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» » Vampiiripäevikud Family Ties (2009–2017)

Short summary

Elena asks a reluctant Stefan to go with her to the annual Founder's Day dance. Vicki gets Tyler to ask her, but later accuses him of hiding their drug-induced relationship from his Mother. Meanwhile, Zach reveals a family secret to Stefan. Damon finally tells Elena the secret history about the Salvatore family and how she is the dead-splitting image of Stefan's lost love. Stefan tries to get Damon out of his life for good without giving away Damon's (or his) secret. Also, Elena thinks that Caroline is being abused by Damon when she sees the bite marks on her neck and tries to get her some help.

Damon (Ian Somerhalder) is seen reading one of the Twilight books. In 2015, Ian Somerhalder married Nikki Reed, who played Rosalie Hale in the Twilight Saga movies.

This episode marks the first appearance of Marguerite MacIntyre as Caroline's mother, Sheriff Liz Forbes. Marguerite MacIntyre also stars as Kyle's adoptive mother, Nicole Trager, on Kyle XY. This is probably because both Brian Young(Executive Producer/Writer on The Vampire Diaries) and Julie Plec(Executive Producer/Writer on The Vampire Diaries) worked on Kyle XY together as writers and producers.

User reviews


  • comment
    • Author: Mayno
    Good opening scene (even though it *was* just a dream/nightmare). I really liked the shot of Elena being silhouetted, with the light shining behind her, as she looked down the steps. Wasn't expecting it to be Stefan's nightmare, but I'm glad it was, as it allowed for one of Damon's many jokes/funny lines this episode. His, "You really need some human blood. It might even the playing field. Football reference! Too soon?" (referring to that coach I hated who he killed last episode) was amusing. I don't like that he framed a mountain lion, though (especially considering we later learn it was shot and killed. Poor mountain lion!). Damon and his miming of the newspaper headlines being laid out as he said them almost made up for it, however (especially how he drew out the word 'Falls' when he said 'Deadly Beast Captured. All's Well In Mystic Falls'). I don't know why he had to remind Stefan that he's staying in Mystic Falls/why he's staying (didn't he already reveal that previously?). I liked Stefan tossing the letter opener at Damon's chest and Damon being so casual about it (and returning the favour). I also liked Damon's "This is John Varvatos, dude. Dick move." line too.

    I couldn't care less about the stuff involving Elena's druggie brother or her aunt's ex, but Elena and Stefan's scene was at least watchable/good, as was the next scene with Damon and Caroline. I actually really enjoy their scenes together. Yes, she's annoying/irritating (one can sympathise with Damon there), but she's now amusingly so (whereas, in the 'Pilot', I'd just found her annoying...and not in a 'funny' way). His reading one of the Twilight novels and bitching about it was amusing. I know his and Caroline's 'relationship' is the farthest thing from 'healthy' as can be...but his attitude towards her makes for fun viewing. Especially effective is how he can be so casual about answering her question in regards to whether or not he's going to kill her. It's kind of creepy, but she just goes along with it (his controlling her/hold over her explains this). Really good scene.

    Another good scene was Damon and Zach (and Stefan). When Zach led Stefan down, down, down...and down into his stash of Vervain...I did wonder if it was ever going to end. So many doors! Since I'm only talking about the *good* scenes of the episode, I'll skip right over the stuff involving Vicki and her jock boyfriend and his snobbish parents. Actually worth talking about is the next Stefan/Damon scene we get (they don't have a *bad* scene together at all this episode). Wesley and Somerhalder play off each other really well. The actors seem completely comfortable in their roles and their brotherly chemistry/animosity totally comes across on screen. It was a great moment when Damon poured out the drink - that Stefan had spiked - onto the floor. His having to "go to the party angry. Who knows what I'll do?" threat was good as well. I also liked Stefan telling Zach that he'd planned on his trick not working, and that it was intended to lower Damon's defenses so that he could try again so soon after. Good thinking, Stefan.

    I liked the detail of both Damon and Stefan being forced to pause at the entrance to the party until they both got their invites in. It would be funny to see their reactions/what would happen if someone hadn't spoken the words "come on in" or whatever. I liked the scene between the four characters (and then between just Damon and Elena), with Damon revealing bits and pieces about his and Stefan's history (as well as Katherine's), while not quite coming right out and saying to Elena that he wasn't talking about his ancestors, but was in fact referring to himself and Stefan. I think it goes without saying that ALL the scenes between these four (and the two pairs when they split) were really good. I rather liked (in a morbid kind of way) Damon's nasty/fed-up tone when he said to Caroline "Don't talk, please." (after she commented on how "cute" Elena/Stefan were). Another good bit was how Elena/Stefan's dancing slowly built up into them having a fight of sorts - that's how they happen quite often. Such a little thing kick-starts it all off, and then it just escalates until Elena storms off (after they'd been so happily dancing in peace not one moment ago). Elena did make some good points, though, and I can understand Stefan's constant avoidance of her questions starting to wear thin for her.

