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The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Episode 18

Under Control

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AIRED: Apr 15, 2010

7.3

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Episode Summary

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Stefan struggles to maintain control of his new circumstances, and Elena and Jeremy's uncle, John Gilbert, unexpectedly shows up in Mystic Falls. Alaric and Elena have an awkward conversation about Isobel. Stefan exhibits some unusual behavior at the Founder's Day event, and things turn ugly when Damon tries to find out why John Gilbert has returned. Matt and Tyler find themselves in conflict after an incident at the party, and the relationship between Matt and his mom reaches a new low point. Meanwhile, Elena is unable to comfort Jeremy, causing him to take action.moreless

FAN RECAP

Fan Episode Reviews (5)

Blood lust

8.5

By RobGrizz, Sep 30, 2011

Not much by way of action or even horror this week, but the mysteries continue to cook, and all new ingredients got tossed into the pot. These ingredients go by the name of John Gilbert (David Anders of Heroes) who I'm betting is going to be deliciously fun on this show. The Vampire Diaries is nothing if not intriguing, and they have done a consistently good job of bring in new characters to stir up trouble or add a new dynamic to current plots- even if for a brief time (So much has gone down in just this first season).

John comes into town as Elena and Jeremy's uncle- and Jenna's lover? His family legacy immediately sees him as a local golden boy, and in no time, he's integrated himself in the Council, but there is so much more going on beneath his smug exterior. Surprising even Damon, John revealed that he knew all about what the vampire had been up to. Damon's reaction was pro-typical Damon: Kill him. (Awesome)

But Gilbert is up accepting cheers and toasts only minutes later. (More awesome) So try to keep up: Turns out he has a ring just like Alaric's- who's own ring is in fact, John Gilbert's, before he gave it to Isobel, who in turn gave it to Alaric- around the time she wanted to become a vampire, where John pointed her in Damon's direction. The ring Gilbert's wearing now is his brother's, the two of which they own out of inheritance. And he knows Katherine. Bomb. Dropped. Welcome to the world of confusion! I love this guy already! Also, it's great to see someone playing games with Damon in the way he plays games with so many others. These two are very much alike. Can't wait for more confrontations there.

Stefan meanwhile thirsts. Hard. Elena's sweet blood has triggered his hunger, and because of his years of repression, his vampire instincts are fighting back to the surface more than ever. This is really great to explore for the character, and Paul Wesley is doing a great job with the struggle. Scenes with him and a jerk at the party provide juicy tension.

The part of the episode I liked the least delt with Matt's cougar mom. Kelly's character right now is really one-note, and she hasn't been on the show long enough to be anything but unlikable, based on what we've seen thus far. It was a stretch to try to make us believe she would so quickly jump all over another teen- and Matt's best friend, no less! Does her sluttage know no bounds? Being drunk was a weak writing excuse, and I don't buy that even Tyler would do something that low. Finally, Jeremy pressed on about his suspicion regarding Vicki's death. The vampire issue has become a delicate secret between he and Elena, but whatever progress they were having as siblings (she told him about the adoption) got smashed when he read her diary. Good stuff!moreless
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Stefan's "withdrawal" from blood starts to show as he finally admits to Elena his desperations. John Gilbert knows who and where Isobel is; Damon tried to kill him but Gilbert survived because he has the same "life-saving" ring that Alaric has.moreless

10

By jenhz0, Sep 30, 2011

Stefan should watch his girl; Damon's charms are definitely creeping on to Elena. The characters were perfect in this episode. I loved the differences between each one: the good and the bad, the calm and the needy. And as always Damon has made me laugh with his unpredictable moves and one-liners. The part where he encounters Elena at the bar, with his Jeremy mock-vocie "Who buried Vicky? Oh pick me! I know! I know! I did!" dramatic hand-waving and smelling that rose before giving it to Elena.... ohhhh! What a charmer! Guess perfect boys like Damon only comes in forms of blood-thirsty vampires.moreless
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Season 1, Episode 18

10

By TvFreak7, Dec 30, 2010

This episode was another excellent episode of a show thats proving to me that it is one of the best dramas on television. This episode began where last episode left us with Damon finding Stefan drinking human blood! There were many developments in this episode that assures me that we are gearing up to a wonderful season finale. We had the return of Elena and Jeremy's uncle - John Giblert, who Damon kills, but comes back to life! Stefan tries to protect Elena, but Elena still trusts him, yet shes beginning to see how letting him drink her blood has affected his personality. and Jeremy reads Elena's diary.

10/10moreless
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Was that the best episode in the season or what? (Spoiler alert)

10

By asya155, Nov 21, 2010

This is the first time to rate any of the episodes of this show a perfect 10, but it totally worth it. I mean with the end of last week's episode and how it ended I was really disappointed (Damon found Stephan drinking human blood, I didn't hate this actually I thought its fun, but I hated that that scene was similar to Sam Winchester's struggle with the demons blood addiction-if you're a Supernatural fan you'll know what I mean-in season 4 and 5. I was like "Come on! Be little creative!")

But this week's episode was Great, with all the things that made me shout on my screen and gasp even laugh watching it. Like the evil uncle- that actor from Heroes- Elena and Jeremy's uncle, the badas* Stephan, and Omg-I don't which one was the climax- when Damon killed John-Elena's uncle- or when the bastard came back form the dead being a vampire!!!!

