I expect more conflict now he remembered his friendship with Klaus and his feeling for Rebekah, but nada. Like you said what was the point to it if it wasn't going to change anything?
Yes that's one thing that annoys me too. Stefan continue need to avoid who he is. I'm not saying he has to be a full blown ripper, but he does need to stop repressing who he is and accept who he is or he'll never be able to move on always falling off the wagon. It's not character growth at all. Just my opinion of course. I hope this isn't case for the whole season.
I'm getting tired that his character as a whole is all about Elena. I could tolerate that ship and accept it, but when they do that I really can't.