80 replies to this topic

[Ghanima]

So I don't think there is an Alaric thread right now (how is that possible? if I missed it, please feel free to delete this). Matthew Davis is so great as Alaric. In the first few episode he played Alaric as very confident and almost swaggering; but now he is much more reserved, withdrawn, and probably depressed, much less the Indiana Jones he was first shown as. But I like that and I want to see him come into his own in regards to vampires, he knows they exist, knows their strengths and weaknesses and has a magic life giving ring, this should level the playing field and hopefully make things less one-sided for the vampires.

His marriage looked strained in the flashbacks so it will be interesting to see if this new reveal that Isobel left him (and cheated on him with Damon) to be a vampire will help him move on or keep him in a revenge holding pattern. I thought his confrontation with Damon over Isobel in A Few Good Men was heartbreaking. PrincessLucky said it best in the episode thread

it's refreshing to see a human be so determined and ballsy and willing to do everything to avenge his wife, stupid as it may be. It's not his fault he doesn't have super powers, and just because Damon can overpower him it doesn't mean that he should just grin and bear it. Sure, he could stand to formulate a better plan (understatement), but Damon's taunting was clearly meant to provoke him into attacking, and Damon was totally waiting for him. So he fell into Damon's trap because he was obviously too angry to think straight. And the fact Damon essentially lured him in is what makes me consider his death a straight-up murder, no self-defense involved (no need to defend someone who can't touch you). That said, Alaric did know deep down that Isobel was turned and that she possibly wanted to be turned, so I agree there's an interesting parallel between him and Damon.

I think his trip to Damon's could also be seen as suicidal. He went there armed with just a stake? Damon was right, Alaric already knew everything Damon told him, he just couldn't handle it. So the question is, how will he react to all of this, to these reveals that his wife cheated on him and left him. He has spent, presumably years, mourning her and trying to avenge her, only to find out how pointless that was. She did give him a parting gift in the form of the ring, so there was clearly still some love there, but it's almost beside the point. She couldn't have just left him, she had to violently "disappear" leaving him with all this baggage. The parallels between Alaric/Isobel and Damon/Katherine are obvious and while Damon responded with drinking and sorority girls, I don't think Alaric will respond in quite the same way because while their situations are similar, the characters couldn't be more different.

There is also some major chemistry with Jenna, though he did blow her off twice in the last episode (although both times it was understandable). I hope that the two of them can make it work, because I am way to invested in this character and just want him to be happy.

This thread also needs a clever title, I am no good at that...so suggestions?

Edited by Ghanima, Mar 27, 2010 @ 3:57 PM.

[jediylva]

Nice thread!

His marriage looked strained in the flashbacks so it will be interesting to see if this new reveal that Isobel left him (and cheated on him with Damon) to be a vampire will help him move on or keep him in a revenge holding pattern. I thought his confrontation with Damon over Isobel in A Few Good Men was heartbreaking.

I wonder if Isobel met (and slept) with Damon multiple times, or just the one time Alaric witnessed? And how much (accurate) information did she get from him, info that Alaric probably? has access to from her research?

[Schumiac]

I think actually Damon kind of meant what he said as he talked about how Alaric and he was kindred spirits etc. etc. and I kind of wish they would come to an understanding for they're actually very much alike.

For example, I think Damon was kind of suicidal himself when he taunted Alaric, a part of him wishing this human, who has never shown "fear" when he was around him and who was obviously something of a nemesis, may just put him out of his misery. The same is true for Alaric, I think part of him KNEW he could not survive an encounter with Damon, but simply did not care as he wants his suffering to end, as not knowing where Isobel is, and the suspicion/knowledge that she LEFT him was eating him alive. Which in turn is what Damon feels for Katherine...

That's why I wasn't bothered by Damon "killing" Alaric. Damon knows all-too-well the kind of obsession that was driving Alaric regarding Isobel, he knew the guy would not "stop" in his revenge seeking against Damon (which was all too apparent in his continous attack on Damon during that scene, despite the opportunities given to him to 'give up' and all the warnings). If Damon didn't "end" it there and then, Alaric would always be someone he'd need to look over his shoulder for, as he'd be abiding his time to catch Damon off his gurad, weak etc. to finish him off and in the meanwhile do whatever he can to make his life miserable...

