'The Vampire Diaries' Season 6 Episode 11 Recap: Did Caroline Just Kill Her Mom (Accidentally)? 

The Vampire Diaries recap for Season 6 Episode 11, which was directed by Paul Wesley and written by Melinda Hsu Taylor. This post contains spoilers and specific scene descriptions. Do not read any further until you have watched the premiere (“Woke Up With A Monster”) which originally aired Thursday, January 15, 2015 on The CW.

Kai siphoned major Traveler mojo from the anti-magic border surrounding Mystic Falls, and ruined a Delena mistletoe kiss; Stefan fell back into Caroline’s good graces by being the epitome of an amazing friend; Sheriff Forbes got cancer because life is the worst; Damon drooled on Alaric’s books while Elena stared at him with a dreamy look on her face; Jo, Liv, and Luke managed to escape Kai’s wrath relatively unscathed; Stefan moved his brother to near tears by revealing that he had repaired his beloved Camaro; Bonnie burned down a Christmas tree; and Jeremy stood all sad and alone in the town square, hoping for a better tomorrow.

Diaries episode 6×11? Find out in this week’s recap!

Kainapped: Elena wakes up at the Mystic Grill, all groggy and sweaty, and finds out that Kai not only abducted her, but he deprived her of a mistletoe kiss, too. THE NERVE OF THAT LITTLE PUNK! And in case her situation didn’t already completely suck, she’s forced to have a late brunch with him — the kind where he sips on OJ and devours eggs & bacon in front of her without so much as offering her a bite. (His manners are honestly lacking.) However, instead of a treat he rewards her with a trick: he magically hid the body of the restaurant’s owner on it (talk about a health code violation). Elena gasps as he recounts his latest kill — it involved a forced heart attack and organs exploding apparently — and not even Kai calling her “pretty” can make up for her lost appetite.

The Guinea Pig: You know how (allegedly) vampire blood doesn’t cure cancer? Well like her idol, Scarlet O’Hara, Caroline Forbes refuses to back down without a good fight. And considering how her mother’s life is at stake, she’s determined to heal her back to health — even it means forcing kale smoothies down her throat and smothering her with blankets. In fact, Caroline is so adamant about her new mission, she heads to Duke University with Stefan to get a second opinion from a world expert in oncology. (And to conjure up some free healthcare for her mom — via compulsion, naturally — without sending her to Canada.) Unfortunately, the doc has bad news: Although Liz’s medical team is doing everything right, she probably won’t make it. Even worse, should Liz choose to undergo full brain radiation, there’s a high chance that she’ll develop cognitive impairment. The doc then mentions she’s treating a patient who’s in a similar situation as Liz and Caroline immediately perks up. He’s on the brink of death and has no family — perfecto! (Oh and, um, that sucks.) So what does Care Bear do? She tiptoes into his room and is like, ‘Hey! This is crazy. But here’s my wrist…drink my blood and forget this every happened. Toodle-loo!”

Captain Planet: Kai hates skinny jeans and big-ass smartphones. He hates his family. He hates spoons. However, there is one thing he is fond of more than pork rinds and that is recycling! In fact, he actually placed his empty soda can in the correct bin, and we were left aghast. Is he redeemable? Does he actually have a conscience? Well, those were a nice two seconds while they lasted because he spent pretty much the entire episode torturing Elena — with magic, sharp objects, and non-stop chatter about how his brother used to beat him at video games so he one-upped him by beating him to death.

‘I once almost ate my brother but opted for a PB & J instead. Self-control, dude.’

Meet Sarah Salvatore: We finally met Uncle Zach’s daughter, and she is every bit as smart and beautiful as you’d expect a Salvatore to be. (#ThemGenes.) After Stefan accompanied Caroline to the hospital, he peaced out so that he could attend his great grand-niece’s (four generations removed) art show and look on with pride like a super distant relative often does.

Unfortunately for Stefan, Enzo followed his inconspicuous red convertible all the way to Duke, determined to figure out his secret. Stefan’s like, ‘Not until you tell me how you get so much volume in your hair,’ and Enzo’s like, ‘I’ve got free wine to sip on and basically an eternity, mate. I can wait.’ Annoyed, Stefan relents and tells him that Sarah is very much alive and that Damon doesn’t know because he wanted the girl to have a nice, normal life and not be turned into road kill whenever Damon threw a tantrum, ya know? Anyway, Stefan is so over Enzo and tells him he’s free to Damon about this 18 year secret; once he does, he’ll have nothing to obsess over and he can leave Stefan and his damn Best Hair title ALONE. Enzo feigns disinterest…but then returns to harass the show organizer with his Emily Thorne philosophies — namely, that the best revenge is patient and cultivated over time — and about how he was once held hostage by a mad scientist who prodded his eyeballs with needles. The lady, who initially seems charmed by his beautiful face, reels back and is all, ‘You might want to dial it back on the merlot yo’ — so, naturally, Enzo compels her into packing all of of Sarah’s photos and shipping it to his apartment. Stealing amateur photography? Stay classy, pal. (Seriously though, where does he live?!)

