When The Vampire Diaries series finale aired in 2017, the creative forces behind the show were well aware of the legacy they had to live up to. Long-running shows are notoriously difficult to end satisfyingly and the stakes were high. Fans disagreed most about who Elena should end up with – and even at times who Damon should be with.
The final episode did not disappoint. Fans tuned in with 1.19 million viewers to say goodbye to their favorite characters. Somehow against all odds, the final episode of The Vampire Diaries flies by with just the right amount of nostalgia, callbacks, and tears. More than anything, the show honors not only the legacy that it had put in place for eight years but the fans as well.
The Katherine Fakeout
Katherine Pierce had been plaguing the town of Mystic Falls since 1863 and she never lost her viciousness. It would have been a disservice if the show ended without Katherine pulling her most infamous trick on the brothers. Though only for a minute, Katherine returns on-screen to pretend to be Elena one final time.
Love to hate her or hate to love her, there is no denying that Katherine is iconic. What is so comforting about Katherine’s return is just how predictable she can be. She will always betray anyone that gets close enough. It wouldn’t be a true end to The Vampire Diaries without a final twist of the knife.
The Callbacks
The Vampire Diaries performs a delicate balancing act by adding enough callbacks from the early seasons to make it a tearjerker. It wouldn’t be Mystic Falls if the Sheriff didn’t have to perform a vampire cover-up by claiming there was a gas leak one last time.
The Fray’s song ‘Never Say Never’ first played in the pilot and is brought back with great emotional resonance. Even Caroline and Elena’s old cheerleading classmate Tiki is referenced while Stefan goes to make his final heroic showdown. Some of these instances are blink and you miss it. But for true fans of the show, it is a reminder of where everything started and how far the characters have come.
Justice For The Donovons
The Donovon family was one of the most tragic. Matt suffered the abandonment of both his parents as well as the deaths of his sister and fiancée. In the finale, the Donovans were given the respect that Mystic Falls never did. Not only does Matt remain standing for the entirety of the show but he gets to see his sister again.
In the first season, Vicki had been killed off too soon in an act that was thoughtless and tragic. It seemed that she would never get justice. Despite being told that she was worthless all her life, Vicki is instrumental in saving the world by ringing the Maxwell Bell. Even though the Donovans are the only humans in a town full of mystical energy, they are also the ones that matter the most.
Katherine Was The Villain All Along
The final showdown had to be against Katherine. She had tormented the Salvatores for almost 200 years and there was no better way to end the series.
Katherine’s appearance brings a sense of closure. Not only are the brothers able to kill her once and for all, but it gives them the solace they never had before. Damon in the first season was tormented with Katherine consistently rebuffing him for his brother. In the final season, Damon comes full circle. He truly becomes his best self and doesn’t need her anymore.
Elena And Stefan Have Their Moment
While the fan-favorite ship of the series was Damon and Elena, Stefan and Elena are given the respect that they deserve. Stefan does not deny that their relationship had meaning and attempts to rescue her. Before Stefan makes his final sacrifice, he shares final words with Elena at the high school... the same place where they met and kicked off the entire show.
In her afterlife, Elena thanks Stefan for bringing her back to life when she felt that there was no hope. Although they weren’t meant to be together in the end, their relationship held vast importance to the mythology of the series.
It Keeps The Romanticism
Often compared to the likes of Twilight and even True Blood, The Vampire Diaries utilizes the use of a love triangle. But even while entangled in a tired trope, the show demonstrates an understanding of it. The Vampire Diaries is about the longevity of love. Tragedy mars the lives of these characters but the show remains romantic as is intended.
Of course, there is the drama between Elena, Stefan, and Damon. But most of the other characters have eternal love in some way. Caroline doesn’t get the happy ending she deserves, but she promises to love Stefan forever. Being a vampire, this is something she most certainly will do, even if they aren't soulmates. Although Enzo is dead, Bonnie is certain that there is an afterlife where she will see him again. The Vampire Diaries remains a romance above all else.
Damon Is Redeemed
One of the big questions of the show asks if Damon can be redeemed. And even more importantly - if he is worthy of redemption. He arrived initially to give Stefan an eternity of misery. He murdered, maimed, and compelled where he saw fit. Even when Damon wanted to change, it was all because of Elena. He never wanted to change on his terms.
But in the final season when she isn’t around, Damon does some of his best work. In the final moments, he decides to make a sacrifice even if it takes him away from Elena – something he had never been willing to do before. Stefan doesn’t let him burn with Katherine and Damon becomes the person he was meant to be. The brother Stefan knew before he was turned into a vampire.
Stefan Is Given Happiness
Most of the fan-favorite characters make it through the end of the series. But the main point of the show is how loss is a part of life. It is a tragedy that Stefan can’t enjoy the human life he had been wanting for so long. But his sacrifice was worth it. And in his way, Stefan does find a sense of happiness and contentment.
The most heart-wrenching moment is finally being able to see Lexi again. Afraid for his soul, Stefan was unsure if he would ever see her again. But when entering the afterlife, she is waiting. Throughout a long life of tragedy, Stefan finds something he never thought he was deserving of. Peace.
Bonnie Bennet Saves The World
If anyone deserved a happy ending, it was Bonnie Bennet. Bonnie is one of the most resilient characters of the show all the while being abandoned and used by her friends. But the finale allows Bonnie to return in full force.
Refusing to let Katherine win, Bonnie puts everything she has into beating back the hellfire that threatens to engulf the town. Her magic returns as well as her family’s line of witches to help her. Once again, Bonnie proves that Mystic Falls could not have survived without her. Though she must live with the death of Enzo, she has the potential to be happy and live life to the fullest as she deserves.
It Was Always About Two Brothers
The final relationship that The Vampire Diaries honors are Stefan and Damon. They should be the ones to close out the show. While Elena is important to their story, she is ultimately a footnote. Even in their afterlife, Elena and Damon separate. She goes off with her family and Damon goes to find Stefan.
Literally going to hell and back for each other, this show would not have had a satisfying ending without Damon and Stefan finding each other. Stefan was able to make up for turning Damon into a vampire and they found the happiness they had struggled to obtain for so long. The show ends perfectly as Stefan opens the door and Damon greets him, "hello, brother."