But before we get too far into it, lets dissect the title.
Nostalgias a Bitch:Its season 2, and Anna has just walked into the Miss Mystic Falls event.
(Shes in need of best friend advice about the whole should I give Enzo the cure thing.)
Credit: Annette Brown/The CW
But when Caroline enters his mind, all she sees is fire and pain.
But Caroline doesnt have it.
(Hence the most recent sheriff quitting because of all the homicides.)
According to her, Damons consciously in hell, because thats where he believes he belongs.
Spoiler alert: Damons subconscious is filled with familiar faces.
But as he informs the women, Damon Salvatore died in the Civil War.
So now, they just have to figure out where Damon is hiding.
Yep, Vickis back, and you wouldnt believe how loud I gasped!
But Vickis not the only big return of the hour.
Caroline quickly spots a familiar sheriff across the way.
And in case that hint was too subtle for you, ITS HER MOM!!
As Caroline puts it, I forgot how pretty she was.
As for the bandage on Vickis neck?
It has nothing to do with fangs and everything to do with, well, kissing.
Its a hickey, okay?
Because he was the only person who truly understood how much it hurt to lose you.
And thats the thing that made Caroline forgive Damon for all the bad that hed done.
Just like that, Caroline is kicked out of Damons subconscious.
It seems her forgiveness isnt what he needs to wake up.
So now its Bonnies turn to try.
However, thats not to say that Matt has decided to help Damon.
Instead, he invites his father to meet him at Vickis grave and tells him the truth.
Not surprisingly, dad wants to let Damon suffer.
But when Stefan decides hed like to have the bell, things get even more complicated.
Long story short, Seline wasnt being completely honest about the bell.
Sure, if a Maxwell rings it 12 times, it will kill a siren.
Or in this case, all of Mystic Falls.
Matt has until 9 p.m. to make his decision.
Meanwhile, back in Damons subconscious, Bonnie returns to Grams house for some help!
Not only has Bonnie surrounded herself with vampires, but shes even in love with one.
Ive never been this happy, she tells Grams.
And how could Grams say no to that?!
Its there that Bonnie finds Tyler, whos not in the mood to forgive Damon for killing him.
So its a good thing Damon doesnt need Tylers forgiveness.
Stefan tells his brother that hes forgiven, but thats not what Damon needs.
What Damon needs is to forgive Stefan.
Its because Stefan blames himself for turning Damon into a vampire in the first place.
And apparently, Damon does too.
So now, Damon officially forgives his brother.
Only, that sets Stefan off.
Because youre my brother and I love you.
And he one-ups his younger bro by adding, Theres nothing you could ever do to change that.
And he rings it 11 times before Damon wakes up, snaps Stefans neck, and knocks Matt out.
Is it enough to make Matt forgive Damon?
But considering what he did tonight, hes on the right track, and Matt isnt ruling anything out.
As for now, he hears Mystic Falls needs a sheriff.
As Damon puts it, I always did like the sheriff in this town.
GOOD LORD MY HEART IS EXPLODING.
Back at the Salvatore mansion, Caroline has Stefan chained up in the dungeon.
And from there, theyll either make their relationship work… or they wont.
Outside, Damon finds Bonnie reflecting on all the good things that have happened.
You know, the one she refused to read because she was so mad at him for leaving her?
Yeah, he has it memorized.
Bonnie cries, I cry, we all cry.
I know Stefans the writer, but as Bonnie says, Its a hell of a letter.
In the episodes final moments, we catch up with Sybil and Seline.
Theyre chatting at a diner when Cade walks in.
So he has both of them burst into flames.
But the thing I loved most is what this episode means for Damons journey to find redemption.
Youve seen this character come so far since the pilot.
Heck, even Matty Blue doesnt hate him anymore.
Yes, Damon needed to forgive his brother for turning him.
This is a two-way street, and Damon still has to earn some forgiveness of his own.
I hope Stefan will get the chance and want the chance to forgive his brother in return.
