Another sun-drenched morning, another scene of Damon and Elena lying in bed together. Clothed this time, so it's clear that although Damon may not have sire-compelled Elena to leave him, they spent the night doing nothing more than occupying the same mattress.

They leave together for the Gilbert family cabin where Bonnie, Jeremy and Shane are attempting to hypnotize/re-program Jeremy into not wanting to kill Elena. After a few rough starts, the process seems to work. I'm not sure how much I trust the programming to hold, however, given how strong Jeremy's Hunter-drive seems to be.

As Tyler and Hayley continue with their plans to trap Klaus, and Hayley schemes with Shane behind Tyler's back, tensions rise between Tyler and Caroline when he learns she told Stefan about the Klaus-capture plan. Being fully committed to his new alpha cause of leading the hybrids to a brave, better world, Tyler has Caroline and Stefan held hostage while the preparations continue. Alas, the *real* plan wasn't about saving the hybrids so much as using them as sacrifices -- the magic number 12 hinted at as the catalyst for dark magic in last week's episode -- and we the audience get to watch a beautifully bloody montage of Klaus (having realized they are all free of their bond to him) killing his hybrids to the soundtrack of "O Holy Night."

In the end, Damon does sire-compel Elena to leave him. His pact to Stefan is thus fulfilled, but not before Caroline has informed Stefan that Damon/Elena spent the day together, in conflict with Damon's promise to have "freed" her the night before, thus sending Stefan into a destructive rage of betrayal.

And ... that's the mid-season break. Tune in next year for more drama and carnage!

POINTS OF INTEREST
1. April can't be compelled with the vervain bracelet in place and now knows about the supernatural elements in town. She also found Rebekah's daggered body ...

2. Klaus is out of hybrids. Will this make him more determined to cure Elena so that he can make more, or so disgusted with the while betrayal that he will cease to care or offer his aid?

WHAT WORKED
More referencing/foreshadowing regarding Silas; I am hopeful he (or at least his true identity) arrives into the plot fairly quickly.

The confrontation between Klaus and Carol Lockwood. This was perfectly shot, unexpected and absolutely chilling!

WHAT DIDN'T WORK
For this episode: nothing.

GIVING CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE
:The Vampire Diaries" is based on L.J. Smith's book series of the same name, and stars Nina Dobrev (Elena), Paul Wesley (Stefan), Ian Somerhalder (Damon), Kat Graham (Bonnie), Zach Roerig (Matt), Candice Accola (Caroline), Michael Trevino (Tyler), Joseph Morgan (Klaus), Steven R. McQueen (Jeremy).

"The Vampire Diaries" airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on The CW.