‘Vampire Diaries’ Recap: Stefan Makes A Devastating Sacrifice For Damon

That. Was. Insane. The Feb. 19 episode of ‘The Vampire Diaries’ was thrilling from beginning to end. Stefan went to desperate lengths to save both Damon AND Caroline. Plus, Damon learned a shocking secret!

The Feb. 19 episode of The Vampire Diaries was one of season seven’s best yet. Rayna continued her path of destruction, Valerie helped save Caroline and the babies, Stefan rescued Damon (again), and Enzo revealed something that changed everything for Damon.

Rayna was raised in Saint Malo, Louisiana, in the early 1800s. Her father was one of the Brotherhood of the Five. She wanted to be just like her dad and convinced him to teach her how to fight. One day, Julian wreaked havoc and was feeding on everyone in their town. Rayna intervened, and then Julian compelled Rayna to kill her own father. So that’s why she’s got such a chip on her shoulder.

She became linked to the Phoenix Sword after some crazy sacrifice. The sword would guide her to vampires. In England 1903, she found Julian and attacked him, Beau, Nora and Mary Louise. Rayna managed to stab Beau in the throat and Julian right in the chest. Payback’s a b*tch.

In the present day, Rayna was still a total badass. She tried to punch her way through a glass wall, and then jumped right through it. Don’t mess with her.

No One Wants A Cranky, Sexless Damon

Meanwhile, Damon was still on his path of destruction after “killing” Elena. His nearly naked hookup — Krystal to be exact — was just roaming about the house. He threw her out when Bonnie showed up. He thought she was going to be mad that he slept with someone else, thus betraying Elena. Bonnie said what we were all thinking… No one wanted to be around a cranky, sexless Damon.

Enzo called Damon to get in touch with Bonnie, who was giving him the major silent treatment. He was looking for Rayna’s sword, and she refused to give it to him. Well, Enzo was determined. He threatened Damon that he would tell Bonnie about Elena if he didn’t get the sword. Since Damon didn’t want tell Bonnie about Elena, he did as Enzo said. When Bonnie asked, Damon pleaded with her to let it go. She was better off not knowing what he’d done.

Bonnie and Damon showed up to deliver the sword to Enzo, but he wasn’t alone. Enzo was tied up, and Rayna had a crossbow. She SHOT Bonnie with it in her quest to get the sword. Well, Damon threw it out the window.

Saving Caroline

Meanwhile, Caroline was nearly dead because of the babies. Stefan was back, and Caroline was prepping for a C-section. Valerie comforted him as Stefan watched the woman he loved fight for her life. He felt super guilty for leaving Caroline at her weakest moment. Even though Alaric wasn’t there yet, Caroline needed the surgery NOW.

When the doctors went in, they couldn’t cut through Caroline’s stomach. Valerie believed the babies didn’t want to be born. They wanted to keep using Caroline as their source of magic. So Valerie decided she would draw magic outside Caroline’s body that the babies would be drawn to. Despite this crazy plan, Stefan assured Caroline it would all be fine. Nory, Mary Louise and Beau were all helping Valerie. When they tried the surgery again, Beau’s scar started acting up.

After Damon saved Bonnie’s life, Nora called and said Rayna had the sword back. That meant she was after Beau since he’d been marked when she’d stabbed him. Valerie was willing to stay behind and save the babies, even though this plan could get her killed. Nora and the others only made it outside when Rayna stabbed Beau through the heart and lit him on fire.

While Valerie was drawing magic outside Caroline’s body, Stefan got inside Caroline’s head. He comforted her with a night under the stars. Be still my beating heart.

Second Chance & Sacrifices

Rayna was now in the hospital. Determined to be punished for what he did to Elena, Damon distracted Rayna. Bonnie went and told Stefan that Damon was about to get himself killed. Damon needed Stefan in this moment, even though Caroline needed Stefan, too. When Alaric showed up, Stefan knew he couldn’t leave Damon hanging.

Before Rayna could put the sword through Damon’s heart, Stefan stepped in front of Damon. He was now marked by Rayna. “I’ll see you, brother,” Stefan said before he bolted. In the meantime, Caroline and Alaric’s babies were born, and they were absolutely adorable.

Damon went back to fetch Enzo and was feeling incredibly guilty over Stefan’s sacrifice. That’s when Enzo changed everything. Elena was ALIVE! Damon had been hallucinating, and he actually didn’t burn her body. She was still resting peacefully in her coffin in New York.

Damon called Stefan and told him the good news. “I got a second chance,” Damon said. “I will fix this.” I believe him. Caroline called Stefan, wondering where he was. When he told her, she was devastated. “I wish it didnt always have to be you,” Caroline said. Yeah, Stefan does have a knack for saving everyone. He told Caroline he loved her, and she said it back.

Three years later, Caroline was driving with the twins, named Josie and Elizabeth, to New Orleans. She was heading to visit “mommy’s friend.” OMG!

HollywoodLifers, what did you think of tonight’s Vampire Diaries? Let me know!