E’s List:

1. When Elena learns about Stefan’s undead-ness. For the most part, she takes it like a champ. I think this is pretty generally the theme of Elena’s dealings with Stefan. She loves him but definitely knows what lurks within.

2. When ‘Uncle’ Zach and Vicki are killed. We learn pretty early on that the show is totally willing to go ‘there.’ It’s nice to know that characters aren’t going to be saved simply because. This was not as fun when Hot Uncle Mason bit it, but, hey, there’s always hope that Aunt Jenna won’t be around forever (just kidding Aunt Jenna, we need you to be the inept guardian who doesn’t have a clue).

3. When Elena is not really Elena and is instead Katherine. These final scenes of season 1 were nuts. Kissing Damon! Chopping off Uncle Jon’s fingers! Love it.

4. When Caroline became awesome. So, she was sort of an annoying character in season 1. Apparently she just needed to be a vamp to bring her coolness out. She’s turned into a hilarious and relevant character.

5. When we learned that Katherine really does love Stefan. I really like a show where our monsters have some depth to them. So, yep, Katherine is kind of horrid, but you’ve gotta like that she really does have genuine feelings for Stefan. TVD’s vampires (not just our two main guys) are not one-dimensional at all.

The TV Chick’s List:

1. The doppelganger moment with Elijah and Rose. We learn about the originals, and that Elena can hold her own against even the most powerful vampires. Elijah isn’t afraid to kill someone by slapping their head off, and it’s clear that he is a threat. I also loved how in a subsequent episode, Elena negotiates with Elijah for her safety and her family’s.

2. Caroline’s big scene with her mom. Caroline’s mom finds out about her vampire-dom and is extremely upset. Her and Caroline talk and eventually Sheriff Forbes comes around. But it’s too dangerous for her mom to know, so Caroline compels her and wipes her memory. This was so heartbreaking. On another note, I completely agree with E. Caroline has been beyond kick ass this season.

3. The one where we meet Bonnie’s distant cousin. Meeting the new witch wasn’t my favorite part of the episode, however. I absolutely loved when Damon and Stefan were beating up Katherine but the new witch had put a spell on her so everything they were doing hurt Elena too. It was so crazy and kick ass.

4. Tyler’s transformation. I think Michael Trevino is great, but I never really loved Tyler as a character. This moment was huge. I think he did a fantastic job and I loved that Caroline stayed with him through almost all of it.

5. Stefan teaching Caroline how to be a vampire. I loved this Mr. Miyagi or Yoda moment between Caroline and Stefan. I love that he wouldn’t let her die. I loved that she learned to control her vampire-ness.

6. Damon kills Mason Lockwood by ripping out his heart. HOLY CRAP! What a moment. Damon’s such an amazing bad-ass. This once again proved the show isn’t afraid to kill off some beloved characters (even though he wasn’t there for long).

7. Topless Damon. Or Topless Stefan. They are both pretty good.

8. When Damon admitted he was in love with Elena, and then had to compel her to forget. It was so beautiful, tearful and wonderful all at the same time. He says he doesn’t deserve but I think in time, he will.

The Vampire Diaries returns to the CW with all new episodes on January 27th! Be sure to look out for some fantastic interviews from the set as well!

“Melinda Clarke (“The O.C.”) guest stars as Matt’s long-lost mother — Matt (Zach Roerig) and Caroline (Candice Accola) are surprised by the sudden reappearance of Matt’s mother Kelly (guest star Clarke).  Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Elena (Nina Dobrev) are worried about Damon’s (Ian Somerhalder) new attitude.  Damon is asked by Sheriff Forbes (guest star Marguerite MacIntyre) to take part in a fund-raising bachelor auction. Alaric (Matt Davis) discovers shocking secrets from his own past.  With help from Jenna (Sara Canning) and Stefan, Elena is determined to find out everything she can about her birth mother, but the truth may be more than she can handle.”

Sounds fantastic!

Check out these photos from the episode for a sneak peak:

Photo: Quantrell Colbert / The CW ©2010

Photo: Quantrell Colbert/ The CW ©2010

Photo: Quantrell Colbert / The CW ©2010

Photo: Quantrell Colbert / The CW ©2010

Photo: Quantrell Colbert / The CW©2010

And here’s the trailer for the episode (I am so excited!):

And just for fun, check out a clip as well:

Be sure to tune in tonight to the CW at 8 pm! I know I can’t wait for some amazing vampire action!

Check out this video preview:

And here’s the trailer for tonight’s episode:

Be sure to tune in tonight to the CW at 8 pm for an all new episode of The Vampire Diaries!

1.  Parks and Recreation: I did not enjoy this show in its first season. It was always all about “the pit” and getting rid of the pit. I adore Amy Poehler, but her role seemed a bit too Michael Scott-esque to me. However, whatever happened during the off-season was fantastic. Season two has been hilarious. The pit has taken a secondary role, and each character has had a chance to develop and grow. I didn’t care for Andy in the first season, but he has become one of my favorites. I think this show deserves a ton of recognition for really stepping up its game. It is a show I look forward to every week.

2. Lost: This past season has been phenomenal. Time changing, Dharma goodness, Hurley’s hilarious questions…it’s all been great. The creators are brilliant, and I have faith that they know exactly what they are doing and that the series finale is going to blow our minds.