    I really liked the scene with Damon and Caroline and his "stealing" a mysterious crystal he'd put in the room (wonder what it's for?), followed by Elena discovering Caroline's bite marks, then standing up for her friend and telling off Damon, then going to apologise to Stefan. By the way, I liked the distance shot of Stefan standing in front of the fountain. This episode was really well-directed, it must be said. Especially well-done was the scene with Damon roughly leading Caroline away. How he can switch on a dime with her, from seemingly being into her to suddenly being "over her" was very unnerving/effective. I actually could buy that he was going to kill her in that moment...but quick-thinking Stefan was several steps ahead of his brother, luckily.

    I'm not sure how I feel about the reveal at the end of this episode with the parents of the various characters (plus that "Scum ball/bucket" guy from Jenna's past) being this group who know what the real deal is with the Salvatore brothers. I'm not overly fond of this development at the moment...but will wait to see how it plays out. I liked Stefan getting the upper hand against Damon for once...though you *know* it's not going to last for very long. Really good episode this week. Well done, show! Keep the good episodes coming!
  • comment
    • Author: Kazimi
    Mystic Falls is near to the Founder's party at the mayor's house and the teenagers are inviting their friends to go to the party. Elena has a weird dream with Stefan and Damon, and later she invites Stefan to be her date. She delivers antiques that belong to her family to Tyler's mother Carol to be exhibited at the party and per her mother's wish. Stefan is too weak to face his brother, but his nephew Zach shows him a hidden place in his house with a secret plantation that may weaker Damon. Vicky goes to the party with Tyler but he hides her from his parents. Damon poisons Elena against Stefan and then he steals a kind of glass hidden in a box. Soon Elena finds the bite marks on the neck and shoulder of Caroline and Elena believes that Caroline is being abused by Damon. When Damon decides to kill Caroline, something happens with him.

    "Family Ties" is so far the best episode of The Vampire Diaries, with new situations and promising sequel with the revelation that some people in Mystic Falls believe that the vampires are back. The weakest part again is the love triangle among Jeremy, Vicky and Tyler. My vote is eight.

    Title (Brazil: "Family Ties"
  • comment
    • Author: Adrietius
    Ok, it was my favourite episode 'till now. This brings the essence of the show, the mystery about the Salvatore's past, Katherine and everything envolving this brothers.
  • comment
    • Author: Cogelv
    I really enjoyed this episode. I love the use of small-town history to continue to make the stories really engaging. If the next paragraph is a little confusing, I apologise. It was the best I could come up with :)

    In this episode, Elena asks Stefan to go to the annual Founder's Ball with her. Eventually, Stefan agrees, even though he's reluctant to. Vicki gets Tyler to ask her to go, and eventually finds out that Tyler is sort of ashamed of her, so that doesn't end well. While at the party, Elena discovers that Stefan, and Damon aren't the original Salvatore brothers, but secretly they are. Stefan tries to get Damon to leave town, but this doesn't work, not until Stefan gives Caroline vervain, and Damon bites her, and he goes down. Elena discovers that Caroline has been abused by Damon, but she begs her not to tell Caroline's Mother.

    First appearance of: Liz Forbes.

    Overall, I give this episode an 8 out of 10, which in my ratings book is: Awesome.
  • Episode cast overview, first billed only:
    Nina Dobrev Nina Dobrev - Elena Gilbert
    Paul Wesley Paul Wesley - Stefan Salvatore
    Ian Somerhalder Ian Somerhalder - Damon Salvatore
    Steven R. McQueen Steven R. McQueen - Jeremy Gilbert
    Sara Canning Sara Canning - Jenna Sommers
    Kat Graham Kat Graham - Bonnie Bennett (as Katerina Graham)
    Candice King Candice King - Caroline Forbes (as Candice Accola)
    Zach Roerig Zach Roerig - Matt Donovan (credit only)
    Kayla Ewell Kayla Ewell - Vicki Donovan
    Michael Trevino Michael Trevino - Tyler Lockwood
    Chris Johnson Chris Johnson - Logan Fell
    Chris William Martin Chris William Martin - Zach Salvatore
    Marguerite MacIntyre Marguerite MacIntyre - Sheriff Liz Forbes
    Robert Pralgo Robert Pralgo - Mayor Lockwood (as Rob Pralgo)
    Susan Walters Susan Walters - Carol Lockwood
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