Remote,here.
But just in case you DON’T have that kind of time on your hands, feel free to just sit back and watch my FAVORITE part of the panel, namely, where Ian Somerhalder talks about his FAVORITE Damon Salvatore Scene (which, also, just so happens to be mine . . .)
And just in case you FORGOT what that scene LOOKED LIKE . . .
You’re welcome!
Then, when it was all over, fans were treated to exclusive clips from the Season 2 premiere episode, “The Return.” Notable scenes from the clip reel included . . .
[SPOILER ALERT, IF YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW . . .]
(1) Vampire Katherine girlfighting with Witch Bonnie;
(2) Damon telling Stefan that he kissed Elena (complete with kissing noises to demonstrate how it all went down);
(3) Vampire Katherine making out with Damon and then telling him that SHE NEVER LOVED HIM;
(4) Vampire Katherine telling Stefan she came back FOR HIM;
(5) Stefan telling Vampire Katherine he HATES HER; and
(6) Vampire Katherine staking Stefan in the stomach.
Can you say, AWESOME!
Unfortunately, Amy and I were only able to find one video of this clip reel on YouTube. And this one is maddeningly “Shaky Cam”-tastic. For a second there, I thought I was watching Blair Witch Project or ParanormalActivity. But hey, it’s better than nothing, right?
If all this talk about Comic- Con 2010 hasn’t quenched your thirst for The Vampire Diaries, fear not, because there’s going to be a BOOK (well, a magazine)! As it turns out, this week’s issue of TV Guide is honoring the event with FOUR exclusive covers, featuring FOUR different “Comic Con”-ed shows, one of which is . . . wait for it . . . THE VAMPIRE DIARIES!
In addition to the super hot cover, and some sexy photos of the cast (like THIS one) . . .
. . . the magazine will also feature a “Family Tree,” illustrating the various and complicated relationships between all of The Vampire Diaries’ characters.
Pick THIS up at your local grocery store, ASAP! (I know I will . . .)
Did I mention that BOTH Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev are EXPERT Tweeters?
Get info on the show straight from their SEXY mouths (or . . . SEXY computers . . . whatever) on Twitter.com. Click here for Ian, and here for Nina.
That’s all I’ve got for now, but before I leave you, please accept my parting gifts . . .
Have you been chomping at the bit (no pun intended) for The Vampire Diaries to return from its already WAY TOO LONG hiatus? Well, here’s some Season 2 scoopage to tide you over. Apparently, bloodsucking vampires and witches on a rampage won’t be the only “supernatural problems” Mystic Falls will have to deal with next year. Now, the not-so-sleepy Virginia town will also have to contend with . . . WEREWOLVES.
. . . and his father, the Mayor, exhibited some “wolfy” tendencies, when faced with a “witchy” invention, whose intended purpose was to immobilize supernatural creatures. Unfortunately, Mayor Lockwood didn’t survive the episode.
But, apparently, this means that his younger, hotter, brother must come to town and step into his shoes, or, perhaps more accurately, his doggie booties . . .
Mason Lockwood: Described as Tyler’s “cool” uncle, Mason is sexy and athletic and possesses an easygoing charm. Though he has more control than his nephew, he can “flip in an instant” if crossed. Seeking Latin or Caucasian actors in their 30s for this recurring role.
Riiiiight, because that’s EXACTLY what The Vampire Diaries needs . . . MORE HOT MEN THAT LOOK GOOD WITH THEIR SHIRTS OFF (or open) . . .
Blatant male objectification aside, I thought it might be fun for me to try my hand at casting Mason Lockwood. Here are my top five picks, in no particular order . . .
Where you’ ve seen him before: He played Lex Luthor on Smallville.
Why he’d make a good Mason: Let’s face it, no one does “sexy villian on a teen drama” like Michael Rosenbaum (except, maybe, Ian Somerhalder, ;)). Not only is Michael already a familiar face on the CW network, he’s definitely got the acting chops to pull off a “two-natured” (in more ways than one) role like this one. It also might be nice to seem him in a role where he has HAIR, for a change . . .
Age: 33 (just turned on July 8th – Happy belated, Milo! What’s with me picking all these July babies for this role?)
Where you’ve seen him before: He played Peter Petrelli on Heroes and Jesse Mariano on Gilmore Girls.
Why he’d make a good Mason: Like Michael Rosenbaum, Milo is no stranger to the CW network (See Gilmore Girls reference above). Nor would he be out of his element on a show featuring supernatural elements (See Heroes reference above). Milo has already proven himself capable of playing a charming and likeable, yet volatile, persona. He also bears a striking resemblance to Michael Trevino, who would play his nephew on the show. And did you SEE that body? Need I say more?
Where you’ve seen him before: He played Ben Covington on Felicity, and Michael Corvin in all those Underworld movies.
Why he’d make a good Mason: I can’t think of better preparation for playing a werewolf on a show featuring vampires and werewolves, than starring in a movie series as a vampire / werewolf hybrid. Can you? Unlike Michael and Milo, Scott never starred on the CW, but he DID star on its predecessor channel, the WB, during his Felicity years. Through Scott’s previous roles, he has definitely shown that he has enough innate masculinityand barely suppressed rage to fit in with the Lockwood clan. And that uniquely raspy voice of his? Pure sex . . .
Where you’ve seen him before: Those Fast and Furious movies
Why he’d make a good Mason: I’m not gonna lie. I chose Paul almost exclusively for his beauty . . . and his body . . . and because Kerr Smith and Benjamin McKenzie are both already tied up with other television shows. What can I say? I’m only human!
Where you’ve seen him before: He played that hot lawnmower dude, John, who got it on with Eva Langoria on Desperate Housewives. He also played the title role in John Tucker Must Die. (Too bad this character isn’t named “John.” Because Jesse would have had the role in the bag.)
Why he’d make a good Mason: Like Milo, I think Jesse kind of looks like Michael Trevino, which would weigh in his favor, for a part like this. Plus, if these werewolves are anything like the werewolves in the Twilight series, they are going to have to be shirtless A LOT. Clearly, this will be NO problem for Jesse. On a more serious (and slightly selfish) note, Jesse Metcalfe is a very talented actor, and I’d really like to see him on my small screen again.
(Note: When I was researching this post, I learned that Jesse Metcalfe is actually set to star in a new Jerry Bruckheimer-produced NBC pilot this fall, entitled Chase. But everyone knows that most pilots don’t actually get picked up by the networks. So as far as I am concerned, he’s still in the running 😉 . . .)
So, those are my picks. Who would YOU cast as Mason Lockwood?
[ Season 2 of the Vampire Diaries premieres Thursday, September 9th at 8 p.m. on the CW Network. ]
P.S. Apparently, less than 24-hours after I wrote this blog post, the producers over at The Vampire Diaries released their ACTUAL casting choice for Mason Lockwood. (Special thanks to Amy, over at the always entertaining and fabulously fangirly imaginarymen blog, and first commenter Ellen O., for the late-breaking scoop!) And the winner is . . . THIS GUY . . .
Taylor Kinney, who was best known for his role as EMT Glenn Morris on the NBC drama Trauma. (Hey, that rhymes!) And, just in case you were curious, here’s what he looks like without his shirt on . . .
Welcome to Fangirl Land, Mr. Kinney! Prepare to be shamelessly objectified!
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