The Vampire Diaries 6×13 “The Day I Tried to Live” REVIEW

Its My Party And I’ll Cry If I Want To!

This week’s episode of The Vampire Diaries 6×13 titled, “The Day I Tried to Live,” was centers around Bonnie’s (Kat Graham) birthday and gave us hope that she might actually return home to the present. Come on, it was her birthday after all! The Mystic Falls gang had great pans to celebrate their friend’s birthday, but like all planned events, social gatherings or dances something always seems to go wrong. While setting up for their celebration, Caroline (Candice Accola) confesses to Stefan (Paul Wesley) what really happened to Ms. Cuddles in 1994. She decides to go find her and Stefan goes with her. Elena (Nina Dobrev) and Damon (Ian Somerhalder) get a surprise visit from Kai (Chris Wood), who is looking for a favor. In exchange for a promise to deliver his letter to Jo (Jodi Lyn O’ Keefe), Kai agrees to help Elena, Damon and Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen) get a message to Bonnie. Meanwhile Liv (Penelope Mitchell) decides she must kill Kai and betrays Tyler (Michael Trevino) to find Kai and interferes with the spell. Luckily, after being attacked by Liv, Kai is still able to send Jeremy to 1994 where Bonnie has had enough and decides to commit suicide, but Jeremy is just in time to help save her. Elsewhere, Enzo (Michael Malarkey) forces Matt (Zach Roerig) to accompany him to Duke to find out more about Sarah Salvatore (Tristin Mays). Enzo threatens Matt and makes him turn on his blue-eyed charm to get to know Sarah better. There sure is a lot to talk about this week, so let’s dive right in and discuss.

Don’t Wanna Be All By Myself Anymore

After being notably absent for the past two episodes, Kat Graham brings her ‘A’ game this week with her heartbreaking portrayal of Bonnie. Kat conveys to the audience perfectly Bonnie’s emotional state in the episode being trapped in a witchy 1994 prison world on her birthday with the same day on repeat. Anyone would be frustrated trapped in such a terrible situation. Viewers really begin to see that Bonnie is breaking when she updates her calendar to the real day in 2015 and realizes its her birthday. Her face is so somber when she wishes herself ‘Happy Birthday.’ Then throwing the calendar into the fire shows her frustration and how much she is really struggling. She just continues to eat her breakfast slumped down and head hanging over conveys body language that shows defeat. While watching her and Damon’s ‘Retro World’ news cast viewers can sense how much she’s missing human interaction. She has a bittersweet look on her face and then her expression turns somber and she reaches for the bottle of bourbon she and Damon agreed they’d drink if they couldn’t possibly take being trapped alone anymore before killing themselves. Viewers know exactly how grave the situation as turned as Bonnie continues drinking tears welling in her eyes as she tries to muster up the courage to take her own life.

“I really tried to make it work…but spending everyday here alone with no one to talk to, going weeks without speaking, its just the loneliness. Its…I can’t take it. And I only know one way to turn it off. I’m sorry.” - Bonnie.

The scene when Bonnie goes into the garage deciding to end her life sitting inside with the door closed, Damon’s car running and be slowly overcome by carbon monoxide her body language says it all. As she sets things up she is almost robotic going through the motions and viewers can see she’s not the same strong-willed and hopeful Bonnie she once was. Even as she records her last message and apology to her friends her the tone in her voice sounds so defeated. Her eyes are so sad as she confesses in her message what she misses most and begins to cry. Coupled with Steven’s portrayal of Jeremy in this scene as well. As Jeremy watches his girlfriend’s last words before ending her own life, his face shows viewers how much it hurts him to see her like this The pain of this moment is conveyed so amazingly by Kat and Steven both that viewers can’t help, but be immersed in the moment and cry along with them. However, upon remembering Grams telling her to ‘stay strong,’ viewers see her will to live come back by the look of determination on Bonnie’s face as she struggles to open the garage door. And then after finding a clue to going home from Jeremy her hope is restored and she puts on her sunglasses and drives confidently to his clue leaving the audience with a Bonnie we’re quite familiar with, strong and powerful. Kat’s performance this week is amazing and thank goodness Bon Bon made it out of the garage because she’d surely be missed.

Liv Gets Her Villain On

For weeks, the villain of the episode has been Kai. It is a nice change of pace to see someone else to take the reigns this week. While, Kai in means is worth trusting, but this week he happened to be on the right team for once even though it was in exchange for something. By no means did Liv go into full on villain mode, she did serve as this week’s official pain in the ass. Penelope Mitchell goes a great job illustrating to viewers the pain Liv feels and how it drives her villainous actions in this week’s episode. In the wake of her twin brother’s death, Liv, feels the need to seek revenge on Kai for Luke (Chris Brochu) not surviving their merge. Viewers can see the pure anguish in her face as tries to explain to Tyler why she needs to kill Kai. Her tone of voice sounds so broken and sad. While a grief-stricken expression and sad eyes so lost without her brother. However, despite Tyler warnings, who happens to knows a thing or two about the downfalls of revenge, Liv lies to him and puts a spell on him. She then goes to find Kai knowing if she succeeds in killing him she will also kill herself and her entire coven.

“I can’t run Tyler. Kai took my entire life. There’s nowhere for me to go.” - Liv.

