The Vampire Diaries - "The Walking Dead" - Review

Bonnie has probably been the character The Vampire Diaries has been most off point with throughout the series’ run. Bonnie has frequently been more of a plot device than a character. Part of the problem is that Bonnie is the only major character who can perform magic which means she always gets forced into plots solely for her powers. And yet this is fantastic episode for Kat Graham as Bonnie.

The character suddenly clicks in a way she hasn’t in the past. It helps that her story is front and center and that the deeply confusing and convoluted Silas story finally has a sense of direction and comes out in full force. Silas was meant to be this season’s big villain but this never really came together. He’s been more in the background than a character of this seeming magnitude arguably ought to be. But suddenly Bonnie’s motives in the Silas scheme, and the general nature of the scheme itself, are clarified. And that makes a world of difference. 

We actively root for Bonnie rather than scratching our heads pondering just what the hell is going on with her this week. I was even actually a little devastated when Bonnie looked down at her dead body. Something I never thought I’d say.

The return of dead folk also proved to be rather effective. It’s a well the series has drawn from a bit too much, but it works here. I’ll take any excuse to see Alaric and Damon palling it up again as it remains to be one of my favorite pairings. But other returning character are also nicely used including Lexi who floats the suggested romantic interest of Caroline past Steffen (I smiled; I can dig it. Their relationship has grown into something really sweet and sobering. The only problem would be their mutual nagging feelings for former lovers) as well as Jeremy whose appearance was necessary for Elena’s closure (Jeremy's appearance is almost underwhelming). 

The Elena and Silas storylines are at times at odds with eachother (which is a problem this season has had with balancing multiple long term storylines). But for the most part this is a solid outing from the series.

Grade: B+