The Vampire Diaries' Most Shocking Moments You Won't Believe!

Although “The Vampire Diaries” was a massive hit on The CW, running for eight seasons and spawning two spin-offs, it wasn’t without its flaws. Like many long-lasting TV shows, “The Vampire Diaries” had instances that left fans questioning or disliking them. Additionally, some storylines in the series were contentious among viewers, a debate that persists to this day, almost a decade after the show’s final episode.

Reflecting on some story arcs that stirred intense emotions among viewers, ranging from upsetting romantic entanglements to bewildering plot twists, here are seven contentious narratives from the hit series The Vampire Diaries, a few of which might provoke even the most casual fan.

Damon and Caroline’s Toxic and Abusive Relationship

Initially, the first season of “The Vampire Diaries” stands out from the rest of the series for several reasons. As a show based on L.J. Smith’s book series, it was setting its own rules and finding its rhythm, which sometimes involved exploring concepts like Damon’s unique abilities (which were later abandoned). However, there’s a aspect of Season 1 that many viewers find hard to accept: the unhealthy relationship between Caroline and Damon. Although Caroline initially chooses to be with Damon, their relationship becomes non-consensual as Damon compels Caroline, feeds on her, and controls her behavior. In hindsight, this is deeply problematic and uncomfortable for many fans. Even though Caroline and Damon later become friends and Damon finds his happy ending, some viewers still find it troubling.

Bonnie, Elena, and the Sleeping Beauty Spell

In the sixth season of “The Vampire Diaries,” there was a significant shift in the storyline following the departure of main character, Nina Dobrev’s Elena. Being a key figure in the narrative, the series had to find a way to write her out of the plot, which led to one of the show’s most debated storylines. To make Elena unavailable for action, Kai Parker (played by Chris Wood) cast a spell on her. The twist? It was a “sleeping beauty” curse, implying that as long as Bonnie Bennet (portrayed by Kat Graham) remains alive, Elena will remain asleep.

The series permanently removed Elena from “The Vampire Diaries” through this move, but the way the show dealt with the remaining seasons was quite aggravating. It was disappointing that the characters didn’t try to find a way to wake Elena up while keeping Bonnie alive, and the final season seemed to brush it aside without providing any explanation when Bonnie suddenly undid the curse all of a sudden. Even for fans who could accept the idea of the curse to begin with, the ease at which it was broken felt more like an afterthought rather than a major plot point.

Caroline’s Pregnancy

In the fictional TV series “The Vampire Diaries”, Caroline Forbes, who is not actually alive as vampires are, miraculously became pregnant. In Season 7, it was disclosed that this pregnancy wasn’t ordinary; due to magical intervention by the Gemini Coven, they had transferred Alaric and his fiancée Jo’s unborn twins into Caroline to safeguard them after Jo’s murder at the end of Season 6. Caroline gave birth to two girls, named Josie and Lizzie. Later, Caroline and Alaric planned to get engaged, but their relationship didn’t last; instead, they jointly raised the girls. As time passed, they opened a school for supernatural children, and Josie and Lizzie became significant characters in the spinoff of “The Vampire Diaries”, titled “Legacies”.

As a devoted fan, I must admit that the story arc involving Caroline’s pregnancy and the magical transfer was undeniably intriguing, despite stirring up quite a bit of debate among viewers. The concept of a pregnant vampire, especially one who became so through enchantment, certainly presents an unusual twist. Moreover, it created a complex dynamic between Caroline and Alaric, a man who once taught her at school and is now significantly older.

This storyline also introduced some confusion, even as the narrative transitioned into Legacies. Although Josie and Lizzie aren’t biologically Caroline’s children, the show has emphasized that Lizzie bears a striking resemblance to her mother, Caroline, right down to her blonde locks.

“Enhanced Original” Vampire Alaric

In “The Vampire Diaries,” every vampire can trace their lineage to the Originals, who are the original and most potent of all vampires – until Alaric becomes one in a turbo-charged form. In Season 3, Esther, the mother of the Original Mikaelson family, transforms Alaric into a vampire. Since Esther herself was responsible for turning her children into vampires initially, she uses Alaric to try and eliminate her son Klaus by enhancing him into an Enhanced Original vampire.

The whole situation remains a point of contention among fans, largely due to its contradiction of the series’ overarching lore that nothing surpasses an Original in power. Fortunately, Alaric, who met his end at the close of Season 3 and made occasional ghostly appearances, is resurrected in Season 5 and eventually restored to full humanity. Yes, it seems illogical.

Doppelgangers Everywhere

In the realm of “The Vampire Diaries,” the idea of doppelgangers is central, and having only Katherine and Elena as doppelgangers was acceptable. The twist that Elena was a doppelganger for the wicked yet charming Katherine added depth to the narrative. However, when the show introduced another doppelganger (Amara, portrayed by Dobrev) and later on, doppelgangers for Stefan, it pushed the concept too far. By introducing multiple doppelgangers, and seemingly altering the original lore occasionally, the show lost some of its unique charm associated with its main character.

Cade, the Sirens, and Too Little, Too Late

Towards the conclusion of “The Vampire Diaries,” the show required new antagonists, which were introduced as the siren sisters Sybil and Seline, along with their master Arcadius (also known as Cade). Although the sirens didn’t significantly impact the storyline, Cade’s tale was somewhat engaging. He was the world’s first psychic and subsequently created Hell, essentially serving as the show’s equivalent of the Devil. The idea is intriguing, but the execution leaves much to be desired. The narrative becomes convoluted (though Wolé Parks delivers an excellent performance as Cade), and it feels more like a plot device to propel the series towards its end rather than a compelling storyline. Ultimately, Cade is defeated too effortlessly, leaving viewers questioning the purpose behind his introduction in the first place.

Bonnie Bennett Deserved Better, Especially in The Prison World

It’s hard to find a point where fans of “The Vampire Diaries” would disagree: Bonnie Bennet deserved more throughout the series, but her storyline in the Prison World is particularly divisive. In Season 6, Bonnie and Damon wind up in a 1994 Prison World, trapped in a loop where they live the same day repeatedly until Bonnie can find a way out. Unfortunately, things don’t go as planned because the prison world is also home to the wicked Kai, and it turns out that only Damon manages to escape, leaving Bonnie behind to guarantee his return to the present.

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I must confess that the narrative of Prison World has its share of intriguing twists and turns. However, it’s the controversial aspect about Bonnie’s predicament that stirs intense debate among fans. Specifically, her eventual isolation in this world and her brush with self-destruction due to unbearable loneliness. Despite the captivating nature of the storyline, many viewers find it troubling because Bonnie, a character who has consistently demonstrated immense power within The Vampire Diaries series, is subjected to hardships that other primary characters seem to avoid. This story arc serves as a stark reminder of Bonnie’s selfless sacrifices and endurance of pain for her friends, underscoring her significant role in the series.

The Vampire Diaries is now streaming on Peacock.

2025-02-02 18:11

The Vampire Diaries’ Most Shocking Moments You Won’t Believe!