And the stupid Jeremy who went to read his sister's diaries, or the fight, maybe when Stephan was all drunk and cool or when that mayor slapped his son across his face, seriously don't know but it was really tense episode mostly because of Stephan struggle with his craves for human blood and Jeremy's craves to know what happened to Vicky. But being a total Damon girl I couldn't help laugh on his jokes-when he was at Elena's house- and his amusement seeing Stephan suffer but he also tease him more putting glasses of human blood leaving it for him to drink knowing he won't be able to resist(I love that guy).

But I caught myself thinking-hope there someone else shares this crazy idea with me- about a very important question Is John Gilbert Elena's father? Is he? I don't know! I'm just wondering! All I have to do now is to wait for the next episode to find out.moreless
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Stefan tries to control his craving; Jeremy is questioning more about Vicky before her death. Damon has more on the plate than he can handle as he confronts Elena's uncle who pops in Mystic Falls unannounced.moreless

6.5

By KazieKanizen, May 25, 2010

Things go as normal as planned with the show revealing more characters and and slow revealing tidbits. No heart pumping causes in many of the scenes in this episode in my humble opinion.

So a member of the Gilbert family comes into town unannounced: Elena's uncle John. We learns what is his motive for coming to Mystic Falls. John seems to have a quick hand knowledge of what is really going on. This also leads me to believe he might be doing dirty deals behind the Founders' council's back. Is he working with Katherine secretly? if so what would be his motive? He doesn't sound like he's here to wipe off the vampires but to gain certain control and power over something... Lockwood and his son has me in suspicion that they are covering a dark secret... I also wonder if Lockwood knew who Pearl was right away...in the last episode. Melinda gave me an impression that she has had many secret affairs in mystic falls and she is always looking out for some guy willing to rock her socks off. Finally Jeremy gets down to the truth of finding out how much Elena really knows about the death of Vicki... and knows he is better off playing dumb about it instead of over reacting to it and keeping a secret about it.moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

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Zach Roerig	Matt Donovan
Matthew Davis	Alaric Saltzman
Candice Accola	Caroline Forbes
Steven R. McQueen	Jeremy Gilbert
Sara Canning	Jenna Sommers
Michael Trevino	Tyler Lockwood

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Justin Smith	Guy	Guest Star
David Anders	John Gilbert	Recurring Role
Melinda Clarke	Kelly Donovan	Recurring Role
Marguerite MacIntyre	Sheriff Elizabeth Forbes	Recurring Role

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Episode Photos

Paul Wesley as Stefan on Vampire Diaries...

© 2010 The CW
Ian Somerhalder as Damon and David Ander...

© 2010 The CW
Matt Davis as Alaric, Ian Somerhalder as...

© 2010 The CW
Matt Davis as Alaric and Sara Canning as...

© 2010 The CW

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (0)
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QUOTES (4)
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- Damon: Well, you know that I could rip your throat out before anyone would notice.
  John: Yeah.
  Damon: Yeah, okay. But you probably ingest vervain, so...
  John: Why don't you take a bite, find out?
  Damon: It's not worth my time.
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- Damon: Where the hell did you get that ring?
  Alaric: Isobel, my wife.
  Damon: Isobel gave birth to Elena...under the medical care of the esteemed Dr. Grayson Gilbert, John's brother!
  Alaric: What, do you think John knew Isobel?
  Damon: I think John knows a lot of things.
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- Elena: Look, Damon, I'm worried about Stefan. He says that everything's okay but he's clearly struggling. How long is it gonna take until he's back to normal?
  Damon: A few days, give or take.
  Elena: It's been a few days.
  Damon: Give then, I don't know. What's the big deal?
  Elena: He's not himself, Damon.
  Damon: Well, maybe his problem is he's spent too long not being himself.
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- Damon: He's a Gilbert?
  Sheriff Forbes: Elena's uncle. His name's John, but I call him jackass.
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NOTES (3)
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- Although credited, Candice Accola (Caroline) and Katerina Graham (Bonnie) do not appear in this episode.
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- Featured Music:
  "You And I" by Black Mustang
  "Yeah!" by The Golden Dogs
  "1901" by Phoenix
  "White Night" by The Postelles
  "Use Your Love" by Katy Perry
  "Brick By Boring Brick" by Paramore
  "Hey Hey Girl" by The Virgins
  "Does This Mean You're Moving On" by The Airborne Toxic Event
  "To Be Your Loss" by The Morning After Girls
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- Original International Air Dates:
  Canada: Thursday, April 15, 2010 on CTV
  Australia: Monday, April 19, 2010 on GO!
  Latin America: Thursday, May 6, 2010 on Warner Channel
  United Kingdom: Tuesday, May 25, 2010 on ITV2
  Sweden: Thursday, October 14, 2010 on TV6
  Norway: Thursday, October 14, 2010 on FEM
  Germany: Wednesday, November 24, 2010 on ProSieben
  Slovakia: Sunday, January 16, 2011 on Markiza
  Poland: Monday, April 18, 2011 on TVN
  Turkey: Saturday, May 28, 2011 on CNBC-e
  Czech Republic: Monday, June 25, 2012 on TV Nova
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