The Vampire Diaries: Difference between revisions

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Written by L.J. Smith, ''[[The Vampire Diaries]]'' tell the story of Elena Gilbert and her relationship with two vampire brothers. At the very beginning, Elena is still suffering from losing both her parents in a car crash she managed to survive. Her world is turned upside down by the arrival of a new student, Stefan Salvatore, to their sleepy little town.

 

 

 

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* [[Adaptation Dye Job]]: Elena and Katherine were both originally blondes in the books. They are brunettes on the show.

* [[Belligerent Sexual Tension]]: Damon and Elena have a peculiar relationship.

* [[Betty and Veronica]]: Elena must choose between [[Vegetarian Vampire|Stefan]] (Betty) and the dark, brooding Damon (Veronica).

* [[Big Brother Instinct]]: Five words: ''"Get away from my brother."''

* [[Birds of a Feather]]: Damon and Elena. They're both passionate, headstrong, and very protective of the people they love. Elena acknowledges this in both the show and the books.

* [[Cain and Abel]]: Stefan and Damon.

* [[Everyone Looks Sexier If French|Everyone Looks Sexier If Italian]]: The Salvatore brothers.

 

 

* {{spoiler|[[Attending Your Own Funeral]]}}: {{spoiler|Elena}}

* Attempted Rape: {{spoiler|Tyler tries to rape Elena in the first book}}

 

 

* [[Abusive Parents]]: Mikael is this to Klaus. To a lesser extent, Giuseppe Salvatore to Damon.

* [[Acting for Two]]: Nina Dobrev is currently playing the show's main character Elena and one of the antagonists, Katherine.

* [[Action Girl]]: Bonnie and now {{spoiler|Caroline}} qualify. As well as Katherine.

* [[Actor Allusion]]: Mia Kirshner, who plays a vampire, also starred in the early 90's series ''Dracula''.

** Jack Coleman plays [[Heroes|the father of a blond-haired girl with supernatural powers.]] He also hunts people with similar supernatural powers.

** The founder's council is also not all that useful. When the most competent member of the town's anti-vampire defense force is {{spoiler|''[[The Mole|Damon]]''}} there is a problem.

** Subverted with Alaric.

* [[All Love Is Unrequited]]: Damon is the epitome of this trope. He loves Elena, she doesn't love him back. He loves Katherine, who also doesn't love him back, but instead loves Stefan. Who is in love with Elena. Hoo boy...

* [[All of Them]] : When {{spoiler|Jeremy asks Bonnie how much of the dead witches' energy she'll need to kill Klaus}}, this is her answer.

* [[Always Someone Better]]: Caroline feels this way about Elena.

** It is implied that Damon also feels this way about Stefan.

* [[And I Must Scream]]: What happens to a vampire when starved of blood. Their skin desiccates and their muscles atrophy, leaving them paralyzed, essentially mummified, and ''completely conscious''.

* [[Anti-Villain]]: Elijah and Stefan in season 3.

* [[Badass Family]]: The Originals. Also doubles as a [[Big Screwed-Up Family]].

* [[Badass Gay]]: Caroline's father.

* [[Batman Gambit]]: Katherine begs Damon to NOT kill Elijah stating that since Elijah had compelled her to stay in the tomb, his death would keep her trapped permanently. {{spoiler|1=Elijah gets killed. Then Damon finds out that Elijah's death actually cancels the compulsion he gave Katherine. So Elijah's death = Katherine's freedom}}. Brilliantly played!

* [[Beauty, Brains, and Brawn]]: Elena is the Brains of the trio, being the most logical, Bonnie is Brawn (being the [[Badass]]) and Caroline is Beauty, as she is the most conventionally pretty, feminine and isn't as involved in the action as the other girls.

* [[Black Dude Dies First]]: Played straight in the sense of [[Token Minority]] characters having [[Sorting Algorithm of Mortality|extremely high mortality rates]] compared to white ones. Averted by the fact that the [[Red Shirt|first person]] to die in the series is actually white. So far Asian characters have a 100% mortality rate, black characters have a 75% mortality rate, and a mortality rate of less than 10% for white characters. In fact, the only black character left alive in the series (not including ones that were [[Dead to Begin With]]) is Bonnie.

