The opening with Katherine and Stefan’s first meeting in 1864 is really good. And dobsely chemistry is just Chemistrying in that scene, the way they gaze at each other is so energetic.
“I am a vampire.” You know, he told her the truth. If he wanted to, he could’ve just compelled her like Katherine did, but he didn’t because the only thing he intended to do was tell her the truth. Then, when he goes to her room, I think that scene is quite angsty. They just feed off each other’s energy.
Stefan: “Do not tell anybody, “ knowing this is dangerous for so many reasons.”
This is also the reason why he was so afraid to tell Elena. He was afraid she would become leverage or a target because of that information, and when she asks him to leave, Stefan does so without forcing anything on her in that moment.
Stefan standing outside Elena’s house the entire night because he was worried about her is so protective.And, you know, it also proves how little Damon actually cares about Elena. The number of times he uses Elena as leverage or a threat to get what he wants only proves how little she truly meant to him.
Damon brought Vicki home and then feed her his blood? Like, seriously? He did all of this to her. It’s ridiculous how they tried to erase what he did to her in Season 5 by making Matt blame Katherine instead.
Stefan: “I didn’t care that I had gotten something that my brother wanted. I didn’t even care if it hurt him.”
Now, that’s the thing about Stefan: he owns up to his mistakes. How does he become the liar when he’s so open about the instances of his selfishness and his mistakes? He owns them. He doesn’t gaslight people or twist the narrative like Damon does, nor does he try to protect his image. He’s very honest about his flaws.
Now, the entire sex scene between Katherine and Stefan is extremely erotic and steamy but in context wise, to me, it is very similar to Daroline, and I think that’s what makes Steferine problematic to me because just moment later she fed on him, but that’s not even the only issue. The next morning, she compels him to keep things exactly as they were before he found out she was a vampire. That means Stefan has to continue acting and feeling the same way despite now being terrified of her. He has no consent, no agency, and no free will. To me, that’s just not right because she took away his agency.
It’s funny when she later says, “I never compelled your love,” because why wouldn’t Stefan feel like everything was compulsion? He was afraid of her, and she compelled him to continue acting as though nothing had changed after learning she was a vampire. He never had the free will to reflect on his own feelings, so it makes complete sense that Stefan would feel as though the entire relationship had been built on compulsion.
Also, Stefan says she kept both of them compelled, but later episodes reveal through Damon that he actually wasn’t compelled. He knew Katherine was a vampire, had full consent, and still continued the relationship while allowing her to manipulate Stefan and didn’t tired to stop her.
So Logan already knows about vampires. That Damon and Vicki dancing scene is just icky, corny, and honestly not fun to watch at all.
Stefan telling Elena never to take off the necklace to herself from Damon and also from himself. He’s aware of the danger that he himself poses, and he makes sure Elena knows how to keep herself safe.
Also, the way he told her that the decision to be with him or not is entirely hers. It’s always her choice. I think that’s why free will and agency matter so much to Stefan. So much of his own agency was taken away from him that he understands exactly what it feels like, and that’s why he constantly protects Elena’s ability to choose for herself.
Sometimes I pity Matt. He has a terrible mother, and he constantly has to watch his sister messed up. The poor guy really needs a break.
Stefan is so sweet when he tells Vicki that everything is going to be okay. I also love how he immediately tells Elena about Vicki’s transition. The way Elena is afraid of Damon when he comes to her house as though he’s going to kill her shows just how terrified she already is.
As usual, it’s Stefan who has to help, find Vicki, and clean up Damon’s mess.
Damon saying to Stefan, “If anyone’s going to kill you, it’s going to be me,” is supposed to come across as concern or proof that he loves Stefan. But honestly, it feels more like Damon wants to keep Stefan alive simply so he can continue tormenting him. That, in itself, is his way of killing him.
The way Elena rushes to Stefan the moment she sees the blood on his shirt shows just how worried she is about him. Her breaking up with Stefan also says so much about Elena’s character. She understands the danger that loving him could bring to the people she cares about, and she’s trying to balance her love for Stefan with her responsibility toward her family and friends. That’s such a major distinction between Elena with Stefan and Elena with Damon, where everyone else eventually just stopped existing in her emotional orbit.
But the most powerful part is that she holds herself together throughout the entire episode. She only breaks down after she ends things with Stefan. She doesn’t do it because she wants to she does it because she feels she has to. Yet it hurts her just as much.
She sits there crying at the door, her hand resting on her stomach, as though her entire body is physically feeling the pain of the decision she’s just made and everything she’s had to sacrifice because of how deeply she cares about the people in her life. Like They’re separated by the door, yet they’re still connected. Neither of them says anything. They simply breathe, hearing and feeling each other’s presence through the silence. even when apart, they’re still breathing each other in.
