‘Vampire Diaries’ Recap: Stefan Makes A Deadly Deal & Elena’s Presence Is Felt In A Big Way

The Dec. 9 episode of ‘The Vampire Diaries’ didn’t exactly bring the holiday cheer. Stefan makes Cade an offer he can’t refuse and sacrifices his humanity in the process, Bonnie and Enzo team up to take care of Sybil, and Damon is reminded of Elena in this most sentimental way.

It’s Monterey 1917. There are two small children waiting for Santa. Well, Santa’s not coming this year, kids. They hear screams in nearby tents, and it’s all because of a very bearded Stefan! (I have decided that I am NOT a fan of the beard. Sorry, not sorry.)

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Since this is his last day of freedom, Stefan is going all for Christmas — presents, the tree, baking, etc. He writes what may be his last diary entry to Elena. If he never gets out from under Cade’s grasp, he wants Elena to remind Caroline that he tried so hard to get back to her.

Stefan still wants to put on Christmas Eve dinner. He just wants his last day to be a normal day. Alaric brings the twins over. Apparently, they keep asking for Seline. Alaric is just about to tell Caroline that he killed Damon when Damon walks through the door with Sybil. This should be fun.

Evil Ways & Heartbreak

Damon “kills” Stefan with a tree star, because Cade summoned Stefan. Oh god. Stefan wakes up in an alternate realm. Cade’s there. We’re “just behind the veil,” Cade says. He calls it a waiting room. He wants to discuss their partnership. Cade has taken Stefan back to Monterey, back to the mayhem Stefan caused way back when. “Nothing but evil can produce this,” Cade says. Stefan wasn’t alone in Monterey. Seline was there! She walked up to Stefan and said, “My master has claimed your soul.” When she looked into his mind, she didn’t see evil. Only anguish. She couldn’t kill him.

Cade is fascinated that Stefan turned his most-valued killer into a “mush of remorse.” He thinks Stefan is a valuable catch.

Enzo and Bonnie are going to Paris, just so you guys know. When Caroline calls, their blissful morning is cut short. She needs them to help her take care of Sybil. Caroline is so frustrated at what Damon is doing. Bonnie and Caroline admit that — at times like these — they really need Elena. “If she were here, Damon wouldn’t be doing any of this,” Bonnie notes.

Bonnie arrives at Sybil’s house and Seline’s there. She knows they’re looking for the weapon. Before she hands it over, she wants to talk to Alaric. She needs to remove the imprint on the twins, or they’ll be linked to her forever. Seline eventually gives Bonnie and Enzo the weapon to take care of Sybil, and Alaric brings the twins to see Seline!

Caroline finds Stefan “dead” on the floor and freaks out. Matt shows up with his dad, Peter maxwell. Caroline hands out presents to the group, even to Damon. He doesn’t open it. I think he knows what’s inside. So he decides to be a dick instead. He declares he’s going to kill one of the guests. He doesn’t kill anyone, but he does break Matt’s heart in half. He makes Matt’s dad reveal why he left all those years ago.

The Necklace

Cade brings Stefan to the time right before he first met Elena. Cade is obsessed with how Stefan took a good girl and flipped her life upside down. Cade makes Stefan feel super guilty and wants him to do the same thing again. He wants Stefan to turn good people into bad people. Stefan doesn’t want to be indebted to Cade forever. He says he’ll turn his humanity off for a period of time for Cade. After the period is over, Cade has to let him and Damon go.

Damon gives Sybil the gift Caroline gave to him. It’s Elena’s vervain necklace! There’s a look of such vulnerability on Damon’s face as he remembers returning the necklace to Elena in the season 3 premiere. He puts the necklace after Sybil’s necklace. I am NOT OK with this. But the necklace doesn’t stay there long. Damon rips out Sybil’s heart and takes the necklace back.

Stefan returns to Caroline after his visit with Cade to give her the kiss of a lifetime. Cade took Stefan’s offer. Stefan has to be a ripper for a year, and then he’s free. Stefan meets up with Damon after spending some time with Caroline. As they drive out of Mystic Falls, Stefan turns his humanity off.

HollywoodLifers, what did you think of tonight’s episode of The Vampire Diaries? Let us know!