Rebekah returns home just in time for a bloody Christmas
Guys.
Where does a person even begin to recap what just happened?
(Sorry, editors.)
Credit: Eli Joshua Ade/The CW
I might even say it was the best of the season.
Heck, I might even say it was one of the best of the series.
Since episode 1 of its third season, this show has been laying the groundwork for something big.
And now, theyve delivered the sort of emotionally draining blow that fans deserve.
Bottom line: An episode that makes you feel this much is a great episode.
With this one, she feels everything.
(In other words, she definitely did pull a Stefan.)
(Read: Kill those men and wake Rebekah up.)
Of course, all Rebekah wants to know is if she missed Christmas.
#priorities
Spoiler: No, she didnt.
Checking in on Cami, Klaus is happy with her improvement.
Hes not so happy when she gets a text from Vincent that says Kinney is in trouble.
With that, Cami is off to his house.
(Rich people are always the greediest, amirite?)
Marcel nods along but quickly runs to Vincent, whos working on his biceps at the fighting gym.
(However, right now Marcel is one very happy camper.)
Meanwhile, in the bayou, Hayley begs Jackson to come home.
Poor Jackson thought her affection for suits would fade over time, but it hasnt.
(Theyre justsowell-tailored.)
However, she did choose Jackson, and she continues to choose him every day.
Its Christmas, and Hayleys more than ready to have the first happy Christmas of her life.
She promises him a quiet night with his small family if he returns home.
It might not sound like much, but said ring was full of a slow-acting poison.
Apparently, its a Strix signature.
But thats not the familys only problem.
So, which sister do we save first?
Actually, first we save Kinney.
When Cami makes her way to Kinneys house, Klaus white knight/bodyguard follows her.
Turns out, Luciens compulsion about feeling worthless is really sticking.
What you do not see in yourself, others see in you.
NEXT: Rebekah goes cray cray
Klaus tells Kinney to visit his sister and enjoy the holidays.
He promises that when he returns, his job will be waiting for him.
You will remember today as your darkest day.
Tomorrow will be better.
And the day after, better still.
You will go on.
Yep, I just got chills even writing about that moment.
Sadly, Camis thank you to Klaus is interrupted when Elijah calls with news of their sister predicament.
Rebekah might be the prettiest urgent problem you have ever seen, but shes still an urgent problem.
Klaus and Cami agree to run to Luciens apartment.
If the Strix has used that poison for years, Luciens sure to have crafted a cure.
Meanwhile, Freya informs Rebekah that the stake the Strix used on her was cursed.
Shes now infected, and as the mark grows, she will go mad.
By the end of it, shell be a relentless, unstoppable ripper.
Act Two: Ripper Rebekah
Despite her condition, Freya tries to help Rebekah by channeling Finn.
Sadly, it doesnt work.
Instead, Rebekahs reunion with Hayley is less than friendly.
And remember that time Hayley was going to take Hope away from them?
Well, Beks does.
And dont even get Rebekah started on the agony that Hayley seems to enjoy causing Elijah.
Elijah steps in just as Rebekahs eyes go black so perhaps shes more demon than ripper?
but she quickly snaps his neck.
(Dont worry, it will come up later.)
Lets take a moment here to really talk about what just happened: Freya essentially skinned her sisters arm.
It has to be the most gruesome shot this shows ever done.
Rebekah might be scar free.
I, however, definitely am not.
Just like that, the family is back together and as normal as theyve ever been.
Hayley thanks Jackson for helping Freya.
He tells her: I was born to love you.
If that means I have to deal with the Mikaelsons, then okay.
In fact, hes so in that hes put together a complete family Christmas for everyone to enjoy.
And Rebekahs brought a little something special to the party: A fire pit.
In other words, she cant stay.
But shes okay with it.
As she takes the hands of her two favorite brothers, she says her wish has already come true.
As for Klaus, Rebekah tells him, Ill run away from love if youll run toward it.
Yes, she means Cami.
And Klaus seems to like the idea.
Sadly, Marcel was not invited to the family Christmas celebration.
(I know the Strix cant know the Mikaelsons like him, but Rebekah was in town!)
Instead, hes left informing Tristan that Vincent is now regent.
The bad news for Vincent is that Tristan has gotten his hands on Finn.
(We might be getting our Finncent back, yall!)
Specifically, its a moment many of you have been waiting for.
Cami wants to know why Klaus saved Kinney, a stranger, today.
Because you wished it, he tells her.
Because whats important to you is important to me.
What makes you happy makes me want to keep you so.
What scares you I want to tear apart.
I do not wish to watch you from behind glass, Camille.
So what does he wish?
To kiss her, which he does!
(Happy holidays for now shippers!)
From one beautiful image to another, we cut to an incredibly dapper Elijah walking down the street.
When he rounds the corner, we discover that hes meeting with Rebekah.
Freyas spell/skinning didnt work.
The skull mark is back on her arm.
But hes not the only one with tears in his eyes.
After Klaus and Cami enjoy a quick makeout, we watch as Cami wakes up and looks startled.
It seems Aurora thinks today was a beautiful day, which can only mean horrible things.
Moments later, Klaus wakes up.
Sleeping with his arm around Cami, he sees blood on his hand.
Turning Cami over, he realizes her throats been slit.
NOW can we all freak out together?!
And for those of you who need explanation, check outJulie Plecs blogand mypostmortem with executive producer Michael Narducci.
See you all in 2016!
