The Vampire Diaries season 8, episode 15, went out with a bang, and it’s not even the end, yet!

If The Vampire Diaries series finale is anything like this episode, we’re all freaking screwed. Every single scene in The Vampire Diaries season 8, episode 15, “We’re Planning a June Wedding,” was wonderfully emotionally charged, and it was a perfect setup for when we’re forced to say goodbye to these characters, next week. Read on for our review of the events of this episode!

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‘The Vampire Diaries’ 8×15 recap

This was the first episode of The Vampire Diaries season 8 where I actually felt like it was “the end.” In previous episodes this season I’ve definitely found myself thinking, “hmm, I wonder how they’re going to tie that up before the end,” but The Vampire Diaries season 8, episode 15, really drove it home, emotionally. It’s really ending. This is it.

I found the word “final” going through my head so many times throughout the episode, and trust me, my emotions (and tear ducts) reacted accordingly. The series finale is going to be jam packed with action, epic moments, and neat little bows on plot lines, but this was probably the last time we’ll get to enjoy and appreciate some of the quieter moments that The Vampire Diaries does so well.

It all started with the Salvatore brothers discussing Stefan’s vows as they searched a tomb for Katherine’s bones. Searching a tomb for Katherine Pierce is such a Salvatore thing to do. Their reminiscing about “the woman who started this whole mess,” and all the horrible, and good things that happened in spite of her, was like an ode to the entire series. It said more than any “previously on The Vampire Diaries,” ever could.

I’m so glad that Damon got to throw Stefan a bachelor party, even though so much of the Steroline wedding wasn’t what it was supposed to be. I do wish we had gotten to see a little more of how Stefan, who’s hilariously newly a lightweight, got in his unfortunate state, but I understand that every second is precious in the final episodes.

Also, the trade off was that we got a pretty awesome Damon and Caroline scene, so I’m cool with it. The fact that these two can just sit together, alone, in a room and practice speeches is so mind blowing considering how this series started. They’ll forever be connected by their love for Liz Forbes, but there’s obviously something so much deeper, now. They really have become family and I just want to see every future “Salvatore bonding moment” please!

So, the best man/minister was pretty locked in, but Caroline’s maid of honor situation was looking quite bleak at the beginning of the episode. Obviously Elena couldn’t make it, although Damon very thoughtfully provided her necklace as Caroline’s “something borrowed,” and Bonnie was a whole other story.

Right from the beginning of The Vampire Diaries season 8, episode 15, Bonnie was clearly uncomfortable with being in the same room as Stefan. Her fury basically radiated every time she was forced to look in his direction, or god forbid, if he spoke. But, despite her discomfort, she was still there.

It’s a testament to Bonnie’s character that even though I don’t blame Stefan for what he did to Enzo, I didn’t fault her at all for continuing to be angry with him, and even for refusing to go to the wedding. She’s done so much good for everybody throughout the entire series, even in extreme circumstances, that when she says something’s too much for her to handle, you just have to trust her. Her generosity and love has been so overwhelming that when she can’t show it, you know how hurt she must really be.

But, of course, she fought through her own feelings and stepped up for her friend, Bonnie Bennett style. When I first saw her in her bridesmaid dress I was both overjoyed and shocked, but I shouldn’t have been the latter. As if Bonnie would ever let Caroline walk down the aisle alone. Especially when there was so much riding on this wedding. Literally nobody is worthy of Bonnie Bennett.

Now, on to the actual Steroline wedding. Guys!! They’re married!!! Caroline Forbes and Stefan Salvatore were “planning a June wedding,” that June wedding happened, and now they are husband and wife. Caroline Salvatore is now a thing we can say. I’m excited. Can you tell?

I thought they did a pretty good job of giving Steroline fans the wedding they deserved, even if it was somewhat marred by the plot to draw Katherine out of hiding. The looks on Caroline and Stefan’s faces were priceless. I’m so glad they were able to get so much happiness out of that day, even after everything that’s happened, and that’s still happening.

Alaric’s commentary about how losing everyone made them family felt a little poorly timed, at first, but when it all came together and it was clear that the comment applied to everyone, especially Stefan and Caroline, I actually liked it. But, if Bonnie could go to the wedding I’m pretty sure Alaric could have, as well. Especially since his girls could’ve been in danger, even with Valerie’s protection.

Caroline Forbes probably would’ve opted to write her own vows, but since this was an “impromptu wedding,” I’ll except the impromptu speeches. Stefan absolutely killed it. He perfectly articulated what these two have meant to each other, over the years, and how their friendship grew into love. Caroline’s vows were nostalgic and cute, if not quite as swoon worthy. Damon almost stole the show, though, with his, “you may now kiss the bride, little brother.”

Everything seemed to be going as planned which, strangely, is not what they’d planned! The whole wedding was a ploy to get Katherine to show herself, but one wedding, one freakishly long Steroline kiss, and one too short Bamon dance later, she was still nowhere to be found. Then, the Donovans stepped in.

Kelly Donovan really upped the ante for any future drunk relative wedding speeches. Revealing that you’re dead is a pretty big twist ending! We didn’t get to see Katherine, herself, in The Vampire Diaries season 8, episode 15, but we saw a lot of her two minions, Kelly and Vicki Donovan.

Katherine is pissed enough at Salvatore and co. that she doesn’t even want to come in for a bourbon. She just wants to burn Mystic Falls to the ground, starting, with the wedding. If there were three people that we would’ve wanted to get stuck in the burning house, it’s the Sanderson sisters ..wait, no, the Charmed witches …nope, wrong again. It’s Bonnie, Josie and Lizzie! The resident magic-doers on The Vampire Diaries.

As I established earlier, nobody is worthy of Bonnie Bennett, but Enzo did a damn good job of earning his keep in The Vampire Diaries season 8, episode 15. It was just too cute hearing him talk about how he would’ve wanted to marry her, and so powerful seeing him save her life, even from beyond the grave. This damn well better not be the last time we see him. He made me “believe the opposite,” too! These two have to find their way back to each other.

If it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen next week, because it’s the series finale! The day we’ve been both dreading and anxiously awaiting is quickly approaching. This time next week, the story will be over. Don’t worry, we’ll get through it together!

‘The Vampire Diaries’ 8×15 recap: What’d you think of the episode?