BWW Recap: VAMPIRE DIARIES Is Going to Party Like It's 1994!

If you asked me to relive the same day in the 1990s over and over again, I wouldn't protest. I'd pull on my comfiest, oversized flannel, turn on some SALUTE YOUR SHORTS, and listen to the Spice Girls on repeat. To me, reliving the 90s seems like a nostalgic dream come true.

Unfortunately, this week's episode of THE VAMPIRE DIARIES found Damon and Bonnie feeling quite the opposite on the GROUNDHOG DAY front. In fact, they dubbed it their own version of Hell.

It turned out Damon and Bonnie had realized pretty darn quickly they were stuck in 1994. The over abundance of Toyota Supra's and Plymouth's was the first indication that it wasn't so much a question as to where they were, but when they were. Not to mention, the two seemed to be alone in this new dimension of time. Instead of taking the opportunity to loot every home in town and watch reruns of CLARISSA and DOUG, the two forged their own little home at the Salvatore mansion, listening to Salt 'N' Pepa and trying to solve the same crossword puzzle every single day.

Back in the real world, Jeremy was busy giving shirtless hugs to the girl Elena had almost murdered one day prior. It was cool, though, as Caroline had compelled her to forget this small detail. Instead of trying to find the family she claimed lived in Mystic Falls, she crashed on Matt/Jeremy/Tyler's couch, much to Matt's dismay.

The best reintroduction of the season came from Enzo. He had been conveniently absent from the first episode due to his extensive search for answers and leads that would point him towards saving Damon. His research included tracking down local witches, making mouth noises with them, and continuing on his way. I can't say I wasn't jealous. As Caroline was the only other person to share Enzo's interest, she quickly tracked him down to a hotel closet, having private time with a "garment attendant."

Back at Hogwarts Whitmore College, Alaric had agreed to go along with Elena's delusional plan to compel away Damon. Apparently their DVD copies of ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND had been missing for days.

Enzo promised he had a lead to a coven of witches, but insisted he and Caroline took a quick detour. Unsure of where they were going, Caroline agreed, only to be shocked to find their stop was to Stefan's new abode. It was unclear whether Caroline was more upset about being in the dark to Stefan's whereabouts or that his home had the ambiance of happiness and homemade pasta.

Stefan's new girlfriend, Ivy, was excited to meet some of Stefan's friends. They sat down to a nice dinner only to have Enzo quickly turn it into the most awkward dinner party ever held (and that includes Alaric/Damon/Elijah/Jenna/Andie/John dinner party from Season Two and the Stefan/Damon/Elijah/Klaus KFC catered dinner from Season Three). He simply couldn't understand why Stefan would so easily give up on searching for his brother. Their argument quickly escalated into a fork-stabbing, neck-snapping tussle (with shirts on, unfortunately), which ended with Enzo temporarily subdued on the floor and Caroline compelling Ivy.

Alaric wasn't having an easy time in Elena's compulsion lobotomy and made a quick call to Caroline to ask when exactly Elena had fallen for Damon. Caroline quickly admitted that Elena had been hankering for a Salvatore sandwich when she was still with Stefan. In perfect timing, Stefan overheard all of Caroline's conversation, but instead of making comment, admitted to Caroline that he had spent months following leads to Damon and they had all proven to be duds. He found it was much easier to try and move on then to have his heart broken over and over every time a lead fell through.

Alaric brought his newly acquired information to Elena, who immediately refused to accept her Katherine-like stance on the Salvatore brothers. Except Elena was lying to herself. She had fallen in love with Damon in Season 3, Episode 1, and there was no denying it. This revelation allowed Alaric to once and for all erase Elena's love of Damon, leaving her with only the memories of Damon's misdeeds.

Enzo had awakened to Caroline crying over the events that had transpired that night. In his own definition of heroism, he rushed back into Stefan's abode, killed Ivy (RIP Ivy), and vowed to make Stefan's life a living hell if he continued to give up on Damon.

Back in Mystic Falls, Matt had been having a nice conversation with his new mentor only to find that his real name was Tripp Fell, a member of one of the town's founding families and somehow related to Meredith. Matt tried to get him to admit to being in on the secrets of Mystic Falls, but Tripp was too busy murdering folks by driving a truck full of vampires across the town's border.

Though Damon and Bonnie had made a cute, little life of their own in 1994, Bonnie's realization that a mystery stranger had annoyingly answered her crossword puzzle signaled that they were not alone.

Things we need to discuss:

• I can't continue to voice my indignation in Elena's mission to rid Damon's love from her memory. This girl has been rattled with grief since the very first episode. I don't think the loss of one set of memories is going to make her any happier; lest we forget every other person they've tried to compel memories from? Remember when Jeremy went to Colorado?
• This is far from the first Katherline-like stunt Elena has pulled. Loving both Salvatore's at once may be the tamest of their similarities.
• Shame on you, Alaric. Although I do believe this made him silently reminisce about the first time he fell in love with Damon.
• "You have a lovely clavicle." - Enzo. He is free to make this statement to me anytime, any place.
• Something tells me that Jeremy's new girlfriend may have the last name of Bennett.

What are your thoughts on Elena's desperate measures? Which 90s show would you binge watch if you were sent back to 1994? Tweet me @enr702 or find me live-tweeting @erinrlivetweets.

Below, watch the promo for next week's episode "Welcome to Paradise":

Photo Credit: The CW

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