Vampires, Babies, and Another Day in Mystic Falls, V.A.

     I am hopelessly behind on The Vampire Diaries. Truth be told, I was over a season behind a few times for the first 4 seasons. We're only talking about 5-6 episodes now, which really isn't too bad. First, I  have to back up to comment on the end of last season. It's fine with me that the lead character Elena (Nina Dovarev) the very girl who kept the vampire diary, decided to leave. I'm not going to lose any sleep over it except that she is the main conflict of the show. Through each of the seasons, it has always come back to Elena. We need to protect her, we need to save her from herself, we need her to choose who she loves more... They have managed to move the season 7 story along dealing with the with the Salvatore brothers' family issues while also jumping forward three years so we have no clue what's going on.

Photo from "I Just Hate Everything" website*

     Where we left off. Elena died under magical circumstances  (like everyone else on the show) and she can't come back to vampire life until her witchy human friend Bonnie (Kat Graham) dies. Of course Elena wasn't the only one who died at that season finale wedding. Her pseudo father Ric (he dated Elena's aunt and he was married to her birth mom) lost the bride, his wife Jo, that same night. She was killed while pregnant with twins, and somehow their witch baby twins were placed in Caroline's womb. I learned a few weeks ago that Candice Accola (Caroline) is pregnant and gave birth in January.  Suddenly this plot twist gave the gang a new person to protect! Let's be clear, Caroline is way more of a badass than the whiny, needy Elena will ever be, so she won't be a victim for long. The real issue I'm facing is how Stefan could be so in love with Elena for years (they had multiple doppelgangers and Stefan was in lover with doppelganger ancestor Katherine since the civil war) and then he just jumped in bed with her BEST FRIEND. It's a little more nuanced than that, (he saved Caroline from her dark side after her mom died. Plus Elena went through a dark phase and chose Stefan's brother over him because she was going through something (a case of bad boy-itis). But in the simplest terms, Stefan basically put his life-altering love affair aside.

     Why did I tag this post as frustrated? I started watching episode 713 a few weeks ago and my on demand freaked out and wouldn't playback the episode. I tried again to bring it up and it didn't last. Finally I went back this week to catch up on episodes and I couldn't find 713 anywhere. This is crucially important because this is the episode where Caroline must give birth to the witch baby twins that are siphoning her magic. (Spoiler from the flash forward scene, the twins turn out fine!) My cable company On demand, Hulu and the CW website/app were all missing this episode. They had combinations of episodes 712, 714, 715, 716 but the vampire baby birth episode was oddly missing. I finally located it on Amazon and paid $1.99 to download and view the episode because jumping into 714 left me puzzled after a minute. Why were they getting the spun-off villainous Originals re-involved in their story. Why is  Cranky the vampire slayer  (new hunter Rayna) chasing Stefan Salvatore on a motorcycle? We will have so see how this unfolds now, but it's finally clear how Caroline ends up with Ric in the jump-ahead future. Once you have someone's baby for their dead wife, an unspeakable bond forms that just has to lead to love!

*For the record ANGEL only went into season 3 until it brought us a vampire pregnancy. #Darla

A Note About Celebrating Halloween Part 2: Teen Dramas

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER
Out of the 3 Halloween episodes (and Buffy vs. Dracula, which I consider in the same league), it was a tough choice to choose the best. An oldie but a goodie, I went with season 2's "Halloween ", where Giles's old buddy Ethan Rayne comes into town and casts a spell, turning most of the characters into their Halloween costumes. Princess Buffy and Army Commander Xander offer plenty of humor as they are completely clueless to the whole "demons are real" idea. Best line is from Willow's, "You couldn't have dressed up as Xena?" Honorable mention to season 4's "Fear, Itself" where a spooky frat party is haunted by a 6-inch tall demon that feeds on fear. "All the Way" in season 6 was also nice but so Dawn-centric.

VAMPIRE DIARIES
Season 1's Halloween episode (yes there was also a season 2 one but I haven't begun season 2 yet) was a great and solid start for the diaries. "Haunted" unleashed newborn vamp Vicki on the Mystic Falls Halloween party, where Nurse Elena ended up covered in blood and regret.

ANGEL
In a show all about a vampire, the first and only Halloween episode came in season 5's "Life of the Party." Empathic Lorne is sleep deprived and everything he says begins coming true at the Wolfram and Heart office Halloween party.

CHARMED
The most clear Halloween themed episode of Charmed came in season 3's "All Halliwell's Eve." The sisters (Elvira, Butterfly Princess and Glinda) get transported back to the 1700's where they have to use old school magic (apples and brooms) to protect the birth of their great grandmother and the first witch in their family's line. Leo dresses in his old WWII army uniform as well! Honorable mentions to two unofficial Halloween episodes, season 5's "Sympathy for the Demon" where fear demon Barbaras attacks the sisters fears, and season 8's ep where Billie fights crime dressed as a slutty superhero.

