MovieChat Forums > The Vampire Diaries (2009) Discussion > Ripping Sybil's heart out -> most intere...

Ripping Sybil's heart out -> most interesting thing Damon's done all s8

posted 8 years ago by freds7
6 replies | jump to latest

Ripping Sybil's heart out is the most interesting thing Damon's done all season imo. It's the first time we've seen him act autonomously since this plot started. Know what I find really, really boring? Watching characters that are not self-governing. It means they don't have any motive of their own, which is like writing 101 - GIVE YOUR CHARACTERS MOTIVE. It's such a big flaw with this show for me, that they keep removing characters' free will and independent motives. They're being humanity-free, under mind control, under sire-bond control etc. aaaall the time, and it just feels like watching puppets or something. Some of those plots were interesting in the beginning when it was new and made you feel like no one was safe anymore, but 37 rounds later... no.

So yea, I was wondering why that moment stuck with me, since Damon has bored me so much this season, and i realized it's because he made a decision.

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Dozens of times, lots of different ways. Every night, I save you.

[–] bluesysax 8 years ago

Couldn't agree more.
I haven't been a fan of any of the agency removing stories.

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Never argue with stupid people,they will drag you down to their level then beat you with experience.

[–] christinaparker-60256 8 years ago

Same. It completely negates all of their actions and makes the story less impactful. And this show relies on it so much:

1. Stefan is compelled by Klaus to be "rippah" again on the werewolf hunt. At some point, he also turns off his switch.

2. Elena is first sired by Damon (loss of agency), then she turns off her switch.

3. Caroline and Stefan flip their switch in season 6.

4. Damon flips his switch in 8.

I know I am missing some. Not to mention all of the compulsion that goes on. It's just too much of a plot device. Most shows don't rely on this nearly as much, why does TVD?

[–] lindsay-kneece 8 years ago

Stefan also flips his switch in S8 as of 8x07

[–] bluesysax 8 years ago

Not to mention the amnesia/memory wipe stories.

Stefan, Damon and Elena have all experienced this plot device which whilst not technically agency removing, it is because the characters are functioning with all the wrong or incomplete information.

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Never argue with stupid people,they will drag you down to their level then beat you with experience.

[–] freds7 8 years ago

Yea I don't like the memory-loss plots either. When a character suddenly lacks all the important information it's like their opinions and feelings don't matter anymore, making them uninteresting to watch.

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Dozens of times, lots of different ways. Every night, I save you.

[–] jordanjanellejoy 8 years ago

I don't understand why it's the automatic "go to". It's like they're constantly at a loss on a writing stand point, so they just go with mind control or the humanity switch every time, which is way too often.

My ass may be dumb, but I ain't no dumbass...