Now, with the ring, Alaric has new reason to think Isobel actually "loves" him, and he knows she is 'alive' so I kind of see him focusing his energies on "searching" her out, as opposed to take revenge on Damon. And in a weird way, Alaric's story gave Damon his own reason to think KAtherine still is interested in him and focus his own energies once more on finding her.

Seriously, they're freakishly similar. lol

Edited by Schumiac, Mar 27, 2010 @ 7:36 PM.

[Crim]

Uh, I didn't see his marriage as strained. Isobel was obsessed with finding info on vampires but let's not forget that was also her thesis - people do get busy with their work without this straining their marriage...

Re: Alaric's choices, they would have made a bit more sense had he known what the ring actually does, but judging by the surprise on his face when he came back to life(?) he didn't exactly know. So yes, kinda suicidal.

There are 2 differences between Isobel leaving Alaric and Katherine dumping Damon: Isobel that left Alaric was no longer the same woman, it was an ageless bloodsucking vampire (a decision he didn't exactly get to approve of) and leaving him gave him a chance at a normal life, hurtful as it was. Katherine that left Damon knew Damon loved her as she was, then knew Damon was a vampire, still loved her, and was looking for her, but she was simply too bored of him to care. So while Damon might see or exploit similarities, Alaric can still believe Isobel loved him, even if vampire!Isobel no longer does - or maybe she does, but would rather he lived his normal human life.

Edited by Crim, Mar 29, 2010 @ 2:07 AM.

[Princess Lucky]

Oh, hello my new favourite thread!

I think his trip to Damon's could also be seen as suicidal. He went there armed with just a stake? Damon was right, Alaric already knew everything Damon told him, he just couldn't handle it.

That's a very good point, and it certainly puts a new spin to the parallels between him and Damon. I don't know the extent to which Damon was projecting, but it was implied that Alaric and Isobel's marriage was indeed rocky and perhaps he has been looking for revenge over something that was done to his wife upon her request. And after Damon's taunting his suspicions were confirmed (because I agree with Damon that Alaric probably knew deep down, at least he knew Isobel was obsessed with vampires), so perhaps he went over to Damon's expecting to die.

But seeing that the ring Isobel gave him literally saved his life, maybe he will regain some faith in his wife. Or maybe learning Isobel was possibly having sex with Damon (we can't take Damon's word for it, but it doesn't appear unlikely) will make him angry and fed up after trying to find her/avenge her possible death for years.

There is so much potential for Alaric, I can't wait. And Matt Davis is doing a great job in the role, giving a very nuanced performance. The writing of the show is great, including the writing for his character, and he really is doing it justice. He's the main heroic human, but he's not impervious to anger or stupidity. And yet there's something dignified and, I don't know, masculine about him. I see a clear difference between Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder's more feral and somewhat feline portrayals and Matt Davis' distinctly human and somewhat rough around the edges portrayal. I love it.

Also, he's purdy.

[Ghanima]

Uh, I didn't see his marriage as strained. Isobel was obsessed with finding info on vampires but let's not forget that was also her thesis - people do get busy with their work without this straining their marriage...

I thought the rocky aspect was implied in the flashback where Alaric was reminding Isobel that she didn't want kids and was never home so what was the point (of being married)? Plus, he trivialized her work. Which, while I love the character of Alaric, was probably a hurtful thing for Isobel to hear. There weren't any out and out fights but they clearly wanted different things, which to me implies rocky.

[Schumiac]

I thought the rocky aspect was implied in the flashback where Alaric was reminding Isobel that she didn't want kids and was never home so what was the point (of being married)? Plus, he trivialized her work. Which, while I love the character of Alaric, was probably a hurtful thing for Isobel to hear. There weren't any out and out fights but they clearly wanted different things, which to me implies rocky.

Exactly! It didn't look like a very happy marriage, it seemed Alaric wanted it to work for he loved Isobel, but at the same time something was missing in the relationship and they weren't able to connect and understand eachother.