** Getting closer to 95% black character mortality rate with Gloria's death.

** And {{spoiler|Elena whose only power is to look like one of her ancestor, thus making her wanted dead by the oldest vampire ever and immune to any ''protection'' spell that's supposed to work on humans.}}

** It's also been stated outright several times that vampires can "turn off" their humanity, like a switch: freeing them from negative or connective emotions like fear, love, or guilt. This explains a ''lot'', such as the lack of [[Wangst]]. Stefan leaves his humanity "on" all the time, {{spoiler|Isobel}} leaves hers completely off most of the time. Damon's humanity is "off" at the start of the series, but he's turned it "on" somewhere around the end of Season 1.

*** Later played with when Rose (who is 500 years old and one of the more experienced vampires on the show) claims that {{spoiler|the ability to shut off their emotions fades with age.}}

* [[Body Snatcher]]: Klaus possesses {{spoiler|Alaric}} for a little while. Previously Emily Bennet does this to Bonnie.

* [[Briar Patching]]: Successfully used and lampshaded.

* [[Bullets Do Not Work That Way]]: A gun that fires little tiny stakes may sound really neat, but the writers seems to be unaware of the fact that guns work by slamming a firing pin into a metal case filled with a combustible material, creating a small explosion enclosed and focused by the chamber and barrel. This explosion is strong enough to deform a hunk of '''lead''' and force it into the rifling.

** Potentially the bullets are merely wood-tipped and not consisting solely of wood. Or they could be shot from an airgun.

** Klaus. Good God, anyone trying to use/play/betray Klaus or any of the other Originals has a freaking death wish.

* [[The Bus Came Back]]: Vicki and Anna return as ghosts that can only be seen by Jeremy. Later, {{spoiler|Matt}} can see Vicki.

* [[Cain and Abel]]: Damon and Stefan. Paralleled in flashbacks by {{spoiler|Klaus and Elijah.}}

* [[Captain's Log]]: The first few episodes of the show started and ended with bits from Elena's diaries.

* [[Cartwright Curse]]: To put it in his own words.

** Alaric.

* [[The Casanova]]: Damon, especially when doing his 'flirty eye thing'.

* [[The Cast Showoff]]: Candice Accola singing in "The House Guest".

* [[Charles Atlas Superpower]]: Experienced hunters can resist compulsion, especially if they've had training.

** And now there's {{spoiler|Elena's biological father.}}

*** As of "Isobel", we now know that {{spoiler|it's John Gilbert.}}

* [[Doppelganger]]: Elena is specifically called Katherine's doppelganger. They are both "Petrova" doppelgangers.

* [[Domino Revelation]]: First we learn about vampires then witches and eventually werewolves.

* [[Driven to Suicide]]: Happens a bit too often with {{spoiler|the Salvatore brothers}} but always averted. First {{spoiler|both of them}} wanted to die instead of drinking human blood and becoming vampires. {{spoiler|Stefan changed his mind and conned Damon into following suit}}. Then when {{spoiler|Stefan}} "fell off the wagon" and started drinking human blood again... well, that didn't work either.

** And in the first season finale {{spoiler|Jeremy}}. [[Our Vampires Are Different|Sort of]].

* [[Drowning My Sorrows]]: Damon often resorts to this.

* [[Dumb Blonde]]: [[Subverted Trope|Somewhat subverted]] with Caroline. She's never been stupid, just fashion and social status-oriented, but she's stereotyped as shallow and dumb. (She herself worries about this.) Listen to her reel off a list of her extracurriculars in "Miss Mystic Falls".

* [[Fake Brit]]: In universe the originals have British accents despite being Scandinavian. Klaus is played by real Brit Joseph Morgan and Rebekah is played by Australian Claire Holt

** Also keep in mind that the originals all have different accents. Most notably Klaus has a Welsh accent, Rebekah has a London accent, and Elijah has an American accent

* [[Fake Memories]]: Used often; the plot practically runs on this one. At points in Season 1 it seemed that Caroline's brain was going to melt out of her ears with the frequency that she was being mind wiped by Damon. It's still not that clear what exactly she knew when.

