Their relationship, however, has always had its flaws.
And its biggest flaw?
The fact that both Damon and Stefan seem to put Damon first.
Credit: Annette Brown/The CW
And as a result, Stefan has suffered time and time again.
Thats not to say Stefans perfect.
As Ian Somerhalderrecently pointed out, Damons in this mess because his brother forced his vampire life on him.
And then there was that whole Ripper Stefan thing.
However, no one can argue the fact that Damon makes selfish, impulsive decisions that hurt Stefan.
Stefan wakes up at the scene of a car accident to discover a school bus on fire.
Snapping into hero mode, Stefan busts into the bus and saves a few cheerleaders.
The key word here is that he only saves a few.
But Stefan cant figure out what the lesson is in this hellscape.
When the EMT shows him his I.D., which says his name is Marty Hammond, Stefan grows impatient.
So hes an alcoholic?
Is that a metaphor for his bloodlust?
Spoiler: Its not.
As for Stefan, he could be anywhere.
He could be anyone.
Specifically, hes in Arkansas and his name is, unfortunately, Marty.
So with that, Stefan takes off into the woods, still handcuffed, now on the run.
(Does Damon just keep that thing in his car?)
and wants nothing to do with this supernatural nonsense.
Speaking of Stefan, hes currently enjoying the perks of being human and undergoing withdrawal, which includes vomiting.
He then duct tapes his hand?
Poor Stef is so disoriented he thinks duct tape will help.
Watching the local news, he realizes that hes Marty Hammond, a known drunk.
So if the incoming blizzard doesnt kill him, his detox might.
Calling Alaric, Damon is updated on the situation.
If Stefans in a human body, Ric estimates they have three days to find him.
But thanks to Rics avid news watching and expert note-taking, theyre closer than they think.
Valerie uses magic to channel Raynas visions and see bits and pieces of where Stefan is.
He reveals that he had started to enjoy the idea that hed die when Rayna did.
Having an expiration date was about as close to being human as he was ever going to get.
Well now he remembers how much being a human sucks.
NEXT: Damons … the new Matt Donovan?
At least according to his journal (from what year?).
c’mon tell me your name was Elvis.
That would explain a lot.
New Stefan is entertained, but he has places to be.
So, utilizing a trick that vampires really dont use enough, he flies out of the car window.
Honestly, who does that?!
But when she hears about the male fugitive on the loose, she freaks out and drives off.
Hey, at least they could still call him Matty Blue Blue.
Compelling the officers, Damon learns that theyre planning to let the weather do their job.
Translation: These cops suck and are going to let Marty freeze to death.
And you know what?
Their plan is kind of working because Stefan is currently shivering inside Martys truck.
And when she tells him that she dropped her phone, Damon calls it.
Stefan hears the phone ringing in the snow and finally gets to talk to his brother.
Damon tells him to start walking even though he cant feel his legs.
Get up, he tells his younger brother.
This is not how you are going to die, Stefan Salvatore.
You suck at playing hero, brother, Stefan tells Damon.
Hes not used to Stefan being such a damsel in distress.
And no, Elena is not an excuse.
Not when Damon lived 160 years before he even met her.
Where are your instincts, Damon?
What does the voice in your head say?
He continues: Until I met Elena, I wasnt interested in doing the right thing for anybody.
Stefan adds your brother included, and Damon concurs.
But with this conversation, Stefans anger grows.
So as Damon tells him, Then get up and come kick my ass yourself.
Lets just sit here a moment and let the weight of that last line really sink in.
Because years of Damons decisions have forced him to realize that hes not his brothers top priority?
But just as heartbreaking as it is for Stefan to say, Damon has to hear it.
And were not even done with this conversation yet…
When Damon mentions playing by the rules, Stefan brings up how they used to play hide-and-seek as kids.
But he wasnt scared for himself.
He was scared that their father would punish Stefan.
And moments later, in a beautiful shot, Damon comes to his brothers rescue.
But as Stefan tells him, Not by a long shot.
Oh, and about that nose bleed, Stef?
Youve got 48 hours to get back in the right body.
And yet, Ric knows that Caroline said yes because it made sense for the kids.
So Stefan coming back could mess up his life.
His response: So what?
Rics been through it all, guys.
Did you expect him to be fazed?
He targeted sororities and fraternities, where hed force victims to murder each other.
And when no one would believe their story, it would drive the survivors mad.
They never caught the murderer.
Altogether, this episode was definitely my favorite of the season.
It wasnt overly dramatic.
It was emotional, but it was also factual.
So if youll excuse me, Im going to go watch that scene at least five more times.
And be sure to check outJulie Plecs blogabout directing this episode and the rain scene that got cut.