There are 2 differences between Isobel leaving Alaric and Katherine dumping Damon: Isobel that left Alaric was no longer the same woman, it was an ageless bloodsucking vampire (a decision he didn't exactly get to approve of) and leaving him gave him a chance at a normal life, hurtful as it was. Katherine that left Damon knew Damon loved her as she was, then knew Damon was a vampire, still loved her, and was looking for her, but she was simply too bored of him to care. So while Damon might see or exploit similarities, Alaric can still believe Isobel loved him, even if vampire!Isobel no longer does - or maybe she does, but would rather he lived his normal human life.

Actually, it was "human" Isobel who decided to leave Alaric, not the vampire one -her becoming a vampire is just further proof she was not interested in staying with Alaric. It was 'human' Isobel who, knowing full well what a vampire is and what her life would be like once she was turned (after all she did all that research and everyone has an idea as to what a vampire is), decided to leave her "human life" behind and seek out a vampire to become one, she wasn't some 'victim', someone who became a vampire by necessity. She simply didn't want to lead a human life with her human husband, it seems. She wanted to be a vampire. Which is why I think Alaric is as delusional as Damon if he thinks his wife still loves him and wants to be with him...

And the fact that Isobel made the conscious choice of becoming a vampire kind of makes her creepier than any other character, IMO, for even with Damon, we know the motivation for wanting to be a vampire was so that he could be with Katherine, his great love, forever. This woman, from what we know, actually "chose" to be a vampire over a human, as if she was choosing a new diet, a new life-style... Interesting. I'll love learning more about this but I think it would totally rock if this was just what it was, that she really simply thought being a vampire was what she really wanted...

Edited by Schumiac, Mar 29, 2010 @ 9:13 AM.

[Crim]

I know human Isobel decided to become a vampire, but I still see a difference between "I love someone, but I love myself more and want this for myself more than I want that person" and "Damon who?". Maybe I am just a self-centered individual who has never felt True Love, but I think human Isobel could have loved Alaric, simply not enough to pick him over her desire to vamp out and all that it meant (eternal youth, for example). Does that mean she never loved him? I don't think so.

But in Katherine there was no change. When she left Damon behind wasn't she exactly the same person she had been when she had met him?

My point was that Alaric can still believe Isobel loved him, at least for some time, that she loved him when she married him. Damon has no reason not to doubt the fact that he ever really mattered for Katherine.

Second thing: Damon changed for Katherine, we saw he had some difficulties with it at first, whether he sees this as "giving something up" or not, and got nothing in return. She asked him to change, then she didn't care. He then even became a vampire, but she abandonded him. Alaric didn't go through all this. Isobel gave him a ring for his own protection, then left him to his life and went out to get what she wished for the most. I can't not see a difference here.

Which is why I think Alaric is as delusional as Damon if he thinks his wife still loves him and wants to be with him...

Does Alaric actually think that? Or does he just want to know what really happened to her? Like he just can't let go of his past. When he came to town wasn't he uncertain she was dead or not? He hadn't seen her turned. And he became a vampire hunter or sorts, wasn't revenge the reason? I don't see how getting a stake gun and all that is a path to reconnecting with her in a loving way.

[Bitterswete]

There's nothing that says Isobel didn't love Alaric. Being in love doesn't suddenly make you flawless and perfect. Which is why people who love their spouses have been known to cheat on them. In divorces, you'll sometimes find that both spouses still love each other, they just aren't happy in the marriage anymore. And how many movies, books, etc. are there about a character leaving the person they love in order to pursue a dream (or an obsession, in the case of Isobel possibly wanting to be turned).

So Isobel possibly cheating on Alaric, and possibly wanting to be turned into a vampire in no way means she must not have loved her husband.

And I keep saying "possibly" because I'm reluctant to take anything Damon says at face value. Although he might have been telling the absolute truth. Or, at least, as much of it as he knew.

Edited by Bitterswete, Mar 30, 2010 @ 2:25 PM.

[Ghanima]

Matt Davis is doing a great job in the role, giving a very nuanced performance. The writing of the show is great, including the writing for his character, and he really is doing it justice. He's the main heroic human, but he's not impervious to anger or stupidity. And yet there's something dignified and, I don't know, masculine about him. I see a clear difference between Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder's more feral and somewhat feline portrayals and Matt Davis' distinctly human and somewhat rough around the edges portrayal. I love it.

