I started watching The Vampire Diaries (TVD) when it was in its sixth season after my friend begged me for years to watch it with her. I know, the sixth season is super late within the series—which only has a total of eight seasons—but as soon as I watched the first episode, I was hooked. It quickly became my favorite show, and it still is to this day. It is the show that I put on while I read and do homework. I know almost every word, and I can tell you my favorite episodes by the season and episode number. I talk about the characters like they are my own friends. But, this obsession is well-justified because there are so many great qualities of the show that I still cannot get over.
The show is the perfect mixture of real life and fantasy. TVD offers a great escape from everyday life. The drama surrounding Elena’s life is enough to take your mind off of your own, but the show is also super relatable for many different people and situations. Hopefully, no one has to deal with a crazy 1,000-year-old vampire trying to kill them on the daily, but there are plenty of instances where what is happening to Elena and her friends is happening to you. Each character can affect and include viewers’ different experiences. Whether someone is dealing with the loss of a loved one or having difficulties choosing between equally handsome brothers, TVD can help you through it.
The relationships between the characters are actual goals, and I will continue to watch Delena videos on YouTube until the day I die. Everyone seems to date everyone else, and at first, I thought that was completely crazy and ridiculous, but as I get older, I am realizing that is actually how it works in a small town. The relationship between Damon and Elena (Delena), though rocky and a little toxic, has made me believe that true love does exist. But, there are so many other relationships that never worked out or were never at the right time, and our hearts ache for them (ahem, Klaus and Caroline). Yet those relationships only make the show more real and confirms that not everything is a perfect, storybook ending.
The writing of the show, though cringe-worthy at times, is incredible. The story-lines are so deep. An entire world has been created with thousands of years’ worth of history and backstory that starts TVD and has been expanded upon in The Originals and Legacies spin-offs. I can only hope to create such a detailed, deep world as the writers of TVD have. The story lines are unique and shocking, and they always tie back to Elena and her undying wish to keep her friends and family safe.
And, of course, all the guys are incredibly good-looking and make watching the show that much more enjoyable. I am still waiting for Damon Salvatore to show up on my doorstep, asking for literally anything.
There are so many death scenes, and they are absolutely soul-crushing. But, without them, the show would not be the same. They make the characters seem so real. The scenes add depth and closeness between the character’s relationships.
The feud between Damon and Stefan is to die for. Nothing is better than brother’s fighting for the same girl. And, of course, I am a little jealous that Elena gets all their attention and love.
They make vampires look so super cool throughout the entire series. The various supernatural creatures who come into the series touch upon every culture and legend. These creatures expand the world and make you realize that there is still so much more to be learned. And, let’s not ignore the witches; they are absolute bosses and rule the supernatural world.
This show will always be my go-to show for these reasons and so many more that would simply take too long to write. This series has taught me about friendship, love, loyalty, and danger more than any other show has, and everyone else needs to experience and fall in love with Elena, Damon, Stefan, Caroline, Bonnie, Alaric, Jeremy, Tyler, Matt, Klaus, Rebecca…