What I liked:
The flashbacks to Chicago during the prohibition era. I really enjoy when the show makers do flashbacks – they are really well done in the show. It is good to understand a little why Klaus wants Stefan to travel with him and is the first glimpse that Klaus might have some redeeming qualities to him.
Damon in this season is on fire. He is his usual gorgeous self and as alluring as always, but he has matured and has changed his game plan when it comes to Elena, realizing that the only way he would ever get to her would be through honesty and a fair fight with Stefan.
Jeremy’s shorter hair. Can this count as something I liked? He looks much more grown up and I am so glad that floppy nonsense is gone. The character is much more stable and that can only be a good thing. I’m happy that he leaves for a bit because his story gets a bit much at times.
Caroline and Tyler. This is my second favorite relationship for Caroline. Actors Candice Accola and Michael Trevino certainly have enough chemistry to make their relationship plausible. I also really enjoy how far Tyler has come. He was the world’s biggest high school jock jackass punk in season one, but becoming a werewolf and dealing with everything that went down (and nearly killing Damon, FFS), made him grow up and take accountability for what he does.
Claire Holt as Rebekah Mikaelson. She’s annoying, that is for sure, but the character is the female version of Klaus – powerful and paranoid and worried that no one loves them.
I’m still wishing that Alaric Saltzman was my teacher in high school. Not only would he have been really nice to look at, but he is badass and besties with Damon. I mean really, what more do you want from a teacher? I like that he isn’t the together guy we met in Season one and how he lost most of his ability to cope – not blaming him, his wife and girlfriend have at this point been and been killed as vampires, something that would mess most people up quite badly. His friendship with Damon is still sob worthy and beautiful, and his death made me so mad the first time around – how many people must Damon still lose?! Losing him caused a lot of pain for Elena and Damon, and the lead up to his death was so heart
Klaus – man, after killing Jenna at the end of Season 2 I thoroughly hated him. The hate is still quite strong in the beginning of season two, and his actions remain deplorable, but as the season continues you start getting a glimpse of why he is like he is, and that he is lonely and terrified of Michael. Klaus’ puppy like devotion to Caroline is gut wrenching, and can we just discuss this whole scene?!
Which brings me to Michael –I think he was legitimately badass and worthy of scaring Klaus shitless. But we can hate him thoroughly whilst we admire him, because he is the main reason vampires exist and why Klaus is the way he is. The big reveal that although he isn’t Klaus’ father, he is the father of all the other Originals, was clever and really well done. His death is also really fiery and awesome, and the tension that is in the air with the last standoff between Klaus and Mikhael is electrifying. It is also one of Joseph Morgan’s best moments in the show – the heartache and disillusionment of not being loved by his father figure is heartbreaking to behold.
Klaus and Caroline. I do enjoy Caroline and Tyler together, and the only way I would chose her to be with someone else at this point is with Klaus. She will always speak her mind, and he really is a guy that needs it. The scene below is one of the sweetest in the entire series, and it broke my heart just a little. If you haven’t seen the show yet, I think this is the first real time where you start to wonder if Klaus has redeeming qualities.
Elena – the girl has grown. She’s angrier and feels violent towards her blood bag fate. Her character is so much stronger than in seasons one and two, and we finally see some progression.
This. Kiss.
What I didn’t like:
How many times must Caroline go through the same drama of a parent that wants to kill her? Her father pitching, THANKS CAROL, and trying to exorcise the vamp out of his daughter. At this stage it is feeling quite repetitive and unnecessary. Her father also – there was such a magnitude of possible ideas around him – that repelling compulsion without vervain? That could have been an incredible story line.
Jeremy seeing the dead. Why did the showrunners feel inclined to even include this? I couldn’t cope (again) with all the Bonnie business, and especially seeing Vicki back – I really hated the character. I did enjoy having Anna on again, she was quite cool and I really wanted her and Jeremy to work.
Bonnie – I’m bitching here again as I’ve done in the two previous seasons, but she’s whiney, entitled and really very bitchy towards her friends. She wears her witch crown like it’s a cross and it is too much to bear at the best of times.
Can I just ask why being an evil female is automatically equated with being slutty? Katherine? She’s all over every man available and the same seems to be going for Rebekah. Just an idea, but having an evil agenda doesn’t have to mean you want to bang everyone.
Matt, who is quickly becoming obsolete.
Rating: 8.5/10
I’ve always considered the second and third season of Vampire Diaries my favorites of the lot. The original story line was intact and they didn’t have to do any major modifications to keep things going. Overall this show has always had decent writing and production, and they’ve stayed consistent in the way they depict their supernatural creatures (I’m looking at you, True Blood). My favorite character in this show will always be Damon – so many layers. The third season has him becoming so much better, and it is probably mushy but I like how he can’t help being a better person because of Elena. The only other character that I have come to love almost as much is Klaus – talk about damaged and insecure, and his development throughout the show is fascinating and so good. My favorite female character is still Caroline – I’ve been on her team since season 1. I love that Klaus has a soft spot for her – the only chink in his armor. I really did like season 3!
Life of this city girl 
Great review. Gosh, you KNOW I ship Klaus and Caroline FOR LIFE ❤ I am totally going to be rewatching these soon – will finish buying them all and then binge like a boss for season 8. How did I get this attached?! Damn you. Man, I really like Bonnie xD
Bonnie is so annoying in these earlier seasons but much better in the later ones.