Promised Land (The Vampire Diaries)

Last updated
"Promised Land"
The Vampire Diaries episode
Episode no.Season 5
Episode 21
Directed byMichael Allowitz
Written byRebecca Sonnenshine
Production code2J7521
Original air dateMay 8, 2014 (2014-05-08)
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
 Previous
"What Lies Beneath"
Next 
"Home"
The Vampire Diaries season 5
List of episodes

"Promised Land" is the 21st episode of the fifth season of the American series The Vampire Diaries and the series' 110th episode overall. "Promised Land" was originally aired on May 8, 2014, on The CW. The episode was written by Rebecca Sonnenshine and directed by Michael Allowitz.

Contents

Plot

Damon (Ian Somerhalder) has captured a traveler and interrogates him to tell him where Markos (Raffi Barsoumian) is, so he can find Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Elena (Nina Dobrev). However, the only thing the traveler tells him is, that it doesn't matter if he finds Markos, since he has whatever he needs and it's too late to do anything. Meanwhile, Stefan and Elena are tied up and being drained by Markos, who needs their blood for his spell. A woman appears and frees Stefan, who goes and frees Elena and they escape.

Stefan calls Damon to tell him that they escaped but he does not know where they are and that they will try to find their way back home safe. They are walking down the road discussing when a car appears. The driver turns out to be Maria (Tamara Austin), one of the travelers, but also the one who freed Stefan. She picks them up. Elena and Stefan wonder why she is helping them and Maria tells them that her husband, Julian, is inside Tyler's (Michael Trevino) body permanently. That means when Markos finishes the spell, Julian will die, since Tyler's body is a hybrid. She wants to find her husband and run away.

Enzo (Michael Malarkey) keeps bothering Damon to keep his promise and bring him back to life. He also pesters Bonnie (Kat Graham), since she is the one who is able to do it. Bonnie asks Damon to make Enzo stop, but instead he tells her that since she is working on a spell with Liv (Penelope Mitchell) to keep her alive when the Other Side collapses, they should include Enzo to the spell as well and save him too.

Caroline (Candice Accola) comes to Bonnie with an idea of how to save Tyler: they can kill his body so the traveler will go, Tyler passes to the Other Side and then they bring him back with the spell that will also bring Bonnie back. Bonnie cannot lie anymore and admits to Caroline that there is no spell and that she lied about it, something that Enzo also hears and is mad about. He demands from Bonnie to find a way and when she tells him to give up he says he will never give up as long as the Other Side still exists and he is there.

Meanwhile, Damon tries to make Markos appear, so he steals all the travelers' bodies from the cave, leaving a note to Markos to come find him. Markos then comes to the Salvatore house, where he explains his plan to Damon and tells him threatening to destroy the bodies will not work, since the bodies are not essential to his plan. To prove this, he kills one of the travelers. Damon tries to attack him but Markos knocks him out. He tells him that he is not strong enough to kill him, since he is full of doppelganger blood and he channels the power of all the travelers. Julian, who is chained at the basement, hears the two talking and tells Damon that Markos does not know he is there and they should take advantage of that.

Elena, Stefan and Maria arrive at Mystic Falls but Liv and Luke (Chris Brochu) ambush them and cause their car to crush by using magic. Maria dies and Elena and Stefan try to get away from them. Liv and Luke want to kill at least one of them so the travelers will not be able to complete the spell that will strip away all the magic from Mystic Falls. In the meantime, the travelers started the spell and Liv and Luke start losing their magic power. Elena and Stefan's rings also stop working and they start getting burned by the sun. They run and hide to avoid the sun and head to find Damon, Caroline and the rest. Maria's spirit appears to Bonnie to pass to the other side and asks Bonnie to tell Julian that she tried to save him.

Back at the Salvatore house, Julian tries to help Damon to take Markos by surprise and attacks him by biting him. Markos pushes him away while Julian's fangs disappear because of the spell that the travelers already started. Damon's ring stops working as well and the wound of the gunshot that killed him appears on his chest. Damon and Julian run away to get out of the range of the spell so they will not die.

Caroline tries to pack their things and leave the dorm. While Bonnie should be doing the same, she just sits without doing anything. Caroline asks her why she is not helping and Bonnie says that she might have found a way to bring them back to life but she needs Enzo's help. Enzo finds Maria at the Other Side and he asks her if she knows the spell that the travelers used to bring Markos back. Maria says she does and is willing to help them, but with the Other Side falling apart, Maria is drawn away by the force that draws away the people from the Other Side. Enzo and Bonnie lose their only chance to manage to bring the ones they need back into life.

Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen) finds Damon running in the street and picks him up. They go and find Stefan, Elena, Caroline and Matt (Zach Roerig). Matt and Jeremy decid to go back to Mystic Falls while the rest should try to get as far away as they can. Damon and Elena leave with Jeremy's car while Stefan and Caroline stay behind to wait for Bonnie. Julian appears and asks about Maria. Stefan tells him that Maria is dead, and Julian starts a fight with Stefan where he ends up killing him by ripping his heart out. Julian says that that is the way to stop the spell and leaves, while Caroline is in shock crying over Stefan's body.