Liv makes her presence known instantly stabbing Kai and interfering with the spell enabling him and Jeremy go to 1994 with Bonnie. The audience can see that Liv is a woman on a mission. The expression on her face is serious and unwavering as she fully intends to avenge Luke’s death. When Kai fights back she sits helpless in front of him while he tries to gain the courage to kill her. She has a look of defeat and sadness about her that viewers can’t help but notice and feel bad for her. Especially, in the dorm when she returns to find Tyler waiting angrily for her and if she hadn’t lost enough already she loses him too. Needless to say, even though Liv was mostly a pain in the ass this week, Penelope did a nice job illustrating Liv struggle losing her brother.

The Enzo-Nator Stalls Out

While it’s a delight to have Michael Malarkey as a season regular this year, its sad what has become of Enzo’s character. For weeks viewers have seen his sole existence become only to torment Stefan and that is all he’s done. He is like a dog with a bone and It is getting rather annoying to see no true development in his character when there’s so much potential. It has become monotonous for viewers to see Enzo only show up to be a pain in the ass to Stefan. While Enzo didn’t directly goat Stefan this week, he does kidnap Matt and force him to go along with him to Duke. There, Enzo threatens Matt and his mom unless he helps him find out more about Sarah Salvatore. And what do you know, its so he can do something to get back at Stefan. Go figure. On the other hand, it is intriguing for the audience to learn more about the long lost Salvatore and for Matty Blues Eyes to have more of a storyline. Unfortunately, it comes at the expense of Enzo’s character and the waste of a talented actor.

FINAL VERDICT

This week’s episode of The Vampire Diaries, ” The Day I Tried to Live,” centered around Bonnie’s birthday and replaces one sad story for another. Written by Chad Fiveash and James Stoteraux, the episode incorporates the heartache of losing a loved one with the suspense of a revenge mission combined with a rescue attempt, the mystery of a devious revenge plan and the love of family, friendship and even a little romance. Centered around Bon Bon’s birthday, viewers see the gang finally get back to figuring out a way to bring her back home with them, but like any other plan someone or something tends to interfere. By Damon, Elena and Jeremy trusting Kai to get Bonnie a message, Fiveash and Stoteraux show viewers a new side of him. His desire to get Jo a letter and confession that Luke’s death actually affected him so much he cried shows viewers Kai now is capable of feeling remorse for his actions. It was a clever way to demonstrate how Kai is now exhibiting some of the traits he absorbed from Luke in the merge. A huge change from the sociopath that murdered his entire family is seen when Kai faces off with Liv and isn’t able to go through with it. Director Pascal Verschooris‘ use of camera angles in this scene really enhance the viewing experience. Focusing on the candle Kai holds in front of him gives viewers a sense of Liv’s point of view and emphasizes the notion Kai is being seen in a new light. While zooming in on his bewildered expression at this new conscious he has now hits home to viewers Kai has changed because of the merge. Not only did the writers show a new side of Kai this week, they also offer a new villainous side of Liv with her revenge driven attempt to kill Kai.

“Damon, I somehow always find my way back to you. It doesn’t matter if I have memories or not, it doesn’t matter if I’m a vampire or not. I don’t care what human me would’ve done, she’s not here, I am. If the past is a place without you and me together, stop living in it.” - Elena.

Writers, Fiveash and Stoteraux also incorporated development in the couples’ relationships on the show as well, good and bad. Unfortunately, Liv’s action to seek revenge on Kai for Luke’s death ultimately leads to the end of their relationship. While Caroline and Stefan spend most of the episode in the woods looking for the real Ms.Cuddles, they grow even closer. In fact they almost share a kiss. Verschooris choice to zoom in and then focus on both of their faces, eyes staring at one another shows just how close they come to locking lips and adds to viewers frustration, rooting for them to just do it already. Elena and Damon’s relationship intensified this week with Elena’s confession to Damon and a hot hook up. Verschooris enhances the emotion of this scene with his great use of camera angles both during Elena’s speech and then again in the bed as she moves his arm so she can lay her head on his chest. While Chris Mollere’s music selection in the scene, Mikky Ekko’s “Time,” a sweet ballad of love takes the emotion of the scene to the next level. As always, the episode had a great soundtrack to compliment the episode. Despite the episode’s sad tone with Bonnie’s near suicide attempt and the end of Lyler, it also shows positive development in both Steroline and Delena, and renewed hope for Bonnie. However, Jeremy’s decision to pursue art school has the makings of a truly heartbreaking episode next week as we all say goodbye to ‘Little Gilbert.’ Surely they’ll be a lot to discuss.

Comments, Questions, Concerns:

• The Steroline fight scene and them laying on the ground giggling is ADORABLE!
• Love that Matt is getting more of a storyline. Matt + Sarah Salvatore = Marah anyone?
• Why wasn’t Matt or Tyler invited to Bonnie’s birthday celebration?
• How awesome would it be if Kelly Donovan, his mom came back?
• Tyler’s reason for breaking up with Liv is bullshit because she did the same thing that he did to Caroline when he sought revenge on Klaus for killing his mom.

THE VAMPIRE DIARIES 6×14 airs THURSDAY, FEB. 12 at 8|9c on the CW