2.21 The Sun Also Rises The second season of the show has relied heavily on said limitations, as the writers can then break out the surprises with little warning or subsequent fan objection. Surprises come thick and fast this week, but some work better than others. We have a full cast, too, with John, Jeremy and Bonnie popping up after an absent couple of weeks. Can’t say we’ve missed them. Before we get into the story, though, last week’s multiple cliffhangers have to be dealt with. When we left the characters, Jenna had been turned, Matt and Caroline were being threatened by a wolfy Tyler, and Damon had been bitten. Jenna’s transition was such a turn of events that it was hard to believe there wouldn’t be a loophole somewhere, but the writers, to their credit, stuck with their decision. With so much going on, it’s surprising that the episode seems a little slow at times. It takes a little too long to complete the ritual, for example. The gang manage to avoid Elena becoming a vampire, after Damon taking matters into his own hands last week, which is a relief, but seems a little too easy. Maybe the binding magic they eventually use should have been introduced a little earlier? Still, it’s not without its own price to pay, so it’s hard to complain. There’s definitely a streamlining of useless or unpopular characters this week, gladly bringing the focus back to the main players. No matter how you feel about certain characters, the final moments of the episode are some of the saddest and most poignant the show has ever done. Sometimes, the plot points and twists come so thick and fast that there’s no time for any moment of contemplation. Those scenes gave us some much needed room to breathe, as well as take in all that had happened in the last forty minutes. There’s a finality to the narrative that’s surprising for a penultimate episode, as this could serve as a finale all on its own. Things aren’t completely wrapped up, but I doubt they will be after next week either. But the ticking time bomb of Damon’s werewolf bite is still unresolved and Klaus and Elijah are still at large, so there’s still plenty to be getting on with.
