The Vampire Diaries 7×16 “Days of Future Past” REVIEW

Stefan Goes All ‘Mad Max’ & Goodbye Hell Stone

This week’s episode of The Vampire Diaries 7×16 titled, “Days of Future Past,” focuses on saving Stefan (Paul Wesley) from the wrath of Rayna (Leslie-Anne Huff) as well as begins to piece together what happened during the three years Damon (Ian Somerhalder) spent desiccating. The episode picks up right where we left off with Damon, Stefan, and Rayna in the Dallas news station. Stefan escapes while Damon holds Rayna off, so his brother can get a head start running from her. As he’s on the run, Stefan has several phone conversations with Rayna in which she reveals she’s felt everything he’s experienced since he has been marked. Flashbacks show how Stefan and Valerie (Elizabeth Blackmore) rekindled their relationship. Not long after Damon chose to desiccate alongside Elena (Nina Dobrev) three years ago, the pair set out to chasing leads to a way to free Stefan from Rayna’s wrath. A year into their adventures, on a beach in the Philippines the pair take their relationship to the next level. While Stefan tries to outrun Rayna with her sword she’s able to tell where he’s going because of the sword’s powers. Damon waits at the news station for Valerie to heal him from the werewolf toxin in his system as well as perform the spell that transfers the hunter’s mark from his brother to him. Damon has other plans, so after he’s healed, he subdues Valerie, and takes her along with him to find another way.

Meanwhile, at The Armory Nora (Scarlett Byrne) and Mary Louise (Teressa Liane) are still being held captive and have become subject to some sort of witch-y experiment. Nora is permitted to see Mary Louise, who is not doing well, so Nora makes a deal for her and Mary Louise’s freedom. In exchange for finding Enzo (Michael Malarkey) for Alex (Mouzam Makkar), so he can pay for releasing Rayna, she will let them go free. Elsewhere Enzo confronts Matt (Zach Roerig) about why he freed Rayna from The Armory. Then Nora shows up and as she and Enzo struggle Matt escapes. Enzo has a mysterious pill from The Armory that lessens a witch’s magic that he forces Nora to take. He and Nora plan a hostage swap of sorts with Alex. Everyone meets at an airport outside Dallas including Stefan and subsequently Rayna. Enzo agrees to return to The Armory with Alex and she then frees Nora and Mary Louise, who she reveals is dying because there’s no antidote for the witch-y pills she’s been taking. And as Damon and Valerie rush to the airfield, she does the spell to transfer the scar from Stefan to him, but it’s too late. At the airfield, Rayna finds Stefan and has a few choice words for him about Damon before returning him into the hell stone. Rayna then sets her sights on Nora and Mary Louise. They drive off and before their double-suicide they use their powers to destroy the Phoenix Sword and the Phoenix Stone, which now has Stefan’s soul. So much went down in this week’s episode! Let’s discuss!

Out With a Bang

Both Scarlett Byrne and Teressa Liane are fantastic in their portrayal of Nora and Mary Louise this week. After being apart for three years, when Alex finally allows Nora to see her girlfriend, viewers can see how relieved both are to see the other and know they’re alive. Despite not feeling well Mary Louise and Nora’s expressions show the love shared between. Their eyes are warm and tone of voice softens as they speak to each other so lovingly. Viewers see the same endearing interaction between Mary Louise and Nora when they are reunited at the Dallas airport after the hostage swap and learning that no antidote exists for The Armory’s pills. The audience sees that even though Mary Louise is dying from The Armory’s pills, she is putting on a brave face for Nora because she wants to make the best of the time they’ve left together. She even makes a joke about Nora driving again, which gives us the impression that they’re some inside joke between them regarding her driving.

“No that bitch has taken enough from us…. I will not let her put you in this Hell Stone.” - Mary Louise.

