Daddy Issues (The Vampire Diaries)

Plot

Tyler finds Caroline after what Jules told him and asks if she knew about Mason. Caroline admits she did, and Tyler loses his temper, throwing her against the car. He leaves upset, and Caroline informs Stefan that Tyler knows about Mason and that he and Damon are the vampires who killed Mason. She asks Stefan to talk to Tyler so he will not go to Damon, because Damon would kill him.

At the Gilbert house, Jenna is surprised to see John and wants to know why he is back. John tells her he is Elena's biological father and leaves. Damon is upset with Stefan for bringing John back, as he cannot trust him, but Stefan believes that after Elena's deal with Elijah they have few options since they cannot kill an Original and John knows how. Tyler is confused, and Jules tries to convince him he belongs with the pack and that vampires are enemies.

She wants him to leave town to learn to survive, but Tyler does not want to leave his mother. Jules goes to a trailer in the woods where she finds Brady, another werewolf. Stefan enters Tyler's house to talk to him; Tyler is scared but Stefan says he will not hurt him. Jonas tries to talk to Bonnie, but she is angry because she trusted Luka and he betrayed her.

She knows Jonas is working with Elijah, and Jonas reassures her that Elijah wants to protect Elena and will ensure she and her friends are not hurt. Stefan tries to make Tyler understand that Caroline lied to protect his life and that they are all friends, but Tyler struggles to know whom to trust. Caroline runs into Matt, who wants to talk about their relationship; they arrange to meet later, but Jules ambushes Caroline and with Brady kidnaps her, locking her in a cage at Brady's trailer where Brady tortures her.

Reception

In its original American broadcast, "Daddy Issues" was watched by 3.22 million, down by 0.31 from the previous episode. The episode received positive reviews. Matt Richenthal of TV Fanatic rated it 4.8/5, calling it an exciting, action-packed hour that continued to raise the stakes. Diana Steenbergen from IGN rated it 8.5/10, describing it as another jam-packed episode and noting that the comparisons and contrasts between vampires and werewolves were intriguing.

Steenbergen also commented on Damon's moral crisis, stating that the delicate balancing act with his character continues and that watching his crisis has been emotional and affecting. E. Reagan from The TV Chick gave an A− rating, calling it another great episode with solid stuff, particularly the Caroline material and Damon's creepy serial killer like ending. Carrie Raisler from The A.V. Club gave a B− rating, focusing on the negative side of loyalty to friends, family, and one's own kind, with mostly disastrous results for the characters.