* [[Fake Weakness]]: Werewolves and silver. Turns out it's more than "fake;" silver actually jumpstarts their [[Healing Factor]].

* [[Fate Worse Than Death]]: Vampires mummify when deprived of blood for an extended period of time, but until that happens they are in an extreme state of hunger and agony. This was presumed to be the fate of {{spoiler|Katherine and 26 other vamps.}}

* [[Five-Man Band]]: (Season 1 & 2)

* [[Friendly Neighborhood Vampire]]: Lexi, Stefan, {{spoiler|Caroline}}

** Several other vampires feed on blood from a blood bank, or feed on humans but only rarely and lightly from any individual in a deliberate attempt to avoid endangering them. Most vampires who do so do it out of prudence (leaving bodies lying around all over the place would endanger [[The Masquerade]]) rather than humanitarianism.

* [[Fully-Embraced Fiend]]: Vampires can actually shut off their feelings of guilt. This, along with living it up and making his brother's life a living Hell, is [[It's What I Do|what Damon Salvatore does]]. {{spoiler|At least until the end of Season 1.}}

** It's implied that this ability {{spoiler|fades with age, but older vampires have either become true sociopaths, or delude themselves into believing that it is permanent so that they can live with the guilt}}.

* [[Fur Against Fang]]: although not everyone involved likes it.

* [[Gaia's Vengeance]]: Suggested with Damon mocking of Stefan's eating habits

* [[Gambit Pileup]]: In ''Homecoming'', almost every single character has their own plan and agenda.

* [[Gender Flip]]: In the books, Elena had a younger sister, in the show it's a younger brother. The boarding house Stefan stayed in was also owned by an elderly woman instead of Stefan's and Damon's "uncle."

* [[Gorgeous Period Dress]]: Whenever there's a flashback to the Civil War Era, you're guaranteed to find at least one of these especially on Katherine or Pearl.

* [[Grand Theft Me]]: Happens once in all the seasons so far:

* [[Headphones Equal Isolation]]: Elena's brother.

* [[Heartbroken Badass]]: Damon suffers from this in 02x01, first getting rejected by Katherine then by Elena. The rest of the cast are obviously terrified of what he'll do in revenge...

* [[Heel Face Revolving Door]]: Damon. Every time they start him on a redemptive arc, he turns around and does something evil when he doesn't get his way.

** Also Isobel. Really, you never know whose side that girl is on.

** To a greater extent, {{spoiler|John sacrifices himself for Elena by transferring his life force to her}} and in the season finale {{spoiler|Stefan sells himself to Klaus in exchange for a cure for Damon's wolf bite.}}

*** And in the third season finale, {{spoiler|Elena insists that Stefan rescue Matt while the two of them are drowning, mirroring how Elena's father insisted Stefan save Elena before the show began.}}

** Don't forget about [[Unfabulous|Geena]].

** [[Family Matters|Little Richie]] is all grown up and may not have Bonnie's best interests in mind.

* [[Foolish Sibling, Responsible Sibling]]: Vicki & Matt,Jeremy & Elena, and Damon & Stefan.

* [[Hold the Line]]: Caroline has to {{spoiler|protect Mrs Lockwood from the tomb vampire ghosts until Bonnie can send all the ghosts back.}}

** When Stefan finally gets fed up with Damon, he {{spoiler|drugs Caroline's drink with vervain, an herb that weakens vampires. Damon drinks from her and ends up poisoned and helpless.}} All Stefan has to do at this point is {{spoiler|remove Stefan's ring and leave him out in the sun (or stake him quickly, just to ensure no slip-ups)}}. Instead, he {{spoiler|leaves him in a cell in the basement, conscious, unrestrained, not chained to the wall, and the door isn't even padlocked (just bolted)}}. Geez, Stefan, how the heck did you survive to the age of ~160 if you are THIS stupid?!

** Pro tip for vampire hunters, especially if you have a {{spoiler|magic compass that points to the vampire}}: hunt in the daylight.

** Tyler to Caroline, deciding she'd be better off with Matt.

* [[It Got Worse]]: Damon says a variation of this in Season 2, Episode 21.