Then as Nora and Mary Louise and make their escape from Rayna, they realize they both now have an expiration date on their life. Mary Louise because of the mysterious pills from The Armory’s experiments and Nora now carries Rayna’s scar. Viewers can see how much it pains them both at the thought of living without the other. They’re true soulmates and don’t want to spend a minute apart. Mary Louise cannot stand the thought of Nora spending even a minute inside Rayna’s Hell Stone and does the only thing she can, which is try to destroy it. At first, Nora appears upset by her choice, but in a glance she understands why and she joins Mary Louise in destroying Rayna’s sword and the Phoenix Stone. Viewers see the love between them is palpable as Nora places her hand over top Mary Louise’s on the sword and they exchange loving glances as they perform the spell killing them as well as destroying Rayna’s sword and Phoenix Stone. It’s unfortunate the series’ first lesbian couple didn’t last more than three-quarters of a season because so much more could’ve been explored regarding the pair’s history as well as the dynamics of a same-sex couple. The pair’s death is a ‘Catch 22’ of sorts. On one hand it’s a good thing Nora and Mary Louise were able to combine their powers to destroy Rayna’s sword and the Phoenix Stone, but on the other hand, what does that mean for Stefan’s soul? Where did it go? But both Scarlett Byrne and Teressa Liane saved the best for last both giving outstanding performances in their final episode.

‘Oh, Brother!’

It’s no secret the bond between the Salvatore brothers’ has gone through its fair share of ups and downs over the years. Stefan’s time inside the Hell Stone has tried to make him realize that to live a happy life, he needs to let Damon go because all he brings is drama and pain. But Stefan keeps refusing to accept that his brother is the reason for all the bad things that’s happened in his life because despite everything Damon’s his brother. The notion that Damon is toxic to the relationship between he and Stefan is a recurring theme in this week’s episode that comes from all sides. As Damon and Valerie rush to the airport to help Stefan with Rayna, even Valerie makes sure to point out Damon’s ability to keep repeatedly let his brother down. She first points out his decision to check out and desiccate in a coffin instead of stand by Stefan’s side and help him find a way to get rid of the scar. Valerie also makes sure to point out to Damon the selfishness of his decision to go back on his word to his brother and not to have the scar transferred. Instead, he’s opted to further risk Stefan’s life to ensure that he has a future with Elena and insists he can find another way. Viewers see Damon hearing such a sad notion truly hurts him. His expression turns sad and his eyes are somber. When Stefan overhears Valerie during a phone call with Damon that he has gone off plan, Stefan’s expression illustrates the frustration he has with his brother. Pacing at the airport, Stefan looks super annoyed and in an irritated tone he insists Damon tell him himself that he’s not taking the scar. Damon’s expression is reminiscent as a child that forced to come clean to their parents and he hesitates fully aware he’s going to disappoint his brother. The audience sees Damon isn’t proud of his choice but tries to rationalize his decision and convince Stefan he has a plan.

“We are still gonna save you. The cavalry’s coming to you, brother. We’re gonna take down Rayna. You’re gonna get your freedom. And I’m still gonna get my future… Relax, I have a good plan.” - Damon.

When Stefan comes face-to-face with Rayna at the airport, even she has something to say about his relationship with Damon. She quickly reminds him of the connection she feels with those she’s marked and how happy she knows that he was when Damon lie in a coffin desiccating beside Elena. Rayna points out that it’s because Stefan chose to wake his brother when his scar re-opened that allowed her to catch up with him again. She also makes sure Stefan knows it’s his brothers choice to go back on his promise to him to have the scar transferred and that’s why he’s in the current situation with her. Viewers can see by Stefan’s expression it pains him to hear this unfortunate truth about Damon. While his eyes are wide with fear anticipating Rayna’s next move and quite possibly his very own death, but there’s also a sadness in his eyes. There’s an overall sense of disappointment surrounding Stefan because Damon has let him down and more importantly isn’t there for him. His body language conveys his defeat as Stefan finally gives into Rayna’s wishes and agrees to leave his brother behind. It’s truly painful for viewers to watch this episode as this wedge being placed between the Damon and Stefan is becoming very apparent. Let’s just hope that in some way or another this is just a few growing pains for the Salvatore brothers and it will end up leaving their bond stronger than ever.

