Most of us had that phase of being obsessed with something supernatural or something that is derived from fantasy as kids or teenagers. For some people it was Harry Potter, for others it was H2O: Just Add Water, and for others (me included), it was vampires and werewolves.
As we know, vampires have been in the media for so long. There have been various adaptations made, including the famously known franchise and movie/book series, Twilight. For me, however, a series that I became particularly obsessed with was The Vampire Diaries. I was so enthralled with it that that was what I wanted to do for my 13th birthday: stay home watching The Vampire Diaries.
I thought to myself, “Maybe I’m really into vampires.” However, I did not like other vampire media as much as I did The Vampire Diaries (sorry Twilight fans). So it leads me to think, “Is this series just the greatest in all vampire media?” I know many will not agree, but hear me out on my reasons!
Before I get into my reasons – quick summary! The Vampire Diaries is a supernatural series that is based on a small town in Virginia called Mystic Falls, which crawls with history, including hidden supernatural history surrounding vampires and werewolves as well as other supernatural creatures. It follows 17-year-old Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev), who loses her parents in a car accident, as she becomes tangled up in a love triangle with vampire brothers Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Damon Salvatore (Ian Somerhalder).
Elena and her friends are pulled into the dangerous supernatural world, which puts them in a constant battle with vampires, werewolves, witches, doppelgangers, etc. I know it may sound cringe or stereotypical, but I was hooked since the first episode with all the twists and “OMG” moments.
LIKABLE Characters
Yeah, I know most movies and shows have likable characters, but guys, you don’t understand – even the villains are likable in The Vampire Diaries. They are all so complex. For example, Damon Salvatore starts off as an evil jackass that promises to torment his brother for all of eternity. As the show goes on, though, we start seeing a different side of him. We see him become a caring brother and friend – one of the best character developments in the show.
Fellow likable villains Katherine Pierce (Nina Dobrev) and Klaus Mikaelson (Joseph Morgan) were supposed to die early in the show, but fans loved them so much that showrunners decided to keep them longer (Klaus even got his own spinoff!). Besides villains, Caroline Forbes (Candice King), one of Elena’s friends, has the most satisfying development in the series – from a bitchy, mean high school girl to one of the most functioning vampires in the series. She becomes so wholesome and caring; it was like vampirism brought out all her best qualities.
The Romance
Like mentioned above, this is a love triangle-based show. This was like OG The Summer I Turned Pretty. However, this fandom is more 50/50 on which brother Elena should have picked. Yes, they are both THAT good that it’s hard to pick! The show does a good job in developing both relationships, each at their own time, with all the drama, of course. In my personal opinion, Team Stefan all the way! Their relationship was so sweet and pure – it was so good!
The good thing is that this show does not just revolve around this love triangle. There are many other couples to root for, and their love stories are just as good, sometimes better! For example, I loved Caroline and Klaus. Falling in love with the enemy (you know that plotline) is always so interesting no matter how used it is. The tension was felt through the screen.
Fun Fact: the “I will always choose you” sound on TikTok is a quote from Damon Salvatore in The Vampire Diaries.
The Lore
There are no real-life vampires, that’s for sure, but I think if they existed, The Vampire Diaries would be the most accurate. Since it is a series, it gets to expand further on the quirks of vampirism and its origin, but that is a longer story. I think this is where Twilight lost for me, like seriously? Vampires that sparkle in the sun? Fun fact: Twilight the book series is mentioned in a scene where Damon is reading the book and Caroline Forbes asks, “Why don’t you sparkle?” which he replies, “Because I live in the real world where vampires burn in the sun.” They could walk in the sun with “daylight” rings, lapis lazuli enchanted jewelry by a witch.
The process of turning into a vampire is also much more complicated than just receiving a bite from one. In order to turn into a vampire, you have to have vampire blood in your system and die. Vampire blood, in the show, is usually used to heal humans from wounds, and so yes, if you accidentally die within 24 hours, it lasts in your system, then you are in the process of becoming a vampire. In order to complete the transition and fully become a vampire, you must drink human blood. You have 24 hours to do so, and if you don’t, then you die.
Also, vampires can’t come into homes without being invited in! It’s a whole thing, and I do not have enough space to talk about all the characteristics of each supernatural, but I think all the aspects of each one make them so interesting and add to the show so much. Everything ends up being connected to something, which makes the plot twists so much better!
There is so much to unpack in an article, but I hope that it will make you want to know about the series and give it a try! I just hit mere points to a whole universe, but there is so much more to it. I promise it is worth it.