The episode ends with Stefan appearing to Bonnie so he can pass to the Other Side. Bonnie is aghast seeing him and cannot believe he is dead. Stefan asks her if she found a way to bring them all back. Bonnie tells him she did, but lost it and then Stefan passes through her to the Other Side.

Feature music

In the "Promised Land" episode we can hear the songs: [1]

Reception

Ratings

In its original American broadcast, "Promised Land" was watched by 1.50 million; down by 0.34 from the previous episode. [2]

Reviews

"Promised Land" received positive reviews.

Stephanie Flasher of TV After Dark gave an A rating to the episode saying that "despite being the season's penultimate episode, "Promised Land" very much had the feeling of a season finale with drama, suspense and an epic cliffhanger." [3]

Ashley Dominique from Geeked Out Nation gave an A− rating to the episode. "The stakes got grave and desperate as the travelers took hold of Mystic Falls in "Promised Land". All of this setting up an extremely tension filled finale." [4]

Carrie Raisler of The A.V. Club gave the episode a B+ rating focusing on Stefan's death and saying: "It hurts me to spend all that time debating something that only took up about one minute of actual episode space—especially because everything else here was so good. This episode was downright hilarious at times, light and breezy and snappy in a way the show hasn’t been in quite a while, and it was an absolute pleasure to watch. [...] It’s well-plotted, well-written, tight stuff. Right up until that insane ending. Which all might be a big misdirect." [5]

Leigh Raines of TV Fanatic rated the episode with 4/5 saying that the end left her pretty speechless. "We all know that death doesn't exactly stick when it comes to The Vampire Diaries but the other side is disintegrating slowly before our eyes. Bonnie and Enzo's plan to use Maria is now kaput since Maria vanished into the darkness. Now what?" [6]

Liane Bonin Starr from HitFix gave a good review to the episode and saying that the end was shocking and the season finale will be explosive. Starr also praises Trevino's portrayal as Julian: "It's still a little unnerving to see Caroline talking to Julian when he's inhabiting Tyler's body. Kudos to Michael Trevino for making Julian distinct as a character, and making his reaction to Maria's death — yanking out Stefan's heart — both wrenching and utterly believable." [7]

Stephanie Hall of K Site TV also gave a good review to the episode saying: ""Promised Land" served as an amazing set up for the finale, ensuring that everything that could go wrong at this point did go wrong. For all of the drama that took place, there was a surprising amount of comedy that was utilized in the beginning of the episode in order to create a more radical shift in tone once the Travelers began their spell. It left off with quite an unexpected cliffhanger that further compels the audience to tune in next week to see how this will all play out." [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stefan Salvatore</span> Fictional character

Stefan Salvatore is a fictional character and one of the two main protagonists from L. J. Smith's novel series The Vampire Diaries. He is portrayed by Paul Wesley in the television series CW's The Vampire Diaries and The Originals. Stefan grew up in the town of Mystic Falls, Virginia. He grew up next to his brother, Damon Salvatore, his father, Giuseppe Salvatore and at the start of his life grew up with his mother, Lillian Salvatore before supposedly died of consumption, later revealing that she faked her own death and lived as a vampire in secret. As Stefan grew up, he was known as the good child in the family, unlike his brother, Damon Salvatore, who had a knack for trouble. As Stefan and Damon grew up, both boys grew to not like their father because of his abusive ways. Damon Salvatore joined the army, and Stefan was left to live with his father for a couple of months. Once Damon came back, the two were turned into vampires in 1864, in the town of Mystic Falls at the age of 17, by Katerina Petrova, who both brothers loved immensely.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Damon Salvatore</span> Fictional character from The Vampire Diaries

Damon Salvatore is a fictional character In L. J. Smith's novel series The Vampire Diaries. He is portrayed by Ian Somerhalder in the television series. Damon is one of the two main protagonists along with Stefan Salvatore, especially in the story's main setting, Mystic Falls.

"Handle with Care" is the sixth episode of the fifth season of the American series The Vampire Diaries and the series' 95th episode overall. "Handle with Care" was originally aired on November 7, 2013, on The CW. The episode was written by Caroline Dries and Holly Brix and directed by Jeffrey Hunt.

"The Devil Inside" is the twelfth episode of the fifth season of the American series The Vampire Diaries and the series' 101st episode overall. "The Devil Inside" originally aired on January 30, 2014, on The CW. The episode was written by Brett Matthews and Sonny Postiglione and directed by Kellie Cyrus.

"History Repeating" is the ninth episode of the first season of The CW television series, The Vampire Diaries and the ninth episode of the series overall. It originally aired on November 12, 2009. The episode was written by Bryan M. Holdman and Brian Young and directed by Marcos Siega.

