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The Vampire Diaries Season 2 Episode 1

The Return

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AIRED: Sep 09, 2010

7.8

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Episode Summary

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Elena returns home and is horrified to learn what has happened to Jeremy and Uncle John. Bonnie, Matt, and Damon wait at the hospital with Sheriff Forbes, who is anxious to hear whether Caroline will survive the car accident. Elena and Damon share a confusing conversation about the evening's events, and Damon realizes that Katherine has returned. He and Stefan set out to learn why Katherine came back and whether she poses a threat to Mystic Falls. Tyler's uncle, Mason, arrives to console his family members, who are still grieving after the mayor's death.moreless

Fan Episode Reviews (12)

Katherine's back... with a vengeance!

10

By nairhart01, Sep 11, 2011

I consider myself to be a hardcore TVD fan. I'm somewhat obsessed... I'll admit that proudly. So, just like the other TVD fanatics, the past three months have been a nearly impossible wait after the incredible season one finale, "Founders Day." And, although I thought that the first couple of minutes were a bit jumpy and choppy, this season premiere was, in my opinion, one of the most amazing season premieres I have ever seen. My mind has been officially blown. So, the question is: What is worth the wait? My answer: Hell yes!!!

Things I loved:

1. Katherine. The b&&&& is back with a vengeance.

2. That John is alive. We need to know more about him.

3. That we are seeing Damon's bad, dangerous, antagonistic side again. I missed it.

4. When Damon "killed" Jeremy. That was incredible. Very old-school Damon, you could say. I wish that Jeremy hadn't been wearing the immortality ring, though. I want him to be a vampire and am disappointed that his attempted suicide failed and didn't transform him into a vampire.

5. The ending where Katherine smothered Caroline to send the "game on" message to Stefan and Damon. Although she was mean to Damon (yet truthful, which was nice) during their almost sex scene (if you will), I spent a lot of the episode wondering, "Why do we hate her?" and "Is she going to be as good of a villain as she has been made up to be?" And, after the end of the episode, the answer is very clear. Katherine will not be another "Isobel," where you think she's going to be pure evil but then turns out to be quite likable (I want Isobel back, by the way. When is she coming back? She was SUCH a great character, even though she's only been in a couple of episodes... really only one). No, no. Katherine means business. She's gonna stir up quite a bit of trouble, and I am totally pumped for it.

6. Uncle Mason's arrival. Has a lot of potential for awesomeness. When are we going to get to see the Lockwood werewolves and learn about the cure? Grr. I'm hoping the next episode, which, from the preview, looks like it, too, will be quite amazing.

7. Two words: Vampire Caroline. Oh, yeah. It's gonna be epic.

Things I didn't like:

1. That Jeremy isn't a vampire. In my opinion, I think he should have been and I'm pretty sure that he'll become one eventually. But, hey, watch me be totally wrong on that....

2. That Alaric wasn't in the episode. Frown-y face.

3. That Jeremy didn't seem all too sad about Anna's death. Was it just to save time for more important dialogue? I hope it's brought up in later episodes.

4. Am I going crazy or is the title card different font-wise? Unless I'm going insane, I liked the old font better. That's about it. Can't wait for the episode 2! The creepy fair episode, it looks like. TTYLmoreless
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Off to a great start!

8.5

By ldran3491, Jun 09, 2011

First off, I was really happy they picked up right where they left off. I will also admit that I was slightly off about my predictions regarding this episode but was surely not disappointed with the results. Afterall, John needed to be alive in order to give Jeremy that ring...

On the other side of the boat, the Salvatore brothers were each forced to face their past demons. It seems that with the stress of katherine's return, Stefan was right back on edge. His treatment of Elena's vampire-hating biological father, for example, had displayed this without flaw. Obviously Katherine is one problem too many for our hero to handle. Surely, John will not be missed by fans. Stefan of course, was all the sexier ;)

Katherine return, from the outsider's view, means so much more than just unanswered questions here. Stefan and Damon's relationship is finally put to the test. Although their brotherly 'bond' is clearly still a work in progress, they've came a long way this past season. Stefan takes note that katherine will try to break what they have. Ultimately, in the end, she does exactly just that. It's still a wonder why we can't entirely hate katherine yet. She's is so polar opposite of Elena that its intriguing. To simply put it: we need to know more.

Stefan and Katherine? Can the old feelings still there? It's a possibility. Stefan, it seems, always knew that Katherine loved him more than she did Damon. He obviously felt guilty for this knowledge, which may be the reason why he never wanted to assist Damon in search for her in the first place. Just can not get over the heart wrenching Elena and Damon scene towards the end. But before that, Damon's flabbergasted "Oh...you got to be kidding me!" was priceless when two and two were put together that he actually kissed katherine..and not Elena. The end scene was intense, my heart wrenched for him when he was rejected twice in the same night. However, I totally believe Damon when he called Elena a liar. There is obviously something going on between them, even though Elena would not admit it. However, whatever that 'something' is, we won't know until prob later on this season. Damon's little 'outburst' is not going to be so easily forgiven, that is for sure. I would be disappointed if it will be.moreless
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9.0

