The Vampire Diaries: The Ending That Almost Was

When “The Vampire Diaries” concluded its eight-season run in 2017, The CW drama departed by wrapping up many of the beloved show’s storylines in a way seldom seen among TV series. Remarkably, it also left room for future tales to unfold in its spin-off, “Legacies.” However, the ending that fans experienced was not initially the plan of the creators; Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson had envisioned an entirely different conclusion as early as the second season, one that may have sparked significant controversy among the fanbase.

Let’s take a brief recap before diving into the surprising finale for “The Vampire Diaries”. This popular series, based on L.J. Smith’s book series, primarily revolved around Elena Gilbert, a high school student in Mystic Falls, and her complex love life with the vampire brothers, Stefan and Damon Salvatore. However, things became more intricate as Elena bore a striking resemblance to Katherine, their former lover. The narrative started as a love triangle but soon grew to encompass various other stories over its eight seasons, such as the ancient vampires called Originals, the malicious coven of witches known as Travelers, alternate dimensions, and even literal Hell.

In the end, the series culminated in what amounted to a final showdown in Mystic Falls. With Katherine planning to unleash Hellfire into town to annihilate it forever, the Salvatores and their companions joined forces one last time to thwart her. Once Katherine was overpowered, the plan was for Bonnie to divert the Hellfire towards a tomb where Katherine herself would be burned instead of the town. The Salvatore brothers had planned for Damon to remain with her, ensuring her destruction. However, Stefan pulled off a swap: he injected Damon with the cure for vampirism, allowing him to live as a human while he stayed and perished alongside Katherine in an ultimate sacrifice.

Julie Plec Wanted a Very Different Ending (But it Changed For Good Reason)

Initially, creators Plec and Williamson envisioned a completely different conclusion for the series back in Season 2. Instead of Stefan’s dramatic finale, their original plan was for both Salvatore brothers to give up their lives to protect Elena, then continue watching over her from the afterlife. They shared this insight with Entertainment Weekly following the show’s final episode.

“Remember in Season 2, when Kevin and I were at the mall engrossed in our shared love for this series, as it unfolded a tale of two brothers vying for the same girl, creating quite the love triangle? At the height of the drama, we mused that by the show’s end, both brothers should sacrifice themselves to protect their lady. We even imagined them watching her move forward with her life – perhaps marrying Matt Donovan or becoming a doctor – from beyond the grave since we had introduced the concept of ‘The Other Side’. This was what made us shed buckets of tears during Season 2.”

Initially, the show “The Vampire Diaries” lasted for a long time, outgrowing the central love triangle. Over time, the storyline became increasingly intricate. However, at Season 6, the most significant transformation occurred: Actress Nina Dobrev, who played Elena Gilbert, departed from the series. With Dobrev no longer around, the romantic destiny of her character was finalized, significantly altering the ending of the show.

Executive Producer Plec expressed that they felt it necessary to see Damon and Elena’s story through to the end. If actress Nina hadn’t left, he would have enjoyed exploring if Stefan and Elena could reconcile. However, it’s uncertain if they would have, but without Nina’s departure, the plan was to revisit the love triangle before the series ended, leaving viewers with a genuine choice. But her exit solidified Damon and Elena’s romantic bond. In that instance, the show transformed from a love triangle focus into one about the strength of these brothers and their brotherly love. Therefore, it was impossible for him to kill both characters and deny them a satisfying conclusion. It simply wasn’t going to happen.

The Real Ending Was Honestly the Better Conclusion

Despite ongoing debates among fans about certain elements of the finale of The Vampire Diaries, eight years later, it remains a satisfying conclusion for many reasons. For instance, some fans are still upset that Stefan sacrificed himself, missing out on a happy ending with Caroline whom he married just before the final battle. However, the resolution is fitting as Katherine is vanquished, Elena is reunited with her loved ones, the Salvatore house becomes a school for supernatural kids, and Elena eventually becomes a doctor. Moreover, Damon and Elena both find peace in the afterlife, which includes Damon reconciling with his brother Stefan in the series’ final moments. Overall, the ending provides closure that respects each main character’s growth throughout the series.

If “The Vampire Diaries” had stuck with its original ending as planned by Plec and Williamson, it wouldn’t have been fitting for the growth of Damon and Stefan’s characters. Returning to the love triangle plotline might seem a bit insipid now that Elena has grown into an adult. Moreover, such a change would have diminished Stefan’s character overall. In Stefan’s case, his selfless act of sacrificing himself for those he loved was a significant act of redemption. Although Stefan is a beloved character, he did some truly despicable things in his lifetime. For Stefan, Damon represented the better man, so releasing everyone from Katherine’s grasp forever was an act of redemption that finally liberated both brothers.

In essence, the final chapter paved the way for “The Vampire Diaries” narrative to persist in “Legacies,” a subsequent series set in Mystic Falls. Over its four-season run on The CW following “The Vampire Diaries,” “Legacies” offered viewers insight into the consequences of Stefan’s sacrifice, broadening the supernatural world established by the original show for a new generation of beings. Unfortunately, if “The Vampire Diaries” had continued to Season 5, we might have been introduced to Stefanie Salvatore, named after her brave uncle. However, much like the planned dual sacrifice of the Salvatore brothers initially conceived by creator Julie Plec, this specific storyline was not destined to unfold.

The Vampire Diaries is now streaming on Peacock.

2025-02-01 18:11

Julie Plec Wanted a Very Different Ending (But it Changed For Good Reason)

The Real Ending Was Honestly the Better Conclusion

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