As I Lay Dying, Part 1 of 2: The Boys

Episode Synopsis: Damon's got werewolf-bite-fever, and the only thing that can cure him is more Klaus Blood. Fortunately, he has a devoted brother who is willing to binge drink blood like he's trying to get into an undead Kappa Tau. Klaus hands over his blood for a new wingman in the form of a bloodlusting Stefan (having killed Elijah). At the Salvatore mansion, Damon's got a death wish and a really bad case of expository flashbacks. In the end, he stumbles through town and is confused by the screening of Gone With the Wind (don't worry, Damon, I was confused by all the period-dressed extras as well). He mistakes Elena for Katherine and bites her, but she repays him by cuddling with him in bed and kissing him. Katherine shows up for that last bit and shares her wisdom for the ages: "It's okay to love them both. I did.

Back in Mystic Falls, Sheriff Forbes is on the hunt for a feverish Damon, and she accidentally shoots Jeremy in the chest. He dies, but thanks to Bonnie's coalition of tempermental witches, he gets better. Of course, better is a relative term - he comes back to life, but he's apparently brought the ghosts of girlfriends past with him.

You have to give Damon credit – up until the second half of this season, he’s avoided the siren song of emo vampiredom. I guess it’s only fair that we allow him this one little indulgence – although, if not for the super healing, the potential damage to his face could have been catastrophic.

Then again, I don’t know if I could blame him for wanting to get some color. He’s been stuck in black button downs and dark jeans for ages now; the least he can do for himself is have a nice tan.

For his trip to the Gilbert house, Damon dons a standard black leather jacket, but I do love the big utilitarian pockets – vital for a vampire on the go.

Stefan keeps it simple this episode, sticking to a grey pullover - a fitting choice, given his impending turn to the dark side.

The only thing that keeps the look interesting is that he’s wearing a grey leather jacket, rather than the Mystic Falls standard-issue black one.

However, two things about his look are really starting to get to me. One is his anime hero hair.

The other is that he and Damon apparently are sharing boots these days.

Meanwhile, Klaus has woken up naked in a field. His super-white skin is probably the closest we will ever get to having a sparkle vampire on this show.

He decides to go for modesty and swings by a local Bloomingdales for this lovely black sweater.

Klaus, if you’re going to kill off your brother, you’ll have to step up your game a bit. Elijah’s tailored suits put your sweaters and jeans to shame.

I’ve included this picture of Jeremy mostly because his posture bears a striking resemblance to that infamous picture of Bigfoot.

I don’t have any stills of Alaric’s outfit, mostly because it’s just more of the same Safari Sam gear, but it’s official: Matt Davis might be the most intentionally funny actor on the show. Behold, his drunk face.

I am so using this face whenever I'm drunk from here on out.

As I Lay Dying, Part 2 of 2: The Girls

Katherine’s first appearance in the episode is as a figment of Damon’s imagination. She uses what may be the best line ever to draw Damon into her boudoir: she asks him to help her unknot her corset strings. She may be evil, but you have to admit – the girl’s good.

She reappears again in a gorgeous dusky periwinkle dress. Damon’s done a nice job of hallucinating a good wardrobe for her.

My favorite part is the glittery beading down the sides of the bodice – as if Nina Dobrev wasn’t tiny enough, it makes her waist look ridiculously dainty.

In real life, Katherine sticks to her usual solid top, skinny jeans and booties. Given that she can’t leave Alaric’s apartment and Klaus’s sadistic streak, I would have loved if he had given her a completely different wardrobe to wear while locked up.

The other doppelganger also sticks to her usual look – essentially, a less sexy version of what Katherine would wear. Dark fitted jeans, a navy top, and Converse. I do love her leather jacket though … again, a nice change from the standard black.

Per usual, Caroline looks adorable in her cropped jacket and skinny jeans. My only problem is her boots, which look gigantic. Whether this is because her legs are crazy skinny or because the boots are too wide, I’m not sure. Either way, it screws up an otherwise cute, delicate look.

The biggest problem I have with this episode is that I couldn’t get a single clear shot of Bonnie’s outfit. This matters only because, now that she’s an all-powerful badass, she’s starting to dress less like a daughter of the Earth and more like the rockstar that she has become. She’s still wearing a flowery top, but it’s a little more fitted and there’s no visible empire waist. Huge developments for this girl.

As always, Mayor Lockwood rocks a sexy fitted suit and an impeccable bitch face.

And of course, the biggest shocker of the episode: the return of Anna and Vicky, in the form of either ghosts or hallucinations.

I will say this: at least the afterlife has great hair stylists. Vicky’s hair is looking all kinds of amazing.

