1.01 Night of the Comet
From Vampire Diaries Wiki
| Night of the Comet | |||||
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| Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 2 | ||||
| Written by | Julie Plec Kevin Williamson | ||||
| Directed by | Marcos Siega | ||||
| Production no. | 101 | ||||
| Original airdate | September 17, 2009 | ||||
| "Previously on" | Nina Dobrev | ||||
| Other cast | |||||
| Chris William Martin as Zach Salvatore Benjamin Ayres as Mr. Tanner Elizabeth Lynn Hingley as Girl Peyton Lee as Guy Elijah the Raven as Crow | |||||
| Episode chronology | |||||
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Official synopsis: As Mystic Falls prepares for a festival to celebrate the passing of a comet, Vicki is in the hospital recovering from the attack she can barely remember. Stefan goes to the hospital and tries to use his abilities to make sure Vicki doesn’t remember what really happened, but his attempt is cut short when Vicki’s brother Matt arrives. Jeremy continues to struggle at school and with his feelings for Vicki. At a parent/teacher conference, Mr. Tanner makes Jenna feel that she is failing as a surrogate parent, especially when it comes to Jeremy. Elena decides to go to the Salvatore house to talk to Stefan, but finds his charming brother Damon instead. Damon reveals surprising information about Stefan’s past, and when Stefan arrives home, Elena is confused and embarrassed to realize that he isn’t happy to see her there. Meanwhile, Vicki’s memory of the attack begins to come back to her.
Contents |
Synopsis
Warning: This synopsis contains spoilers about the plot.
An unidentified couple are camping in the woods waiting to see a comet pass over, they’re interrupted and attacked. Elena finishes getting ready for school and is met in the hallway by Jenna who is deciding what to wear for a guardian/teacher conference. Jenna comments on Elena’s uncharacteristically cheerful mood. Jeremy has left already, telling Jenna he had woodshop class, but instead has gone to look in on Vicki at the hospital. Elena and Stefan exchange smiles in Mr. Tanner’s class as Mr. Tanner lectures about the comet that’s about to pass over Mystic Falls. Caroline and Bonnie walk through the hallway discussing Bonnie’s apparent witch lineage that Bonnie learned of from her grandmother. Jeremy searches the school grounds until he finds Tyler and quizzes him about Vicki’s recovery while trying to pick a fight. Matt and Elena walk outside while Matt tells Elena that Vicki should be released the next day but he still hasn’t heard from his mother. Matt is troubled because when asked about what attacked her in the woods, Vicki answered a vampire. Stefan, sitting alone at a nearby table, overhears Matt’s statement. He stays in place just long enough for Matt to point at Stefan and ask about Elena’s new relationship with him; Elena doesn’t want to hurt Matt, so she doesn’t answer his question. Jenna meets with Mr. Tanner to talk about Jeremy’s attendance record and he hints that Jeremy is likely taking drugs and questions Jenna’s suitability as a guardian. Matt and Stefan arrive at the hospital, but Matt reaches a hysterical Vicki first. As Matt looks for help, Stefan uses compulsion on Vicki to calm her down as well as alter her memories of the attack. Stefan attempts to leave the hospital without being seen, but Matt catches a glimpse of him as he skirts down the hallway.
Bonnie, Caroline, and Elena sit at a table in front of the Mystic Grill and talk about Elena’s visit from Stefan the prior night - Caroline is skeptical of Elena’s assertion that all the pair did was talk. The chat with the other girls prompts Elena to go to Stefan’s house unannounced. Jeremy arrives home to find Jenna waiting on him with an “are you doing drugs” talk at the ready. Despite Jenna admitting to recreational use in the past, Jeremy blows her off and leaves the house. Vicki wakes at the hospital in a much-improved mood as she chats with Matt with no apparent memory of a vampire attack, instead she believes she was bitten by an unknown animal. Jeremy walks into the hospital room and Matt excuses himself. Angry at Jeremy’s arrival, Vicki yells at Jeremy for coming until he reveals the fact that he’s the one who saved Vicki the night of the party. When her knock goes unanswered, Elena lets herself in to the Salvatore house and while she looks around the entryway, she finds herself face to face with a curious Damon.