FELICITY
Season 1's "Spooked" picked up with Felicity getting close to Ben because they were robbed together. Then Ben gets distant -I know what a shocker. COSTUME highlights: Julie as Catwoman, Elena comes dressed as a SUBWAY employee, Felicity is the Bride of Frankenstein, and Ben shows up as a duchey stockbroker. Honorable mention to the "Twilight Zone" themed "Help for the Lovelorn" in season 2 and the episode where Meghan wants Sean to go to a fetish club. Best line: I think I just saw Ben making out with the pink power ranger." -and not referencing Amy Jo Johnson's Julie- the actual pink power ranger.

DAWSON'S CREEK
The one, and only, Halloween episode of DC came in season 6. So be default, "Living Dead Girl" wins. Dawson throws a Halloween party and thinks he sees the ghost of a dead girl.

A Note About Pregnant Teens on TV

I'm so done with seeing pregnant teens on television, but since I've been reading more glee scoop, I can't help but think of the comical pregnancy of McKinley's former head cheerleader, Quinn Fabray. Here is list of the best pregnant teens on TV:

10. Amy Jurgens (Secret Life) The only reason Shailene Woodley's whiny and obnoxious is on this list is because her hysterics are so dramatic it's to the point of comedy. Next time the drummer in the school band hits on you, follow Nancy Reagan's advice and JUST SAY NO!

9. Adrianna Tate-Duncan (90210) Jessica Lowndes' trampy Beverly Hills teen might be the worst teen mom ever. she was taking tons of drugs during her pregnancy, drinking, and wasn't sure who the daddy was. By the time she got her life together and found sweet Navid, she was considering not giving up the baby for adoption. Looks like she's lost a lot of sleep over not keeping her kid since then. (NOT!)

8. Corey Conway (7th Heaven) Alicia Leigh Willis, known as Courtney from General Hospital, first brought attention to the plight of pregnant teen athletes when she befriended Mary Camden. Plus she married teen father Wilson much later on in the series.

7. Cordelia Chase (Angel) Not only was Cordy pregnant at 18 after a one night stand with a demon, but a few years later she gave birth to one of the ultimate evils and paid the ultimate price, slipping into a coma she never recovered from.

6. Jen Linley (Dawson's Creek) It happened in the five year forward jump of the last episode, but Jen finally completed Gram's worst nightmare, getting pregnant and left by some horrible dirtbag. Of course, BFF Jack was there to step in and help raise the baby.

5. Tess Harding (Roswell) Long before she played pregnant Aussie Claire on lost, Emilie de Ravin was ruining relationships by secluding alien leader (and apparently her husband/alien king from a previous life) Max. One night yielded baby Zan, and finally sent Tess out of Max's life and back to the home planet.

4. Andrea Zuckerman (Beverly Hills 90210) The original teen mom, played by Gabrielle Carteris, was top of the class at West Bev. College came, she got a little irresponsible, and she had to leave the show (and the Bev Hills area) after getting pregnant and married. She ended up divorced :-(

3. Quinn Fabray (Glee) Dianna Aragon's pregnant cheerleader continued to make quippy comebacks until her water broke at regionals. Plus she pitted babydaddy and bad boy Puck against her dumb but sweet boyfriend Finn.

2. Lane Kim (Gilmore Girls) Keiko Agnea's lovable Lane Kim showed that you can be a rock and rolling teen (ok, maybe 21-year old) and still be a parent. It took moving into a house with her bandmates to get Lane to break her mother's tight control over her life. Soon after falling in love with bandmate Zach, three wedding ceremonies and twin baby boys followed.

1. Haley James Scott (One Tree Hill) After a season-long romance with the star of the basketball team,"tutor girl"became "tutor wife" then by graduation she was married "tutor mom". Seven seasons later, she and Nathan are still together and expecting a second child.

A Note About Moonlight

Back in the 2007-2008 TV season, CBS was ahead of the TWILIGHT craze with a show called "Moonlight." Private detective Mick St. James was the ultimate cool, and much like a former vampire private detective, Angel.

Moonlight was hot, intense, and tragically pulled after 16 episodes. Maybe the world wasn't ready for vampire mania at the time. (Over 6 months before the Twilight movie opened).

Image my delight and surprise when flipping channels tonight, I found Moonlight on the CW. (WB)/CW has decided to resurrect and air Moonlight episodes after The Vampire Diaries for the summer!

On a side note, I do love Vamp. Diaries, and have been remiss on keeping up with the season. Luckily, season 1 comes out on DVD at the end of August.

I jumped in tonight to episode 6 of Moonlight, where Mick uncovered a former flame of best friend Josif, (the wonderful Jason Dohring from Veronica Mars) that was killing other vampires and using their blood as a drug that kills humans if they ingest too much silver-yuck!

What a perfect match up. I see a lot of parallels between Vamp. Diaries and Moonlight (and of course Buffy): a young girl, an old guy with a past he's not proud of and the ability to kill her if he gets too close. It's a never-ending an irresistible plot line. Can't wait to re-watch more Moonlight!

And to see Eclipse tomorrow... can't wait!

This entry is for CR for putting up with all my vampire talk.

A Note About WB Stars Making TV Appearances

     The WB stars of the past and present, mostly the past in this case, have long made TV appearances together on new shows. They're popping up everywhere. Here are 10 great WB reunions in other shows and movies and 3 WB prequel friendships.

