Because lately, I havent felt the stakes.
Tonight, the show didnt shock me.
However, I found myself enjoying this episode more than the past few.
Credit: Bob Mahoney/The CW
This episode did that and more.
Lets get into it.
And in an important update, Ripper Stefan didnt believe in shaving.
In other words, Ripper Stefan is even less attractive than Stefan-with-blood-dripping-from-his-chin.
(Because this time, theres blood in his beard.
I know, I know, Im sorry.)
Once his journal is set, its time for him to enjoy the perfect Christmas Eve dinner.
Quick reminder: Ric and Matt thought they killed Damon in the last episode they even buried him!
but they didnt know about the whole deal with the devil thing.
First up: Drinks!
Caroline checks in with Bonnie, who just received her present from Enzo a trip to Paris!
to tell them not to come by.
And once they have a weapon, then and only then can they crash dinner.
(Poor Damon, is he second choice for everyone?!
Im surprised Cade didnt say, Its always going to be Stefan.)
Someone get this woman another gift box!
Meanwhile, Cade takes Stefan, not surprisingly, back to Monterey.
As he puts it, If death is your canvas, this is your masterpiece.
(Not going to lie, that was pretty eloquent.
Also, Cades teeth are BEAUTIFUL.
Even I might serve him if itd get me those teeth.)
Cade reminds Stefan of his Christmas murder back in 1917, but Stefan doesnt believe him.
Sure, he remembers Monterey, but even he wouldnt commit such an act on Christmas.
And yet, Cade informs him it was that day that Cade decided Stefan was his.
It seems someone was inspired by a certain Salvatore.
It seems Seline was there to collect Stefan for Cade.
I only saw anguish, she tells them.
And the moment someone was capable of turning Cades best servant into a mush of morals?
Well, Cades interest was piqued.
From that moment on, hes wanted Ripper Stefan to serve him.
But Stefans not willing to make that deal.
Not yet, at least.
(So sweet!)
First, he just has to figure out who wins the title of most evil person in the room.
So as Caroline serves dinner, Damon and Sybil grill Peter.
And sadly for Matt, Damon eventually gets an answer.
(That tends to happen when you hold a knife to someones throat.)
Peter admits that when Kelly got pregnant with Vicki, he left because he was ashamed.
He couldnt be another toiler-scrubber in this town.
So basically, he left because he wanted to.
But that doesnt matter for now.
All that matters is Damon grabs Sybil and runs.
Spoiler: Its Elenas necklace (formerly Katherines and Rebekahs and originally belonging to Esther Mikaelson).
Even without his humanity, he wont do wrong by that necklace (read: Elena).
Now, back to Stefans field trip, which also features an Elena memory.
But how can this be a place of evil?
As Stefan tells Cade, this was a good chapter in his life.
But thats the problem.
Cade claims Elena already had enough tragedy in her life, but Stefan just had to insert himself.
Using his own words against him has he been reading Stefans journals?
Cade tells him you had to know her.
See, the only way to protect Elena was to never meet her.
Instead, Stefan turned her into something dark.
Cades point is that he wants Stefan to do that again … to someone new.
(Sorry, Elena.)
Apparently, good people who can be made wicked are evil at their core.
Furthermore, their souls are unusually potent.
Theyre the one Cade wants to feed on most of all.
(So really, it comes down to taste.
With the Stefan Misery Tour over, its time to talk business.
Both men agree to one year.
(I guess well see.)
Ugh, how cute are those two?!
The hour ends as Damon pulls up alongside Stefan and offers to give his brother a ride.
Just as they exit Mystic Falls, Stefan flips his switch.
(I did love that shot.)
Now, the Salvatores are ready for Christmas.
Altogether, I really enjoyed this hour.
Im not sure snarky Damon is going to know what to do with snarky Stefan.
We shall find out in 2017!
