'Memorial' - The Vampire Diaries, Season Four

The Vampire Diaries

Season Four

Episode Two

'Memorial' - 8.0

The suckiest funeral ever.

The final scene of a show is always the most important part, as when you leave after watching the hour or forty minutes or whatever, it is the easiest part of the episode to recall. Often, when someone reviews an episode, their memory of the experience is based almost entirely on the final scene. This is also a good reason to rewatch things, though you never quite get an as intense emotional response.

This is why I am trying to ignore the final scene. It wasn't bad, but it was Damon-centric and an unveiled attempt to ensure that the character remains a bad boy with a heart of gold, and it just pisses me off. The scene before it was terrific, and I loved hearing the names of lost characters - though I don't know why Tyler wasn't there - and giving recognition to the past in a show not known for continuity or consistency. I thought it was a bit strange that Elena didn't mention Alaric in her list, as he'd only died at the same point she did, which was like two or three days prior. He also didn't seem to get an actual funeral, much like Jenna.

Also, I'm guessing that Matt Davis couldn't find another job, because Alaric returns tonight as the ghostly apparition of his former character, who watches over Damon as the vampire paces back and forth, having a full on conversation with Alaric's grave. It was supposed to be cute, clearly, and we were supposed to feel sorry for Damon, and yes, it is nice to see that he does care for someone who has died, but I also take pleasure in knowing that there is no one left on his side anymore, as evidenced when he ditched the memorial service at the end there. No one agreed with him or followed him, everyone stayed with Stefan and played sentimental.

The series' new antagonist Connor Jordan was pretty awesome, and I appreciated the hasty pace at which he works, rather than the confident, methodical and breezy pace that most of the villains do their thing. Klaus likes to go on giant rants before he does anything, as does Katherine who likes to pretend to be Elena for half-an-hour before she gets to it. Jordan though, the second he realised that Tyler was a vampire - *cough* hybrid *cough* - he pulled his gun and pretty much emptied the clip into his chest. 

By the way, does that mean that wooden stakes don't kill hybrids? Did this information just fly over my head, because Tyler was shot by bullets that Stefan reveals would have killed a normal vampire, then later he's shot with a stake by Jordan during his speech at the funeral. Presumably that was on target, and for a while I was certain that we'd lost another character – I was momentarily excited - but he was fine. 

I have to say, I was impressed with the scenes in the church. Of course the best bit was with the blood dripping down from the balcony and all the vampires knowing that if they turn around, Connor Jordan will know what they are and take them out. For Elena it was especially scary, as she could barely control the urge. What’s more, for some reason she decided to go make an eulogy in front of everyone, which Stefan ended up having to rescue her from. It was very tense and very well done. Connor's plan was actually far more intelligent than I generally give this show credit for, so kudos to them for providing legitimate suspense. 

I sincerely hope that Jordan is a near permanent member of Mystic Falls. Even though he had barely any lines and we don't know anything about him, I feel like he is a real threat to our vampire friends and that is awesome. So often villains are just talk on this show, and it's about time we had one who can go through with their claims and perform acts of great violence on characters we love. I do have to request that he gets to take out one important character though, and I honestly don't care who. 

Elena's entire experience in 'Memorial' was pretty fun, and she is clearly a slightly different vampire to all the others as she is having issues drinking animal blood, vampire blood and blood bags. On more than one occasion she vomits rather spectacularly as a result of not taking blood straight 'from the vein', as it were. Seeing Nina Dobrev have to project what looks like half of Damon all over the church toilet was a sight to see, and I don't know if the show will ever be that gross ever again. I hope they will though.

I wonder if Elena's issues with her vampirism will necessitate the return of Katherine for aid, and that would be just fantastic. Katherine is and always will be the better role that Dobrev gets to play. 

Yeah, I did enjoy 'Memorial' on the whole, if I found the final scene a manipulative attempt to curry favour for Damon. Most of the other scenes, which varied from touching and retrospective to tense and climactic, managed to redeem the episode in my mind. I wouldn't count it as the best but it was pretty good and different for a show that can never call itself unique.