The Vampire Diaries (TV Series) The Descent (2011) User Reviews

Beautiful Dream, Mortal Existential Crisis

[claudio_carvalho · 8/10 · 21 October 2013]

While Stefan seeks out Isobel, Damon asks Elena to take care of Rose and he meets Jules. He asks Jules the cure for werewolf bite and she tells that there is no cure. Caroline is involved in a triangle of love with Matt and Tyler. When the pain of Rose comes to an end, Damon hides his true feelings about her and has a mortal existential crisis.

"The Descent" is THE episode of Damon, who gives peace to Rose and suffers for her in a magnificent performance of Ian Somerhalder. The sequence of Rose's dream is beautiful and heartbreaking. Instead of killing Jessica, the conclusion would have been excellent if he killed Jules instead. I am going to miss the charismatic Rose and it is terrible to see the unpleasant Uncle John back to the show. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "The Descent"

The vampire equivalent of Old Yeller...

[Chalice_Of_Evil · 8/10 · 31 January 2011]

I might not like Jules for what she did to Rose, but it's nice to see a werewolf who actually lives up to the reputation werewolves have. Seeing all those limbs on the ground from her victims drove home the fact that werewolves are deadly creatures. And she's just as merciless in human form, apparently, with killing that guy.

Finally, Elena's gotten to the point where she can tell when Stefan has sneaked up behind her. Whoo! Progress. I loved that and Stefan's "Yep." answer to her question. I enjoyed their "You're about to ruin the moment, aren't you?"/"I'm totally ruining the moment." exchange whilst Elena poured him some diluted Vervain to drink. I had to laugh at Stefan answering Elena's "How can Elijah compel another vampire?" question with "He's an Original. I don't really know what that means. I don't think anybody really knows what that means." - as I have to agree with him. They haven't really offered a clear explanation for why Elijah can compel other vamps, and it seems "he's an Original" is about the only explanation we're going to get.

I enjoyed all of the Damon & Rose scenes in this episode. Though his constant back and forth between seeming like he cared about Rose to him acting like he didn't care began to wear a little thin after a while. Damon (the character) is usually such a good liar, but his lie to Rose about her bite injury looking "definitely better" couldn't have sounded less convincing if he tried. Then he enlisted Elena's back-up and, well...she couldn't lie any better than him.

I actually didn't mind Caroline and Tyler's scenes together. She makes him bearable. And good on Matt for trusting what Caroline said (about nothing happening between her and Tyler) at face value. A shame that by the end of the episode she betrayed that trust by kissing Tyler...well, okay, technically Tyler kissed *her*, but...can't say I'm looking forward to this inevitable love triangle.

Poor Alaric. He hasn't gotten much to do for quite some time. His "The wolf is in The Grill." line amused me for some reason, though. I liked his scene with Stefan, but was very disappointed that we didn't get to see Isobel in the episode (especially given all the talk about her). Uncle John is definitely no substitute. Not only would it have been great to see Isobel/Mia Kirshner on the show again, but it might have actually given Matt Davis something to *do*. His scenes with Mia were always good. Bring her back so he can get some decent development/screen time.

Rose was such a great vampire. She obviously was not that evil, given all the apologising she was doing to Elena. I enjoyed all their scenes together/interaction. Even when Rose was turning rabid and trying to kill Elena, Elena didn't just simply say "Well, you're evil. You go dead now!". She was pretty forgiving of Rose and her trying to kill her multiple times (not that she really had any control over that). Damon was right, Elena really IS a do-gooder.

Lauren Cohan was so great this episode. She was under-used/under-appreciated on Supernatural, but at least on TVD she got a chance to develop her character and give her some depth. As recurring characters on the show go, she was definitely one of the best. Here's hoping that on the next show she appears in, she doesn't wind up as puppy chow yet again.

As much as I hate Jules for what she did, and as much as a part of me wanted Damon's threatening her (for info on how to cure Rose) to work, at the same time I was kinda glad that she's one of the few people who can't be intimidated by Damon. He's so used to his threats working, so it's refreshing to see someone not even batting an eyelash at him when he tries to threaten them.

Elena did pretty good for herself fighting off Rabid Rose (digging her nails into the wound was especially nasty). The only wrong move she made was not running out the front door when she was RIGHT THERE. Opening all the curtains to let sunlight in was smart, at least. But, really, it wasn't very bright of Damon to leave human Elena alone with an erratic vampire in the first place.

