TV Review: THE VAMPIRE DIARIES: Season 6, Episode 22: I’m Thinking of You All the While [The CW]

The CW’s The Vampire Diaries I’m Thinking of You All the While TV Show Review. The Vampire Diaries: Season 6, Episode 22: I’m Thinking of You All the While, delivers the seasons final episode…in full soap opera fashion. In the aftermath of Jo (Jodi Lyn O’Keefe) and Alaric’s (Matthew Davis) wedding, an unexpected guest shows up, putting Elena’s (Nina Dobrev) life in jeopardy. Despite Matt’s (Zach Roerig) attempt to leave town to save himself, Bonnie (Kat Graham) takes matters into her own hands after finding herself on the receiving end of a twisted plan.

You have to admit, season 6 opened with a bang and delivered some pretty heavy casualties. I thought the neck snapping fest would never come to and end. We also survived the loss of a few characters humanity. None of this could prepare us for the departure of Elena from the show. When it was first announced, I wondered how the show would continue forward without her. As the last few episodes began to spin, it became clear a whole new chapter was beginning and someone would almost have to depart to make room. Lily Salvatore (Annie Werching) and the heretics are like a new opening cover band. They are going to try with all their might to win us over. I do believe the groundwork was properly laid and this chapter will do just fine. That said, lets take a look at how episode 22 panned out.

Coming off the crimson wedding, I expected some serious heat right off the bat! A full scale attack on Kai (Chris Wood) utilizing: magic and some heavy artillery…the whole nine! Instead we were treated to a dream like waltz with Damon (Ian Somerhalder) and Elena. Now we know the producers more than likely wasn’t prepared for Elena to make such an abrupt decision to leave the show. Then again, this season managed to kill off some very likable characters without too much backlash. Like I mentioned earlier, the new chapter has been introduced and will work. So technically there was really no need to tippy toe with taking Elena off the show. It was like walking on soft eggshells for almost an hour. That I didn’t expect.

Alaric’s major loss was over shadowed by Elena’s departure. That was also unfortunate. The whole affair played out like one long funeral. The man was just at the alter and had to watch his new wife stabbed to death…killing not only her but his unborn child. Alaric should be in shock. His grief should be far more than what we have seen. There is loss and then there is loss on a whole new level. Will this man ever know a full lasting relationship?

After all the ruckus mister Kai had brought to the show, his departure was the weakest of the lot. Bonnie leaving him in the prison world gave him time to marinate his anger. The heretics gave him a new light to start a fire with…and he did! The problem is, after killing Jo where else could he go? Having him concoct this elaborate spell that punishes Bonnie, Elena and Damon was a bit over the top. It was like Cinderella with a curve ball. Too much and too corny. This entire season saw no one catch a break, so why should Elena? I would have rather seen Kai continue his diabolical killing spree, take Elena out and exit on a crimson blaze of glory. Instead he exited in a manner that felt like an over does of some sleeping pills. I expected much more. A lot of opportunities missed but we still have Lily and the heretics so there is hope.

Tyler (Michael Trevino) was offered a very weak opportunity to reunite with Liv (Penelope Mitchell) all to have it cut short. Their entire attempt at a relationship played out like one long bad love song. In the end, the werewolf gets to suffocate his ex girlfriend so he can stay alive. I have to tell it, these exits are the weakest I have seen. We were riding on a wave of solid events and seemed to have been dumped into a calm shallow pond.

The super long moments and flashback with Damon and Elena were played too heavy. It also suggests they had nothing else to roll with story wise. This was the big goodbye that kept on going and going. Now we are pummeled and will need every bit of the off-season to prepare for season 7. The good news is the heretics and Lily offer us a new dynamic. What role will Enzo (Michael Malarkey) play in all of this? Will Stefan (Paul Wesly) and Caroline (Candice Accola) get their act together? Then there was that apocalyptic teaser at the end that suggests things may get medieval. Lots of questions and  a very disappointing ending to season 6.

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