'''John Gilbert:''' How can it possibly get worse? }}

* [[Joker Immunity]]: Damon. Sooo Damon. Heck, just rename it Damon Immunity.

** Katherine fits this better.

* [[Just Eat Gilligan]]: In Season One, killing Damon would pretty much have solved everyone's problems. It wouldn't have been too difficult, if the cast just put in a little effort. But of course, no antagonist means no [[Rule of Drama|drama,]] which means no show.

* [[Kick the Dog]]: Stefan threatening to forcibly turn {{spoiler|Elena's father}} Johnathan Gilbert Jr. into a vampire unless he left town. This is pretty low, especially as Stefan is supposed to have morals. To be fair, the guy was a complete Jerkass.

** Damon kills a teacher right in front of Stefan just to prove to Stefan that he has no good side.

** Katherine to Damon. Repeatedly.

* [[Killed Off for Real]]: Several characters, most significantly{{spoiler|Vicki, Anna, Jenna, and John Gilbert.}}

** {{spoiler|Luka.}}

* [[Kissing Under the Influence]]: Elena's younger brother Jeremy did a lot more than just kiss his crush when they were both high over the summer.

* [[Luke, I Am Your Father]]: {{spoiler|Turns out Uncle John is this to Elena.}}

** Subverted when {{spoiler|''Elena''}} confronts him with the reveal in order to get him to let her go.

* [[The Masquerade]]: The supernatural world in general, Mystic Falls in particular. Enforced by both the Founders Council and the Salvatore brothers. The ability of the good townsfolk of Mystic Falls to overlook the abnormally high body count and other weird goings on is truly impressive to the extent it may count as an [[Extra-Strength Masquerade]].

* [[Mauve Shirt]]: Because of how much the creators love the [[Anyone Can Die]] trope, this trope abounds.

* [[Meaningful Echo]]: {{spoiler|Damon}} pleads with the sheriff to spare his life, in the name of their friendship. She refuses saying their friendship was a lie. Later on when she's at his mercy, everyone expects him to kill her, but he reassures them he won't.

** In the Season 3 premiere Stefan {{spoiler|who has become a Ripper}} greets Damon by saying "Hello, brother" which was how Damon greeted Stefan in the very first episode.

* [[Mind Control]]: The vampires can do this to humans, which sometimes leads to...

* [[Mind Rape]]

** But they have had their problems like Matt's mom macking on Tyler. Or getting interested in the same girl later.

** Damon and Alaric have tried to kill each other {{spoiler|(and Damon succeeded - [[Death Is Not Permanent|sort of]])}}, and Damon even {{spoiler|turned Alaric's wife into a vampire}}. And yet, they're friends. The writers love their relationship and even refer to it as 'Team Badass'. As of ''The Dinner Party'', they have acknowledged their friendship.

'''Damon:''' (for once, completely serious) *nods* }}

* [[Odd Name Out]]: Most of the Originals have pretty consistently Hebrew-based traditionally Judeo-Christian names. And then there are Kol (Medieval English/Scandinavian) and Finn (Irish/Old Norse).

* [[Of Corsets Sexy]]: [[Femme Fatale|Katherine]] wears one even when she's in bed. Sorta justified, as she lived in Civil War America.

* [[Ominous Fog]]: A sure sign Damon's near.

** This hasn't shown up recently; it's unclear whether its been dropped or if Damon just hasn't felt the need for a while.

* [[One-Hour Work Week]]: after the first few episodes of Season 1, students at Mystic Falls High School never seem to attend class or have homework or even go into the school building unless it's for one of the school's random super-cool parties.

** Off screen. Assume it is done off screen.

* [[Only Friend]]: Alaric is Damon's only friend... despite the fact that they've tried to kill each other a few times.

* [[The Only One Allowed to Defeat You]]: Damon to Stefan in the show. He saved Stefan's life because he didn't want anyone else to have the pleasure of killing him.

* [[Red Shirt]]: Many characters are introduced only for them to be killed by vampires. Often overlaps with [[Black Dude Dies First]], especially in the case of {{spoiler|the black boy introduced to Bonnie}} as a crush, who is promptly killed off. His murderer seems to think 'it's not like I meant to kill him!' excuses the death.

