['The Vampire Diaries' - 'The Sun Also Rises']

Well, we can't say we weren't warned.

'The Vampire Diaries' executive producer Julie Plec told reporters last week that "there will be some severe and tragic consequences [as a result of the sacrifice], and loss of life would be extreme over the last several episodes."

Last night's sacrifice-a-palooza certainly followed through on that promise. And while I expected plenty of gasps and "oh my god"s, I did not expect the uncontrollable sobbing. (Although I probably should by now, it basically happens every other day in Mystic Falls.)

I was pretty certain going in to last night's episode that Klaus would be able to complete the sacrifice, but it was still painful to watch. I mean, I didn't even like Jules, but it was still sad watching her die. (But also awesome to watch Klaus heart-punch her to death.)

Let's be honest: When we found out that Jenna was in transition, we knew she was doomed. Turning into a vampire doesn't really work out for hot chicks on this show (Caroline being an anomaly). And when Stefan went to offer himself for sacrifice instead, we kinda knew that wasn't going to work out either. Klaus is an evil sociopath -- of course he wouldn't let Jenna "live" (as a vampire) just so Jeremy would have some family members left. I mean, the guy killed his own family -- showing mercy to another would be out of character.

Still, I didn't expect Jenna and Elena's conversation to be so poignant. Don't ask me why, I just didn't realize it would affect me so much. The moments after she drank Greta's blood, with the half-veiny eyes and terrified realization of what just happened? KILLED ME. Then there was the funeral with the Bon Iver cover -- a beautiful goodbye to clueless Aunt Jenna.

As for John -- I maintain my position that he's the Snape of the show. We thought he was evil, but in the end he sacrificed himself for his daughter. (They had to find some way to keep Elena human!) Unlike Jenna's death, I was at peace with this one. It brought closure to the whole situation.

In the words of Damon, let's "skip to the save Elena part." After a cute study session with Jeremy, Bonnie got her badass on and weakened Klaus enough for the honorable Elijah to follow through and kill him. "Hello, brother." Heart punch! (Guess that's the preferred killing method for all originals.) Except it didn't go as planned.

Despite promising his word was good, Elijah couldn't follow through and kill his brother, because Klaus pulled the old "I didn't actually dump our family members' bodies at sea after murdering them, and if you kill me I won't tell you where they are" card. Elijah loved his family, and ultimately broke his promise to the Mystic Falls kids and whisked his brother to safety. You know what that means? More Elijah in season 3!

Of course, there's still that pesky matter of the werewolf bite, which will be addressed next week. Like Stefan said, though, to save Elena "we found a way when there was no way" -- they'll find a way to save Damon too.

Also of note: Despite not having anything to do with the intense sacrifice going on, Candice Accola managed to steal the show again while tenderly comforting Tyler and trying to get Matt to understand her life as a vampire. Only on this show can the line "Do you think my mom wants to kill me?" be delivered so sweetly and earnestly. I'm sad for her that her relationship with Matt is over, but I'm totally first on board the Caroline-Tyler train.

Final thoughts:

• All of those candles in an abandoned house -- um, fire hazard much?

• Door opens. Bonnie: "Someone's here." No duh.

• Shirtless Tyler! And, uh, was he naked under that blanket he shared with Caroline?

• Another tear-worthy moment: "I'm sorry you've lost so many people." "I still have you."

• "The curse is broken. how does one go about killing an all-powerful wolf vamp and his two-faced older brother?"

• "Tyler Lockwood bit me" = the new "Charlie bit me"

Tell us: Was the sacrifice everything you thought it would be? Which death affected you most? And how many tissues did you need?

'The Vampire Diaries' airs Thursdays at 8PM ET on The CW.


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