Also, he's purdy.

Yes, to the point where I sometimes wish this show was called Alaric - The Vampire Slayer.

And Matthew Davis is also on Twitter as Ernesto Riley, whoever that is. It was linked by Zach Roerig, so it looks like the real thing.

[photoshopgirl]

Also, he's purdy.

Gosh isn't he? Can I get a Matthew/Me/Ian sandwich?

I sometimes wish this show was called Alaric - The Vampire Slayer.

I wouldn't disapprove of a spinoff someday but for now I cannot get enough of him in this show.

And Matthew Davis is also on Twitter as Ernesto Riley, whoever that is. It was linked by Zach Roerig, so it looks like the real thing.

If you see the pictures he posts you'll realize it's really him. Nobody else would have access to the shots he puts up. Very artistic too!

Please everyone stop calling him Ric. I LOVE the name Alaric. I love how it rolls off the tongue.

I haven't seen Matthew Davis on anything other than that movie with Reese Witherspoon. Didn't find him hot at all in that. In this, yes please. I think it's as much the character as it is him. Same with Ian.

So glad this thread was created! I'll add something of substance later. Just had to add my superficial comments. :)

[AuntieLizard]

I also only saw him in Legally Blonde as the douchy boyfriend, so I had a hard time adjusting to his Alaric character for the first few episodes. And now? Can't get enough of him! Every week, I was afraid that he would die - and then he did die, and I could kiss the writers for giving him an invincibility ring! Love MD as Alaric. Love love love.

[bonniesrg]

Well for any over 18's you should check him out in Tigerland with Colin Farrell, he plays a soldier. Very rugged...ahem and he has a nude scene.
His character is quite sensitive in that role too, but I liked how he could play the hated character too in Legally Blonde.

I'm hoping Alaric is here to stay for awhile, I like his relationship with Jenna too.

[blinky29]

Wow I just realized he was in Legally Blonde - totally did not recognize him. I don't know if its the stubble, the brooding or the character but he is super hot on TVD as opposed to just being annoying scumbag in the movie. I too hope he sticks around. His character being human but actively fighting vampires has loads of potential and the spinoff I would definitely watch would the Adventures of Saltzman and Salvatore (Snr of course).

[jediylva]

I hope Alaric will get to play a larger role as the season evolves. I guess that he's going to be the one to connect the dots regarding the werewolves. His wife studied "paranormal activity" in the area, that would not only include vampires.
And I agree. He's hot. And I would also watch the Adventures of Saltzman and Salvatore-Vampire slayers.

And did you know that "Alaric" was a leader of one of the germanic tribes that sacked Rome in the 4th (?) century? Maybe that's the ancestor he got his name from :)

[photoshopgirl]

Reviving this thread because Alaric rocks. Nuff said. :)

[AuntieLizard]

I love the protective vibe he generates around the poor Gilbert siblings. How cute was he mouthing 'Are you okay?' to Elena? I adore his involvement in the preview for the next episode. Don't want to see Ric the Slayer take over the show, but maybe having him involved in the action every other episode would do it for me.

[White Lies]

Or just, you know, taking his shirt off a few times would be good too. I wouldn't be opposed.

[Morrigan8472]

I would just like to see him become more of a parent figure to Elena. All the regulars on the show, with the exception of Tyler and him, have a strong connection to Elena. That was one of the reasons I was okay with Anna going bye-bye last season, but also why I was wary of bumping Matt Davis up to series regular status as he really only had strong connections with the brothers and Jenna and Jeremy but not Elena. This episode was a step in the right direction; more of that please.

[jediylva]

I miss you, Alaric!
Wouldn't it be nice if he, as mentioned by a few people in the episode thread, took up residence in the boardinghouse? Then Damon and Stefan wouldn't have to worry about random vampires walking right in, and Alaric could get more involved in the A plot. And since Elena and now Jeremy spend lots of time there anyway, he could keep an eye on them for Jenna.

[swtrgrl]

They'd have to deed him the house, no? Or would renting from them be sufficient? But yes, I'd be down with the three of them in residence!

