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TV Review: THE VAMPIRE DIARIES - SEASON ONE - 'The Turning Point' - iFMagazine.com Send to a friend
© 2009 CW Paul Wesley as Stefan in THE VAMPIRE DIARIES "The Turning Point"

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TV Review: THE VAMPIRE DIARIES - SEASON ONE - 'The Turning Point'

It's midway through the season with new foes and friends alike, but THE VAMPIRE DIARIES still suffers from same old ailments

Grade: C+
Stars: Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, Ian Somerhalder
Writer(s): Barbie Klingman, Julie Plec
Director: Kevin Williamson
Release Date: Nov. 19, 2009

By CARLOS DELGADO, Associate Editor
Published 11/20/2009



 

“The Turning Point” indeed. Last week’s episode seemed to mark the end of an era. With the crystal destroyed and no chance for Katherine to return, it seemed as if Damon’s (Ian Somerhalder) time in Mystic Falls was at an end. What we have now is the transition from the first half of the season to the second. New stories and new characters, but still some of the same problems that plagued the first half of the season. It’s VAMPIRE DIARIES part 1a.
 
To lead things off, we have a new group of vampires to contend with. The first, Logan (Chris J. Johnson), was introduced last episode. He terrorizes Mystic Falls and even promises Damon a way to revive Katherine. He is killed, however, by the mysterious newcomer, Alaric Saltzman (Matt Davis), before he has a chance to reveal to Damon the secret to bringing Katherine back. The second vampire, well, that remains a mystery, though I suspect the thing that Elena (Nina Dobrev) crashed into and the mystery vampire are one in the same.
 
And then there’s Alaric. As mentioned, he killed Logan. What was so unusual is that he was so prepared. He knew Logan was a vampire, he had a hidden stake at the ready, and he knew exactly where to strike. It seems pretty clear that Alaric is some sort of vampire hunter.

 
Which leads us to how the second half of the season will unfurl. Issue one: who is the vampire that converted Logan? What role will he play in the lives of Nina, Stefan (Paul Wesley), Damon, and the rest of Mystic Falls? Does that vampire know how to revive Katherine? Who will he side with? Damon, Stefan, or serve his own personal agenda?
 
Next up, Alaric. First off, his wife’s murder being a cold case is code for his wife was murdered by a vampire, which is what probably led him to be a vampire hunter. How does he fit in to the story? What lured him to Mystic Falls? Was he following the trail of the mysterious new vampire Will he hunt down Damon and Stefan as well? Will he be convinced that Stefan is actually a good vampire?
 
Speaking of Stefan, you can’t watch “The Turning Point” without mentioning the scene. You know, The Scene. Vampire sex. It was an odd mix of being passionate and erotic coupled with downright silliness. There are several “not suitable for minors” jokes that you can insert, but being a family oriented website, I will refrain. But you do have to wonder, did Elena just reach the highlight of her sexual life at the tender age of eighteen? At least let’s hope she’s eighteen, lest Stefan have to serve a year in jail for every year he’s older than her.
 
Despite the new beginnings, there are the usual suspects of flaws in this show. The acting is at times borderline comical. *Cough* Candice Accola *Cough* The attempted bonding story between Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen) and Tyler (Michael Trevino) was just forced, awkward, and unnecessary. Of course Tyler’s a jerk because his dad is a jerk. We haven’t seen that one before.
 
It’s a NEW MOON, I mean a new beginning for THE VAMPIRE DIARIES (sorry, I get all these vampire love stories mixed up). At least with the insertion of Matt Davis, we get a quality actor to balance the young and inexperienced cast. THE VAMPIRE DIARIES will always struggle because of its need to appeal to a young fourteen year old audience paired with some bad acting. But the investment is now there, the storylines more intricate, and there is potential to make the second half of the season more engaging than the first, now that the groundwork has been laid. In other words, stay tuned.

Reader Comments

yvonne from ireland sez....
Hi im just wondering when the release date for irelan d is if anyon has an idea plz?
12/28/2009 5:18:21 PM

Tiffany from Houston sez....
Damon can dance for me with his shirt off when ever he wants.
11/21/2009 12:17:22 PM

Karla from Ohio sez....
I love Vampire Diaries.....I have taped everyone of the episodes on my DVR:) I sure hope the saga continues!!!!!! Also Stefan and Damon are so HOT!!!!!!!!!
11/20/2009 7:20:42 AM

Aoife from Ireland sez....
I agree with Vicky from Ohio. I thought the exact same thing when the clip of tyler was shown with the full moon in the background! I dont really want him to be a werewolf though cause i think its a bit silly, but definately thought of it! AND I also agree with vicky about Alaric being a vampire! It makes sense, I think he could be, but then the theory of him being a vampire hunter due to the death of his wife makes sense as well so I just don't know. And if Alaric isn't a vampire, then who turned Logan? Oh and im 20 years old and so into this show along with a lot of my friends, I think it appeals to a bit of an older crowd than 14 year olds!
11/20/2009 6:59:05 AM

Vicki from Ohio sez....
I actually think Alaric IS a Vampire. Did you not notice the big old vampire ring on his finger? He also stopped COLD in the door way to Elena's home waiting for her aunt to invite him in - she never did. I also think your reference to New MOON and the second half of the season is prophetic, because I think Tyler is a werewolf. Was I the only one who noticed the HUGE FULL MOON in the back ground as Tyler lerched off into the night after hitting Jeremy?
11/20/2009 6:08:57 AM

Adriana from Munich, Germany sez....
Well I like the series a lot and my 14th birthday was loooong ago. Some cast members may be unexperienced but that doesn't equal bad acting. Actually Candice Accola and Nina Dobrev from the younger actors are doing quite well I think. But my favourite actor on the show is Paul Wesley who made Stefan into a very interesting character.
11/20/2009 5:48:43 AM

Tianna from Lake Havasu,AZ sez....
I love Vampire Diaries!!! It is one of the first series tv shows that I look forward to every week,in a long time. Maybe it's cause I find Stefan extreamely sexy!!!! Or that the story line is good too,but the fact that my boyfriend likes to watch it with me and that I tevo it to make sure I don't miss an episode shows that it's not just us girls that are into the show. Did I say I think Stefan is sexy already...yeah I did but I just had to say it again.
11/20/2009 2:08:52 AM

Adi from Romania sez....
"It seems pretty clear that Alaric is some sort of vampire hunter." I think he is an actual vampire and not a vampire killer at all. He has too a ring like the Salvadore brothers + he could not get into the Gilbert's house because he was not invited + he appeared in a split of a second so close to Logan.
11/20/2009 1:24:51 AM

Cassie from California sez....
Was it just me, or did anyone else think that Alaric is not a Vampire Hunter but an actual vampire? Like when he waited until Elena's Aunt invited him in the house... when Jeremy commented on his "cool ring". I don't know... I haven't read the books all the way through yet. I also cannot believe you would say Vampire Diaries is bad acting in the same sentence as a Twilight reference. Kristen Stewart is one of the worst actresses ever. It HURTS to watch her. And Twilight is just a rip off of Vampire Diaries anyways... just Mormonized. At least Vampire Diaries Vamps are getting some action.
11/20/2009 1:23:55 AM

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