Episode 'The Vampire Diaries' Season 2, Episode 18 - 'The Last Dance' Recap

We open on Elena signing a massive stack of paperwork that transforms Chez Salvatore into her very own mansion/vampire-proof safehouse.  Stefan and Damon hang out on the porch, waiting to be invited back in and discussing Katherine’s likely death at the hands of Klaus.

Elena manages to flirt with both brothers, while allowing them back in to their own house.  I have to say, the love triangle chemistry with these three was way on in this episode and, as usual, really fun to watch.

At school, where everyone is abuzz about the latest CW mandated community event that may kill you, the Decade Dance, Klaus is snarkily substitute teaching in his borrowed Alaric-suit.  He still manages to menace Elena via a vamp-compelled random who tells her about a hot new guy named Klaus who wants her to “save him the last dance.”

Thoroughly freaked out, the girls reconvene with Stefan and Damon for some supernatural stategery.  Unfortunately, they also invite Alaric-Klaus to planning session where they treveal their entire Klaus killing plan right to Klaus’s face.

Now in the know about Bonnie’s secret wicca weapon status, Klaus conspires with his man-witch to coax her into blowing all her powers in one go at the dance.  As everybody but Elena and Stefan seem to know, using that much power at once will kill her.

Upsetting sidenote: Klaus is holding Katherine hostage in Alaric’s apartment, compelling her to torture her own damn self.  Harsh.

Dance time!  Everybody looks freaking adorable and the set design is great.  Though, shame on you show, for not dressing the resident witch up like Stevie Nicks when you had the chance!  Caroline, who is being plotted against by both Matt and her mother, is dressed up as Jackie O.  While this subplot doesn’t really get legs this episode, the fashion foreshadowing is intriguing.

Klaus evils around compelling students to beat up Jeremy and give Elena creepy shout-outs and dance dedications.  Finally, he reveals himself to Bonnie and Elena and all hell breaks loose.  Bonnie turns it up to eleven, kicks ass and then appears to drop dead as Elena looks on.

It’s actually really heartbreaking to watch, even though it’s only 8:45 and we all know main characters wouldn’t get killed until at least 8:57.  As I suspected, Bonnie put a spell on herself so that Klaus would think she was dead.  She comes back to life in the basement of the Ancient Dead Witch Plantation.  She and Jeremy share their love and one of the absolute worst product placements I’ve ever seen.

Even though the gang has the upper hand on Klaus for the moment, Elena can’t handle the thought of Bonnie actually dying to save her life.  So she hightails it down to the basement, undaggers Elijah and waits.

Next week it’s all about Klaus, flashbacks and questionable wigs abound!