The CW supernatural drama The Vampire Diaries may have ended its run in 2017 but there's still a lot to dissect and talk about. The main characters aren't necessarily perfect. They may dominate in the looks department and had fans dedicated for eight seasons, but they have their flaws.
Each character shined bright with their best personality trait. Traits that often got them out of a dangerous situation or kept them grounded to reality. In other cases, their worst trait rubbed fans the wrong way or led the characters down a dark path, or got them in serious trouble.
Klaus: Devoted (But Manipulative)
When audiences were first introduced to Klaus, he was the new villain in Mystic Falls. He was a force to be reckoned with as an original vampire and hybrid. To get what he wanted he was highly manipulative. He would use each main character's worst fear against them and often didn't give them much choice.
But as the show went on, Klaus's best trait had fans seeing him in a new light. Fans came to realize that Klaus is extremely devoted to the cause and to the people he protects. He went above and beyond to get back his family. Despite constantly backstabbing them, he stayed loyal to them.
Tyler: Did What He Had To (But Easily Swayed)
From the start, fans weren't as impressed by Tyler. He was the typical jock who was hot-headed with a short fuse, and he came from a privileged family. As he learned of his true self as a werewolf, he became easily swayed. There was a point in the show where he became Klaus's lapdog in creating more hybrids.
But fans can agree that his best trait was that he always did what he needed to. Whether for himself or the people closest to him. Tyler even left Mystic Falls hoping to have a normal life even if it meant leaving it and everyone he once cared for all behind. Despite not wanting to, he reverted to his wolf nature at Alaric's wedding.
Matt: The Everyday Man (But Doubtful)
Matt brought a much-needed dynamic to the show and the group of main characters. He was the "everyday man" in The Vampire Diaries. A grounded anchor in reality. He often still tried to live a normal life outside of the supernatural world and took part in it when it was greatly needed. Unlike the others, he still strived to break away from it all the most and keep a leveled outlook.
But it also led to his worst trait; he was often doubtful of what was going on. In some cases, even blind and resentful. It would sometimes take some persuading to get Matt involved, but who would blame him? He lost Vicki to the supernatural world and his somewhat blissful normal life as well.
Jeremy: Adaptive (But Refused to Accept Own Faults)
Jeremy's character went through many story changes in the show. He was the brooding teenager who also his parents and couldn't cope. But from this came his worst trait in that he could never face or accept his faults. He disregarded and pushed away his family leaving Elena to clean up his messes.
His emotional scars broke his character. Between losing his girlfriends, Elena, and his family Jeremy couldn't find a solid footing. But he did have a good quality to him; over time he learned to adapt to what was around him. He found some sense of anchor when he became a hunter and rolled with it. A lot of things happened to Jeremy but he tried to stick it out.
Katherine: Self Preserving (But Selfish)
Katherine's worst and best traits go hand in hand. She was a central villain that soon took a back seat and wreaked havoc every so often. Fans can agree that while she rubbed the characters the wrong way, her self-preservation is commendable. She had no family and no one to rely on so she did what she had to to survive.
She often looked out for herself because she knew no one else would. But it also came at a price. It led her to be incredibly selfish. Putting the lives of others in harm's way for her own agenda. Katherine even neglected her own daughter until it was too late and lost what could have been her real family.
Alaric: Hopeful (But Dark Seed)
Alaric doesn't have many faults and it's hard to find his worst trait. But fans came to realize that the good Alaric harbors a dark seed he kept hidden. Alaric first appears to hunt down the vampires that killed his wife. While being hopeful, he in reality hard a dark aura to him — one full of revenge and guilt.
When he returned from the Other Side, he developed an alter ego that despised vampires; maybe a manifestation of what he already was. But Alaric remained hopeful throughout the show and hoped to get married and raise children. And even opening the boarding school in Legacies in hopes of teaching a new supernatural generation.
Bonnie: Self-Sacrificing (But A Martyr)
In this case, Bonnie's worst and best traits have a cause-and-effect reaction. Many commended Bonnie for always putting herself in danger to save her friends. She entered the Other Side and made sure everyone was safe and stayed behind to trap Kai. Bonnie also knew she was the only one who could stop the Hellfire even if it meant her life.
But it also made her become a martyr; she never thought for herself. It often made fans upset that she would never put her needs before anyone else's, thus leading her to some immense heartbreak.
Caroline: Mature (But Controlling)
From the get-go, fans knew that Caroline's worst trait was her need to be controlling. She was the Queen Bee and wanted things to be done her way or the highway. Over time this slowly dwindled but was still prevalent in many scenarios. But one amicable trait about Caroline was s that she had hopes for a bright future and went after it.
She had set a path she wanted to achieve. Not going to college wasn't an option and she's one of the rare few that actually had a successful job. Caroline was also mature enough to accept she had a duty in raising the twins and being a mother figure.
Damon: Deep Love (But Impulsive)
Damon had fans swooning from the minute he said " Hello, brother." Fans were also introduced to his highly impulsive nature that led to a bloody mess many times. While he learned to care for others, fell in love with Elena, and repaired his relationship with Stefan, he still had his tendencies.
But he never backed down from what needed to be done. Fans also realize his best trait was his deep love for the people he cares for. Meaning Elena and Stefan. Damon let Elena come to him on her own and always tried to protect his little brother even in Stefan's final moments.
Stefan: Caring Of Everyone (But Full Of Guilt)
Stefan is the better brother in terms of personality; fans fell for him from the start. He had an innate need to protect everyone in any way possible. He wore his heart on his sleeve even it it meant possibly getting hurt. Not only that but he cared for everyone emotionally. Even allowing Caroline to come to her own terms in loving him.
But over time, Stefan's flaws started to show and he wasn't very accepting of them. He lives his life full of the guilt, incurred by his past actions, which he didn't want to accept. Especially his Ripper era and when under the control of Arcadius.
Elena: Open-Minded (But Never The Sacrificer)
Fans had mixed emotions towards Elena as the show went on. She became incredibly open-minded about the supernatural world and everything that occurred — she had no choice. She understood the incredible feats that needed to be taken in situations, but fans felt she was never the one to make sacrifices.
It was always someone else for Elena's sake. Whether it was Bonnie, the Salvatores, or even Caroline. Many called Elena selfish in her love for both brothers and their need to keep her away from harm.