"Unpleasantville" is the twelfth episode of the first season of The CW television series, The Vampire Diaries and the twelfth episode of the series overall. It originally aired on January 28, 2010. The episode was written by Barbie Kligman and Brian Young and directed by Liz Friedlander.

"Total Eclipse of the Heart" is the 13th episode of the fifth season of the American series The Vampire Diaries and the series' 102nd episode overall. "Total Eclipse of the Heart" was originally aired on February 6, 2014, on The CW. The episode was written by Rebecca Sonnenshine and Holly Brix and directed by Darren Genet.

"No Exit" is the 14th episode of the fifth season of the American series The Vampire Diaries and the series' 103rd episode overall. "No Exit" was originally aired on February 27, 2014, on The CW. The episode was written by Brian Young and directed by Michael Allowitz.

"While You Were Sleeping" is the 16th episode of the fifth season of the American series The Vampire Diaries and the series' 105th episode overall. "While You Were Sleeping" was originally aired on March 20, 2014, on The CW. The episode was written by Caroline Dries and directed by Pascal Verschooris.

"Rescue Me" is the 17th episode of the fifth season of the American series The Vampire Diaries and the series' 106th episode overall. "Rescue Me" was originally aired on March 27, 2014, on The CW. The episode was written by Brett Matthews and Neil Reynolds and directed by Leslie Libman.

"The Sacrifice" is the 10th episode of the second season of The CW television series, The Vampire Diaries and the 32nd episode of the series overall. It originally aired on December 2, 2010. The episode was written by Caroline Dries and directed by Ralph Hemecker.

"Resident Evil" is the 18th episode of the fifth season of the American series The Vampire Diaries and the series' 107th episode overall. "Resident Evil" was originally aired on April 17, 2014, on The CW. The episode was written by Caroline Dries and Brian Young and directed by Paul Wesley. The episode is Wesley's debut as director in the series.

"Man on Fire" is the 19th episode of the fifth season of the American series The Vampire Diaries and the series' 108th episode overall. "Man on Fire" was originally aired on April 24, 2014, on The CW. The episode was written by Melinda Hsu Taylor and Matthew D'Ambrosio and directed by Michael Allowitz.

"What Lies Beneath" is the 20th episode of the fifth season of the American series The Vampire Diaries and the series' 109th episode overall. "What Lies Beneath" was originally aired on May 1, 2014, on The CW. The episode was written by Elisabeth R. Finch and Holly Brix and directed by Joshua Butler.

"Home" is the 22nd and last episode of the fifth season of the American series The Vampire Diaries and the series' 111th episode overall. "Home" was originally aired on May 15, 2014, on The CW. The episode was written by Caroline Dries and Brian Young and directed by Chris Grismer.

"Yellow Ledbetter" is the 2nd episode of the sixth season of the American series The Vampire Diaries and the series' 113th episode overall. "Yellow Ledbetter" was originally aired on October 9, 2014, on The CW. The episode was written by Julie Plec and directed by Pascal Verschooris.

"Welcome to Paradise" is the 3rd episode of the sixth season of the American series The Vampire Diaries and the series' 114th episode overall. "Welcome to Paradise" was originally aired on October 16, 2014, on The CW. The episode was written by Brian Young and directed by Michael Allowitz.

"The World Has Turned and Left Me Here" is the 5th episode of the sixth season of the American series The Vampire Diaries and the series' 116th episode overall. "The World Has Turned and Left Me Here" was originally aired on October 30, 2014, on The CW. The episode was written by Brett Matthews and directed by Leslie Libman.

"The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get" is the 6th episode of the sixth season of the American series The Vampire Diaries and the series' 117th episode overall. "The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get" was originally aired on November 6, 2014, on The CW. The episode was written by Chad Fiveash and James Stoterau and directed by Garreth Stover.

References

  1. "The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 21: "Promised Land" Music". TV Fanatic. 17 April 2014. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  2. Kondolojy, Amanda (May 9, 2014). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'Grey's Anatomy', 'The Big Bang Theory' & 'Black Box' Adjusted Up; 'The Millers' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 11, 2014. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  3. Flasher, Stephanie (May 12, 2014). "The Vampire Diaries 5×21 – "Promised Land" Review". TV After Dark. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  4. Dominique, Ashley (May 8, 2014). "The Vampire Diaries: "Promised Land" Review". Geeked Out Nation. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  5. Raisler, Carrie (May 8, 2014). "The Vampire Diaries: "Promised Land"". The A.V. Club. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  6. Raines, Leigh (May 9, 2014). "The Vampire Diaries Review: The Beginning of the End". TV Fanatic. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  7. Starr, Liane Bonin (May 8, 2014). "'The Vampire Diaries': Can the Travelers be beaten?". HitFix. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  8. Hall, Stephanie (May 10, 2014). "The Vampire Diaries #5.21 "Promised Land" Recap & Review". K Site TV. Retrieved May 18, 2014.