By TrueTvWatcher, Jun 09, 2011

This was a good season opener. It answered questions that were unanswered last season, and definitely had its shocking moments. There were some instances where the actors seemed not too into it, but over all it was a very entertaining episode. It was great to see the ground work for future episodes this season. Can't wait to find out what the Lockwood Curse is, and I also think it was cool how powerful Bonnie is becoming. I wonder how Katherine was able to resist her powers. I also wonder if Jeremy will become like his forefathers before him and turn into a vampire hunter, or if he will just get deeper into the realm of supernatural happenings.moreless
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all the pretty people

4.0

By lmeyar, Jun 09, 2011

I only watch this show for all the pretty people.

the acting is pretty bad, the writing worse. Nina Dobrev and Paul Wesley are actually decent but Ian Somerhalder; well-what does he think he is doing with his eyes? The twitching is very distracting. This episode sets up the coming of the werewolves. I hope more is shown of them then in True Blood. I wonder how they will tie it in with all of the teenager angst that seems to go around all CW shows like the flu. Well it is fun to watch so just park your brain somewhere else and enjoy.moreless
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Season two is here. And now things are about to change for the wrong turn. Like when a very bad surprise comes to visit then things go wrong.

10

By caroleann93, Jun 09, 2011

Well it's been so long since season one was around. And now that Stefan and Damon are in for a big surprise when there 1864 Ex girlfriend Katherine stops in. But the real question is that why is she back in town for? But how long will Katherine be in town for will this break up Stefan and Elena. Man what another great show I mean ever since Season one ended I've been wanting to see what happens next with Elena and Stefan and Damon .aka. the Vampire Brothers. I mean when I saw season final of season one when Elena and damon were kissing I was like oh no his is not good at all for Stefan.moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

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Nina Dobrev	Elena Gilbert/Katherine Pierce
Steven R. McQueen	Jeremy Gilbert
Paul Wesley	Stefan Salvatore
Katerina Graham	Bonnie Bennett
Zach Roerig	Matt Donovan
Ian Somerhalder	Damon Salvatore

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Taylor Kinney	Mason Lockwood	Recurring Role
David Anders	John Gilbert	Recurring Role
Marguerite MacIntyre	Sheriff Elizabeth Forbes	Recurring Role

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Episode Photos

Paul Wesley as Stefan on The Vampire Dia...

© 2010 The CW Television Network
Ian Somerhalder as Damon and Paul Wesley...

© 2010 The CW Television Network
Taylor Kinney as Mason and Michael Trevi...

© 2010 The CW Television Network
Taylor Kinney as Mason and Michael Trevi...

© 2010 The CW Television Network

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (2)
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- When Elena finds John in the kitchen and calls 911, she tells the dispatcher that her address is 2104 Maple Street. However, at the end of the pilot episode when Elena invites Stefan into the house, the numbers above the door say 935.
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- Goof: After Katherine stabs Stefan, the next scene shows Elena cleaning his wound with a cloth, which is covered in blood. When Damon shows up and Elena stands up to leave, the cloth is clean and doesn't have any blood stains.
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QUOTES (6)
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- Stefan: Haven't changed at all, have you?
  Katherine: But you have. You're stronger, meaner, sexy.
  Stefan: Don't flirt with me, Katherine. I'm not Damon. I haven't spent a hundred and forty five years obsessed with you.
  Katherine: Yeah? Based on your choice of women, I'd say otherwise.
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- Damon: (referring to using his blood to help heal Caroline) If I do this, you and me, call a truce?
  Bonnie: No. But you'll do it anyway...for Elena.
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- Katherine: You want to know why I'm here, Stefan? I came back for you.
  Stefan: The problem, Katherine, is that I hate you.
  Katherine: (picks up a candelabrum nearby and stabs Stefan in the stomach) You hate me, huh? That sounds like the beginning of a love story, Stefan, not the end of one.
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- Caroline: Elena?
  Katherine: Hi, Caroline.
  Caroline: What are you doing here?
  Katherine: My name is Katherine. I was hoping you could give the Salvatore brothers a message for me.
  Caroline: What are you talking about? What message?
  Katherine: Game on.
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- Stefan: It's Katherine. She got under his skin. She undid everything that was good about him.
  Elena: There is nothing good about him. Stefan, not anymore. He's decide what he wants. He doesn't want to feel, he wants to be hated, it's just easier that way. He got his wish. I hate him, Stefan.
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- Elena: Katherine was in this house; that means that she's been invited in. What are we gonna do?
  Damon: Move.
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NOTES (3)
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- Although credited, Matt Davis (Alaric Saltzman) does not appear in this episode.
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- Featured Music:
  "Out Of Our Hands" by Gemma Hayes
  "How To Save A Life" by Piano Tribute Players
  "Breakeven" by Piano Tribute Players
  "Wonderful Life" by Hurts
  "The River Has Run Wild" by Mads Langer
  "Come Home" by OneRepublic and Sara Bareilles
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- Original International Air Dates:
  Canada: Thursday, September 9, 2010 on A
  Australia: Monday, September 13, 2010 on GO!
  Philippines: Tuesday, September 14, 2010 on ETC
  United Kingdom: Tuesday, October 5, 2010 on ITV2
  Latin America: Wednesday, November 3, 2010 on Warner Channel
  Norway: Thursday, November 18, 2010 on FEM
  Sweden: Thursday, November 18, 2010 on TV6
  Slovakia: Sunday, January 15, 2012 on Markiza
  Turkey: Sunday, May 20, 2012 on CNBC-e
  Czech Republic: Monday, July 2, 2012 on TV Nova
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ALLUSIONS (0)
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- ADD ALLUSIONS from this episode.