The Vampire Diaries writers absolutely amaze me. Each week’s episode is somehow thrilling in its own way. This week’s episode, Smells Like Teen Spirit, wasn’t necessarily action-packed and full of crazy suspense, but it was charming and entertaining and completely perfect.

The thing that stands out the most to me in this episode is Elena’s strength and determination. She refuses to play the role of the victim and vows to find a way to protect and stand up for herself. In order to accomplish this she enlists the help of her live-in History teacher/vampire hunter/parent figure Alaric. After waking up at the crack of dawn, the pair venture into the woods for some heavy vampire defense skills training. It’s soon discovered that Elena is “not strong enough” to wield the stake launcher that is powered by the force of a punch. But instead of taking the easy road and giving up, she’s determined to improve by whatever means necessary. Now this is the Elena I love to see, and by the end of the episode, she proves just how strong she really is.

Seeing Elena, Caroline, and Bonnie back at school for their first day of senior year was both sentimental and exciting. Exciting because it’s the start of a new year and as Elena says, “a new life.” I’m really, really, REALLY looking forward to seeing what this “new life” brings for our lovable heroine, hopefully something better than what she’s had the past few months. But, it’s also sad and sentimental to see our trio back at school for their senior year because it highlights how much things have changed for them in such a short time. Just one year ago, they were nothing more than average high school teenagers with average high school problems. Now, one of them’s a witch who’s boyfriend is seeing the ghosts of his dead girlfriends, one’s a vampire who’s boyfriend has been turned into an unpredictable hybrid, and of course one is a cursed doppleganger who’s boyfriend has been forced off the deep end and no longer loves her (or at least doesn’t feel his love for her for the time being). But the girls are tougher than they appear and despite their deplorable circumstances, they choose to put on a brave front and face the new year with a smile.

Also highlighting the differences between the beginning of last year and this year, Elena and Stefan bump into each other in the school hallway, but instead being greeted with Elena’s surprised pleasure, this time Stefan is greeted with her extreme distaste for his new self. I really appreciate all of the subtle little references to the first episode that the writers snuck into this episode. It makes for quite a contrast and really shows how different all of their lives and relationships with each other are now.

Speaking of Stefan and Elena, their meeting on the track is quite entertaining. While Elena’s trying to get some simple exercise Stefan pops up and proceeds to run alongside her. Their relationship is at such a, for lack of a better word, weird place right now. It’s almost as if he’s flirting with her, but not in a sweet “I love you” kind of way, more like in a “hey, I’m a conceited jerk now” kind of way. It must be difficult for Elena because she knows that deep down he really does love her, but she also knows that “her” Stefan isn’t there anymore. Also, I can’t help but wonder if Stefan’s casual comment, “Think I’m annoying now? Wait until Homecoming!” is foreshadowing to something major going down on Homecoming night. I wonder what he’s planning? Or if he’s planning anything? Oh, and did anyone else laugh out loud at Stefan’s intense reaction to that guy accidentally bumping into Elena, or was it just me? Because I thought that that part was hilarious!

In order to improve her vampire defense skills and beef up, Elena takes Alaric’s advice and starts pumping iron. As she’s working up a good sweat Damon arrives and teases her with a perfectly timed and long-awaited “Buffy” reference. Then he grabs her and shows her “the way to a vampire’s heart” and wow, just wow. I’m speechless. Their chemistry here is red hot and undeniable. I wonder when they’re going to give in and kiss already?!

Now, onto the eventful bonfire that occurs that evening to ring in the new school year. Elena meets Stefan and the seemingly ever-present Rebekah by the beer keg and downs a whole cupful in .2 seconds. Very un-Elena like, but fun to watch nonetheless! And her reply to Stefan’s comment about her being a lightweight is priceless, “You think I’m going to let a blood addict tell me how to drink?” And with that, she flashes a Katherine-esque smirk and walks off. Elena is a little firecracker in this week’s episode and I have to say, it’s a refreshing change. I’m all for this new, strong version of Elena, bring it on!

The new Elena comes out to play again when tricking Stefan in the bleachers after the bonfire. She halfway pretends to be (and halfway actually is) drunk, and puts on quite the show. Nina’s acting here is right on parr and she absolutely nails it. Elena drunkenly teases ripper Stefan about how he’s supposed to be the life of the party, and climbs up onto the edge of the bleachers and acts as if she’s going to fall. After a few fake outs, she actually lets go and purposely lets herself fall, knowing that Stefan would be there to catch her. And he was. The two share a meaningful (or almost meaningful, you can never really tell with the new ripper Stefan) look, and for a split second you can almost see the old, head over heels in love with Elena, Stefan shining through.

Unfortunately their sweet moment is put to an abrupt end when Alaric fulfills his end of the plan to capture Stefan, by shooting him with vervain darts, effectively knocking him out. However, their plan is foiled by a car fire caused by Vicki and in the end Elena chooses to save Stefan from the fire, when she could have just left him there and been done with it (but come on, we know she’d never do that, who would?).

Later on at the Salvatore mansion, we get another taste of the tantalizing chemistry between Elena and Damon. Damon shows his sweeter side and gently applies some medicine to Elena’s cut face, and in this moment it’s blatantly obvious that there is something between the two of them. It may be something that neither one of them is truly ready to deal with yet, but it’s definitely there. And it’s only going to grow.

In the ever intense last 5 minutes of the show, we get to see the strong, powerful Elena hold her own in a difficult situation with Stefan. I really do feel for her though, Stefan is sending some pretty mixed messages. First he tells her that he’ll “always protect her” and as she’s about to leave he calls her back to ask her why she bothered to save him from the car fire. It seems like the sweet, old Stefan is poking his head out again. But after Elena explains that she still has hope for him finding his humanity, and tells him that she’s not going to give up on him, the new, jerky version of Stefan pops right back into place and coldly tells her that her unfailing hope makes her “pathetic.” Instead of breaking down in front of him, like she very reasonably could have, Elena summons her newly found strength and stabs Stefan in the stomach with the stake launcher that she was earlier incapable of using, and leaves him with a quote that sums up her new look on life: “No Stefan, it makes me strong.”

Other thoughts on Smells Like Teen Spirit:

– Katherine BETTER be okay! Despite the speculation going on, I refuse to believe that the writers would have our  favorite badass-vamp go out like that. Honestly, the show just wouldn’t be the same without her. And what in the world is up with Mikael? A vampire who eats other vampires? What?!

– I hate to admit this, but…….I love Rebekah! Or perhaps I should say I love to hate her? Either way, she’s pretty awesome. I think the casting of her character was impeccable.

– Tyler’s whole being “sired” situation is pretty crazy. I’m interested to see how this all plays out and find out how deep his loyalty to Klaus really goes. One thing’s for sure though, I hope we don’t see the return of the pre-Caroline, cocky version of Tyler. He’s come such a long way and I’d hate to see him fall back into his old behavior.

– Wow, so Anna is really back now! And Mason Lockwood! Uh-oh for Damon. But if they’re back, I wonder who else is?

– The tearful goodbye between Matt and Vicki was heartbreaking, even though I’ve never particularly cared for the character of Vicki. I’m proud of Matt for doing the right thing and letting her go, and at least he got to say goodbye and get the closure he was looking for.

Smells Like Teen Spirit was definitely one of my favorite episodes of this season so far, and Elena’s quote at the end of the episode really says it all. While it’s great to see her holding her own with the big boys and kicking butt, Elena’s strength truly lies in her humanity, and her unfailing dedication and love for those she cares about. But of course, it’s always good to see some of that Petrova fire.