* [[Roaring Rampage of Revenge]]: Jonas after {{spoiler|Luka dies.}}

** Candice Accola and Steven Mcqueen also dated but their characters were never really involved with each other.

** Also Paul Wesley's wife Torrey Devitto plays Meredith Fell.

** The dagger dipped in white oak ash only kills the Original vampires if it stays in place. {{spoiler|Klaus keeps all his siblings in coffins with daggers in them. He wakes up Rebekah when he needs her necklace.}}

** Mikael. {{spoiler|Katherine wakes him up, but no-one except Damon and Stefan is aware of this yet.}}

* [[Ship Sinking]]: Stefan and Elena in "Our Town". Possibly Caroline and Tyler too

* [[Ship Tease]]: loads between Damon and Elena, but a particular mean one happens in the first season finale when Damon, thinking {{spoiler|he's talking to Elena}}, wonders when she started thinking he's worth saving. He then kisses her cheek and when he starts to pull away, the two kiss passionately, but are interrupted by Jenna. {{spoiler|It's only when she stabs John that we realize it wasn't Elena, but Katherine.}}

** Caroline and Tyler were teased a lot.

* [[Shirtless Scene]]: ''[[The Vampire Diaries]]'' must have a "one shirtless scene per episode" clause in, um, all of its male actor's contracts. Because the two male leads are played by the gorgeous, hunky, and ripped Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder, this is very much appreciated by the large female fanbase. Damon and Stefan aren't the only ones running around sans shirt on the show either; Elena's younger brother Jeremy ([[Dawson Casting|who is suspiciously ripped for a ostensible sixteen-year-old]]) is frequently shown shirtless, as is her good friend Matt. And most male characters run around in tank tops when not completely shirtless.

* [[Shoot the Shaggy Dog]]: All {{spoiler|Damon's}} efforts to rescue the [[Femme Fatale]] were nothing but just a waste of time as she even wasn't there.

** {{spoiler|Jeremy's}} "Enough already" to {{spoiler|Bonnie}} in "Crying Wolf".

** Caroline does one back to Tyler in the Season 3 premiere when he's telling her that if she doesn't want him to date she should tell him.

* [[Sibling Triangle]]: Stefan and Damon being the most obvious example, over Katherine and then Elena. And in the past, {{spoiler|Klaus and Elijah over Katherine.}}

** {{spoiler|Klaus reveals that he and Elijah fell in love with the same girl - Elena and Katherine's ultimate ancestor - when they were still human. It was her blood that they unknowingly consumed when their mother turned them into vampires, which explains the need for the doppleganger}}

** While they aren't siblings Elena/Stefan/Katherine kinda counts considering that Katherine is Elena's great-something grandmother. Try not to think about that one too hard.

** Vicki and Matt and Elena and Jeremy are also less prominant examples.

* [[Smug Snake]]: Johnathan Gilbert Jr. Oh so much.

* [[Stages of Monster Grief]]: A truly perfect example of '''Stage 1: Denial''' exemplified by {{spoiler|Caroline}} in Season 2, Episode 2, "Brave New World".

** Damon shows all the signs of being at '''Stage 4: Betrayal'''.

* [[Start of Darkness]]: ''"Katerina"'' delves into the history of the eponymous [[Magnificent Bastard|Magnificent Bitch]].

* [[Stuffed Into the Fridge]]: Creator of the series, Julie Plec, [[Word of God|outright states]] that [[Ensemble Darkhorse]] character, {{spoiler|Anna}} was created killed for the sole purpose of causing {{spoiler|Damon and Jeremy}} angst. As if {{spoiler|they}} didn't have enough. {{spoiler|Damon}} didn't even seem affected past the season finale.

* [[Take That]]: The show has a few to Twilight--some subtle ("I'm not going to be one of those girls who just breaks down without a boy in her life") and others not so much ("Why don't you sparkle?" "Because I live in the real world, where vampires burn in the sun.")

