The Vampire Diaries: Season 2 (2010 – 2011)

*CONTAINS SPOILERS* 

What I liked: 

• Seeing more parts of the past of the Salvatores.
• Finally getting to meet the evil bitch Katherine.
• Damon Salvatore. For all sorts of reasons, and not just science. He is such an immensely layered character, especially when you get to see how he was as a human, before he was turned, before Katherine broke his heart.
• Caroline Forbes as a vampire. While she irritated the crap out of me as a human, as a vampire she is fiercely loyal, strong, more self-assured, much less whiny and quite fun and sassy. Who knew she just needed to be the undead?
• The friendship between Caroline and Tyler. It really just works on so many levels, and she really makes Tyler a more tolerable person.
• Elijah. His character is so… intense and incredibly interesting.
• These Original vampires have so much potential to be awesome, or just downright entertaining. Klaus is crazy to boot though, but so fascinating.
• Damon’s reaction to Katherine is priceless. He has been in love with her for 145 years, but to find out about her betrayal crushed him, and he has gone out of his way to block her out of his life, to shut down his feelings.

What I didn’t like:

• How many murders/disappearances per capita can a small town like Mystic Falls conceivably get away with before rocketing to the top of the most dangerous cities in America list? For reals man, people are just dying left, right, and centre.
• Seriously, just because a person heals, doesn’t mean there isn’t blood left on the skin.
• Katherine Pierce. Gosh, the woman is a nightmare.
• The Jules/Mason arc that came and went. Seriously, there are better things out there to deal with. Plus Jules was the most annoying thing ever.

Rating:
Sheesh. This was one hell of a busy season, but it was highly entertaining. Unlike the first season, this one hits the ground running and wastes no time searching desperately for momentum. From the off, we are dealing with Katherine finally making an appearance, and how Elena actually ties into everything, and we meet the Originals, the beginning of all vampire bloodlines, and that comes with its own fascinating story. Dramatic, left, right, and centre, of course, but it is good.

Caroline changing was really one of the better things – initially I was dismayed, because now we were never going to get rid of that selfish, needy, whiny bitch, but wow, the change is amazing because she has grown into a character I actually enjoy. While Tyler started really irritatingly in this season, his character changes so much, and a huge part of that is Caroline, and I like that. Matt Donovan is still a whiny child though.

I was, again, a huge fan of watching Damon and Alaric together, they really are just besties that work. Constantly snippy, but always looking out for each other, it is great. Damon had some real deep character reveals here now, which makes one think back to when he was a human, and a much nicer soul, so different. Lacing that with a cocky bastard was destined to win points all round, and every now and then he lets his nice side out, but hides it so well. He really is a damaged, impulsive, selfish creature, and it is more concerning that Stefan and all his broody history, because Damon is so in your face about his flaws and doesn’t acknowledge a better side, whereas Stefan is so desperate to cling to humanity and not acknowledge the evil of his past.

Stefan is a character that I really enjoy. As I have said, he dedicates so much of his energy to denying himself and what he is, but it makes for a complex character, constantly living on the edge. He also truly loves Elena, and I like watching the two of them together, even though I am interested to see where this is all going to go. I appreciated this season tackling the question of Elena potentially turning, as it is something that had not been addressed, which is off considering her choice of partner.

This season also spends a lot of time showing how Damon is actually falling for Elena, and how other people are picking up on it more. It works though, it does. I am not actually peeved with this love triangle because it is handled pretty decently, and I usually hate the freaking things. The first time Tyler turns is really sad, too, as you can see things will never be the same again, either. I do like the developments of things with him and Caroline, I was never convinced she should be with Matt.

I am quite a fan of these new, strange Original vampires being introduced – this has immense amounts of potential to bring awesome to the table. Elijah is a character that fascinated me from the off, and Klaus? What an evil SOB! Like wow, he is just evil, not like a maybe or something, and he just embraces it, which is madness, but I love it. So refreshing. There is so much to explore concerning the Originals, and the bits that we have been given so far are really good. So looking forward to more of this, these Originals really do captivate the audience without fail. Great season, I seriously enjoyed every moment of it.

For Science: A Study on Suits

The nature of a suit… for women this is the equivalent of lingerie. There are very few things as satisfying as a hot guy in a hot suit… it just works on so many levels. Anyway, I had a day where I simply had to perve a lot little, and compiled a collection of men in their suits… ladies, this is for you. Start the week on a high note!

Guys, if you want to make damn sure you wow a lady, get yourself a fitted and tailored suit. Believe me, it works. Without fail. Ever. Single. Time.

Alright, so we have acknowledged that there is nothing that Benedict Cumberbatch isn’t simply amazing at. Suits? No exception. YUM.

