Amazed. Awed. Inspired. Obsessed. These are only a few words that come to mind from an endless supply of praise for THE VAMPIRE DIARIES. I've watched this show since its beginning last September and have been hooked from the second I heard the word "vampire". Never did I expect a show that would keep me on the edge of my seat — every single episode. The chemistry we witness between each actor is undeniable. Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley, Damon and Stefan Salvatore, respectively, take their dialogue to another place entirely. I've followed Somerhalder since his YOUNG AMERICAN days back in 2000 (anyone remember that one?) and the difference in his acting then and now is amazing. Wesley captured my heart back in 2003, when he played the tortured character of Tommy on EVERWOOD. He was great then but again, I marvel at how far an actor has come. And don't even get me started on the ingenious casting of Nina Dobrev, who plays two characters, Elena and Katherine. There is such a distinction in the characters you would think the part was played by twins. The drama, the intrigue and the intense relationships all resemble the daytime soaps format but take us one step further into a realistic version of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER. It makes you wonder — what ever happened to PORT CHARLES?

As a faithful follower of daytime as well as primetime soaps, I watched last night's episode with bated breath. I sit every week and wait for the other shoe to drop... maybe this episode won't be as spicy. Or maybe, Damon won't floor me with a brilliant one-liner that I'm desperate to immediately post as my Facebook status. Either way, I was more than pleasantly surprised to see, once again, that TPTB pulled off yet another brilliant episode. No one is safe on the show, that much I've learned. And no matter how hard you try to hate Katherine, last night I realized how lonely she actually is. Did you see the intense sadness and fear in her face when Damon shut that door on her? OMG! I was floored. I didn't think I could feel anything at all for that character. Between Damon hating what he had just done with tears welling in his eyes and her gut-wrenching realization that she was out-done (for once!), made me actually feel sorry for her. I'm not sure where the writers are going to go from here, but I know it's gotta be juicy! Katherine is trapped, Elena was taken hostage, Damon is heart-broken...and what's going on with Bonnie and Jeremy? I didn't see that one coming! All I know is, I wish this was a daily show like our beloved soaps and not a weekly one because even though I just got my fix last night, I'm dying for more. Maybe it's better this way...I don't think my heart can take it!