'The Five' - The Vampire Diaries, Season Four

The Vampire Diaries

Season Four

Episode Four

'The Five' - 6.5

I'd be lying if I said I saw the point of this. It wasn't even that impressive.

As per Vampire Diaries' usual, the origins and ramifications of intriguing and/or mysterious plot points are addressed in only the following episode. This is a fantastic move to cater to impatient, forgetful or high teenagers, but for folk like me who prefer a steady burn-off period where we can munch on the possible directions of a storyline, it's kind of... patronising? That's a good word. 

Interestingly though, I wouldn't call the story of 'The Brotherhood of the Five' the focus of tonight's entertainment. Rather, Claire Holt absolutely steals the show with some amazing work as original vampire Rebekah, who was always just awesome. She is coming to understand herself in relation to the people around her, and she is beginning to grasp her tendency to fall in love so easily. This is demonstrated by her twelfth century love affair with Alex, one of the original five hunters, and this ends typically for her, as she becomes the first victim of a silver dagger (I assume) after promising to go away with him. 

The writers have this obvious fixation with the tragic Rebekah, and they seem to believe that her obsession with finding love and acceptance is some glorious character innovation, so she and all the other characters refer to it all the fucking time. Yes, I get it. I UNDERSTAND. VAMPIRE DIARIES, PLEASE STOP.

Anyway, the writing isn't the best part, obviously. Claire Holt just owned her material tonight. I have been a little tough on her lately, but god was she good, especially in her blubbering argument with her brother all the way back in the 1100s. Joseph Morgan did well too, but Holt really hogged his limelight and really, really proved herself as more than an actress with impeccable delivery. Also, she's still totally Australian, so that's awesome. Why isn't Hayley Australian on that note? 

Later on, Klaus conspires to have his sister daggered in order to keep his and Stefan's plan a secret. This leads to the greatest scene of the night, and possibly of the show so far, as Rebekah once again realises her once beloved brother has wronged her again, turning to see him preparing the dagger. She takes it willingly, almost running headlong into the blade, but not before tearing into Klaus for being a weak, loveless monster who will never have a real legacy. I'm officially head-over-heels in love with this teenage monster, and I pray that she’ll be with us again soon. Ah, the beauty of a race of vampires who only die temporarily (other than Finn and Mikael).

Elena did shit too, learning how to control herself while feeding on random strangers, which is weird because I was pretty sure that she had learnt how to drink from Matt without much issue. She had a little lapse in control last episode, but who gives a shit about that? Regardless her entire plotline was ruined by the Delena overload. Damon sucks, just get over it, OK? 

Truth be told, I actually was a little impressed by Ian Somerhalder's handling of his whole 'predatory species' monologue, as well as Nina Dobrev's reaction to it. I really am trying to like this guy, as he is clearly the focal point of the show, even if he isn’t the main character on paper. That’s Elena of course, who’s new vampirism is being treated in the most hipster way possible; they are trying to make deep, subtle parallels to the original doppelganger, Katherine.  When she takes her first bite  at the (stupid sounding) Murder party she turns to Damon and tells him – with a cocky smile on her face – that she wants more. She has also altered her hair just enough to be a little like Katherine’s frizzier do. UG.

Connor is still a pretty fun villain, and I appreciated his violent killing of that hybrid, though the Brotherhood of the Five is so clearly a ripoff of the Slayer line. Even the would-be hunters are called potentials! Seriously? Every time one dies a new one is called? They have super strength and super reflexes? IS THIS NOT A BELL BEING RUNG? 

  

Aside from the usual writing fails that perpetuate every episode of this drama, 'The Five' was pretty good, mostly in part to the wondrous woman that is Claire Holt. I'm gonna wrap it up now though, because I've just discovered that I'm incredibly pissed off by unrelated matters. Goodbye!