The Vampire Diaries: Season 1 – Episode 2 (The Night Of The Comet)

Reviewed on February 20th, 2010 By James (administrator) & filed in the TV Show Reviews vault "This is my... BOOMSTICK!"

In one of those rare moves the TV station decided to show the first two episodes back to back. Thankfully what could have been a late night irritation proved to be a good move. The slightly clichéd pilot episode of The Vampire Diaries was light on action and suspense and threatened to be another version of Gossip Girl – but with vampires.

Don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed it, but seeing episode 2 straight after made me appreciate it a little more and perhaps led to me being slightly more lenient in my review. Episode 2 has the luxury of not having to worry too much with setting the scene as they got that pretty established from the word go.

Last week’s victim, Vicki (paramour of Elena’s younger brother Jeremy), is in hospital recovering from her vicious attack at the hands of Damon and seems to have some recollection of what has happened. Stefan pays a visit to wipe her memories of that night, despite knowing that his vampire powers are unreliable and weakened due to his decision not to partake of human blood. But he is disturbed by her douche-bag brother and so has to leave, unsure of whether it has worked.

Meanwhile at parent’s night, Elena’s Aunt is getting a hard time from the a-hole teacher mentioned in the last review, who makes his feeling blatantly clear that she isn’t up to the task. By now I am loathing this guy. If he doesn’t get it then there is no justice in the world!

Elena heads over to Stefan’s house but is surprised to be greeted by Damon instead. He promptly engages in his charming/creepy/slimey/threatening act and although he manages to make her feel uncomfortable he manages to surprise her even more by telling her a little about Stefan’s past love life (the dead girl from a long time back who looks just like her – mainly because it is her in the photo. No matter how many times novelists and movie/tv producers attempt this kind of “twist” they never seem to realise that no-one is wowed by the revelation because we have all seen it done dozens of times before).

Just as the situation is getting juicy, in walks Stefan. Clearly unhappy with what he sees and knowing exactly how his brother’s mind works his tension is understandable. However not knowing their past or their secret leaves Elena puzzled and hurt as to why he doesn’t seem pleased to see her.

The episode wraps up on the roof of a building with the brothers and Vicki used as a puppet in Damon’s twisted idea of fun. Being the more powerful of the two he glamours the girl and reminds her that she was attacked by a vampire.

Damon has no interest in the girl. All he wants is to taunt his brother. To push him into fulfilling his death-rite (oh, how wonderfully clever of me) and feed on humans as a true vampire should.

This was a much better episode with the tension at times being ramped up so high that you can feel the uncomfortable atmosphere from the safety of your own sofa.

It also proved that this is against all expectations a serious series. Yes it has teen romance and humour and angst but it is also dark and violent and Damon represents all that true horror fans would want from a modern vampire.

Interestingly from what I gather all girls fancy one or the other brother. It would probably be a good yard stick to measure what women find attractive in men. I suspect younger girls are drawn to the touchy-feely Stefan while the more mature viewer will prefer bad-boy Damon. And amusingly I bet anyone above the age where they really should be watching Des Lynam prefer Stefan, bringing us back full circle again.

The old adage says nice guys come last. And this will certainly be the case if Damon gets his way. I can’t wait for the inevitable show-down!

7 out of 10.

Director: Marcos Siega
Screenplay: Kevin Williamson, Julie Plec, L.J. Smith (original story)
Starring: Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, Ian Somerhalder, Steven R. McQueen, Candice Accola, Katerina Graham, Kayla Ewell

(2 votes, average: 8.50 out of 10)

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