The last spoiler-interview-thing I saw implied that he might not even be gone for a single episode, which is my #2 hope. (#1 being that these family friends in Denver are vampire-hunting friends who figure out he's been compelled and come to raise hell... which would be awesome but is not going to happen) Some of the other lack-of-free-will plotlines I could deal with because they were at least villainous (and I enjoyed troll!Stefan for that one episode, even if I want good Stefan back) even if they were plot-colanders (why did Stefan stop taking vervain?), but this one just makes me see red. Like, seriously Elena? NO JUST NO. All I can think of is Code Geass and how Lelouche beats himself up for compelling his friend "live on," and this is three times worse for one percent the justification...