"No, no, no, no! Did I mention no?" - The Vampire Diaries (3x22) Recap

Previously on The Vampire Diaries...

• A newly vamped Alaric kicks ass, and doesn't bother with names.
• Best game of dodgeball ever!
• Abby is still the worst.
• Klaus announces he's a daddy.
• Elena has a decision to make.

"Our life is one proverbial coin toss."

Courtesy of Summer Roberts

The boys continue on their way to find a place to dump Klaus' body when they learn Jeremy has admitted Elena into the hospital after her fainting spell. While Stefan returns to help keep Elena safe from the Originals, Damon continues on his mission. Alaric tried to claim Elena, and ensure his life isn't in danger, only to learn she's flown the coop. Covering all of their bases, Damon gets Bonnie's help to perform a spell on Klaus that will prevent Alaric from locating him with a witches spell. 

"Why should she trust you? All you've ever done is screw her over."

On a mission to save his brother, Elijah returns to Mystic Falls to strike a deal with the gang. He'll makes sure Rebekah and Klaus leave Elena alone for 2 generations if they help him get his brother away from Alaric. The gang agrees if it'll mean Elena gets to live a normal life. Of course with this being The Vampire Diaries things don't go as planned. 

Alaric figures out that Jeremy has given him misinformation. Despite being outed to the Council, Tyler and Caroline decide to stay in town to help their friends. Matt works with Jeremy to drug Elena and sneak her out of town. 

"Call me if you cough up a lung."

Courtesy of Summer Roberts

Once Klaus gets staked, the gang discovers the truth of their parentage. Tyler begins to feel the effects of his sire's death, but none of the others do. Did Klaus lie? Nope! When Bonnie had her moment alone with him, she pulled a body snatch. Klaus is safely tucked away in Tyler's body. 

Sensing the end is near, Matt gives Elena a choice: Does she want him to driver her to Damon or Stefan for a final good-bye? Elena calls Damon to inform him that she's chosen to return to The Falls to be with her friends before they die. And Stefan. I think she made up her mind after Stefan kissed her, but I knew it was made up the moment she ran into his arms when he first came over to check on her. Damon doesn't get long to cry on a crate before Alaric returns to kick his ass 6 ways from Sunday.

Now that her brother is dead, Rebekah is in vengeance mode. She decides it's time to take out Alaric, and the best way to do that is by killing Elena. When Matt and Elena drive of Wickory Bridge, the events of her parent's death run parallel to her current situation. 

The Flashbacks

Throughout the episode Elena flashes back to that fateful night when her parent's died in a car crash off Wickory Bridge, We get to see how her life was before it became over-run with vampires. 

She had a happy family, dated the quarterback, and was a cheerleader without a care in the world except a boy who wanted to be her forever. Not feeling the same, Elena and Matt where on the way to splitsville when she suffered one of the biggest tragedies in her life. 

Stefan was the one who saved her life back then, but this time around she asked him to save Matt. What Elena didn't know is that she didn't just faint. She had a brain hemorrhage, and was dying.  Until Dr. Meredith Fell gave her vampire blood, and saved her life. Her decision to put Matt's life before her own cost her that very life. Her human one. Now Elena is in transition to be a vampire. Something she never aspired to. Will she complete the change, or will she opt to die? 

The Road Ahead...

Courtesy of Dobrevc

• When Elena chose Stefan she told Damon that maybe if she had met him first things would have been different. Now that she is on her way to being a vampire, will she remember that she actually did? 
• Now that Elena's outlook on life has changed, will her choice?
• Is Tyler also in his body, or did Bonnie move him to Klaus'? Is he dead?
• Alaric died when Elena did. Will he come back since she did also? Will that add her to his hit list?
• How will the Stefan and Damon handle Elena's current situation?
• Will Caroline ever figure out that Klaus is alive in Tyler's body?
• What will happen to the gang now that the Council is wise to their shenanigans?
• What will Katherine think about her carbon copy following her into eternity with the boys by her side? Will forever seem too long for her to wait to reclaim what she believes to be hers?
• IS MATT DONOVAN ALRIGHT?

It's been one hell of a season fans, and I have to say that the last 5 minutes of the season 3 finale totally makes up for the several less than stellar episodes this season. I haven't been this interested to see how things pan out in the coming season since I saw the season 1 finale. What did you all think of the finale, and the season as a whole? Be sure to sound off in the comments below! Also, don't forget to tune into the IHTVD radio show this Saturday evening for the finale round-table, and last IHTVD show ever ;( It's sure to be a fun night. As for the site, don't worry. We'll still have news as it arrives. 

Until next time...