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Plus, Elena tells one of the Salvatore brothers she’ll be with him ‘forever.’ But was it the right one?

The Vampire Diaries made its triumphant return Oct. 11, as Elena (Nina Dobrev) finally sprouted the fangs we’ve been waiting months to see. But for Elena, becoming a vampire meant more than just facing her new reality as a member of the undead community. It also meant facing the choice she made between Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Damon (Ian Somerhalder) last season — and having to reaffirm her feelings for the Salvatore brothers.

Sadly for Team Delena, she stuck with her decision to be with Stefan. His was the first face she saw upon waking to her living nightmare, and he was the one who got to walk her through the first steps of vampirism. She even overlooked the fact that he kind of failed her twice: First by letting her die on the bridge, and again by getting her hopes up about possibly remaining human. In fact, she loved him for it! Sometimes I question Elena’s sanity.

To her credit, though, I’ve never found Elena more interesting than I did this week. If I’m being real, I always thought she was a little vanilla. She’s super pretty and she cares about her brother and stuff, but there was nothing — aside from her doppelganger blood — that really made her stand out to me. Until now. The girl didn’t just get fangs this week, she also got a personality. And Nina did a fantastic job portraying Elena’s ups-and-downs throughout the hour. I laughed with her, I cried with her and I grew fangs with her. Actually, scratch that last part.

As expected, Damon was less-than-pleased about Elena’s transition, and he decided to unleash his smoldering fury on — well, pretty much everyone. He tried to kill Rebekah (Claire Holt), he tried kill Matt (Zach Roerig) twice, and he was kind of an all-around dick to Elena. His anger came from love, of course, but for some reason no one on this show is able to understand that. If only they could watch their lives through a TV screen like we do, maybe they’d see what’s really going on here.

There was a moment — when Elena was literally reliving the scene from season two when Damon confessed his true feelings, then compelled her to forget — that I thought she might have a change of heart. But judging by the final conversation she had with him, it’s clear she’s got her feet firmly planted on Stefan’s soil. For now.

CAROLINE & TYLER (AND KLAUS):

Though she didn’t go quite as bonkers as Elena, Caroline (Candice Accola) certainly experienced her own emotional roller coaster this week with Tyler. I mean Klaus. I mean … I don’t know what I mean anymore.

Their reunion was hectic, to say the least: “Tyler, you’re alive?” … “Tyler, you’re Klaus?” … PUNCH!

Here’s my one complaint about that scene: Who decided it would be a good idea to ONLY show shirtless Tyler from behind? (I feel cheated.) I’m just glad Klaus was finally expelled from Tyler’s body, so he and Caroline can get back to that “hot hybrid sex” I’ve heard so much about.

I’d like to also take a minute to applaud Michael Trevino for his performance this week. He’s always been good as Tyler — his grunting and shirtless posing have been consistently on point — but his portrayal of Klaus bumped him up multiple notches in my book. I especially loved when he had to play Tyler AS Klaus when Carol called him on the phone. I hope he’s given meaty material this season, because he proved he can handle anything that’s thrown his way.

BONNIE’S SACRIFICE:

I know Vampire Diaries fans have a tendency to hate on Bonnie (Kat Graham), but I don’t think she’s given enough credit for the outrageous lengths she’s willing to go to keep her friends safe. The girl literally killed herself this week just so that her spirit could bring Elena’s back to the land of the living!

Of course, Bonnie didn’t expect a surprise visit from her sweet terrifying Grams — and she certainly didn’t expect the spirits to take their frustration out on her. Come to think of it, I’m not totally sure what happened to Grams. Is she, like, twice dead now? Watching her die was sad enough the first time; Don’t put me through that again!

Bonnie even found enough spare time to whip up a daylight ring for Elena. Somehow, in between expelling Klaus (Joseph Morgan) and watching her grandmother die — again — she found the time. I want a friend like Bonnie.

BYE BYE, BADDIES:

We were briefly introduced to the rest of the vampire-hunting council this week, headed by Mystic Falls’ beloved Pastor Young (Michael Reilly Burke). His team succeeded in rounding up the town’s vampire population, but once Elena nommed on one of his guards and everyone managed to escape, Pastor Young decided to throw in the towel. And by “throw in the towel,” I mean BLOW UP HIS HOUSE AND KILL THE ENTIRE COUNCIL.

(Having seen next week’s episode already, I can confirm Pastor Young’s actions set up something big.)

And what would a recap be without a complete Stelena vs. Delena breakdown?

Elena tells Stefan he “did the right thing” saving Matt, even though it meant she freakin’ DIED. She likes that she has him totally whipped. (+5 points) x Elena and Stefan swapping “I love you”s and pretending to smile in their little prisons was kind of endearing. (+25 points) xx  “Do you know why I was even on that bridge? I was coming back for you, Stefan. I had to choose, and I picked you … because I love you. No matter what happens, it’s the best choice I ever made.” (+50 points) xx Elena tells Stefan, “I’ll be with you … forever.” (+100 points) xxxx  TOTAL: 180 points		There’s no denying that Elena felt some serious feelings as she re-lived Damon’s confession from two seasons ago. (+15 points) x Elena basically told Damon it wouldn’t have made a difference if she’d known she met him first. (-20 points)x x Still, she said: “I remember everything. … Like how you and I met first. We were strangers, and you told me you wanted me to get everything I wanted from life.” (+10 points) x Damon’s monologue about how he would have saved her in a heartbeat because he’s “selfish” left her speechless. Don’t deny it. (+20 points) x TOTAL: 25 points

x

You know I love me some Damon, but there’s no denying the premiere was a resounding win for Team Stelena.

What did YOU think of the season premiere? Was Elena’s transformation everything you hoped it would be? Was she wrong to treat Damon like crap? Drop me a comment with your personal review(s) of tonight’s episode!

— Andy Swift

Follow @AndySwift

More Vampire Diaries season 4 scoop:

1. ‘Vampire Diaries’ Scoop: How Damon & Meredith ‘Bond’ In Season 4
2. ‘Vampire Diaries’: Ian Somerhalder Exposes Elena’s Season 4 Sex Life
3. New ‘Vampire Diaries’ Pics: Are Matt & Rebekah Hooking Up?