"The Vampire Diaries" Recap: “The Parent Trap”

Another episode, another dream sequence for Bonnie. The dead witches are again sending her clues about the sealed coffin, which she shares with Elena at the BOWH ("Burned Out Witch House") despite Stefan's desire to keep Elena out of the coffin game. Stefan arrives, none too pleased at Elena's presence, but Bonnie explains that she'll need Elena's help to find the person her dreams are pointing her to: Bonnie's mother Abby. With an assist from Damon, they locate where she's been living in North Carolina. The two head out on a road trip, but not before Damon spills about his and Elena's kiss.

Caroline arrives home from somewhere to find Tyler in her living room. He's there to apologize but she's not having it. Tyler persists, telling her he wants to be able to control himself, which is why he called on the first of tonight's returning absentee parents, Caroline's gay dad Bill. Caroline wonders why Bill, who when last seen had a major hate on for anything vampiric, would want to help a hybrid like Tyler. “Because he made a mistake,” Bill responds, “and now he wants to make good. And I understand that.” Somebody's angling for Father of the Year!

At the Mystic Grill, Alaric and Meredith are having lunch and I'm having a nap because the two of them together are completely boring. She says she's an angry drunk, which may turn out to be important but probably not. Damon wanders in as Meredith wanders out and wonders what Meredith's damage is. Besides being preternaturally boring? Alaric admits he's looking for red flags and Damon notes that having an ex who 1) describes her as a psycho case, and 2) winds up with a stake through his sternum constitutes two very large, very red flags.

Stefan returns home to find Klaus waiting to play another round of Family Feud. Next! Meanwhile, Bonnie and Elena are road-tripping to North Carolina. Stefan calls and Elena lies that they're spending the night at the lake house, but Stefan's looking at the info sheet on Abby that Damon gave them earlier. Klaus, through a “chatty” sheriff's deputy, has also located Abby and has dispatched hot hybrid Daniel to her home for nefarious ends.

Some time later, Bonnie and Elena arrive at Abby's home. She's not there but her step-son Jamie invites them in. Moments later Abby arrives and Bonnie introduces herself.