The Vampire Diaries - Season 1 - Final Thoughts - MAJOR SPOILERS

[snogged]

If you haven't watched the show at all, I do not recommend clicking on the lj-cut. Just saying.



I will preface this by saying that Buffy still rules in my heart of hearts when it comes to teenage angst/drama and vampires.

That being said...THIS SHOW IS AWESOME!

I like how each character is developed and how that development blurs the lines of good and evil with a complexity that feels rich and genuine, instead of difficult and confusing.

Nina Dobrev, the leading lady, handles her scenes in a way that makes me think she could devour Kristen Stewart whole without blinking. Especially when she's playing Katherine (&hearts &hearts&). But to focus more on her central role in the show, I like that Elena is flawed. I like that she stands up for herself when Stefan tries to intimidate her. I like that she cares for those who don't think they're worth saving (see: Damon). I even liked it when she channeled Buffy and started stabbing an attacking vamp with #2 pencils. :)

Bonnie is also totally adorable. It's my understanding that she's white in the books, but I'm glad the writers chose to change that. It's great to see an African American girl portrayed so powerfully. Even better...her ancestors were played by Jasmine Guy (Dead Like Me) and Bianca Lawson (Buffy the Vampire Slayer).

Caroline did something for me that Cordelia Chase (in the early seasons of Buffy) never really accomplished. She's a character I quite like, despite her yappiness. I liked her growth in the show and I think it worked to have her be Damon's chew toy. It made her telling him off an even more cheer-worthy moment. :) I also like her being with Matt and I hope the writers continue to explore that.

It's really no surprise to me that I prefer Damon to Stefan (much like I prefer Spike to Angel and Angelus to Angel). Ian Somerhalder first came into my knowledge base from his role in Rules of Attraction and he's even more fun in this show. I like his facial expressions, his shirtless scenes, and his friendship with Elena. When he stepped in as her escort for the pageant, I swooned and squee'd. I also freaked the fuck out when they had the fake-out kiss on the front porch (even though it was really Katherine.) I also love the Damon and Alaric show. They're probably the only two boys I feel like slashing, but I think it would be worth it.

I was sad to see Pearl and Anna get staked. Pearl was awesome and totally whooped Damon's ass. And Anna was just so darn cute and I loved her relationship with Jeremy. Speaking of Jeremy...HOLY MOTHERFUCKING SHIT. Are they really going to turn him into a vampire? Or will he get his stomach pumped in the nick of time?

And it may be wrong of me, but I'm really not bothered by John's death. He was an asshat.

Comments

[niki1988.livejournal.com]

I can't wait for s2! Yeah, Anna was my favorite too. I'll miss her.

I was glad John died too, he had it coming. Karma, it's not nice. Not sure if that will work enough to make him a vampire. Guess we'll just have to see.

[snogged.livejournal.com]

I hope John doesn't come back as a vamp.

[niki1988.livejournal.com]

I don't think he will. She chopped his fingers off and stabbed him. And he probably still had vervain in his system, so that could've poisoned Katherine again. Let's hope they don't make him one either.

[snogged.livejournal.com]

But Katherine didn't bite him. She stabbed him after she sliced off his fingers. So she doesn't really have to worry about the vervain.

[niki1988.livejournal.com]

I know. I remember. If they made John a Vampire, that would really suck.

[da-phoenix13.livejournal.com]

Ha, yeah, I was more put off by John's death by the pure shock factor rather than being anything I really liked about him. I was actually pretty glad to see him go.

But OH MY GOD. JEREMY!!!!!! What's going to happen with him?! And with Caroline?!

I really like the parallels you drew between this and Buffy, especially with Caroline (and I agree with your opinion of her). In a way, I think I like VD's vampire lore better than Buffy's? I think it's the whole compelling thing, and the fact that animal blood makes you weaker than human blood. I think that's pretty cool. Plus, no cheesy prosthetics for vampires! Yay!

And I didn't know that Bonnie was white in the books! I also like the decision to make her African-American, for racial diversity if nothing else. Though I would like to see some white witches at some point in this series, I think.

[snogged.livejournal.com]

It was shocking. That's for sure.

I do hope Caroline is okay!

I do think the vampire lore definitely has its plus points. I always wondered why Drusilla was the only vampire on BtVS (besides Dracula) who used compulsion to get what she wanted. And yeah, I liked the thing with animal blood/human blood too.

The way I understand it...Bonnie's a white girl with red hair. Sound like anyone you know?

[da-phoenix13.livejournal.com]

How awful is it that the first name that came to mind was "Ginny Weasley"?

*facepalm*

[snogged.livejournal.com]

*gigglesnort*
That's just kinda awesomely funny. :)

[otempora42.livejournal.com]

Well, actually, the Vampire Diaries books predate Buffy, so it's just a really strange coincidence. :P Apparently the books aren't that good, which is sad.

[otempora42.livejournal.com]

Another thing I really love about VD's vampire lore is that, as far as I can tell, vampires aren't inherently evil. In Buffy, not having a soul automatically means that you're evil, whereas to be a vampire in VD, you have to kill someone, and then you have the ability to turn off your guilt or whatever. But, like Stefan shows, there's nothing that actually MAKES you bad. I think it's an interesting concept.

Or, instead of more white people, we could have some Latina witches. Or Native American witches! Or Asian... oh, wait, nobody's Asian in the movies. Except the dead vampires. :P

[angelicvampyre.livejournal.com]

Ok I watched like 2 eps of this show and then feel off the wagon but reading your excitment makes me want to run home, downloaded them and see if I can get the excitment going as well!

[snogged.livejournal.com]

It does get better. I promise.

[tonnic-x.livejournal.com]

Yay! You did a review! Very awesome!

