Daddy Issues

The Vampire Diaries

Season 2, Episode 13 (35)

Air date

February 3, 2011

Written by

Directed by

Episode Guide
(Transcript)
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Daddy Issues is the thirteenth episode of the second season of The Vampire Diaries and the thirty-fifth episode of the series.

Summary

CHOOSING SIDES — John Gilbert’s return to Mystic Falls comes as an unhappy surprise to Elena, Jenna and Damon. Caroline lets Stefan know about her conversation with Tyler, and Stefan does his best to reach out to a confused and conflicted Tyler. Template:Jeremy comforts Template:Bonnie after her disturbing conversation with Jonas. When Jules takes a hostage, the situation quickly escalates into a violent confrontation.

Plot

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Cast

Main Cast

Nina Dobrev as Elena Gilbert/Katherine Pierce
Paul Wesley as Stefan Salvatore
Ian Somerhalder as Damon Salvatore
Steven R. McQueen as Jeremy Gilbert
Sara Canning as Jenna Sommers
Katerina Graham as Bonnie Bennett
Candice Accola as Caroline Forbes
Zach Roerig as Matt Donovan
Michael Trevino as Tyler Lockwood
Matt Davis as Alaric Saltzman

Recurring Cast

Co-Starring

Joel Rogers as Pastor
Michael L. Covington as Chance

Trivia

Antagonist: Jules.
Parts of this episode were filmed on Ian Somerhalder's birthday.
This is the fifth episode to include all the main characters. The previous 4 episodes are Plan B, Masquerade, The Sacrifice and By the Light of the Moon.
This episode marks a great change in Tyler's character.
Caroline recovers from a gunshot wound to the head. This is the first time we see that vampires can regenerate brain tissue.
Jenna finally learns that John is Elena's biological father in this episode.
This is the first episode where Jonas appears without Luka in it.
This is the first episode where werewolves are seen in a pack.
This is the first episode this season featuring Elena, Bonnie and Caroline together as friends, something that hasn't been shown since season 1.
Near the end of the episode, Elena closes the fridge and John appears behind it, scaring her. Something like this happened in Founder's Day, when John closed the fridge and Katherine appeared, scaring him.
Jules meets Caroline and talks to Stefan (through Tyler's cell phone) in this episode.

Cultural References

The expression Daddy Issues refers to when a woman has a messed up relationship with her father, or the father was absent during childhood. This episode Elena has to deal with her relationship with John, whom she always hated, but who is her biological father.
Daddy Issues is the name of a song by Lana Del Ray.

Behind the Scenes

This episode had about 3.20 million viewers in USA which was 0.26 million less than the previous episode.

Quotes

Damon: "You brought back John Gilbert, that was your big save-Elena-move?"

Stefan: "I went to go look for Isobel and I got John instead. He said he could help us and we're desperate..."

Damon: "We're not that desperate Stefan, that guy tried to barbecue me!"

Elena: "What are we gonna do?"

Damon: "Kill him."

Elena: "Damon..."

Damon: "I'm joking. Okay, I'm a little serious."

Damon: "You need to stop doing that."

Elena: "Doing what?"

Damon: "Assuming that I'll play the good guy, because it's you who's asking."

Andie: "Why do you kill people?"

Damon: "Because I like it. It's in my nature too. It's who I am. But then I have to stay together to protect her and she wants me to be the better man which means I can't be who I am. Do you see the problem I'm having, Andie?"

Tyler: "I didn't know what to do."

Caroline: "You help your friend. That's what you do."

Jenna: "So Elena is my sister's husband's brother's daughter and her mother is my boyfriend's deceased wife. You can't make that stuff up."

Elena: "You may be my father, but I am never gonna be your daughter."

John (To Elena): "Miranda and Grayson were your parents, Elena. And I know I’m nothing to you. You have no reason to believe me or trust me. I’ve done so many horrible things, but when you lost your parents, I lost my brother, my family, I lost my way. And I’m probably never going to make things right for you—I know that—but I’m going to do everything I can to protect you, and protect this family."

Jules: "I want you to understand that a vampire will never be your friend. It’s our nature to be enemies."

Tyler: "You know how stupid that sounds?"