It was actually quite saddening to see Rose's deterioration and descent into rabid rabies vampire. I enjoyed her final scene with Damon - the dream sequence - and thought it was really nicely shot/acted. Witnessing Damon's emotion at having to be the one to end Rose's life made for a very effective goodbye scene. See, Damon, THAT'S what it feels like when a vampire you care about dies (Stefan experienced this when you killed Lexi). I don't care how much he tried to convince himself that he didn't really care about Rose, it was pretty clear that he DID. And that final scene with him playing drunk roadkill in the middle of the street and toying with that woman? Really well-acted scene by Ian Somerhalder. Kudos to him and Cohan, this episode totally belonged to the two of them. While I'm unhappy about Rose being killed off, at least they gave her a good send-off and the repercussions of her death seem like they're going to make for intriguing future development for Damon's character. Welcome back, TVD.

Poor Damon!

[MekareM · 9/10 · 28 January 2011]

After a lengthy break, The Vampire Diaries returned with an episode worthy of the wait.

Again, you feel bad for Damon who has to end the suffering of Rose because there seems to be no cure for the bite of a werewolf. While I adore the bad boy Damon, Ian's portrayal of Damon's pain is heartbreaking and makes you wish that Elena could see it or wish that you could jump into the screen and comfort him.

Rose was a good character and I wish she would of had more time. Her age gave her wisdom and that's what Damon, Elena, Stefan, and almost everyone seems to need.

It wasn't a surprise that Tyler kissed Caroline after what she had helped him through and I think her reaction was spot-on after what had happened with Matt. Poor Matt doesn't understand but hopefully he will soon.

Uncle John's return will certainly bring more frustrations than solutions. Will he help the vampires or the werewolves or will he feel that it's his duty to kill them both? With Jules now helping Tyler and the revelation that she kills humans, it should be an exciting second half of the season that you won't want to miss.

Heart Wrenching (Literally)

[cooljazzjr02 · 8/10 · 9 November 2021]

While I'll admit that Rose wasn't involved enough in the show to feel a deeper connection with the character - it's moreso the depth of emotion from Damon that you connect with and the fact that he stepped out of his typical careless mental path and turned on the switch to his feelings.

In all the Chaos that still roams around with werewolves and the plots and plans of others - Damon, handing over the gift of death to Rose, dives into dream manipulation to ease the blow for her as she had been running her whole life to evaid the perceivable wrath of Elijah.

It was at this moment where you begin to see a glimpse of her origination and the longing for her to return there. Damon, while often leading with the demonesque mentality, once again shows the side of compassion in this facet being the dream state as he plunges the stake into Rose's heart ending her physical misery.

And although this doesn't rank among my absolute favorite episodes - it's certainly no slouch and pushes it's way to an 8 in my book.

Damon got busted

[chelsea1415 · 8/10 · 28 January 2011]

Finally. Damon got busted crying out for rose when he had to stab her and end her suffering after got biting by a werewolf. Stefan finally try to reach an old enemy for help when he realizes that it is his own way to learn more about the elders. Meanwhile. Matt start to have his doubts about caroline when she try ed to move away while kissing him while tailor is wondering about Kathrine help and his feelings toward her. The most amazing finale for a waited episode when Damon find his own way to his natural instincts and reveals what is kept inside.he proved once again that (It) cannot be (He). Fans finally got back on track with "vampire diaries" wheel with an amazing unexpected guest who show up in the end and could change everything forever.

I got some of this episode mixed up with the previous

[jackDee-56565 · 8/10 · 25 December 2020]

This episode is great except I didn't care much for roses fate because she had not been on the show long enough to really connect with her character, overall this episode was much better and a mass step from the previous episode which was meh at best

Pain of Werewolf Bites

[vivianla · 17 July 2022]

Rose suffers through pain, agony, hallucinations, and dementia. Elena brings her to Damon's room and she rhetorically asks Elena you never have been in Damon's room, have you? His room is very elegant and simple. Rose says she wasted so much time. She loved the horses, grass, and trees as a girl but those all went away with time. She was born near London, England.

As Rose battles through dementia and hallucinations, Elena holds a stake as she carefully looks around. She jumps when Damon shows and Damon asks if she is okay.

Tyler waits for Caroline at her door and asks why she risked her life to help him. He kisses her passionately, surprising Caroline.

Damon holds Rose in bed as he gets into her mind, creating a beautiful dream. She wears a blue dress with long sleeves, looking perfect as she dashes on the grass. Damon stabs her with the stake on the count of 3 and he cries.

Damon battles between being human-like and vampire-like. He lays on a highway and the driver gets out to check on him. He looks like he isn't going to kill her, just wanted to rant but then he goes up to her and bites her.