Yes, this show is fuck-tastic! Minus the fucking part... boo... well, there are hints of it, but there was more in Buffy with that category. Anyways... I really adore this show as well! I was taken back by the pilot episode... it seemed really cheesy, but I gave it a chance and it definitely started to pick up. And viola! One of my faves! Who would have thunk? I mean, it even LOOKED cheesy in the advertisements!

I think Nina should have played Bella Swan! LMAO. She's a much better actress than Kristen ever will be! And I agree with you when she plays Katherine... she's even better! It's actually hard to remember that they are the actress!

I also agree that Bonnie and Caroline are awesome! I was pissed to see Bonnie turn her back on Elena... especially since they are so close, but I get it. I just want her and Elena to be besties again, and I really think that can happen with her taming the fire to get Damon and Stefan out of the basement in the finale. Caroline and Matt are super cute together! I hope their relationship stays on track.

I like both brothers... hehe, but of course I like Damon more because of the evil factor and both actors are totally yummy.

Yes... I cried when Anna was staked and what the hell are they going to do with Jeremy?! I kinda hope he comes back as a vamp!

John WAS an asshat... very unlikable.

[snogged.livejournal.com]

I did notice the few sex scenes in this show, but it didn't bother me that much. Plus, Damon could fuck anyone with just his eyes...nom.

I understood why Bonnie did what she did, and I was glad that she stepped up and did what she had to save Damon and Stefan in the end.

[angelus2hot]

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Vampire Diaries!!

I've read all of the books and watched the show and I really like both brothers, I could care less which one gets Elena in the end. I think they should all move in together and share, share that's fair :D But that's just me being a pervert.

Yes, in the book Bonnie is white and she wasn't the strong one at all, it was a girl named Meredith. Elena also had a baby sister not a brother(I'm kind of glad that didn't follow the book on that) *g*

My 19 year old(who doesn't like the show all that much except for Jeremy/Tyler) is actually praying that Tyler becomes the werewolf(it happened in the book) in season 2

John irated me right from the start so I'm glad that he didn't last long....

[snogged.livejournal.com]

Hee! Damon/Elena/Stefan is quite an appealing idea. :)

And I wouldn't doubt it if Tyler becomes a werewolf. It would make a lot of sense.

[zoesmith.livejournal.com]

Nina Dobrev, the leading lady, handles her scenes in a way that makes me think she could devour Kristen Stewart whole without blinking.

Oh WORD! She's pretty awesome!

I was sad to see Pearl and Anna get staked.
I', still sad about that :( they were my favourites.

I prefer Stefan so far. *g* (even though I think that Ian Somerhalder is more attractive).

kisses xxx

[snogged.livejournal.com]

No offense but Stefan just doesn't do it for me. I mean, he's nice and heroic and all that, but something isn't quite there for me that should be.

[otempora42.livejournal.com]

Taking your points in order:

I love both Buffy and VD! I love Buffy more, but I think, if VD manages to keep up the quality for a few more seasons, it could definitely be up there.

Yeah, I LOVE how everyone has their moral grey areas. It feels really natural and unforced, and never OOC.

Word on the Nina/Elena/Katherine love! I love how Elena doesn't put up with Stefan's BS, and she's tough and capable without being an Action Girl.

Bonnie! I love Bonnie. I wish we'd seen a bit more of a transition between her personality before Grams's death and how she was after, but it is nice to see someone who doesn't trust Damon. :P

Caroline is my favorite! She's so cute and shallow, but she KNOWS she's shallow, and sigh. Heart heart heart. And I really hope she's OK next season, and nothing too horrible happens to her and Matt. I do wish the fact that she was under Damon's thrall comes up again, but the show's good with remembering things that I want them to remember.

I actually really LOVE Stefan/Elena. I think they strike the right balance between being a normal couple and being very much not normal, if that makes any sense? I think they're very equal, and I love that Elena gets to call him out on his protectiveness. I like Damon all right, but I was trying really hard NOT to ship Damon/Elena, because someone else I don't like is fairly active in their fandom, but the pageant and the kiss were very trying. :P And Damon/Warner-from-Legally-Blonde FTW.

PEARL AND ANNA. :( Pearl was so kickass! And Anna was awesome! And the only time I like Jeremy is when she's around!

Yeah, I'm not bothered by John dying, either. KATHERINE CUT HIS MOTHERFUCKING FINGERS OFF. HOLY CRAP.

Anyway, I'm glad that so many people like this show as much as I do! I'll have plenty of people to help me through the stressful cliffhangers. :P

[snogged.livejournal.com]

I would have loved to see a Damon/Pearl hook-up actually...

As for Stefan and Elena, I do think they have a just-fine relationship. It just doesn't really move me either way.

[rua1412.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad I pushed you to watch this show!!!

I read your post carefully and I got tell I agree with each line of it.

I love the fact Bonnie is a black American too (in the books she is a redhead with gree eyes reminding me of Willow), the only thing I wish the author would copy by the books, it's the fact Damon has a thing for Bonnie and protect her often.

I'm so looking forward for the second season!

I wondering what Elena will say when Damon and her aunt will talk to her about the kiss they shared....

Please tell me you find Stefan a bit boring like I do.

Poor Anna :( I'm so sad they killed her.

[snogged.livejournal.com]

And yes, I do find Stefan a bit boring, even if he was the one who manipulated Damon into finishing the transition.

[purpledodah.livejournal.com]

I have to admit to avoiding this show. The books put me off. I tried to read the first one and gave up, I just couldn't get into it, which is rare for me. Perhaps the show is much better? I found the writing poor. I possibly have the books for my eBook still, if I do do you want me to convert them to pdf for you?

[snogged.livejournal.com]

I've heard that the books and the show differ somewhat, at least enough where the show is drawing more popular attention.
And thanks, but I don't really need them.