The Den of Digression: I'm still not clear on the protecto-ring's powers, because a knife in the gut does not seem like a supernatural death to me, even if a werewolf wields said knife. I mean heck, he was in human form. Since the ring canon is still a bit fuzzy, I'd like to learn that Snark stole Grayson's ring (the one Jeremy now wears). It would make family dynamics even uglier for Snark, if he had the ring that could have saved Elena's adopted dad's life, but I digress...

RV: Brady prepares to hunt down Elena at the lake house and makes a big point of asking Tyler if he's committed. Ty says he is, but again, YOU BIG DUMB JOCK, don't you think you should get some details? Sigh. Good thing you're so pretty and sympathetic, these days.

Gilbert Getaway: I got ahead of myself before, but somewhere in here, Stefan leaves Elena to investigate the contents of the secret room, while he goes out to get firewood. Dun dun dun.

Gilbert Gables: Uncle Snark Daddy John (sic) gives Jenna a ration of shit, and tries to establish new household rules, but Jenna calls his bluff and tells him that unless/until he files for custody, she's the boss. You go girl. Snark then sows the seeds of doubt in her mind -- about Alaric. He makes a point of asking if she knows if they ever found Isobel's body, and tells her to ask, "Ric." Show, what do I keep telling you about the Ric thing? Stop trying to make it happen.

Mossy Manse: Wolfgeek has hooked Damon up in some choke collar lined with wooden spikes. His neck is a blood mess. Literally. Wolfgeek says he got the idea from a torture porn, flick. Ew. Isn't it time to put this puppy to sleep? The Wolfgang wants the moonstone. Damon ain't talking, except to taunt them about how he ripped out Mason's heart. Oh, you impetuous Evil Pixie Monster. You just bought yourself some more pain.

Fortress Forbes: Bonnie's hypnotism spell finally works. The skinny is, Satan Klaus has Junior Manwitch's sister (he enslaves witches to work on other ways to break the curse), that's why Junior and Senior are working with Elijah. The plan is to sacrifice Elena, because right after the sacrifice, Klaus will be vulnerable. Could someone please make Elena a protecto-ring? Bueller? Bueller? Bonnie?

Gilbert Getway; Exterior: While Stefan's out getting some firewood, Brady shoots him with a wooden bullet, then gives the gun to Ty and leaves him guarding Stefan in the shed. Stefan, insists he and Damon don't want to break the curse, but he does want to get the bullet out of his heart and when he tells Tyler this, Ty shoots him in the leg, because he wants the curse broken. Bad Pudding Pup! No biscuit. Finally, Stefan manages to explain that in order to break the curse, Elena has to die. As Tyler reels from this information, we cut to...