The Vampire Diaries 6×07 “Do You Remember the First Time?” REVIEW

A Stroll Down Delena Memory Lane is a Walk Viewers Will Always Remember and Ms. Cuddles Heads Back to the Future

This week’s episode of The Vampire Diaries titled, “Do You Remember the First Time?” took viewers on a trip down Delena memory lane ending in a moment viewers will remember as one the most epic moments in the couple’s history. After Damon’s (Ian Somerhalder) heartbreaking realization with Alaric (Matt Davis) returning human he can no longer reverse his compulsion on Elena (Nina Dobrev), Determined to have Elena remember their love one way or another, Damon attends a Whitmore Hospital fundraiser where Elena attends with her new beau, Liam (Marcos James) and Alaric and Jo (Jodi Lyn O’ Keefe) have date night. Meanwhile, Enzo (Michael Malarkey), Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Matt (Zach Roerig) give Tripp (Colin Ferguson) a turn in his vampire torture chamber to get answers about his vampire hunting training camp, but is cut short when one of Tripp’s men takes Sheriff Forbes (Marguerite MacIntyre) hostage in an effort to get their leader back. Caroline (Candice Accola) is forced to work with Stefan to get her mom back and Enzo not so subtly lets the cat out of the bag about the reason for new Stefan hatred taking the awkwardness between them to a new level. And in 1994 land, Bonne (Kat Graham) didn’t let her injury from outsmarting sociopath Kai (Chris Wood) by witchy-wuing her magic home sending Damon a new sense of hope, but unfortunately making the chance of her return much more complicated. A lot happened in this week’s episode, so let’s jump right in and discuss!

A Walk Down Delena Memory Lane

First, how can we not talk about the heart melting scene with Damon and Elena kissing in the rain? Fans of the couple squealed in delight as their wishes came true as Damon remembers a romantic moment where their beloved Delena shares a sweet moment in the rain. It’s no secret the chemistry between Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev is off the charts and viewers can’t help but root for their characters to be together. Both Ian and Nina were amazing in the scene making the audience feel as if they’re right there with them watching them passionately make out in the rain. The audience’s anticipation builds with the excitement of what is next to come as the rain slowly begins to fall. Both Damon and Elena look up at the sky and blink their eyes as the first droplets of rain stick to their eyelashes. Nina is adorable as Elena’s initial reaction is a giggle and a smile. The two exchange smiles and convey to the audience that nothing could ever ruin their time as long as its time spent together. Neither are upset as their plans are ruined as the rains pours down, but Elena wants to stay for a moment. Viewers know exactly what’s on Damon’s mind by as Ian bites his lower lip and devilish smirk and Elena gets the message as Nina conveys a look of happily approving.

“Promise me this is forever.” - Elena.

Then as Elena stops mid make out, she has a look of total happiness and asks if that feeling could last forever illustrating to the audience how much she is in so love with Damon and he completes her. As he promises her it will, they both smile and continue to make out in the rain. The way they both put their hands on each other’s head as they make out really shows how much love and passion is shared between them. The pair remain unaffected immersed in the moment together.

Ian-sational Acting

Ian Somerhalder had another stand out performance again in this week’s episode. He was so convincing showing viewers Damon’s determination to get Elena to remember her love for him and their relationship. The audience really can see how much Damon desperately needs Elena to remember them in the scene when Damon is finally reunited with Elena in her dorm. The sadness in his eyes and way he grabs her hands as he hopes she remembers really conveys Damon’s emotional state and adds to the scene. During the Whitmore hospital fundraiser, Damon and Elena dance and he fails in an attempt to stir up her memories by reminding her of their first dance at Miss Mystic Falls, After Elena admits she feels bad about not remembering them, Ian delivers Damon’s response with such passion and conviction viewers cannot help but sense the love he has for her. With a confidence and his voice unwavering, Ian articulates the response perfectly. Cupping her face in his hands as he appeals to her adds to the emotion of the scene. Putting emphasis on just the right words to emphasize Damon’s emotion in the scene, he shows viewers just how sure Damon is of their love.

“No matter how much I missed you or how much pain I was in, I never would have erased everything we ever had. Even if I was drowning in grief, I’d rather hang on to every moment that I ever held you, or every laugh I ever heard, every shred of happiness that we ever had. I would rather spend every moment in agony than erase the memory of you.” — Damon.

And at the dorm when Damon decides he needs to let Elena go and drinking in the cemetery, Ian does an excellent job illustrating Damon’s pain realizing the love he lost. Again, as he decides to let her go Ian portrays Damon with a sadness in his eyes and somber expression showing viewers how deep it pains him to do so. The same expression and sadness coupled with his slumped posture and slow walks through the cemetery bourbon in hand really emphases Damon’s feeling of defeat to the audience. Bravo Ian.