[jediylva]

I usually avoid TVD spoilers like the plague, but I stumbled over this information about when Alaric comes back. It's doesn't exactly say anything specific about upcoming episodes, but I put it under bars to be on the safe side
Aimee asks: On Vampire Diaries, Alaric has been on Jenna duty and hasn’t been seen much in action this season. We miss him. When will he get to come out and play?
Mark Dec. 9 on your calendar. Go ahead, I’ll wait…. Okay, now read what executive producer Julie Plec tells us about this “little rendezvous” of bromantic proportions: “One of my favorite relationships on the show is Damon and Alaric and their buddy comedy shtick, and we get to see that in full effect in episode 11.” Plec also admitted that it has been a challenge finding a place for Alaric after the Isobel storyline came to a close last season. “His storyline was wrapped up for a while and it’s taken us longer than we wanted to jumpstart a new chapter for him. Hopefully, we’ll be able to crack that soon and really get to show him off, because we think he’s awesome.”
From Entertainment Weekly

[RetconB]

I don't see how dificult could that be, Alaric already has a new chapter for him and Jenna, he's a neutral party when it comes to werewolves, witches and vampires on his class and a natural mentor for the likes of Jeremy, if all of that fails I think he could be a next generation of "watcher", like Supernatural's Bobby or Buffy's Giles & Wesley.

[AuntieLizard]

Part of the problem is that they've tied him to Jenna who also has a very small role (or none) in the main action. I'm really looking forward to his reintegration into the action.

[RetconB]

I think the problem is that they keep Jenna ignorant about the main action, she's a vampire slayer's girlfriend, she should know what's going on.

[Goldmoon]

Writers, can you please give this character something to do?!! The shirtless scene was totally wasted. You could tell that they filmed Elena's reaction as if he were actually nude, but they either made a mistake in cropping the walking away scene or they chickened out by showing that Alaric would not in fact wave his wanger at Elena and deliberately included the black swimming trunks. Geez, guys. Way to ruin a good joke.

Alaric is hot, and he's part of Team Badass, writers. Remember?

[White Lies]

I know I've totally missed having Alaric around, but seeing as his father was sick and has now sadly passed, I can give the show a pass. They've obviously given him time off to be with his family, which I really respect. I know if my mother were sick and dying I'd breach contract to be with her in her final days. I'm sure we'll see more of him soon enough, though. With Stefan in the tomb, Damon needs another male around.

[Megamos]

First time posting in this thread. But I was watching Raiders of the Lost Ark the other night and I was like 'Hey! Its Alaric!' I thought that Matt Davis looked like a young Harrison Ford.

[Lizardbeth J]

I was talking Alaric elsewhere, and I realized I'm starting to resent Alaric in particular for leaving Jenna in the dark. Caroline breaks it off with Matt because she can't tell him the truth, but Alaric is playing Chunky Monkey with Jenna and lying to her about everything. He's doing it at Elena's request, but first of all, who's the grown up? Alaric is. And second, it's ridiculous that ignorance is keeping her safer. And third, he's the one in a relationship with Jenna; nobody else is. Not to mention, as a matter of self-preservation when he's sleeping in her bed, you'd think he should want her to stop inviting strange vampires in, who could murder them all in their beds.

He doesn't have to tell her everything, but she should know at least that vampires exist, she was attacked by one, and how to protect herself better against one.

[ashes ashes]

I wrote a fanfic where Jenna finds out the truth and let's just say it's a while before she forgives Alaric for keeping her in the dark, so I totally agree that he really needs to go against the group and tell her, especially if they keep getting more serious. I'm sure Elena's reasoning is that Jenna is safer if she doesn't know, but that's not really true, is it? Since Alaric is the only one who has Jenna as a main focus in his life, I feel like he should step up and make the big reveal happen.

On another note, I've always been one of the few people rather indifferent to Alaric, but I totally loved him and Caroline exchanging knowing looks in the Grill, him and Damon trying to con Jules, and most especially, Alaric telling Damon to go home and lock the doors, and Damon listening! They've come a long way. I like that he's a forgive and forget person - you know, once he got all of the killer-of-my-wife revenge hunting out of his system.