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!