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The Vampire Diaries Review: “American Gothic” (Season 4, Episode 18)

There was something terribly unsettling about the events that took place in this episode of The Vampire Diaries. Besides being the first episode this season that we really reunited with Katherine (Nina Dobrev), it was also the first time vampire Elena (also Dobrev) encountered her - and for the first time ever, I think I might like Katherine better.

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The Vampire Diaries

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What was not fitting, well there was plenty of that to go around, but for starters, watching Rebekah (Claire Holt) try to convince Elijah to let her take the cure. Despite its miraculous possibilities, there aren’t many vampires lining up to take it. Besides Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Damon (Ian Somerhalder) squandering over getting it for Elena, Rebekah seems to be the only other willing candidate – with the exception of Silas.

Caroline (Candice Accola) is perfectly content in vampire form with both her romantic interests being of the supernatural persuasion. Even if Tyler (Michael Trevino) takes it, he will still have his werewolf half to contend with. Klaus will never willingly lose his immortality. And, both the Salvatore brothers would rather die than let anyone except Elena end up with it.

Groveling doesn’t do Rebekah any justice. Elijah makes some valid points and even though he wasn’t about to get into a smack down, drag out brawl in the middle of the town square, it doesn’t seem like an argument he’s entirely willing to lose. Rebekah is simply out voted. Her brothers love her in their own twisted ways and no, they do not think twenty lifetimes together is enough. Like Elijah said, forever. Plus, enough of whiny Rebekah already.

While everyone is off on the track down Elena, Rebekah, Katherine, and the cure hunt, Klaus is suffering in dramatic fashion back in Mystic Falls. Finding out that it was all in his head may have been the best, single episode twist all season. Actually it may have been the best surprise since Katherine pretended to be Elena in the plot to kill Michael last season. Kudos, to the writers for that one.

I was thrilled with the idea of watching Caroline let Klaus have it this episode, but really the most compelling scenes between the two didn’t involve all that much misery. It was Silas as Caroline that was prepared to let Klaus suffer, even though he was well aware that the tip of the white oak stake wasn’t really in his back. The fact that Silas can transform into anyone he wants to is over-the-top creepy. The real Caroline, although she took her fashionable time, saved Klaus from himself. This seems to be a real talent of hers.

Even though Klaus is leaving for New Orleans soon, this episode of The Vampire Diaries offered a glimmer of hope for the star-crossed not quite lovers. I would be more than happy to see Caroline eventually end up on The Originals beside Klaus. He has a significant problem with trust and he’ll need people around him in NOLA that don’t entirely hate him. Caroline would fit that role perfectly. With graduation looming, where else is she going to go? An added perk would be that Hayley (Phoebe Tonkin) would be sidelined, and that is a win-win situation in my opinion.

The Vampire Diaries is going on a two week hiatus but will return just in time for prom and graduation, plus the backdoor pilot of The Originals which is set to air later this month.

What’s next for our favorite Mystic Falls residents? Who will get the cure and who will take it? Will Elena be stuck as this soulless psycho forever or will Damon and Stefan take the ‘by any means necessary’ approach? Will Tyler return? Let us know what you think is coming next in the comment section below!

Until next episode.