Uh… I… uhm… total lack of words when Luke Evans steps out looking this delectable!

I don’t think I know a woman in the world who could turn Jensen Ackles in a suit down!

Heath Ledger for Abbi because just… yes…

Good gracious, if I had a Guest like this in the room next door to me… just saying. I am sure you would agree, right Emma? Justine?

I have never been able to resist Milo Ventimiglia…

Richard Madden just totally rocks his suits.

Simon Baker and his cheeky grin just complete a suit without fail, time and time again!

Mads Mikkelsen can basically wear any suit under the sun and look good… I mean just look at all those bizarre yet stylish suits he strutted around in in Hannibal.

Looking super fancy and buff as per usual in his three piece suit, Chris Hemsworth here for the ladies. Again, I can see Natasha and Cinema Parrot Disco in some massive war here…

Joshua Jackson won me over in Fringe, and I do like the smart/grunge look he pulls off so well.

Henry Cavill embodies Superman and Clark Kent perfectly. Not only that, he is smoking hot in a suit, too!

Ah, Channing Tatum looks really good in a tailored set.

Dominic Cooper is just such a sweetie!

I maintain that Spartacus boasted some of the most stunningly groomed gladiators of all time. As for Liam McIntyre? Strange to see him out of his minimal wear, but he looks great! Right, V?

Cara, gotta give it to Chris Evans for really looking purdy all kitted up!

Karl Urban. Dark, brooding, suits in a desert? I think that is a resounding YES.

Oki look,  Alexander Skarsgård can run around naked and look good…

Leonardo DiCaprio can do no wrong in my eyes. At all. Ever. Which, naturally, means there is no way he can screw up donning a suit.

I don’t think by now I need to explain Tom Hardy to any woman. He seems to have that magical touch of talent and looks, so the ladies may perve and the men will respect him.

Hmmmm yes… some Jackson Rathbone! I know that Mel supports this decision wholeheartedly.

Scotsman James McAvoy looks absolutely delectable, especially when he’s all polished and perfect.

While Daniel Craig may not be my cup of tea (and I hold it firmly against him that he cannot pull off long hair), this man wears suits like few men can – like a second skin. Throw a cigarette and some attitude into the mix and voilà!

I know the ladies of the world cried when Matt Bomer hopped his closet, but damn, he looks good!

Tom Hiddleston understands the art of a suit…

Michael Fassbender, really working and bringing a fresh glory to an old and forgotten style.

This is for me, all me! It seems the whole blog community isn’t as sold on Sebastian Stan as I am, but oh my goodness, he is one delicious specimen. This is what I refer to as a cocaine suit, and he wears it with grace and style.

My dearest Matthew Gray Gubler, cutie and hottie to boot, can totally work that hair, that cigarette, that suit, that piano…

Stevie, this one is especially for you, I know how much you love Gabriel Macht’s Suits look.

Ruth, I know you have a thing for Toby Stephens!

Ralph Fiennes, looking extremely elegant.

Natasha, I know you totally get this, especially when Rupert Friend goes into avenging mode…

Lauren, what would this list be without Ryan Reynolds taking up some delicious space? I know he might not be half-naked and wielding an axe but I think he manages quite fine!

Cocky and raised in wealth, Robert Downey Jr sure wears suits like he was born in them!

Abbi, I know you are still wondering what they are putting in the water down under because Garrett Hedlund manages to look pretty damn good in his suit, too!

Because every lady has a soft spot somewhere for some role of Ryan Gosling. For me, it was Drive that brought me to my knees.

Whatever the guys may think, I think Andrew Garfield is adorable and looks great in a suit!

Goodness knows I was a huge fan of Zachary Levi as the geekiest spy of all time. Donning a suit transformed him into insta-spy, no matter what!

Yes, me and my soft spot for Mr DeHaan… so stylish…

As if Evan Peters couldn’t be more yummy, throw a suit into the mix!

By special request of Natasha, Ashton Kutcher and his boyish charms need to make the list. Naturally, I opted for wet.

Melissa, never forgetting about your delight at seeing Jake Gyllenhaal anywhere!

Chris Pine for the ladies, I know he has his fans.

Zachary Quinto is a favourite of mine, and really pulls off the smart casual.

Look how nicely you clean up Luke! No two ways about it.

Abbi, as per request, a little Adrien Brody!

As per request of Sherise, I give you Liev Schreiber looking snappy as can be!

Also, some super suave Colin Firth for the ladies, courtesy of Sherise!

If there is anyone else you would like to see suited up and joining the rankings, please let me know and I will make that happen 🙂 Let’s get a scrumptious gallery together here.