Test Pilot #54: The Vampire Diaries Debut date: September 10, 2009 Series legacy: An exciting show that became so good it went from “criminally underrated” to properly celebrated in relatively short fashion First impressions mean a lot in television, and that’s why writers, producers, studios, networks, etc. put more time, effort and money into pilots … Continue reading Test Pilot: File #54, The Vampire Diaries
Tag: Sara Canning
2010-2011 season wrap: The Vampire Diaries
With the 2010-2011 television season officially over, I’ll be taking some time over the next week or so to look back on how some of television’s best and worst fared this season. General thoughts: I burned through the first season of The Vampire Diaries in very quick fashion last August in preparation for the second season. … Continue reading 2010-2011 season wrap: The Vampire Diaries
Season Finale — The Vampire Diaries, “As I Lay Dying”
When you're a series that's almost entirely defined by your ability to come up with the most insane twists (in a good way), sometimes expectations for that kind of thing get too high. At the time, the end of The Vampire Diaries first season seemed like the most wild thing ever and throughout the series' second … Continue reading Season Finale — The Vampire Diaries, “As I Lay Dying”
The Vampire Diaries, “The Sun Also Rises”
Well, that was just miserable. The Vampire Diaries is a series that primarily works based on its ability to speed up the narrative so fast that the twists and turns come so quickly, it's too difficult to even think about how telegraphed they may or may not be. Everything is shocking on this series because it … Continue reading The Vampire Diaries, “The Sun Also Rises”
The Vampire Diaries, “The Last Day”
The insane plot developments and shocking twists come so often on The Vampire Diaries that the series has almost lulled me into a nice, cozy sleep in a way. I don't always know what the twists are going to be, but I always know that they're coming. Or at least I thought I did. Tonight's episode, "The … Continue reading The Vampire Diaries, “The Last Day”
The Vampire Diaries, “The Last Dance”
With Klaus ready to make his move, everyone on Team Elena has their own opinion on not only how to kill him, but the best way to protect Elena in the interim. Different perspectives and plans of course brings conflict, and that's really what this whole episode is about. All season has been about protecting … Continue reading The Vampire Diaries, “The Last Dance”
The Vampire Diaries, “Know Thy Enemy”
I'll be honest: There have been a lot of television series off the air over the past month or so, but there are none I missed more than The Vampire Diaries. It's certainly not the "best" series I watch, but it's certainly the most watchable and enjoyable so it is very, very fantastic to have … Continue reading The Vampire Diaries, “Know Thy Enemy”
The Vampire Diaries, “The House Guest”
As the last episode of The Vampire Diaries until APRIL MOTHER-FREAKING 7TH, "The House Guest" should probably semi-wrap up some of the threads the series has been dealing with here in the first episodes of 2011 while obviously also set up things for the final six episodes in the spring. Thankfully, The Vampire Diaries is … Continue reading The Vampire Diaries, “The House Guest”
The Vampire Diaries, “The Dinner Party”
Sometimes, like I've done with the last few episodes, it's interesting to talk about some of the emotional states of characters, trust and all that nonsense. But when The Vampire Diaries gives us an episode like "The Dinner Party" it's hard not to just pump my fist with adrenaline-boosted excitement. This episode is jam-packed full of … Continue reading The Vampire Diaries, “The Dinner Party”
The Vampire Diaries, “Masquerade”
Sci-fi or fantasy series with big ensembles always have one big trick in their back pocket to pull out as a way to intensify the drama or weight of certain activities: bringing the band back together. Any time there is some big event that's about to go down, rounding up all the characters under some … Continue reading The Vampire Diaries, “Masquerade”
The Vampire Diaries, “Plan B”
Though I think this season is off to a slightly rocky start, I have to admit, I totally missed not having The Vampire Diaries in my life last week, and that's probably a bigger sign of its quality than anything else, especially on a jam-packed Thursday night. Thankfully, tonight's episode, "Plan B," is probably the … Continue reading The Vampire Diaries, “Plan B”
The Vampire Diaries, “Bad Moon Rising”
I've had trouble all day with this post. I've started and stopped twice now because I don't feel like I have a whole lot to say about "Bad Moon Rising," even if the episode itself is a nice character-focused effort. Maybe it's the by-product of watching all of the first season all at once, but … Continue reading The Vampire Diaries, “Bad Moon Rising”
Season Premiere — The Vampire Diaries, “The Return”
After my whirlwind, 2.5-day screening of The Vampire Diaries' first season, I have been chomping at the bit for more. So I can only imagine how those of you waiting since May felt. No matter when we watched first or how long we waited, I think it's safe to say that the season two premiere, … Continue reading Season Premiere — The Vampire Diaries, “The Return”