Reunited, and it Feels so Good

As part of their packaged deal, I'm convinced, WB stars make TV deals to be in future TV shows with other stars. Here are ten examples:

1. 2010, Life Unexpected 
1. (Shiri Appleby- Roswell and Kerr Smith- Dawson's Creek), as radio cohosts and engaged parents raising her long-lost teenager.
2.  2010, The Vampire Diaries 
1. (Paul Wesley- Everwood, Bianca Lawson- Buffy)
3. 2010, Pretty Little Liars 
1. (Holly Marie Combs- Charmed,  Lucy Hale- Privileged, Bryce Johnson- Popular, Bianca Lawson- Buffy)
4. 2008-2010, Bones 
5. (David Boreanez- Angel, and Brendan Fehr-Roswell)  as his brother.
6. 2008, 90210 
1. (Lori Loughlin- Summerland, Jennie Garth- What I Like About You) and including Shannen Doherty and Greg Vaughn- Charmed, Scott Patterson-Gilmore Girls, and Sarah Danielle Madison- 7th Heaven 
7. 2007, Samantha Who?
1.  (Barry Watson- 7th Heaven, Melissa McCarthy- Gilmore Girls)
8. 2007, Greek 
1. (Appearances by Charisma Carpenter - Buffy/Angel & Jesse McCartney- Summerland)
9. 2006, What About Brian?
1.  (Barry Watson- 7th Heaven, Amanda Foreman- Felicity, and Matthew Davis (The Vampire Diaries)
10. 2006, The Bedford Diaries 
1. (Penn Bagley- future Gossip Girl star, Milo Ventimiglia- Gilmore Girls)
11. 2006, Heroes 
1. (Greg Grunberg- Felicity, Milo Vetmingilia-  Gilmore Girls)
12. 2005, How I Met Your Mother
1.  (Alyson Hannigan- Buffy, and Bob Saget- Raising Dad)                                            with guest appearances by Amy Acker-Angel, Joanna Garcia- Reba, Alexis Denisof-  Buffy/ Angel, Tom Lenk- Buffy, Harry Groener-Buffy)
13. 2004, Fearless (Unaired WB pilot)
1.  (Ian Somerhalder, Bianca Lawson, and Rachel Leigh Cook- honorary WB star).
14. 2004, Jack and Bobby
1.  (starred Bradley Cooper, who links to many proijects with other WB stars, including Greg Grunberg (Alias) , Emma Caufield (I Wanna Marry Ryan Banks), Nick Brendan (Kitchen Confidential)
15. 2003, Veronica Mars
1.  (Guest roles by Alyson Hannigan- Buffy & Charisma Carpenter- Buffy/Angel)
16. 2003, Supernatural 
1. (Jared Paladecki- Gilmore Girls, Jensen Ackles- Smallville)
17. 2002, What I Like About You
1.  (Simon Rex- Jack & Jill, Leslie Grossman- Popular, Jennie Garth - 90210)
18. 2001, Lost 
1. (Emilie de Ravin- Roswell, Daniel Dae Kim-Angel  & GS Greg Grunberg- Felicity)
19. 2001, Alias 
1. (Jennifer Garner- Felicity, Greg Grunberg-Felicity, Amanda Foreman-Felicity, Kevin Wesiman, Felicity)
20. 2000, Gilmore Girls
1.  (Keiko Agnea- Felicity, Danny Strong- Buffy, Chad Michael Murray- One Tree Hill)

     Hold your hats, here we go on some deep dives!

• The appearance of James Van Der Beek on One Tree Hill (2008-2009 season) as a coke-snorting director brought the WB/CW (WC for short) full circle. VDB's director came to Tree Hill to try to direct a movie of Lucas's life story, and the former WB golden boy and resident moody dreamer finally passed on his crown to the WB's reigning golden boy and moody dreamer (CMM), before he left at the end of that season. Now if only VDB had come home  (both shows filmed to Wilmington, N.C.) as his WB character, director Dawson Leary, the earth as we know if would explode. If only....
• Some WB stars were friends before they came to the glorious network, like Lori Loughlin and Bob Saget, who starred as in-laws and co-hosts on Full House. FH stars Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen were in a classic episode of 7th Heaven where Simon and a friend go on a double date with the daring twins. The pair also anchored a season of Two of a Kind on ABC, where their uncle was played by Sabrina cast member, David Lascher.
• The original 90210, the one that started it all, starred Shannen Doherty (Charmed, 90210) and Emma Caulfield (Buffy).
• The 1995 Clueless movie and subsequent 1996 TV show starred Elisa Donovan, who went on to play Morgan on Sabrina, and Donald Faison, who played Tracy on several seasons of Felicity. Rachel Blanchard, who played Cher in the TV series, later went on to play Kevin's police partner on 7th Heaven.
• The WB's less publicized shows such as Jack & Jill and Zoe, Duncan, Jack and Jane (aka Zoe...) launched the careers of other WB stars such as Michael Rosenbaum (Smallville, Lex Luthor), Ivan Sergei (Paige's husband in the last season of Charmed), and Simon Rex (Felicity once slept with him).