The Vampire Diaries: Rose (Season 2, Episode 8)

While not as thrilling as its predecessor Masquerade, this episode is packed with vampire mythology, relationship developments, and sexual tension.

We begin by learning that Elena's kidnapper was a mere human. He hands her to a vampire who quickly disposes of his delivery boy. (Never obey a vampire who says, "Come closer." Being compelled is no excuse.)

Caroline chats to Damon about Tyler's amber-highlighted werewolf eyes eyes. In a way that is frightening, hot, and protective, Damon invades her space and demands that she stay away from Tyler.

At school, Tyler barely suppresses his guilt and rage. Posters and vigils are up for departed students, but this school is used to losing people, so life goes on. Tyler accidentally pulls off his lock, but Stefan proves more adept at controlling his strength. Jeremy approaches Stefan and asks if Elena slept over; stoic Stefan calmly explains that they aren't together. Then it hits them: Elena's in trouble!


Elena is taken to a crumbling mansion where she interrogates vampires Trevor and Rose. Rose tells her to shut up, but Elena doesn't listen. Elena's query, "What do you want?" is answered with, "I want you to be quiet." And a vampire backhand that knocks her out. When Elena awakens, she overhears them discussing Elijah, described as an original vampire and a terrible nightmare. Trevor and Rose are at least five hundred years old, so we know this can't be good.

Stefan worries that Damon didn't trap Katherine in the tomb (he did) and impulsively plans to consult her for help. Bonnie tells him she is unable to let Kat out of the tomb, but she can help find Elena on a map. All she needs is a little Jeremy blood. Jeremy should like that. (Recall a certain scene with Anna.) Stefan manages to control himself. They use Alaric's classroom to perform the spell. At the conclusion, Damon volunteers to join Stefan in his rescue effort, repeating Stefan's words, "It's Elena."

Tyler proves more athletic than usual on the basketball court. He tosses the ball when he spots Caroline, who lied to him earlier about not knowing anything about his were-nature. (I forgot that the school's mascots are timberwolves.) Frustrated Tyler is the second man today to get in poor Caroline's face. She throws him on the ground, confusing him because she is a skinny girl and he is a strong man (and a werewolf). This causes him to kick a trash can into a car. Don't worry; he will never be expelled because he's rich.

Stefan and Damon drive to Elena's destination. Why on earth would they drive when they could run? Luckily, those kinds of questions don't bother me much. Anyway, Stefan looks slightly fuller, perhaps due to his consumption of human blood. Luckily for us, Stefan likes road trip bonding. He demands that he and Damon discuss Damon's love for Elena. They listen to awesome music and Damon gives Stefan the eye thing.


We discover that the moonstone binds the curse of the sun and moon, but sacrificing the Petrova doppelganger (Elena, and Katherine before her) is the key to breaking it. Why would vampires want to break the curse? Those who can walk in the sun due to jewelry already have an upper hand, and without the curse werewolves could run rampant, killing them. Whatever the case, it is an interesting twist that Elena is not the first special snowflake doppelganger. Also, Rose likes bad boys, which makes sense since Trevor seems like a hot mess. Cue Damon, though we later discover he's the one who killed the friend who tried to set her up with Stefan.

In spite of the damage Bonnie's magic causes her, she works to help Elena and chills with Jeremy on his bed. Elsewhere, Tyler creeps into Caroline's house and violently throws her against the wall. Luckily she laughs in his face when he calls her a werewolf and scares his pants off by vamping out.

Trevor, nonchalant and flirty (who can forget doppelicious?), mentions that he's in a bind due to trying to aid Katherine and then trusting her. Duplicitous from the beginning. Elena is bummed by her inevitable death, but she lights up upon finding a note that Bonnie magically sent her about the Salvatore brothers coming to her rescue.

Cool music continues to play in the Salvatores' ride. They share bloodshakes and Damon pulls out the old, "Does Elena know you're drinking human blood?" Stefan awkwardly notes that he has been drinking Elena's blood. Damon's reaction indicates that he knows more about their sex life than he wants (like that's possible). He tries to bring up Stefan's bloody past, when he was more like Damon, and notes with hints of jealousy and concern that Elena would open her veins to that guy. Damon calls the old Stefan a hoot, though he never seemed to like to either good or bad vampire Stefan. Stefan claims that he found something other than blood to live for.


Enter Elijah, a vampire's vampire. Metropolitan and in no way afraid of the sun, Elijah promises to pardon Rose if she gives him the doppelganger. Trevor swore that Elijah would pardon Rose and not him, but foolish Rose didn't notice Elijah's exact words. Elijah nearly kisses Elena but instead says to the little human, "Hello there."

When they arrive at the vampire infested mansion, Damon cautions Stefan, but Stefan states that he can't think of a better reason to die. Stefan really does throw himself into these things without a second thought. Of course, he has tried to kill himself. Damon is impressed by his nobility, but is in no way going to let Stefan out-save Elena.

Inside, Elijah slaps Trevor's head off. Elena keeps her head and says that she knows where the moonstone is. Elijah thinks it's cute that he's negotiating with her. He rips off Elena's vervain necklace and compels her to tell him. She does, but he doesn't know that the moonstone is within a vampire trap.

Stefan and Damon heroically woosh into the house and initiate a two-pronged assault. Elijah declares, "To whom it may concern, you're making a big mistake if you think that you can beat me. You can't." But Elena chucks a vervain grenade at him (it at least distracts him), Stefan shoots stake after stake into Elijah's chest, and Damon rams a huge stick into Elijah's heart. Damon smiles at Elena's beaming face, only to see her run into Stefan's arms. She mouths a thank you over his shoulder and Damon mouths something back. It's tragic.


Elena reunites with Bonnie and Jeremy (they share a very awkward hug), and Stefan advises Damon that they not let Elena get between them. Stefan also apologizes for helping turn him into a vampire, stating that it was selfish and just wanted his brother. Damon appears annoyed but secretly impressed with Stefan's maturity.

Tyler and Caroline share a drink. She lies that she is the only vampire around. He doesn't lie by saying he is the only werewolf, and he's scared. They hug. Hopefully he doesn't think she smells tasty. Their relationship is quite interesting. It will be good for Tyler to hang out with a woman who can beat him up.

Rose visits Stefan. Now that her five-hundred year bff Trevor is dead, she wants to help. (She's in remarkably good condition, considering this recent tragedy.) She mentions some toughie called Klaus who employed Elijah amongst others. As though Elijah wasn't bad enough. By the way, Elijah is alive. They left him impaled on the door. Idiots.

Unaware of this, Elena prepares for bed. Damon's sudden appearance unsettles her, especially since he holds her necklace of vervain. He confesses his love to her but remarks that loving her is selfish, and because of his love, he can no longer be selfish with her. Damon says she deserves his brother, and she deserves not to know Damon's feelings. He kisses her on the forehead, compels her to forget what he said, and disappears. I am a fan who has never seen more than friendly affection in Elena's eyes when she looks at Damon (though this could change), but this scene was one of the most heartbreaking in the series. Sigh. Until next time.