[WARNING: Major spoilers ahead from Thursday's episode of The Vampire Diaries, " "]
The Vampire Diaries isn't afraid of death.
And The CW drama showed it on Thursday's penultimate season-five episode, "Promised Land," when Stefan (Paul Wesley) was killed by Julian (Michael Trevino), the Traveler still trapped inside Tyler's hybrid body who ripped Stefan's heart right out. (Could this be a callback to Enzo's death two weeks ago?)
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Now, death on Vampire Diaries doesn't work the same way as on other television shows. In fact, we'd be hard-pressed to find a character on the show who hasn't died, yet miraculously returned -- either in another form (supernatural or not) or via a loophole.
Even if the stay on the Other Side is temporary, seeing Stefan cross over was emotional and certainly sets up a mother of a finale next Thursday. How the heck will they get out of this one?
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On a lighter note, Damon (Ian Somerhalder) and Elena (Nina Dobrev) fans were treated with a nice moment between the ex-lovers when they reunited with a kiss amid all the Traveler drama. Even Stefan gave Elena reason to seriously think about going all-in again: "You two are miserable without each other. So if you want to be with him, just be with him."
Considering the "death" that took place in the waning minutes of the episode, the light-hearted, almost upbeat tone in the promo teeing up next week's finale leaves a lot to be desired.
How do you think they will get out of this one?
The Vampire Diaries airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. on The CW.
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