Hollywood Crush › Vampire Diaries

by Ryan J. Downey

"Dangerous Liaisons" had one of the steamiest endings of any episode in "The Vampire Diaries"' fiery history.

And before Damon and Rebekah (!) ripped each others' clothes off, there were huge dramatic developments in the show's central love triangle, a twisted Cinderella story for Caroline and the revelation of some magical matricide in the making. On Wednesday, executive producer and show-runner Julie Plec spilled much about what happened, what it all means and where it's going to Hollywood Crush and a handful of journalists immediately following a private screening at The CW in Burbank, California, which we can tell you about now.

For starters, what the heck is Elena going to say when she finds out about Damon's tryst with the sexy blonde Original who tried to kill her just a few scenes before? "I think Elena is going to be pissed on multiple levels but also understand that, in a way, she also sort of pulled the trigger on that," Julie explained. "The thing with Damon is, as we've seen, when he's hurt, he lashes out. And in a way this is both the most cruel way he could have lashed out but also shows a peculiar evolution in him as a character because rather than take it out on an innocent human in the middle of a road he's striking where it hurts most, probably, very specifically at Elena.

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Tags Julie Plec, Vampire Diaries

by Cassie Title

I’ve got to hand it to Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson: Just when you think they’ve run out of new ideas for town events, they slap you across the face with a full-on ball. Yes, that’s right—a fairy-tale-style ball, complete with gowns, tuxes, waltzing and cocktails. And the hosts of said ball? None other than the Originals, or shall we say, the Mikaelson family, as they’re calling themselves these days. (The homage to Mikael is nice, and I’m guessing they wouldn’t use it if he was still alive, because it would be pretty awkward if your name was Mikael Mikaelson.) But I digress.

Esther decides to throw the party to celebrate her family’s reunion, but we all know she has something else up her sleeve. Which brings us to the plan.

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Tags Candice Accola, daniel gillies, Ian Somerhalder, Joseph Morgan, Kat Graham, Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, Vampire Diaries, Zach Roerig

by Ryan J. Downey

We never take this job for granted. No matter how many times Hollywood Crush gets invited to screen an episode "The Vampire Diaries" a day early on The CW lot, followed by a juicy Q&A with passionate, articulate and always engaging show-runner Julie Plec (and sometimes, a few cast-members), it never gets old. And tonight's "Dangerous Liaisons" is one of the steamiest episodes of "The Vampire Diaries" in history (complete with a brand new hookup) while alternately one of the series most mythology-rich episodes, balancing the ever-deepening story of the Originals against the backdrop of the burning love triangle long at the show's center.

I mean, we could keep going to these screenings at least as long as most of the Originals were locked in those caskets.

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Tags Julie Plec, Vampire Diaries

After getting a load of this week's Entertainment Weekly cover series featuring "Vampire Diaries" stars Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder, we've suddenly realized: love triangles are so passe. And from now on, we'd like to skip the boring geometric metaphors and instead take all our romantic conflicts in sandwich form. Preferably made with two hunky slices of undead dude-bread. Because daaaaaaaaaamn. We want a manwich, please!

Of course, this delicious cover (and its similarly sexy compatriots, featuring Nina posing solo with each guy) isn't just eye candy; it's also a not-so-subtle hint about the difficult decision that the torn-between-two-lovers Elena will have to make as she contemplates her entanglement with Damon. ...No, wait, Stefan! ...No, wait, ugh, no, don't make her choose!

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Tags Entertainment Weekly, Ian Somerhalder, Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, Vampire Diaries

by Cassie Title

This week’s "Vampire Diaries" has brought me to the following conclusion: Executive producers Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson must read my recaps. It’s the only logical explanation for how a mere two weeks after I confronted them via internet about cheating us out of meeting more Originals they’ve introduced us to TWO NEW ORIGINALS! (Hello, Kol and Finn!) I am so excited I could burst. In fact, I’ve already burst. My sanity has probably burst, because I am so overwhelmed that I’m convinced they are actually listening to me, when in reality, I’m just so obsessed with this show that we are on the same wavelength.

So now that I’m on the same page as Julie and Kevin, let’s (you and I) get us on the same page. Starting with:

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Tags Candice Accola, daniel gillies, Ian Somerhalder, Joseph Morgan, Kat Graham, Matt Davis, Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, Vampire Diaries, Zach Roerig

by Cassie Title

All right, "Vampire Diaries." When I’ve repeatedly told you that all I care about is history and character development and Originals, I meant it. So, I think we have a slight communication problem. It’s understandable, considering I write these recaps in my apartment and you are a TV show, so you obviously can’t read, lacking human qualities and such, plus even if you could read, I doubt you’d read what I write (although you totally should, obviously). That being said, I’ll take what I can get, so thank you for introducing us to Bonnie’s mom, Abby Bennett. She is clearly not an original vampire, but that is where Elijah comes in. Oh yes, he returned. We’ll get to that. It was a cheap trick, though, because I specifically asked for ORIGINAL VAMPIRES WHOM WE HAVE NOT YET MET. At some point, "TVD," you’re going to have to stop stringing me along. Let’s hope it’s soon after February 2, because, yeah, you’re going on a mild hiatus, again! WHAT THE HECK! Oh, we’ll get to that, too. We’ll get to that, too.

