A few big questions were raised in this weeks episode, such as: Can there be such a thing as a good vampire? And are all vampires cursed with eternal loneliness?

Looking back through time again to when Katherine (Nina Dobrev) ruled the Salvatore brothershearts and walked with apparent impunity throughout the world, we saw that not much has changed in Mystic Falls. The town is still riddled with vampires living amongst them, the Salvatore brothers are trying to get exactly what they want regardless of the consequences, and everyone is desperate not to be alone.

While Stefan (Paul Wesley) debated with his father, Giuseppe Salvatore (James Remar), and with himself whether or not a vampire can be good or if all vampires are merely soulless demons, we witnessed the lengths that Damon (Ian Somerhalder) was willing to go to so that he would not be alone. Damon was willing to give up his own humanity and soul to be with Katherine for eternity. It is still debatable whether or not Stefan was so willing initially, or whether he was indeed deceived by Katherine and turned against his will. But, as Damon found out, being a vampire is not a guarantee against eternal loneliness -- for he has been separated from the love of his life who has been encased in a magically-sealed crypt.

Loneliness and trust were the prevalent themes -- and there were no easy answers to be found. For in the end, Damon discovered once again that he cannot trust anyone and he is just as alone as he was before. Stefan and Elena (Nina Dobrev) are in a slightly better position having each other, but who is to say that there is still not some hidden agenda that Stefan has that has not yet been revealed.

Also, what is really tickling the brain is the question: Why has it taken over 100 years for Damon and Anna (Malese Jow) to return to Mystic Falls to attempt opening the crypt? Surely, they could have come back sooner and manipulated everyone into handing over the crystal, the journals and ultimately found the grimoire. Why the 100 year wait? Did some kind of stars have to align first? Surely, there was not something to be afraid of that kept them away. If there was something that was guarding Mystic Falls, what was it and why is it now gone?

What Worked

This week offered more of the usual witty exchanges and punch-lines. Damon got off a good first shot when he walked in on Stefan and Elena in bed and, when they expressed their outrage at his audacity, he archly said, If I see something I havent seen before, Ill throw a dollar at it. This quip was nicely followed up when Damon had to explain why he had interrupted their private solitude and he exasperatedly emphasized, In order to open the tomb, we need to find the journal, to get the grimoire, to undo the spells. Apparently, Damon really needed Emilys grimoire (aka Witchs cookbook) because every spell cast is unique unto itself and every witch typically documents her work. So when Stefan tried to throw a wrench into Damons gung-ho plans by reminding Damon, What about our mystery vampire? ... Dim wit obviously was not working alone. So whoever is out there knows who we are, Damon merely flippantly replied, And I dont like THAT disadvantage.

Later, it was surprisingly perceptive when Elena noted, I really think Damon believes that everything hes done -- every move hes made -- hes done for love. Its twisted, but kind of sad. Stefan, in attempt to remind her that Damon is never that simple, warned, Damon has no regard for human life. He enjoys inflicting pain on others. So, as Damon and Stefan continued their dance to determine whether to trust each other, Elena was again the insightful one when she told Damon, Trust breeds trust. You have to give it to get it. But later, when Damon caught her and Stefan red-handed with the grimoire, Damon said, Well, what do you know? This is an interesting turn of events. Damon wryly told Stefan, I learned I could not trust you a long time ago, but as he turned to Elena, he sadly said, But you -- you had me fooled.

On the lighter side, there was a funny verbal exchange between Jeremy and Anna at the Grill when Anna mischievously told Jeremy (Steven McQueen), You couldnt live without me. To which Jeremy smiled and replied, Well, I kind of missed my daily dose of cute stalker chick. But, as we saw, Anna is not one to be taken lightly, for despite the bumbling ineptness of her colleagues, she not only managed to snatch the Gilberts journal right out from under Alarics nose, she also finessed an invite into Jeremys home in order to kidnap Elena. Clever girl.

Another fun scene was watching Damon try to integrate himself into Elenas family and, in delightful display of domestic competence, Damon had a pleasant bantering exchange with Jenna (Sara Canning) while cooking them dinner and later another fun exchange with Jeremy as they played video games where he got Jeremy to admit that he was dodging Annas calls. Jeremy then explained that Anna was kind of hot, but weird. To which, Damon quipped, Hot trumps weird. Trust me. That was quickly followed by the perfectly-timed remark from Jenna in the background who breathlessly said, Hes ridiculously hot, while staring admiringly at Damon. Also quite funny was Stefans reaction to seeing Damon and Elena open the front door together. Stefan looked downright perturbed by Damon and Elenas ease with each other as it gave an oddly casual appearance of togetherness. Perhaps this was a foreshadowing of the future?

Also loved the reveal that Isobels (Mia Kirshner) body was never found. That was particularly interesting as for Damon to have fed on her in her own home, Isobel must have invited him in. In hindsight, Damon is beginning to look a lot more innocent in this encounter, especially since we now know that Isobel is Elenas mother.

What Didn't Work

I found it hard to believe that Alaric (Matt Davis) was foolish enough to read the Gilbert journal at school, after hours. I understand that he may have thought that it was helpful to be near a copy machine; but surely, it was not really wise to stick around to read it where anyone can enter the school uninvited. He should have promptly gone home where he could have read it without fear of attack. Plus, it was even more ludicrous that he would keep his only protection in a locker in the outer hallway. Surely, he would have kept the air gun close by like at his feet or on his desk. Alarics days are numbered if he does not smarten up a bit. His survival instincts are woefully lacking.

Another not too bright person is Ben (Sean Faris), Annas boy-toy bartender/newly turned vamp-bud. I find it unfathomable why Anna insists on recruiting some of the most dim-witted people to be her partners in crime. Logan, Noah, Ben have all demonstrated astounding levels of lower intelligence. They all also have showed a ridiculously pathetic ability to survive as a vampire. A classic example was when Ben opened the window curtain and scorched his arm for the umpteenth time because he kept forgetting that he was not impervious to sunlight. To give him one redeeming credit, Ben showed a glimmer of intelligence when he thoughtfully asked Anna, why me? To which Anna surprisingly replied, You were sad then. You lacked purpose -- you needed me. She is searching for lost souls perhaps because she too feels lost and without purpose? Loneliness does seem to be one of the curses of being a vampire.

Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due

"The Vampire Diaries" stars Paul Wesley, Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder, Steven R. McQueen, Candice Accola, Katerina Graham, Michael Trevino, Zach Roerig, Sara Canning, Matthew Davis and Marguerite MacIntyre. "Children of the Damned" was written by Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec, and was directed by Marcos Siega.

"The Vampire Diaries" airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on The CW.