There were a good amount of reviews posted online about TVD 2.02 – “Brave New World” and I couldn’t help but notice some of the wonderful statements people were making about Candice Accola’s performance. This alone shows that even more viewers see her as a serious and talented actress. I picked out some of my favorite reviews/recaps below, and although some are quite lengthy, the read is worth your time! Check them out! If for some reason you missed out, we’ve posted an update here with screencaps, video clips, and stills from the episode.

Carina Adly MacKenzie, Zap2it:
“This is a good time to give Candice Accola this week’s MVP trophy. She was great last season at being alternately perky, cute, and scared, but this episode has really shown what she’s capable of. I hope that the show doesn’t go the easy route and kill Caroline off in a few episodes, Vicki style. Accola has a lot to give.” Full article

Gerard McGarry, Unreality Shout:
“I haven’t mentioned Elena (Nina Dobrev) in this episode, because although she’s there, she’s slightly secondary to all the action. The hero of Brave New World, for me, is Candice Accola as bitchy blonde Caroline Forbes. Accola did an outstanding job of playing confused, blood-crazed Caroline – though she quickly discovered the parameters of her powers when she realised sunlight burns, blood tastes good, and mildly hostile hospital staff can be compelled into forgetting you’ve just drained them.” Full article

Tiffany Vogt, The TV Watchtower:
“Caroline’s transformation was undeniably graceful. She adapted so easily: stealing a blood-bag, keeping out of the sunlight, instinctively learning to mesmerize others into doing her bidding, and even pushing away Matt so that he would not see her physical changes. Caroline was the anti-Vicki (Kayla Ewell). Vicki attacked her own boyfriend, whereas Caroline’s love for Matt kept her from biting him.” Full article

Jean Bentley, TV Squad:
“As much as writers Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec should get credit for writing such exciting material for their actors, Candice Accola should be praised for her performance in ‘Brave New World.’ The actress stepped up her game, and was able to portray the pure torment Caroline endured as she transformed, all alone, into a vampire with such skill that, frankly, we hadn’t really seen in her before. This was Accola’s greatest episode yet.” Full article

Kath Skerry, Give Me My Remote:
“If killing Caroline and then bringing her back as a vamp is what it took to give Candice Accola the spotlight for an episode, then so be it. The girl killed it tonight (pun absolutely intentional) conveying Caroline’s bouncy house of emotions after being turned. The confusion, the grief, the bewildered joy, and the sadness over the life she left behind. She weaved in an out of a myriad of sensitives, whether they be physical in nature or otherwise mental all while maintaining the human core of Caroline Forbes. Accola was already a favorite of mine, but she really brought it tonight.” Full article

Other recaps/reviews: Los Angeles Times · TV Overmind · I Heart Vampire Diaries · The Two Cents · Quad Blogs · TV Casualty · Vampire-Diaries.net