3. How I Met Your Mother: This year has had such great episodes as The Playbook and The Front Porch (I will never forget how hard I laughed at suitjamas). While this show can have its up and downs, every episode makes me happy. And any excuse to watch Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris) wax poetic about his “bro code” and “lemon laws” is great in my opinion.

4. The Office: Season 5 started off (in ’08) with the Jim and Pam proposal, and ended on a pregnancy. And season 6 had one of the best episodes of The Office ever with the Jim/Pam wedding. It was perfect in so many ways–hilarious but also showed us what we have been wanting for 6 years. I may have watched the boat scene upwards of 10 times. The show is at its best truly brilliant, and it has been a great season thus far. I can’t wait to see more.

5. Party Down: This show on Starz Network has garnered quite a following for itself. Created by Rob Thomas (of Veronica Mars fame) it stars many of his VM colleagues, and is truly fantastic. It is a hilarious and wonderful portrayal of a catering company in Los Angeles, and its employees who clearly want to be more than just cater waiters. It returns for a 2nd season in 2010, where Kristen Bell will be back, and Megan Mullally joins the cast. This is a show you must see! Catch up with it on DVD before season 2 begins.

6. In Treatment: I fell in love with this show on DVD. When it returned for a 2nd season, I was incredibly excited. It is brilliant and innovative, and you feel like you are going through therapy with each episode and character. I truly wish I could see Dr. Weston. Gabriel Byrne, Dianne Wiest and the entire cast are brilliant. There was talk of it only being two seasons because the Israeli series it is based on (Bei Tipul) only had that number. But thankfully, it returns in 2010 for Season 3 on HBO, so be sure to look out for it.

7. Glee: It has been a really long time since a show made me quite as happy as Glee does, which is quite fitting given the name. Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan and Brad Falchuk are creative geniuses who cast some of the most talented actors I have ever seen, and created one of the most unique shows out there. It will be a long winter without new episodes, but I will most likely be buying the DVD the day it goes on sale. Lea Michele’s voice and talent is unstoppable, and the rest of the cast is fantastic as well. I truly cannot wait until April.

8. Modern Family: This mockumentary style comedy was one of my favorite pilots of the fall season, and it has continued to live up to my high expectations. Each part of the family is hilarious in their own right, and I will never forget Fizbo the Clown, the Lion King moment, the ice dancing routine, and when Luke got shot by Phil. What makes it truly spectacular though is that at heart, it’s about a family. Even in its crazy, dysfunctional state, the family always comes together at the end. It is full of as many touching moments as it is funny ones, and I love it for that.

9. The Good Wife: I really enjoyed this pilot in the fall as well, and even in its first season, it has earned a place on my best of 09 list. It is very different from other law shows out there. Juliana Margulies makes a great leading lady, and I also love Archie Panjabi (Kalinda). With each episode, we learn more about Chris Noth’s character, and the law firm. I think it has a bright future ahead of it, and I hope to see more great episodes in 2010.

10. True Blood: Season 1 stuck mainly to the first book (with a few exceptions), and while Season 2 kept to Book 2 in some respects it also branched out quite a bit. I love Vampires…so this book series and TV series are quite wonderful. There is some fantastic acting, and lovely looking vampires, and I can’t wait for its return!

Honorable Mentions: V, White Collar, The Biggest Loser, The Vampire Diaries, Make it or Break It, and Secret Life of the American Teenager: All shows I loved and enjoyed, and would be on the best of 09 list if I had a list of 20.

I have also been composing my best of lists! I will be posting my Best of the Year and Best of the Decade in the next couple weeks, but I am curious to know what are your favorites? It could be a moment, an episode, anything…

My decade list is going to be tough. I have a ton of shows I watched this decade…many of which were my favorites. Friends, Gilmore Girls, Veronica Mars, The Office and Arrested Development come to mind. As for Best of the Year, Glee and Modern Family will be on that list. I also have really enjoyed Parks and Recreation this season. And there are many others too. Tell me what you think!

What I’m looking forward to in 2010: ABC Family had such great programming this summer with Make it or Break It and Secret Life of the American Teenager. I am looking forward to their premieres on January 4th. Of course, I am excited about the last season of LOST, which premieres on February 2nd. (Also, a little sad about it). Chuck returns on January 10th! Glee returns in April (far, far too long to wait). V comes back on March 30th, and I’m looking forward to seeing what direction they are going in. In Treatment will be back for a 3rd season in the summer, and I adore that show. So there is definitely a lot to look forward to in 2010, I am just wishing it would come sooner! What are you looking forward to?

So to quench your thirst (get it?) until tomorrow, here are a couple of clips from the next episode of The Vampire Diaries. Don’t worry, none are too spoiler-y.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxwwYMgaHqQ&hl=en&fs=1&]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr0oYS5FD0Q&hl=en&fs=1&]

Be sure to tune in tomorrow night at 8 pm on the CW!

I really enjoyed this pilot. I realize it is maybe oriented towards a younger demographic (but maybe not?) but I liked seeing a Degrassi alum, and of course a Lost alum. I think it has a lot of potential. The acting was good, the vampire parts were good, and I loved that while it might be very Twilight and True Blood-esque, it still maintains a unique quality. And it helps that these are some sexy vampires.

Vampire Diaries premieres Thursday, September 10th at 8pm on the CW.