First things first, though!

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Tags Ian Somerhalder, Joseph Morgan, Kat Graham, Matt Davis, Michael Trevino, Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, Persia White, torrey devitto, Vampire Diaries

Who says Mystic Falls is all doom and gloom? Look at the smiles on those faces! In anticipation of tonight's new "Vampire Diaries" episode, Hollywood Crush snagged a pair of EXCLUSIVE behind-the-scenes stills from "The Ties That Bind," featuring stars Nina Dobrev and Kat Graham.

This is a pivotal episode for Kat's witchy alter ego Bonnie as she reunites with her mom (played by guest star Persia White) for the first time in 15 years! Continually plagued by dreams of Klaus' coffins, Bonnie thinks the nightmares hold clues to killing the Original. They also inspire a visit to her mother, who's been keeping secrets of her own. Meanwhile, Damon becomes intrigued by Alaric's new lady friend Dr. Fell (played by Paul Wesley's real-life wife, "Pretty Little Liars" actress Torrey DeVitto) and Klaus continues to negotiate with Stefan for the coffins in question.

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Tags Kat Graham, Nina Dobrev, Photo, Vampire Diaries

by Cassie Title

Tonight’s opening scene must’ve broken a record: It only took one episode post-hiatus for "The Vampire Diaries" to remind us of Damon’s impeccable hygiene. Frankly, I’m becoming a bit concerned with Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson’s obsession with Damon’s body cleansing. Are you trying to tell us something? Is Damon’s showering a symptom of OCD? Are you trying to tell us that the other characters don’t shower or bathe? WHAT IS GOING ON?

Okay, I get that he’s hot and you want us to see him all naked and steamy and such, and it’s become a running (water? Hey, if they can make stupid jokes I can include silly puns) joke, but we’re over it: It’s getting old. Just thought you guys should know.

Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, we can discuss the rest of this episode, focusing on what would have been Caroline’s 18th birthday, had she not been, well, dead. Oh, and lest you forgot about last week’s epic kiss between Damon and Elena, I’m reminding you. It’s important. Just saying.

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Tags Candice Accola, Ian Somerhalder, Joseph Morgan, Kat Graham, Matt Davis, Michael Trevino, Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, Vampire Diaries, Zach Roerig

by Cassie Title

Last we left Mystic Falls, Stefan had completely botched the plan to kill Klaus by saving that crazy hybrid’s ass. And he did this, you'll recall, because Klaus was one step ahead of our fair heroes: If he died, he had all his hybrid minions ready to kill Damon. And Katherine found this out, and convinced Stefan to tap into his humanity to save Damon, and then to klepto those coffins Klaus carts his family around in. To exact revenge. Of course, Damon and Elena and everybody else didn’t know all of this information; they just thought Stefan was lost to them forever. So Klaus killed Mikael, skipped town, granted Stefan his freedom and Stefan skipped town, too. Or so we thought…

So, to ease us into this fairly action-packed triumphant return of an episode, we will start with the best quote of the evening:

Damon: "Oh, c’mon. I can’t drink all this by myself. I mean, I can, but then somebody’s getting naked."

Of course, he is saying this to Alaric at the Grill, because as we all know these two guys can’t get enough of this watering (alcoholing) hole. And just as he delivers this line, some random chick (waitress?) smiles. Get away, random waitress chick! If anyone’s getting naked with Damon, it’s going to be Katherine (GOD, I wish she was back already), or Elena, or me… I mean, what?

Okay, let’s get down to business.

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Tags Claire Holt, Ian Somerhalder, Joseph Morgan, Kat Graham, Matt Davis, Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, Steven R. McQueen, torrey devitto, Vampire Diaries

Photo research generally isn't the most glamorous or exciting part of our jobs as your dutiful Hollywood Crush writers, but today is an exception. Because December 8 just so happens to be "Vampire Diaries" star Ian Somerhalder's birthday, and we'd definitely be remiss in commemorating his auspicious 33rd without a Willy Wonka-sized serving of eye candy for you. So happy birthday, Ian (and mazel tov to you Crushers as you enjoy the below flipbook!).

Ian took to Twitter yesterday to thank fans for their prolific (not to mention early!) well wishes, writing, "Thank you for all the birthday wishes- I feel the love. Really. Truly. Good night you amazing world." And if you're wondering how to celebrate his special day (besides gawking at our gallery and staging a "Vampire Diaries" marathon for the next 24 hours), Ian has one humble request.

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Tags Ian Somerhalder, Photo, Vampire Diaries