It is always tough to say goodbye to favorite shows and characters. While certain characters last until the series finale, other roles are cut short. When the series finale rolls around, fans tune in to see if their favorites live to the end or get the ending they deserve. On The Vampire Diaries, characters such as Bonnie, Jeremy, Stefan, and Damon got second chances to live after death.
However, others, including Enzo and Lexi, did not get the same luck. While they did appear afterward in ghost form, they did not get the opportunity to continue their lives as they had once before. At the end of the series finale, viewers got answers about the fates of Stefan, Damon, and the rest of the Mystic Falls gang. While a few characters finished the show with fitting endings, others deserved more than what they were given.
Fitting: Damon Salvatore
After being unwilling to become a vampire in 1864, the Cure is forced upon him during, "I Was Feeling Epic." In the finale, Damon was willing to sacrifice himself to save his friends and Mystic Falls from a terrible fate. In the end, just as he is about to die, Stefan steps in and takes his place. Although Damon would live the rest of his human life without his younger brother, he does get to lead a full life with Elena. Years later, Damon would reunite with Stefan, having them both find Peace together.
Deserved More: Lexi Branson
Lexi's life was tragically cut short during a visit to Mystic Falls. Having been a vampire longer than Stefan and Damon, Lexi had experience with controlling bloodlust and could calm Stefan down from his ripper tendencies. After she died, Lexi made appearances as a ghost. However, while she did deserve a longer life span, the series did Lexi right by confirming her fate in the series finale.
In "Home," Lexi disappeared from The Other Side before it collapsed. During "I Was Feeling Epic," she gets one last cameo. Always the loyal friend, Lexi, is in Peace waiting for Stefan and greeting him as he walks out the doors.
Fitting: Elena Gilbert
Never wanting to be a vampire, Elena finally returns to being human before Alaric and Jo's wedding. Unfortunately, she does not get to enjoy it for long before being linked to Bonnie. After Bonnie succeeds in breaking the spell, Elena continues her life with Damon. The finale reveals that Elena had become a doctor.
Yet, just as Damon reunited with Stefan, Elena gets a moment like that with her family. Years after waking up and living a full life, Elena joins her parents and other relatives in the afterlife. It especially fits for Elena since the beginning of The Vampire Diaries followed Elena figuring out how to live again after her parents died.
Deserved More: Caroline Forbes
Caroline did have a fair conclusion at the end of The Vampire Diaries. She had joined Alaric in developing the Salvatore School for witches, vampires, and werewolves. She had a family, being a mother to Josie and Lizzie, and a good friend to Alaric.
Unfortunately. Caroline had her share of losses as well. Previously, Caroline's mother had passed away, and, less than twenty-four hours after marrying Stefan, he died as well. However, Caroline still needed to worry about her daughters due to their connection to the Gemini Coven, which forces them to participate in the merge ceremony at twenty-two years old. In Legacies, Caroline has been searching for a way to prevent that from happening.
Fitting: Alaric Saltzman
After all that Alaric had suffered, he still makes the best of his life with his family. Creating the Salvatore Boarding School allows Alaric to have a safe place for his daughters to learn control of their abilities. However, it also invents a sanctuary for young supernatural people who are unsure of how to handle their powers. By having a place to go, Alaric is changing what it means to be a witch, vampire, or werewolf. However, he is never alone. Although Caroline and Alaric never got married, they do remain a united front for Josie and Lizzie.
Deserved more: Bonnie Bennett
It was often expected of Bonnie to give up something meaningful to her to help someone else. Bonnie had lost so much by the end of the show for the greater good, and it was tragically unfair. Yet, knowing the risks, Bonnie would still do what was necessary to protect her friends.
Unfortunately, Bonnie had lost Enzo in addition to her parents and grandmother. The finale showed Bonnie had decided to get away for a while and go traveling. Bonnie was perhaps the only character with an uncertain future. After all Bonnie had been through, she deserved better than how she was treated and earned more at the conclusion.
Fitting: Matt Donovan
After the chaos that had reigned in Mystic Falls for so long, Matt ends the series as the town Sheriff. He mentions running for Mayor one day. It made sense that Matt's ending would find him doing exactly how Elena saw his future. Protecting innocent people from supernatural beings, especially after his experiences with the paranormal, let his final scenes in The Vampire Diaries work well, notably after seeing Tyler and Vicki watching over him. In Legacies, Matt's future continues to be referenced as he has moved beyond town Sheriff to become Mayor.
Deserved More: Tyler Lockwood
After all that Tyler had gone through, he deserved better than to die at Damon's hand. While Tyler had issues, he was acting out of doing what he believed was right, even if those morals did not line up with how others saw right and wrong. After becoming a werewolf twice, Tyler had become accustomed to the pain of turning and learned to transform on his own after Klaus turned him into a hybrid. In his last moments, Tyler told Damon that if Damon killed him, Tyler's face would be the one that would remind Damon of everything he gave up.
Fitting: Katherine Pierce
Although Damon was the first antagonist, Katherine was the most influential villain. Katherine was the catalyst for years of strife between Stefan and Damon. Years later, she appears back in their lives and wreaks havoc all over Mystic Falls. Katherine was the most consistent adversary and was often the smartest person in the room.
It was challenging to outsmart Katherine, especially since she was likely a few steps ahead. After coming back from death once again, Katherine planned to destroy all of Mystic Falls and Elena in the process. Yet, her plan failed; Katherine died at the hand of her own scheme along with the two people who shared an intimate history with her.
Deserved More: Stefan Salvatore
Stefan's relationship with Damon ranged from wishing each other the worst to protecting each other, no matter what. Even after all the horrible things Damon had done, Stefan still found it in him to forgive his brother and forge another path. When it mattered most, Stefan saw Damon as a changed man, one reminiscent of the brother Stefan had grown up with.
Seeing who Damon had become, Stefan sacrificed himself and the future he would've built with Caroline for Damon. While Stefan's actions were noble, he deserved more than what he got.