'The Vampire Diaries' Recap: Stefan Relapses & Elena Admits She 'Can't Shake' Damon

Plus, the Mystic Falls serial killer is revealed -- and it's so not who you thought it was! After what felt like the longest month of my life, The Vampire Diaries returned with a new episode March 15 -- and it was so full of mystery solving that I half-expected the Scooby Gang to roll into town. It was also full of flashbacks to 1912, which helped Damon (Ian Somerhalder) and Stefan (Paul Wesley) solve the most crucial mystery of all: the identity of the Mystic Falls serial killer!

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In a massive twist I definitely didn’t see coming, the stab-happy murderer turned out to be none other than Alaric (Matt Davis), who is apparently being driven mad after being brought back to life by his enchanted ring so many times. The same thing happened to a nice crazy lady by the name of Samantha Gilbert back in 1912. (Unrelated thought: I miss Jeremy.)

Unaware that Alaric was actually guilty of his crimes, Elena (Nina Dobrev) and Matt (Zach Roerig) teamed up to prove his innocence, which involved them breaking into Meredith’s (Torrey DeVitto) house to steal the old Gilbert journal. She caught them, but it was all good, because she knew all about his little condition and was actually trying to protect him. (But do we really trust her? I mean, I don’t, but do you?)

This week’s episode also was also like an Easter basket full of goodies for the Elena-Matt shippers out there. Not only did the duo share a jog, but they also had a seven-minutes-in-heaven moment while rooting through Meredith’s closet. And then there was the sympathetic ear he lent her at the end, while she droned on and on (and on) about her Salvatore drama. Matt claims he’s human, but I’m still waiting for the story line that reveals he’s actually a genetically (and emotionally) perfect android of friendship and romance.

Now let’s talk about that Salvatore drama, shall we? Elena told Matt she still has idealistic thoughts about Stefan actually giving up blood and returning to the cuddly vampire she knew and loved — but that Damon is occupying her thoughts more right now. “Damon sort of snuck up on me,” she said. “He got under my skin, and no matter what I do, I can’t shake him.”

“Once you fall in love with someone, I don’t know if you can ever shake them,” Matt told her — which is so, so true.

So which brother is winning this eternal tug-of-war? Well, the fact that Elena actually caught Stefan nomming on a human — even if it was part of Damon’s sick twisted plan to recover his brother’s humanity — certainly didn’t earn him any points with her this week.

Lastly, we also met Sage (Cassidy Freeman) this week, who’s basically responsible for teaching Damon that ladies are play things. So I guess we all have her to thank for Damon being the snarky womanizer he is today! The next time we see her will be in present-day Mystic Falls, but you might have trouble recognizing her — you know, without any of her clothes on.

God, I missed this show!

What did you think of this week’s major revelations? Do you think Alaric’s condition will lead to his highly speculated death? Do you think Meredith’s days are also numbered? And which Salvatore brother do YOU think is winning in the ongoing fight for Elena? Hit up the comments section with your thoughts!

— Andy Swift

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