Over the course of The Vampire Diaries, we’ve been introduced to so many new and interesting characters that we either loved to hate or just plain outright loved. Of course, no one’s ever safe on this show, and many of those weren’t able to stick around.

But with vampires, witches, and werewolves already roaming around Mystic Falls, it wasn’t long before ghosts were allowed to enter the mix. This week’s episode is called “Ghost World”, but I like to think of it as a love letter from the writers to the fans.

Damon: When I kill someone, they’re supposed to stay dead.

Last season, Bonnie made a choice to go against the wishes of the dead witches and do a spell to bring Jeremy back from the dead, albeit with unforeseen consequences. Since then, he’s been caught between the two worlds and seeing the ghosts of his two ex-girlfriends, Anna and Vicki. Then last week, Bonnie was again forced to do a spell, this time to shut Vicki out of our world permanently after she threatened Elena’s life. But just maybe, Bonnie left the veil a little too open.

It’s so nice to see Uncle Mason, Lexi, Grams, and Pearl again this episode. It isn’t often that a show gets to bring a bunch of dead characters back and give the fans a real Halloween treat. I really thought Uncle Mason would be all about vengeance towards Damon for being the one to kill him, but I’m glad to say death has given him perspective about what’s important, mainly his nephew Tyler. (“I don’t need revenge, Damon. I need redemption.”) Sadly, there wasn’t actually a scene between the nephew and uncle, both Tyler and Katherine were missing this week, but Mason’s quest with Damon to find out more about the Originals made up for it.

Elena: I won’t love a ghost for the rest of my life.

Elsewhere, Lexi quickly takes over for Elena with Stefan. She’s been the one to fix him countless times, so she’s the perfect one to do it again. Out of all the characters Damon has killed, she’s probably the one I’m most sad about. Even though Lexi isn’t able to finish the job before Bonnie does a spell to turn everything back to normal, I think she does give Elena a good look at how hard it will be to break Klaus’ hold and Stefan’s addiction. Elena then reminds Stefan that he, too, needs to work for it, because she won’t be around to love a ghost forever.

Anna: I’m only here because you want to be with me as much as I want to be with you.

Jeremy’s another person who needs to take Elena’s message to heart, as he gets way in over his head this week with Anna. I’m all for the two lovebirds to have a chance, but unfortunately, that time seems to have sailed now that Anna has joined the dead rather than the living-dead. The only thing their relationship is doing now is breaking Bonnie’s heart after Elena finds them kissing. Bonnie, with the help of ghost Grams, is able to do the spell to stop all the mayhem and close the veil, just as Anna is reunited with her mother Pearl. I don’t think we’ve seen the last of Anna.

Alaric: You’re going to recycle that same crap-ass apology you gave to Mason Lockwood?
Damon: Yeah, well. I didn’t mean it with him.

But the focus in the end comes back around to the Originals, now that Alaric, taking over for Mason after Bonnie’s spell, and Damon discover what I’ve dubbed the Cave of Awesome. Scratched on the cave walls are pictures and names that tell the story of the Originals. What do you think they’ll learn there?

Notes and Quotes:

Caroline: Can you please tell me that’s a recipe for witch cookies.

Damon: Ah, but remember back when you liked me, and we conspired to kill Mason Lockwood? I think he’s still a little pissed.

Mason: I’m a ghost, not God.

Caroline: You’ve got your ghost-boyfriend-drama, Elena has hers. And right now, the mother of mine is about to be ghost bait.

Elena: Matt let go of his sister, Jeremy, before you let go of Anna. His sister.

Next week:

We’re going way back to the time of the Originals.