** Werewolves are mostly extinct except in "books and really bad movies." another Twilight dig.

*** [[Word of God]] has also said this is a reference to the [[Kevin Williamson]] movie ''Cursed''.

** Stefan realises Elena is watching him sleep.

Elena: It's romantic. }}

* [[Taking the Bullet]]: [[Heartwarming Moments|Damon does this for Elena in 02x03]] then tries to deny this is because [[Foe Yay|he cares about her.]]

* [[Tomboy and Girly Girl]]: Elena and Bonnie (Tomboys) and Caroline and Katherine ([[Girly Girls]]). Though in a refreshing subversion, Caroline and Katherine are the feisty [[Action Girl|Action Girls]] whilst retaining their femininity.

** It is doubtful that any of the women listed can be called Tomboys, especially Bonnie. Neither Bonnie or Elena have demonstrated much physical skill and {{spoiler|Caroline and Katherine are vampires imbued with superhuman strength and with the inherit ability to fight, especially Caroline who have gotten new found fighting skills since she was turned}} Bonnie has not exhibited anything in particular but her witch powers. All of them are girly-girl feminine and not true Tomboys like say [[Lost]]'s Ana-Lucia Cortez. Still that doesn't mean they aren't tough. Elena can take pain very well without breaking down and sobbing.

** Also Caroline after {{spoiler|Katherine turns her into a vampire. With no help from anyone, she manages to feed herself, glamour a nurse into forgetting that she attacked her, and call Damon out for behaving so badly towards her, even flinging him down a hallway.}}

** Bonnie, as of late Season 1 can bring on a really nasty migraine in 160 year-old vampires with just a squinty, mean look. Throw in telekinesis and the ability to set fire to water with just her mind and she has the edge on most of the supernatural beings on the show {{spoiler|except Katherine thus far}}. May become an example of [[Linear Warriors, Quadratic Wizards]] as the show progresses.

* [[Tyrant Takes the Helm]]: John Gilbert, for a while in Season 1.

** While admittedly already a [[Knight Templar]], John crosses the [[Moral Event Horizon]] when he {{spoiler|knocks out Sheriff Forbes}} so she couldn't interfere with his mad plan {{spoiler|to use the entire town as bait for the tomb vampires}}. Killing {{spoiler|Anna}} was within his already established moral framework.

** Just how many damn Founder's Day events does this town hold anyhow? They seem to go on for months! With additional events inbetween for good measure; this troper suspects a concerted effort to distract or brainwash citizens.

* [[Understatement]]: Hm-m-m, do you want to know how Damon became such a bad man? Just ask him:

'''Damon:''' Yeah. That's an understatement. }}

* [[Unholy Matrimony]]: Inverted - [[Jerkass Woobie|Damon]] loves [[Magnificent Bastard|Katherine]] but she's more interested in his [[Friendly Neighbourhood Vampire|little brother]].

* [[Wham! Line]]: Elijah saying that {{spoiler|he wants to keep Elena safe.}}

* [[Wham! Episode]]: While nearly every episode ends with a shocking cliffhanger, a notable one is the first season finale, Founders Day, in which {{spoiler|fan favorite Anna, the mayor, and all remaining tomb vampires die, Caroline ends up in the hospital after a car accident, and Katherine returns, stabbing John.}}

** "Murder of One" reveals that {{spoiler|killing an Original kills every vampire that they have ever turned (and that any vampire descendants), ergo killing them all would kill all vampires.}}

** "The Departed" reveals that {{spoiler|Elena actually met Damon first and kills off Klaus AND Alaric. It ends with Elena dead before she wakes into the transitional stage}}

*** {{spoiler|Klaus isn't really dead though, he took tyler's body}}

** Anna seemed to be a sinister vampire using Jeremy for her own ends - until we found out about her mother and her [[Becoming the Mask]].

** Damon seemed to just be trying to make his brother's life a living hell, and then his history with Katherine was revealed, and his [[Pet the Dog|gestures of humanity to Elena]].

* [[Yandere]]: Katherine for Stefan. Did you ''see'' her smug expression when Stefan got trapped in the tomb with her?

'''Damon:''' Because I live in the real world where vampires burn in the sun. }}

** He ''did'' profess an admiration for Anne Rice in the same conversation.

[[Category:Horror Series]]

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