I think you're completely on with this and the biggest reason why I don't like the word "agency" is that there isn't one interpretation everyone has agreed on. I think in terms of this show, agency isn't merely possessing free will, but imposing your free will.

Wasn't there a great thread, maybe last season, discussing how some AVClubbers would be classy vampires?

Let's dig in! There have been some really great kisses on TV recently too.
Using Bash's bloody hand facing the screen to reinforce the bond they just made I got, but it was the actual placement of his hand on her face that was weird. It was perpendicular to the ground, just upright along the side of her face. That was…

I love your description and diligence especially in figuring out the angle of the blade!
Also, does anyone else think Clarissa is Nostradamus' daughter? I can't explain why, but I got that feeling with that episode.

I thought Klaus told people where there were witches to be rounded up and that's how she was killed. Elijah didn't have anything to do with it I don't think.

I don't know. Mikael means dead-dead. Klaus means daggered for some unknown period of time-maybe forever. The Klaus one is a lot less permanent.

I guess the question is, would you rather have Matt happy, but off screen or traumatized onscreen? Think of how much you'd get to see his pretty face! Haven't you noticed the proportion of time Matt gets onscreen when Katherine's around? He was possessed and she gave him a loving stab to the gut. She wanted to prevent…

Edited version: I read it the opposite way and I did think of the heightened emotions thing at first, but after he was screaming and transforming, I changed my mind. When's the last time they changed their face without killing the person they were talking to? I can't think of any. Tyler was doing the one thing that…

Earlier in the season I thought it was the latter, but I get the sense now that it's the former. He has always liked Mary, but since she came in as his brother's fiancée, it didn't and couldn't go anywhere. I think at this point, he's trying to get the best life he possibly can and that includes having a good…

I agree, but I'm not totally sure Caroline is doing a complete 180 on her feelings about Damon and Elena. Even after she slept with Klaus (and stress cleaned) she didn't change her tune. Her being remotely pleasant to Damon was about helping Stefan out versus a philosophical change in her how she's going to deal with…

I thought it was her trying to get out of that house to meet Nadia as fast as she could. She did what Katherine does. Sees an opportunity and takes advantage.

Watched the last two episodes back to back. Still loving the outfits.

I thought what Bash said to her was really sweet, but the bloody hand placement on her face while kissing was really creeping me out. It was obvious they were trying to get that up in there and it wasn't like he was cradling her cheek. It was weirdly upright.

I liked his goat joke.

I was wondering too since she appears to have stabbed him right in the throat.

He didn't just yell at her though. He yelled at her and then started to transform into something that could kill her. That's the difference and that is why I think Stefan's response was appropriate- which is where this thread got started. (A bite of course would ironically likely push her into Klaus' lap if she could…

Katherine having some affection for Caroline was really cute too. Her asking that Caroline be her best friend versus Bonnie was sweet.

If Katherine didn't make her intentions about Stefan so clear, I think she could have done it. It would have looked like Elena was returning to the comfort of an old friend and ex-boyfriend after all of the Salvatore drama.

Tyler having a grievance isn't the same as the rest of them thinking Caroline is a horrible person though. Is she really a horrible person for having sex with someone they don't approve of? Does sex give that kind of power?

Why was Rebekah ok with bringing back Mikael to clear Klaus off exactly when Mikael also wanted to kill her?