‘I must say, your latest blowout is glorious.’

Operation Save Elena: Luckily the whole ep didn’t focus on Kai tormenting Elena at Mystic Falls High. (Interestingly enough, she spent more time at school in one night than she had in all the years we’ve known her; Kai clearly has the makings of a fine public school educator.) First, Elena’s resourcefulness comes into play; after Kai melts her daylight ring, she runs away to call Damon and then drops by the chemistry lab where she uses her flammable skin, sunlight, and a gas port to burn Kai’s face off. (We love it when she taps into her Vampire Science 101 knowledge base.)

Then, the cavalry zooms in. After Luke whisks off Liv from the premises, Jo rises to the occasion and casts a cloaking spell to help Damon save Elena. Success!

‘If you guys could bring back a tissue, that would be great.’

But like often happens when a witch uses too much magic too fast, her nose starts bleeding (it’s like supernatural brain freeze). The spell vanishes and they all become  visible to Kai so he decides to have some fun with all the Traveler magic surging through his veins: He gives Damon a migraine and tricks him into accidentally staking Elena, then goes after his twin. He’s like, ‘Hey sis! Know of any upcoming celestial events? Because I can’t wait to absorb your powers and watch you take your last breath,’ but before Jo could respond/be brutally murdered, the Katniss of Mystic Falls — Jeremy Gilbert — shoots an arrow right through the punk’s shoulder.

I shot the obligatory arrow. My work here is done. Now I shall retreat to my bachelor pad where I will walk around shirtless and make Stefan super uncomfortable.

Then this hunk struts in to finish the job and show that nasty jam-eater who’s boss.

Kai’s severe anger issues are temporarily suppressed and all is well in the land….WAIT. WHAT?

‘JK! I’m the star — I can’t die.’

The Twin Factor: Having a twin must be all sorts of fun! However, Luke and Liv’s experience with their crazy Gemini coven is nothing like the misadventures the Wakefields had in Sweet Valley. After Luke interrupts Liv’s cloaking spell at the local high school, she tells him what he’s been dreading all along: that he’s stronger than her and, should they merge, he’ll end up killing her. She’s known ever since he stopped her bringing back people from the Other Side in the TVD Season 5 finale. They then quarrel because Luke refuses to face the harsh reality of their situation and Liv refuses to leave Mystic Falls and Tyler behind to join their father for the worst family tradition ever. (FYI: she also has a small spat with her beau because he wants to protect her and insists loving her isn’t a mistake, and she’s just like, ‘Imma need a moment to come to terms with my upcoming death at the hands of my own brother, thanks.) But not to worry everyone: She and Luke make up when informs her that he won’t be participating in the barbaric ritual. If his destiny requires him to kill his own flesh and blood, he doesn’t want to be right.

‘I like it better when your lungs are working and your heart is beating.’

Sparks Fly: After their whirlwind day, Caroline and Stefan return home to Mystic Falls, and he walks her to her door. He admits that he joined her at Duke to visit Sarah, and Caroline promises “Uncle Stefan” that his secret is safe with her. She praises him for being a noble fella and making sure that his niece had a safe and sound upbringing. Suddenly their small talk comes to an end and awkward silence fills the airs. And by awkward we mean super sexy. As a slight breeze ruffles the tops of their hair and as the porch light shines upon Caroline’s golden strands, Stefan finds himself captivated by her beauty. His eyes twinkle, practically erupting with joy and tingles and the realization that she’s simply the best. However, he doesn’t lean in for a kiss. Instead he takes Caroline’s hand and strokes it ever so gently with his thumb because #friendship. (ALL THE SWOONS.) She pauses — her heart is probably beating like a snare drum at this point — and looks down at his hand holding hers Sonny and Cher style. This is her “You Belong With Me” moment, but rather than indulging in a lip lock with a vamp she’s been crushing on for months, she thanks Stefan for his help and heads inside to take care of her #1 priority: feeding blood to her mom. (TAKE THAT, ROMANCE!)

‘Gee, that’s sweet. Took you long enough to notice.’