And so ends season two of The Vampire Diaries: with Stefan about to go all Angelus, Damon and Elena embroiled in sexual tension, and Jeremy hallucinating the ghosts of his ex-girlfriends.

How many months till fall again?

Mini Recap: As I Lay Dying

To save Damon from his werewolf bite, Stefan agrees to go all Angelus and be Klaus's wingman. Meanwhile, Sheriff Forbes tries to kill Damon but just ends up shooting Jeremy Gilbert in the chest and having a touching moment with her daughter.

Best Leather Jacket
Stefan's grey leather jacket was a nice change from the usual black leather favored by most vamps.

Body Count
Elijah (dagger) Random Girl (Stefan), Jeremy (GSW to the chest, but Emily Bennett saved him).

Our New Pickup Line Here at YKYLF
Asking cute boys to help us with our knotted corset strings will get them every time.

Katherine Appreciates a Good Love Triangle
"It's okay to love them both. I did."

OMG Moment
Sure, Elena kissing Damon was up there, but Jeremy's "I see dead people" season-ending moment with Anna and Vicky was huge. Does this mean Aunt Jenna and Uncle John aren't gone for good? Or Ma and Pa Gilbert? The possiblities are endless.

Check back on Sunday for a full recap of the season finale by me, Amanda!

The Sun Also Rises - Part 1 of 2 - Let's Hear It For the Boys

Episode Synopsis:  We’re throwing out a major sad face for this episode because Aunt Jenna is dead. Again. This time for reals. Actually, a lot of people died this episode including Jules, John, Greta and Elena. Guess which one miraculously came back from the dead? Hint: amazing hair. In a sub-plot, Caroline and Matt bust a cap in Tyler’s lupine behind, after which Caroline finds out that Matt’s been playing dumb about that whole compulsion to forget she’s a vampire. Seriously, you can’t trust ANYONE these days. Klaus, being all Klaus-y, nearly achieves the hybrid status until Bonnie reenacts some scenes from “The Craft” with help from Elijah. Yeah, it looks like everything is wrapped up nicely until Elijah double-crosses our heroes and takes off with Klaus. Not a great night for Mystic Falls.

Oh, Alaric. Sweet, full of good intentions, just trying to do his best, misfortune laden Alaric. Can I call you Al? I get that you’re all heroic because I’ve been watching for a while now but seriously, stop ripping off Damon’s style.

Slack will definitely be cut for Al this week though considering Jenna gone done and died. Wear your leather jacket with solemn pride, my friend. You deserve it.

This week’s episode was very intense so granted there weren’t a lot of wardrobe changes but, and stress that as a very sassy but, when it comes to the men of Vampire Diaries - when is variety stressed anyway? Elijah always look like that accountant who tried to screw you on your taxes. An immortal, bloodthirsty accountant.

“What you don’t like my v-neck?” - no, Stefan, I like it just fine. Seriously. I’d like it even better if you were in daylight and it magically fell off. But what do I know, I’m just a writer.

When a man decides to sacrifice himself in an unholy ritual involving nearly every branch of the supernatural tree to save your life - that’s love. When you hear of his plan and protest like some whiny teenager and boldly claim that everything is going to be alright - that’s Elena Gilbert. But, when you stand brooding above a rock quarry in some really awesome dark denim - that’s all Stefan Salvatore. 

Apparently in Mystic Falls, the villains wear colour bucking a standard trend in storytelling. Also, visitors usually die or are subjected to a whole bunch of pain. Remind me to never visit this town; poor Klaus didn’t see it coming.

Speaking of Klaus: who would have thought that the first vampire in existence would be such a hot British dude? I can’t see the chain he’s wearing but rest assured, I won’t like it. Men wearing chains is akin to women wearing galaxy-print leggings. You just don’t do it.

 

With all of the excitement happening at the quarry, I wonder what Tyler’s been getting up to? You know, aside from transitioning into a werewolf and getting shot. Oh look at that, he’s a nakers under a blanket. Who needs fashion when you look like that? Me - but I’m a modest kind of guy.

“Caroline, look! Check out my muscles!”

“Yeah...so about this trying to kill me thingy...stop it.”

Why Caroline chose Matt, who’s looking like a GQ version of a Big Buck Magazine cover boy in this hunting jacket, over Tyler is beyond my comprehension. I guess I like dumb jocks over the outdoorsy type.

Now for those of you who have adopted wearing a leather jacket everywhere due to watching Vampire Diaries, I present to you “How to Wear A Leather Jacket In the Event of a Potential Threat to Civilization” featuring Damon Salvatore.

Lesson One: Own that jacket. Whether you’re cracking jokes or skulls.