A Thin Line Between Love and Hate

Candice Accola’s portrayal of Caroline in this week’s episode was another performance that stood out. She did a really good job showing the audience how deep Caroline is hurt by Stefan’s decision to leave after Damon and Bonnie died. She goes from affectionately gazing at a photo of her Elena and Stefan to annoyed with ease when Stefan stops by her dorm. Candice illustrates Caroline’s frustration level with him by making her responses to anything he has to say with short sarcastic remarks. Her rigid body language and crossed arms adds to the emotion of the scene. And when Enzo outs her true feelings for Stefan, the expression on Candice’s face, shocked and equally mortified, makes the audience sympathize with Caroline because let’s face it, we’ve all being in similar circumstances and personally know just how awkward it can be especially when revealed so unexpectedly, Again, the scene at Whitmore Hospital when Stefan asks about her feelings for him Candice does a great job showing viewers Caroline’s vulnerability in the situation. Still hurt from him leaving she blatantly explains to him why she could possibility have ‘a thing’ for him with a pain behind her eyes conveying the depth of the wound.

“Yeah, I hate you because if I don’t hate you for ruining our friendship then I have to hate myself for ruining it and I think I deserve better than that.” - Caroline.

Paul Wesley is equally good in this scene as Stefan really adding to the raw emotion of the moment between them. Stefan has a softness to his eyes and face showing his vulnerability. His voice so heartfelt in Stefan’s apology to her convinces viewers how genuine it really is. The sad moment between them was illustrated perfectly by both Candice and Paul. The two seem to work well together and both Candice and Paul really shine.

FINAL VERDICT

This week’s episode of TVD “Do You Remember the First Time?” gave Delena fans a moment they’ve been campaigning to happen between their beloved couple for years. Despite the Delena rain kiss scene being ultimately a service to fans, the episode’s writer, Rebecca Sonnenshine, was rather creative way incorporating it into the current story-line. The moment did not feel forced at all and came about organically. In addition to both Ian and Nina’s extraordinary performance in the rain kiss scene, episode director, Darren Ganet, did a phenomenal job capturing the true beauty of what is most anticipated Delena event in the series. Using just the right camera angles, he has viewers feeling completely immersed in the moment with them. Starting first as if the audience is looking up at the stars with them, Ganet then focuses on a puddle as the rain begins to fall and chooses to show the couple from different vantage points to capture the essence of the rain. While directing Ian and Nina to look up also adds to surprise of the pop up downpour. All that coupled with Chris Mollere’s musical selection for the scene, Tom Odell’s “Another Love” gives it the bittersweet element it needs because despite the moment happening, it was in the past and Elena doesn’t remember it anymore. The epic Delena moment would have been more poignant if the show’s writers, producers, cast and crew hadn’t hinted of scene’s occurrence all day on social media. Unfortunately, viewers knew what coming and that took some of the moment’s surprise element away.

The notion of Bonnie sending Ms. Cuddles home with her magic to 2014 was an unexpected plot twist by Sonnenshine in Bonnie’s unfortunate journey with cray cray Kai in the 1994 hell. Sonnenshine has a way with words filling the episode with many quote-worthy lines. Particularly Damon, who has some powerful yet heartfelt dialogue especially during his conversations with Elena. Same goes for Stefan and Caroline’s conversation at the hospital, who also had some pretty memorable lines. Ganet does a great job throughout the episode capturing the actors’ facial expressions in each scene and adding that extra emotion needed to emphasize the moment. And no surprise, Mollere’s entire musical selection for the episode was spot on. In an episode remembering some of Delena’s most memorable scenes, it fit perfectly that he chose Cary Brothers’ “Belong,” to play as they danced, the same song that played at the end of season four when Elena chose Damon. Unfortunately, Elena still has no recollection of their love, Caroline still very much hates Stefan and Bonnie’s still living in 1994, but Damon got Bonnie’s message loud and clear and Alaric seems to be finally having some success in the love department now that he’s human again. Can’t wait to see what TVD has cooked up for next week’s Thanksgiving themed episode.

Comments, Questions, Concerns:

• RIP Tripp, but you needed to go, sorry not sorry.
• For Liam being an A student, advanced classes, etc, he sure is dumb not figuring out Elena is a vampire.
• Tyler (Michael Trevino) should call Matt for tips on how to be a better cater waiter. He’s a pro!
• What the hell is going on with Luke’s (Chris Bruchu) hair??
• Scene at the hospital when Damon stops by to see Alaric and he plays doctor is too cute.
• Enzo. Love him.
• Elena risks her life to get her memories back, Wow.

THE VAMPIRE DIARIES 6×08 airs THURSDAY, NOV. 20 at 8/7c on the CW