The Vampire Diaries - Episode 2.17- Know Thy Enemy - Recap

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Vampire Diaries is back...and back with a bang. This weeks episode picks up directly after the moment Isabel appears behind the door. And starts and ends with many twists. Here's what we learned; Katharine really is that evil, Isabel really isn't that evil, Witches have a heck of a lot of power...like a lot. And sometimes even one parent is enough.

Elena's hesitance of her mother is understandable and even warrented, as is her distain for Jonathan because truthfully he is a troll.

Bonnie, Jeremy and Damon on are the hunt to find the spot that Emily and the rest of the witches were burnt alive. Bonnie needs to find the place so that she can obtain all of their powers, but it comes with a price-much like all things do. If she wants to stop Clouse then it is going to take all of the power that she has gained that will ultimately kill her, a fact Jeremy finds out. To say he is unhappy is fair, to say he is pissed is a better statement. Bonnie's willingness to help has sort of come as a surprise, since she was so adimate when she found out Caroline became a vampire. I would understand wanting to help, but willing to risk your life? That being said Bonnie/Kat Graham brings such fierceness to the role that you want her to be there all the way.

After finding out that Caroline was a vampire Matt took off. And in one of the nights biggest twists, is not only terrified but willing to give her up. The biggest surprise here came from the fact that Matt turned on Caroline and did so with her mother. It was heartbreaking to hear that Matt tricked her with Verbain, but even more heartbreaking to see her mother, so distraught and helpless.

Another of the nights big twists, the tangled web of Jonathan, Isabel and Katharine. The tangled web involved Katharine betraying the Salvatore Brothers, Jonathan believing in Isabel and Isabel not being a complete heartless bitch. The double cross we learn comes from Isabel trading in Katharine for Elena, her very first and evidently last motherly act.

Isabel for one moment at least, does a selfless act. Mia Kirshner really is the unsung hero of the episode, she is able to portray so much emotion in one single scene that a lot of actors can barely achieve. Her absolute relief as she mutters 'i'm free' was truly an amazing, touching moment for Isabel, and Mia plays it so effortlessly that when a split second later she rips her necklace off, the one that prevents the sun from killing her, and bursts into flames you feel for her, because she like so many others are a pawn in a game they do not want to play. But she had bigger stakes, she had a daughter that she needed to protect. So although she is not a great person, she let 'them' get Alaric, the person that matters the most to her is safe.

Overall it was a great episode, a true Vampire Diaries and it was good to have it back.

Best Moment/Scene: All wrapped in one is Isabel's death, it may seem small and quick but the performance by Mia Kirshner will not be forgotten.

Easy 3.5/5 can't wait till next week.

What did you guys think of the episode? Was Isabel's act really selfless or was there more to her death that we don't know yet?