Lesson Two: Crazy Eyes with a dash of Murderer Mouth adds to the clout your jacket carries.

Lesson Three: Don’t wear leather to a funeral, however, substitute it with a fitted suit and abandon the tie. Still badass, still sexy, always Damon.

*I was born to be a mediocre copywriter*

Here’s a tidbit of info that should not come as a surprise: I hate waffle prints. I don’t understand them and I don’t care to; don’t even get me started on ribbed cotton. Jeremy seems to have a penchant for the textured fabrics and if he wasn’t so darn cute, I’d hold it against him.

I definitely won’t win over any diehard Vampire Diaries fans but I’ll say this anyway: John Gilbert is a total fox. Well, in this episode anyway. The fitted shirt, biker style jacket and jeans that are tighter than any dad’s I’ve ever met are working for the vampire hunter. Too bad he’s dead. Like our love.

So what was my favourite bit of menswear this week? Jeremy’s funeral suit. The circumstances in which he had to bust it out are less than favourable because I loved me some Aunt Jenna but you can’t deny how good he looks.

The Sun Also Rises - Part 2 of 2 - Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves

Now that I think about it, my title may not be the best representation of the what happens with the ladies in this episode. Although, when you look back, they are the ones taking care of business. As usual.

Time to add one more body to growing pile of dead characters. Later, Jules! At least you’re dying while wearing a killer denim jacket. P.S. - your hair has never looked better. Lazers!

I included this photo because they are standing in my dream apartment. Exposed brick, butcher block counter tops and Barbra Walters-esque soft lighting. Oh, by the way, this isn’t Elena - it’s Katherine. How do I know? The cleavage.

Greta also made her departure in this episode which is too bad because as far as evil witches go, she was totally hot. Maybe it’s the attitude or maybe it was the limitless supply of power but girl was working her role as Klaus’ witch for hire.

 

Come on! When did we ever catch Bonnie in an outfit like that? The leather, the earrings, the beads...my god the earrings. Why does television always kill my favourite characters?!?

 
Remember the sad faces I threw out earlier? It’s over this lady: Aunt Jenna. She looks so demure and sad but you probably would too if you were made a vampire against your will.

Funny how as soon as she was made a vampire she adopted their uniform of a fitted jacket, understated tee and tight, dark pants. At least she looks good.

There she is. Remember this face as a lesson when confronted by the possibility of becoming a legal guardian for your niece whose life has been plagued by death and sorrow. This will be your face when you’re on the brink of death. Wow that’s depressing...who remembers the Royal Wedding!??!

 

Switching gears to the more frilly of the ladies, it’s time for Caroline! First off, I love this coat and its ruffles at the back. Chic in the face of certain death; that’s probably a requirement of Mystic Falls residents. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve found an attractive, wounded werewolf at my front door.

Caroline’s coat in full view is much more impressive. What’s ever more impressive than that is how she kept a cream coloured coat stain free after running through the woods and fending off werewolf attacks.

What were her BFFs up to while she was tending to Tyler’s wounds? Nothing serious, just trying to find a spell that would save Elena from dying (again) and attempting to kill the first vampire in existence. Apparently, working under a deadline makes Bonnie shed her usual layers.

So what does Bonnie do once she’s figured out some kind of plan? She goes all Halle Berry in the X-Men films and lays down the business for Klaus and Greta. Don’t get me wrong, I think Bonnie’s blazer is great but it’s just not as cool as Greta’s leather jacket.

But where is Elena in all of this you ask? Trapped in a ring of fire; I don’t imagine this is what Mr. Cash envisioned when he wrote the song. Nothing particularly stands out with Elena’s wardrobe, as with mostly everyone else, because it’s all utilitarian in this episode. You can hardly wear anything fashion forward when battling Klaus but at least everyone looks presentable.

I can’t imagine why there are vampire obsessed people in the world. There’s nothing sexual about this at all. NOTHING.

As I said earlier, guess who miraculously survives death? Here’s another hint: she’s wearing a purple top and is being watched over by a Salvatore brother.

Jeremy was looking pretty dapper in his funeral attire but Elena is drop dead gorgeous in this photo. Too soon? Even though she looks like she was shrink wrapped into this dress it’s totally working for her.

So what was my favourite choice for the ladies of Mystic Falls? All of their black dresses! Again, it’s sad that it took some serious deaths to get them all dressed up and fancified but I can’t help myself. Neither can Bonnie it looks like and she was so close to leaving billowy fabrics behind.

Oh my god there is only one episode left! Also, this episdoe and the last are titled after two iconic American novels by Hemingway and Faulkner respectively. What does that have to do with fashion? Nothing but who says you can't have fun and learn. Until next time friends!