Elena stumbles over her worlds as she attempts to apologize for barging in the house. Damon introduces himself to a surprised Elena and mentions Stefan’s ex-girlfriend, Katherine. Stefan arrives, clearly surprised to see Elena talking with Damon, and coolly escorts Elena from the house. Damon mocks Stefan’s attitude and wonders aloud if Stefan’s overtired because he’s not feeding properly. Damon says he wonders if Stefan’s afraid that they may be doomed to repeat the past. Elena rants to Jenna about Stefan’s apparent family issues. Still in the hospital, Vicki has a nightmare where she is attacked multiple times by Damon.
The night of the comet’s appearance arrives and Bonnie and Elena walk the square passing out flyers while discussing Stefan’s lack of calls or texts. Elena seems irritated until she realizes she never even gave him that information. She seems ready to end the relationship before it really begins, and Bonnie says it sounds as if she’s giving up. Caroline spies a brooding Damon but when she approaches him, he disappears. Zach confronts Stefan about Damon’s continued presence and the danger he’s putting them all in and asks if the girl is really worth the risk. Jeremy meets Vicki in the Mystic Grill and gives her more pain pills; Tyler isn’t pleased to see the pair together. Night falls and the candlelight celebration begins - Matt lights Elena’s candle who passes her light on to Stefan. Stefan and Elena step away from the others and Stefan apologizes for his behavior the day before - she’s bothered by Stefan’s past with Katherine and his omission of Damon’s presence. Vicki sees Damon sitting in the bar and recognizes him. She goes to the restroom, downs a handful of pills, and is attacked by Damon.
Jeremy goes into the Grill and asks if anyone has seen Vicki prompting an argument with Tyler who hints that Jeremy’s been “dealing.” As Matt leaves to look for his sister, Elena confronts Jeremy about his options - therapy, rehab, or talking with her. Matt searches the square for Vickie and sees Stefan. He warns Stefan that even though he’s not with Elena anymore, he’ll always be looking out for her. Hearing screams from Vicki, Stefan excuses himself and runs to the top of the building where Damon is threatening Vicki. Damon compels Vicki to make her believe Stefan was the one to attack her - only to change the memory back to an animal attack after taunting Stefan’s choice of lifestyle again.
Matt checks Vicki’s injury as he thanks Stefan for his help finding her. Bonnie gives Stefan Elena’s e-mail address and cell phone number but is frightened when she touches his hand. Elena arrives home and finds Jenna searching Jeremy’s room for drugs while she questions her suitability as a guardian for Elena and Jeremy. Elena reassures Jenna and talks herself into going back to see Stefan. A crestfallen Jeremy watches a romantic moment between Tyler and Vickie. Walking alone to her car, Caroline senses she’s being followed - and she’s right - Damon appears at her car. Elena rings the bell at Stefan’s and they walk outside to watch the comet overhead. She admits to being scared earlier when she talked with Stefan since she’s not sure she’d survive if her world broke apart again. They discuss what they each would have written in their diaries if they’d had the chance. Stefan looks at Elena and says that this is reality...right here. They share a tentative kiss followed by a more lingering one. Caroline is in bed with a guest, Damon, he looks up from kissing her stomach and changes into his vampire form before biting her.
Quotes
Elena: "He didn't tell me he had a brother."
Damon: "Well, Stefan's not one to brag."
Damon: "Isn't that why you play your little game, "I'm a high school human"?"
Stefan: "I'm not playing any game."
Damon: "Of course you are. We both know the closest you'll ever get to humanity is when you rip it open and feed on it."
Zach: "What is Damon doing here? Why did he come home?"
Stefan: "'Cause I came home. He wants to make my life miserable. That's how he enjoys his."
Stefan: "You know, that comet... It's been traveling across space for thousands of years. All alone."
Elena: "Yeah, Bonnie says it's a harbinger of evil."
Stefan: "I think it's just a ball of... snow and ice, trapped on a path that it can't escape. And once every 145 years, it gets to come home."
Elena: "We met. We talked and it was epic but then the sun came up and reality set in."
Vicki: "I know you."
Damon: "Well, that's unfortunate."
Matt (to Stefan): "You know, Elena and I, we've known each other for a long time. We might not be together right now, but I look out for her. And I'll always look out for her."
Damon (to Stefan): "Not bad. Have you been eating bunnies?"
Damon: "You have two choices. You can feed and make her forget. Or you can let her run, screaming "vampire" through the town square."
Stefan: "That's what this is about? You want to expose me?"
Damon: "No! I want you to remember who you are!"