“It’s not me who cares. It’s the Phoenix Stone. It’s the voices in my head all the time. You have no idea how loud it is. It wants to liberate you, Stefan. It is still trying to show you the only way for you to be free is to let Damon go. You’ve ignored its wisdom before. Are you finally ready to leave Damon behind?” - Rayna.

FINAL VERDICT:

The sixteenth episode of The Vampire Diaries, “Days of Future Past,” centers around keeping Stefan safe from the wrath of Rayna and focuses on the relationship between the Salvatores as well as starts to fill in the details of what’s happened during the three-year time jump. Melinda Hsu Taylor penned an episode that holds the audience’s attention that includes a heartfelt story, suspense, romance and also throws in some unexpected plot twists. Damon’s dialogue this episode is on point. It is witty and fun, filled with snarky comebacks and quips. She even adds a humorous reference to ‘Mad Max.’ Taylor finds just the right balance to cleverly weave together what is happening in the present with flashbacks that explain how Stefan and Valerie rekindled their relationship in the Philippines. Director, Ian Somerhalder, does a great job helping viewers distinguish the flashbacks from the present. By the use of a special camera filter the flashbacks have a slightly different and warmer hue. The scene on the beach with Stefan and Valerie is done beautifully. Not only do Paul Wesley and Elizabeth Blackmore do a wonderful job, but Somerhalder is exceptional with his camera use. He alternates zoomed in shots of Stefan and Valerie’s expressions while also panning out to capture the pair’s body language. And music supervisor, Chris Mollere’s selection, “Little Do You Know” by Alex & Sierra, sets the mood for the romantic moment between the two.

Melinda Hsu Taylor introduces several new mysteries this episode that sets the stage for the rest of the season. She reveals a The Armory’s so-called drug trials with the mysterious pills from Rayna’s blood that ultimately leads to the death of Mary Louise and subsequently Nora. While it’s bittersweet to see the pair go because there’s so much more story to tell, the scene was done wonderfully from all aspects. Taylor penned beautiful dialog between the ladies and both Scarlett Byrne and Elizabeth Blackmore do a fantastic job. Ian Somerhalder makes fantastic use of camera angles making viewers feel as if they’re riding along in the car with Nora and Mary Louise at times. He makes sure to zoom in on the ladies’ hands on top of the other on the sword with the Phoenix Stone to reinforce the bond between the pair as well as remind viewers the good they’re doing by destroying it. And with Mollere’s song selection, “When It’s All Over” by Raign, playing in the background sets the mood for such a beautiful yet tragic scene. But the destruction of Rayna’s sword with the Phoenix Stone inside is a unique way from Taylor to set up a whole new problem. So where is Stefan’s soul now that the stone is gone? And is he truly free from Rayna and the mark with the sword gone? Will he stay with Valerie or try to return to Caroline? Looks like things are about to get a whole hell of a lot more interesting.

Questions, Comments & Concerns:

• Since Rayna could feel the Phoenix Stone being destroyed did all the vampires still linked her die as the stone was destroyed or did she just see the vampire souls in pain?
• Delena still present: “I get it - you think I’m a piece of crap. And by the way, I was. Before. And then I met a girl and she made me good. And that’s why I need Elena in my life. And when I get her back in my life I will be there for Stefan.” - Damon.
• So Stefan played a part in Penny’s (Matt’s girlfriend) death. Surely, he couldn’t have meant to kill her or maybe he fell off the wagon and went through a ‘rippah’ phase.
• Wonder how Stefan’s going to feel once he learns about Valerie lying to him about knowing the about the transfer spell?
• Awe Enzo has been giving Bonnie (Kat Graham) those weird witch suppressant pills from The Armory to keep her safe. Poor thing he didn’t know the aftereffects. And poor Bonnie. Let’s hope somehow they find an antidote.

THE VAMPIRE DIARIES 7×17 airs FRIDAY, APRIL 8 at 8|7c. on The CW