Caroline Forbes has an emotional encounter with Klaus Mikaelson in Season 3 of The Vampire Diaries that inspired many fans to become devoted shippers of the "Klaroline" pairing. The two vampires dance around their feelings for each other and share several heartfelt scenes before Klaus' departure to New Orleans.
Caroline falls in love with Stefan Salvatore later in the show, and the two marry before Stefan's death. Many fans were hoping to see the blonde vampire reunite with Klaus, but the Original hybrid perished in the finale of The Originals. There are several reasons why Caroline should have been with Klaus, but also evidence to suggest their romance was toxic.
Perfect: Klaus Recognized Caroline's Good Heart
The Klaroline ship first set sail in Season 3 of The Vampire Diaries. Klaus meets Caroline after he cures her of Tyler's werewolf bite. The Original later remarks that she is "strong, beautiful, and full of light" during their interactions at the Mikaelson ball.
Caroline was often overlooked in favor of Elena in the show, especially in the earlier seasons. She competes with Elena in Season 1, and feels threatened by her during her relationship with Matt. Klaus was arguably the first person who recognized Caroline's worth over her friend's.
Toxic: Klaus Intended To Sacrifice Her During The Moonstone Ritual
Klaus initially arrives in Mystic Falls as an undisputed bad guy. The Original solidifies his villainous status when he turns Elena's aunt Jenna into a vampire and kills her during the moonstone ritual. Klaus originally intended to sacrifice Caroline, but luckily, the blonde vampire escaped.
Katherine turns Caroline into a vampire in Season 2 intending to give her to Klaus for the sacrificial ritual. If Caroline hadn't fled with Tyler, Klaus would have killed her before the conception of Klaroline.
Perfect: Tyler Was Her First Love, Klaus Wanted To Be Her Last
Klaus and Caroline share an emotional farewell in Season 4 before the Original hybrid leaves Mystic Falls to reclaim his kingdom in New Orleans. Klaus tells her that, though Tyler is her first love, he intends to be her last.
Many fans were hoping that Caroline would eventually reunite with Klaus. The Original hybrid found love in the French Quarter with Camille, but some fans maintain that his true love was Caroline. It would have been great to see Caroline join The Originals as a full-time cast member.
Toxic: Klaus Destroyed Caroline And Tyler's Relationship
Klaus is a complex character with many qualities and flaws. His jealousy gets the better of him in The Vampire Diaries, and he destroys Caroline's relationship with Tyler by banishing the hybrid from Mystic Falls and killing his mother, Carol Lockwood, in Season 4.
Klaus eventually relents and allows Tyler to return to town, but the hybrid is consumed by hatred for what Klaus did to his mother. Tyler's relationship with Caroline falls apart, and the blame arguably lies at Klaus' feet.
Perfect: Caroline Went To Klaus For Safety
The Mystic Falls gang faces a new threat in Season 7 of The Vampire Diaries. While running from the Huntress, Rayna Cruz, Caroline takes her daughters Lizzie and Josie to New Orleans to seek shelter with Klaus.
This highlights that Caroline ultimately views Klaus as her safety net. She knows that the Original hybrid is a powerful force, and would never let any harm come to her. Caroline asks Klaus to help Stefan, who was marked by Rayna, and shares a heartfelt phone call with her former lover.
Toxic: Klaus Ordered Tyler To Bite Caroline
Klaus has his first substantial encounter with Caroline in Season 3 of The Vampire Diaries. The Original hybrid saves her life by curing her of a werewolf bite. However, he was also responsible for her near-brush with death as he ordered Tyler to bite his girlfriend.
Tyler struggles against his sire bond to Klaus throughout the show. Klaus does not hesitate to manipulate Tyler and, though he saved Caroline's life, he was the cause of the toxic bite that almost killed her.
Perfect: Their Passionate Tryst In "500 Years Of Solitude"
Caroline finally gives in to her feelings for Klaus in Season 5's "500 Years Of Solitude." The Original hybrid initially returns to Mystic Falls to celebrate Katherine's impending death, but instead has a steamy and passionate reunion with Caroline in the woods.
This scene was the culmination of the slow-burning Klaroline ship that had sailed since Season 3. Klaus and Caroline shared intense passion and chemistry and their amorous, impassioned romance could have been epic.
Toxic: Klaus Targeted Her Friends
Klaus became a sympathetic character throughout The Vampire Diaries, but was ultimately one of the show's most powerful villains. The Original hybrid terrorized the Mystic Falls gang. He tried to kill Elena and Bonnie more than once, and almost killed Caroline, despite his feelings for her.
Tyler struggles to forgive Caroline's affair with Klaus in Season 5. The Original tormented her friends and killed countless of their loved ones. Like Damon Salvatore, Klaus' background is hard to overlook despite his passionate romances.
Perfect: They Inspired Each Other To Be Stronger And Better People
Caroline's relationship with Klaus mirrors Elena's romance with Damon. Both Caroline and Elena inspire their partners to be better people. They encourage the good qualities of their loved ones, and could be considered a moral compass for their romantic counterparts.
It could be argued that Klaus also encourages Caroline's strength in turn. He tells her that she's happier as a vampire, and urges her to embrace her newfound power.
Toxic: Klaus Almost Let Her Die After He Bit Her
Caroline almost succumbs to a werewolf bite again in Season 4 of The Vampire Diaries. Bonnie traps Klaus in the Gilberts' house, with Tyler and Caroline keeping watch over him while the rest of the Mystic Falls gang hunt for the cure. Klaus bites Caroline, and almost lets her die before changing his mind and curing her with his blood.
Klaus may have loved Caroline, but he jeopardized her life on more than one occasion. Their romance was intense and passionate, but ultimately they were too toxic to truly be together.