Sadie Hawkins Time: After another near brush with death, Elena decided she was so over moving at a snail pace with Damon and pretended they didn’t break a few bed frames in their hey day. She decides she wants to try this little thing called #living and asks him out on a date. Damon plays it cute, pretending he has bigger things to do than spend quality one-on-one time with his one true love. He’s like, ‘But what if we get kidnapped and tortured again?’ However, he eventually relents and flashes her one of his quintessential smirks to let her know he’s totally on board (and that she’s paying).

The Cure: Definition of irony? Someone on #TVD saying, “Everything’s going to be okay.”As it turns out, vampire blood is far from being FDA-approved. After witnessing Colin running around the hospital joyfully screaming, “WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE,” Care Bear returns home where she guilt trips her mom (in the sweetest way possible, obviously) into adding a dash of honey and a sprinkle of her daughter’s magical hemoglobin into her tea. She points out that she always knew that they’d have to part ways eventually — just not so soon! There are weddings to attend, college graduations to cheer at, and picnics to be had; Caroline is not ready to let go of the truest love she’s ever known….and clearly Sheriff Forbes isn’t ready to leave her kid to fend herself in this cruel mystical town because she actually consumes the blood.

Hooray? Ha! This is TVD we’re talking about. Just as

‘Don’t mind me, folks. Just going to crawl on by and vomit out my innards.’

‘I should have known sheer logic and continuation of details wouldn’t save me.’

The Return of the High Death Toll: Not even a full day had gone by in a border-free Mystic Falls before an innocent person bit the dust. It’s safe to say Matty Blue Blue — who proved he’s the sweetest lad ever by keeping Sheriff Forbes company and watching

with her — is not happy at all. Will his vendetta against vamps continue? We shall see.

‘I hate everything about this life’

So, what was your favorite moment of the night? What will happen to poor Sheriff Forbes? Did you sense sparks flying between Stefan and Caroline? Did you laugh when Elena pretended she had seconds to live? Did you secretly find yourself giggling at Kai’s psychotic stories? Will Jo be able to beat her brother during the twin merge? WE HAVE SO MUCH TO DISCUSS!

*MORE PHOTOS FROM “WOKE UP WITH A MONSTER”*

The Vampire Diaries — “Woke Up With a Monster” — Image Number: VD611a_0292.jpg — Pictured: Chris Wood as Kai — Photo: Annette Brown/The CW — © 2014 The CW Network, LLC. All rights reserved.

The Vampire Diaries — “Woke Up With a Monster” — Image Number: VD611b_0167.jpg — Pictured (L-R): Michael Malarkey as Enzo and Paul Wesley as Stefan — Photo: Annette Brown/The CW — © 2014 The CW Network, LLC. All rights reserved.

The Vampire Diaries — “Woke Up With a Monster” — Image Number: VD611a_0321.jpg — Pictured (L-R): Nina Dobrev as Elena and Chris Wood as Kai — Photo: Annette Brown/The CW — © 2014 The CW Network, LLC. All rights reserved.

The Vampire Diaries — “Woke Up With a Monster” — Image Number: VD611b_0189.jpg — Pictured (L-R): Michael Malarkey as Enzo and Paul Wesley as Stefan (back to camera) — Photo: Annette Brown/The CW — © 2014 The CW Network, LLC. All rights reserved.

The Vampire Diaries — “Woke Up With a Monster” — Image Number: VD611a_0125.jpg — Pictured (L-R): Nina Dobrev as Elena and Chris Wood as Kai — Photo: Annette Brown/The CW — © 2014 The CW Network, LLC. All rights reserved.

The Vampire Diaries — “Woke Up With a Monster” — Image Number: VD611b_0010.jpg — Pictured (L-R): Jodi Lyn O’Keefe as Jo (back to camera) and Matt Davis as Alaric — Photo: Annette Brown/The CW — © 2014 The CW Network, LLC. All rights reserved.

What Your Favorite TVD Character Says About You

book, show, and cast news via Facebook and Twitter.

Ven has taken over Raven’s life in order to protect her authentic. She was cloned to serve this purpose. But now Ven wants something she was never meant to have, her own life. She will start a dangerous war to free herself and others like her in

Join us for some laughs and endless breadsticks.   More »

A complete and thorough guide to "Woke Up with A Monster."   More »

Get your Delena, Steroline, and Bonnie fix right here!   More »

15 Incredibly Adorable Facts About Candice Accola

Liv is in Damon\'s bedroom, why again? Don\'t miss the return of TVD Thursday at 8/7c.   More »

Find out which hot stars can\'t stop gushing about

© 2015 Alloy Entertainment. All rights reserved.