Stefan (to Damon): "You know what, let her go. Let her tell everyone that vampires have returned to Mystic Falls. Let them chain me up, and let them drive a stake through my heart, because at least I'll be free of you."
Stefan: "What are you up to, Damon?"
Damon: "That's for me to know and you to - dot dot dot."
Jenna: "Your ass-hat of a history teacher shamed me good yesterday."
Elena: "You got Tannered. Been there."
Caroline: "I was hoping I'd see you again."
Damon: "I know."
Caroline: "Cocky much?"
Damon: "Very much."
Diary entries
Elena's diary
Dear Diary, this morning was different. There's change. I can sense it...feel it. or once, I don't regret the day before it begins. Because I know I will see him again. For the first time in a long time, I feel good.
Spoken "entry," said to Stefan:
Dear Diary, Today I convinced myself it was ok to give up. Don't take risks. Stick with the status quo. Now is not the time...but my reasons aren't reasons. They're excuses.
Stefan's journal
I am awake. For the first time in a long time, I feel completely and undeniably wide awake. I welcome the day. Because I know I will see her again.
Spoken "entry," said to Elena:
I met a girl. We talked. It was epic. Then the sun came up and reality set in. This is reality. Right here.
Body count
- Young man: Killed by Damon when he leaves his tent to get something from his car.
- Young woman: Killed by Damon when she leaves the tent to follow her boyfriend.
Music
Listed in order of appearance.
- Metric “Help I’m Alive” [Couple camping in the woods]
(watch music video on YouTube)
- Mat Kearney “Closer to Love” [Elena and Jenna talk, Jeremy visits Vicki in the hospital]
- The Dead Weather “Hang You from the Heavens” [Jeremy confronts Tyler]
- Gossip “Heavy Cross” [Elena, Bonnie and Caroline talking in front of the Mystic Grill]
(watch music video on YouTube)
- Neko Case “I’m An Animal” [Elena and Jenna chat, Jenna threatens to ground Jeremy]
- Dragonette “I Get Around” [Elena and Bonnie handing out flyers, Caroline spots Damon]
(watch music video on YouTube)
- We Were Promised Jetpacks “Conductor” [Vicki and Jeremy in the Mystic Grill, lighting candles in the square]
- Peaches “Mud” [Vicki missing and heated discussion about her in the Mystic Grill]
- Earlimart “Interloper” [Matt thanking Stefan, Stefan talking to Bonnie and Caroline in the Mystic Grill]
- Sara Bareilles “Gravity” [Elena and Stefan reconcile and share their first kiss]
Book references
- Mr. Tanner mentions Wickery Bridge.
- Vicki going mental after her attack and Stefan's attempt at using his Powers on her fails.
Other references
- Night of the Comet, a 1984 zombie apocalypse B-movie.
- Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë's only novel, originally published under the pseudonym Ellis Bell.
Trivia
- Julie Plec revealed that Paul Wesley's real life tattoo, which is visible on his right shoulder in his first scene, is of a rose. She also revealed it was "a bitch to get permission to show."[1]
Production
Promotion
Images
Episode Stills in Vampire-Diaries.net Media Gallery
Clips & Trailers
Songs used that have been identified are listed beneath the trailer link.
- USA Promo
- Rie Sinclair "No Escape"
- UK Promo (Combined Pilot / Night of the Comet)
- "Darker Than Twilight"
- The Dead Weather "Hang You from the Heavens"
- The Dead Weather "Hang You from the Heavens"
- Canadian Promo
- Webclip 1
- Webclip 2
Ratings
U.S.: 3.76 million viewers.[2]
References
| Episodes | |
| Season 1: | Pilot • Night of the Comet • Friday Night Bites • Family Ties • You're Undead to Me • Lost Girls • Haunted • 162 Candles • History Repeating • The Turning Point • Bloodlines • Unpleasantville • Children of the Damned • Fool Me Once • A Few Good Men • There Goes the Neighborhood • Let the Right One In • Under Control • Miss Mystic Falls • Blood Brothers • Isobel • Founder's Day |
| Season 2: | The Return • Brave New World • Bad Moon Rising • Memory Lane • 2.05 • 2.06 • 2.07 • 2.08 • 2.09 • 2.10 • 2.11 • 2.12 • 2.13 • 2.14 • 2.15 • 2.16 • 2.17 • 2.18 • 2.19 • 2.20 • 2.21 • 2.22 |
