IHVD Recap + Link: "Ordinary People, Extraordinary Bonds" by Danielle DuCré

There's no doubt that "Ordinary People" showed bonds thicker than blood. Though centuries of turmoil and desperation, these unbeating hearts have only grown fonder...

"The Lockwood Diaries, Pictionary style."

It's Elena's turn to behold the ancient Viking script in the Lockwood caves. A detailed history of The Originals. As it turns out, this not only includes Klaus, Elijah, and Rebekah, but Mikael as well. "Papa Original."

A flashback scene reveals Rebekah carving her name into the cave wall. She and Klaus are discussing their aggressive father, Mikael. (Mikael, the one who gained his strength from feeding off of Katherine.) But what's interesting is that Rebekah refers to Klaus as "traitor." Clearly this has to mean something, right?

If first-hand account of the settlers of Mystic Falls was porn to a history teacher, we can only imagine what these cave drawings are doing for Alaric. His picture sequence was a great capture of the Original family's storyline. If he and the gang want to rid themselves of Klaus forever, they need to have all the facts. Especially if they're going to work with Mikael.

Another flashback scene shows Mikael's prideful dominance over Klaus. He takes Elijah's place sword fighting to teach Klaus a "No Fun Allowed" lesson. "Some days it's a miracle you're still alive, boy." Jerk! Rebekah recalls this as she turns away from Elena who has interrupted cheer practice seeking a first-hand account.

Seems TVD continues to have a villain who will one up the previous Mystic Falls threat. ( i.e. Damon/John/Katherine/Elijah/Klaus/Mikael/Mikael's pride? Stefan, too, if you consider him a threat to Matt "Can't Catch a Break" Donovan.) Still, Klaus's name hasn't been haunting the vampire community for nothing; he'll be good for a fight.

"Just make sure she doesn't power struggle you into a wheelchair."

On invite from Rebekah, Elena heads over to the Broodinghouse, for some not so brooding behavior. A fashion show? Elena just wants the info, but Rebekah pulls rank the best way she knows how- by showing her teeth. "You do not threaten me. You learn what I allow you to learn."

The compelled models leave and Rebekah leads Elena to Stefan's room where she learns about boxer briefs.

Meanwhile, Damon takes advantage of "Family Day at Vampire Rehab." He's not pleased with the pasty, pouty visual he has of his brother. So, in true Damon form, he does something about it. "Screw this Lexi plan, I think we both could use a drink." Warm, blonde, and answers to the name Callie.

After a few drinks, Stefan's ready for Damon to reveal the grand scheme of imposing freedom. He even goes so far as telling Damon that he's worse that Elena. "I happen to like the edge, Stefan. You're problem is your inability to resist falling over it."

Too true. see: edge.

"I brought you the necklace that wouldn't die."

Glad the relevance of the necklace not burning in the fire was addressed promptly. I didn't want to wait until after the mid-season hiatus to find out! Although, technically the entirety of its powers haven't been revealed. Alaric has only uncovered its symbol among the rest.

He can tell Bonnie is still working through her Jeremy ordeal, and offers sound advice. He's taking on a positive mentor role these days. If it weren't for him, what other parental figures would be around to do it? Carol Lockwood? No! She's too busy planning the next Founding Family traditional volunteer extravaganza! Sheriff Forbes? No! She's got her hands full planning for the next V5 attack! (RIP Jenna.) After the pep talk, he and Bonnie spend some time gathering more info from the cave.

"This is the makings of a plague, Esther, and I will have no part in it."

As Rebekah continues the story of her family history to Elena, she describes a time where they lived in peace among werewolves. Once a month they took to their hiding cellars while the wolves roamed. Curiosity led Klaus and younger brother Henrik to watch the beasts transition, but the venture proved fatal. Henrik was attacked and died.

Did the wolves sense an inkling of familiarity with Klaus, or were they simply attacking the weakest prey?


