The Vampire Diaries - Season 4

[Guy Gardener]

Was his talking to the dead a hunters power, or did he have two powers?

[Snaploud]

js wrote:

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All of this.

Ditto

I'm still not even clear why Elena wants the cure, and that's putting aside the stupidity of them putting the planet at risk for the opportunity. Is she trying to prove something to herself (regarding her love for Damon not being a function of the sire bond)? It made more sense when we thought she couldn't eat pig's blood.

[js]

Guy Gardener wrote:

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Was his talking to the dead a hunters power, or did he have two powers?

No, he was talking to the dead prior to being a Hunter - I think the mythology is if a character has died (which he's done a few times), it "lifts the veil". At one point Matt deliberately drowned so he could talk to the dead as well IIRC.

[Peacemaker]

Okay, here's a question. Maybe I've missed it along the way (because I'll admit this show is usually on but large parts are background noise for me sometimes), but why couldn't Klaus, the big bad hybrid Original just compel Damon in the opposite direction from Kol and neutralize the compulsion that way? I mean, they seem to be able to compel the brains out of anybody else, so why not?

[Guy Gardener]

js wrote:

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No, he was talking to the dead prior to being a Hunter - I think the mythology is if a character has died (which he's done a few times), it "lifts the veil". At one point Matt deliberately drowned so he could talk to the dead as well IIRC.

He's always been a potential Hunter.

There is no prior to being a Hunter.

[js]

Guy Gardener wrote:

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He's always been a potential Hunter.

There is no prior to being a Hunter.

Point is, it was established that other people (like Matt) could talk to the dead. So unless Matt too is a potential Hunter, it's a separate power.

Witches can also talk to the dead, so unless Bonnie is a potential Hunter too, it's a separate power.

[Kosh Naranek]

Peacemaker wrote:

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Okay, here's a question. Maybe I've missed it along the way (because I'll admit this show is usually on but large parts are background noise for me sometimes), but why couldn't Klaus, the big bad hybrid Original just compel Damon in the opposite direction from Kol and neutralize the compulsion that way? I mean, they seem to be able to compel the brains out of anybody else, so why not?

Good point - I don't think the show has really ever dealt with "counter compulsion" (for a lack of better term).

Once "compelled" the show seems to go with -
1. Complete the compelled action and be released.
2. Compeller releases the compelled.
3. Put them in a box. I think that was a new one.

Klaus wanted put Kol in storage and end the compulsion. Klaus probably wanted that route instead of "counter compulsion" since Kol defied him. It may have been more punitive and personally satisfying for a man that just loves toting his family around in boxes.

I think the overriding compulsion is the original one, but it can be countermanded.

For example, the man captured by Rebecca and Stefan killed himself rather than let the vervain in his sytem wear off. Whoever compelled him foresaw his potential capture and ended any complications that would arise from said capture by having him off himself before the vervain cycled out and he could be compelled again. (I vote Katherine.)

[Kosh Naranek]

I am a sucker for a cool looking poster. I like this one.

[js]

Kosh Naranek wrote:

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I am a sucker for a cool looking poster. I like this one.

I like the components of it and would love to see the original individual poses, but hate the horrible photoshopping job!

[hyzmarca]

Why exactly would anyone want the cure for immortality, anyway. It isn't just that their methods are dangerous, it's that their goal makes absolutely no sense. They're trying to trade super powers and eternal life for the ability to suffer from horrible physical and mental degeneration before inevitably dying.

They could just buy adult diapers and go around shitting all over themselves and pretend to be mortal that way. They'd get the exact same benefits without all the hassle.

[JD]

One thing I do have to compliment the writers on, they actually make a fair amount of progress in each episode. I didn't expect them to call Kol so soon. I actually enjoyed this episode, even if I'm not thrilled with all whole "kill Kol to kill his line" stuff.

[Kosh Naranek]

Well, welcome to the Basil Exposition of episodes.

Is anyone else concerned about the Vervain in the water supply? Because if they can't shower due to horrible burning sensations, they are all gonna be vampire ripe soon.

Was anyone truly shocked that Shane had less than pure ulterior motives? Anyone? But, they got really bogged down in tell. There was very little show.

I have to give props to Rebecca this episode. I am liking her more and more. I love that she called the Elena cult on their double standards. She did what she did to Elena (with more flair) because doing so would save her family. She is only perceived as evil because God forbid anyone else do horrible things to save someone they love. Plus, she finally called them out on killing not 1 but 2 members of her family, and betraying her more often than they change their clothes.

Klaus' body count was addressed, and I felt the door opening for his exit. They used the Caroline bite to illustrate how horrid he had been in the past, complete with Mystic Falls family body count tally. Then they talk about his redemption. Bye Klaus! You are off to New Orleans to be redeemed and spend some time with your hot brother.

Stefan has more depth away from Elena.

Is there ever going to be time in which poor Bonnie does not ultimately turn into a plot device?

Now taking bets on the new hunter saving their backsides before going out in a blaze of glory.

[js]

Given that they have not yet announced Rebekah/Claire Holt as a cast member of the spinoff show, whereas they have announced casting for other new roles for it, I'm now starting to wonder if she's going to be the one to get the tragic ending this season. (It wouldn't be TVD without tragic endings somehow!) I wonder if they find a cure, she becomes human and then gets killed for the irony of it? Hmm...

And once again, Julie Plec wubs the teary-eyed Joseph Morgan, so we get lots of long loving shots of him weepy-contemplative over Caroline. Ugh - I am so looking forward to getting the Originals off this show!

[js]

I'm also wondering about this 3rd massacre required to raise Silas. That can't be good.

I also don't think "the cure" will be something simple like "drink this potion". I think it will turn out to have a major cost - a life (or several lives) for a life.

[FreezeC77]

js wrote:

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Given that they have not yet announced Rebekah/Claire Holt as a cast member of the spinoff show, whereas they have announced casting for other new roles for it, I'm now starting to wonder if she's going to be the one to get the tragic ending this season. (It wouldn't be TVD without tragic endings somehow!) I wonder if they find a cure, she becomes human and then gets killed for the irony of it? Hmm...

And once again, Julie Plec wubs the teary-eyed Joseph Morgan, so we get lots of long loving shots of him weepy-contemplative over Caroline. Ugh - I am so looking forward to getting the Originals off this show!

I think they will find the cure and Rebecca will take it and turn human and find out that it turns your body to the natural human state you'd have been in had you never become immortal. So she turns into a thousand year old pile of bones or dust. Elena can take the cure and return to normal since she'd have only aged a year, Caroline could as well, the Mother, etc... but neither of the mains could since they were turned in the mid 1800s so it restores to the show to where it was when it began vampire wise.