This drove Mikael and Esther to reach out to the local witch Ayana. They wanted vampirism for their family for the ultimate protection. That they would be the predators, no the prey. Ayana refused knowing that it is against the balance of nature. They are not deterred because there's still one more witch in town who can complete the ritual. Esther herself.

One night, Mikael offered his family (sans Esther) wine laced with blood. "He drove his sword through our hearts; and he wasn't delicate about it either."

Klaus and Rebekah woke together, Elijah must have been transitioning elsewhere. They barely had time to process the goings-on when their father brought in a townsgirl for them to feed off of in order to complete the ritual. "It was euphoric."

The Original Witch called on the sun for life, and the ancient oak tree for immortality. With the process complete, the consequences that Ayana had forewarned started to surface. First, an allergy to the sun. Second, townspeople and friends steered clear. (Unlike modern day Mystic Fallsans!) Third, complications with the vervain found at the base of the oak tree. And most importantly- the hunger.


To preserve their immortality they burned the tree. But, that wasn't the last of their problems, at least not for Klaus. The blood triggered his werewolf gene. It also triggered a vengeance in Mikael. To him, this was just another reason to be disappointed with Klaus. He starts by killing his adulteress wife by first degree heart snatch.

What else aren't these flashbacks telling us? I feel it's too one sided to get the full relationship picture. Ahem, pull the dagger out! Who's all in those coffins Klaus carries about? It certainly wasn't Mikael, but who else from their past could have upset Klaus enough to spend a few hundred years in one, but not so much that he would kill them outright? Is it a stretch to think it dates back that far?

The three vampire siblings agree to stick together. Which was obviously the best way to learn their new existence. "Always and forever."

"He can't care."

At the bar, Damon's table dancing is paused to divert a disaster. Stefan's abuse of Callie's employee discount almost gets them caught.

Together they head back over to the bar for the hard stuff. Again, Damon stresses that the jailbreak was for Stefan's freedom. So that he could finally stand up to Klaus. And who better to help than Mikael. The compulsion over Stefan forces him to defend Klaus's whereabouts, but he finds a loophole when Damon's heart, and life, is in the vampire hunter's hands. "Get Klaus back to Mystic Falls and I will gladly drive a stake through his heart. Fail, I'll drive it through yours."

On the way home, Stefan's teased for saving Damon's life for the umpteenth time. "Careful, Stefan, your humanity's showing." He insists he saved Damon for his own freedom. When Klaus is killed, the compulsion is obsolete.

Yah. Right.

I'm pretty sure just a minute ago he was questioning why it was Damon who cared more about his freedom. This warrants a big brother ass-whooping. Just like the good ol' days (S1E1). Huhm. There's that happy face again...

Now the break down.

Elena told Rebekah that she wants Klaus dead because he has a hold over their lives. Rebekah defends her brother and warns Elena that there will be hell to pay if he's harmed. "And I get my temper from my father."

She returns to Rebekah, however, with new information. The brother she so wants to protect is, according to the ancient cave script, the one who killed her mother.

"You're gonna be the one to save him from himself. It won't be because he loves me, it'll be because he loves you."

I get that they've been through a lot together, but this scene where Damon and Elena are having a slumber party is not OK. Seriously, do you slumber and play fight and googly-eyes (I see you, Elena!) with your (maybe)-boyfriend's brother?! The correct answer I'm looking for is: No.

Besides that though, Elena does make a good observation. Throughout the entire episode, we've seen extraordinary bonds. These bonds span lifetimes, and it's not only that the blood runs deep, it's that the traditions run strong.

Always and forever.




Thirsty for more? Head over to IHVD Radio for Tash's recap of the "Ordinary People" episode! Special guest Vee from Vampire-Diaries.net co-hosts!

Directed by: J. Miller Tobin
Written by: Julie Plec, Caroline Dries, Nick Wauters
Photos: CW


Share your theories and OMG moments below. Then find me, Danielle DuCré, on Twitter @msdanielley; we can discuss Diaries in 140 characters or less...