Stefan and Elena’s relationship was a roller-coaster ride of emotions, but Damon and Elena’s love was the heart of ‘The Vampire Diaries’. Let us tell you why!
‘The Vampire Diaries’ is the sort of television show that has you hooked right from the first episode. Even when you’ve finished watching its 8 seasons, you find yourself tuning into ‘Legacies’, its spin-off. It doesn’t matter that the two aren’t related – the world of Mystic Falls is so addictive that you can’t stop. And the worst part is that you’re unable to explain why it’s so good. It just is.
Highlights —
- Their chemistry was undeniable and they looked out for each other
- Elena and Damon were tied by the vampiric sire bond
- Theirs was an epic love story that even led Damon to become a human
The show seems to be well-versed with the formula for its success. There’s an eerie supernatural setting, unending high school drama, action, a wee bit of science-fiction, and so much romance. Honestly, there’s nothing not to love about ‘The Vampire Diaries’.
There are vampires and werewolves and people who are both. There are powerful witches and covens of them. And, of course, the humans, who are left to deal with the repercussions of everyone else’s actions. Saying that the characters’ lives change because of the supernatural beings around them would be a terrible understatement.

Fans have often cited the reason behind the show being so addictive, to be the chemistry between the lead characters. Elena (Nina Dobrev) and Stefan’s (Paul Wesly) relationship, and then Elena and Damon’s (Ian Somerhalder) relationship won the hearts of viewers and the Internet! The cast is talented and seriously good-looking, and the show is a quintessential teen drama you can’t miss.
The series changes drastically when Damon and Elena get together, but even before, their chemistry made the series endlessly gripping. Keep reading to see how Damon and Elena completely changed ‘The Vampire Diaries’!
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Their chemistry was undeniable and they looked out for each other
Anyone who’s watched ‘The Vampire Diaries’ will agree that Damon and Elena had quite the chemistry. The show initially had the characters on the opposite ends of the spectrum, but they learn to tolerate each other. While every other character in the series believes that Damon is pure evil, Elena trusts that he has redeeming qualities.
Damon and Elena eventually become friends and grow closer through the first two seasons. But things change when Damon gets bitten by a werewolf and is expected to die. Stefan strikes a deal with Klaus (the original hybrid; vampire and werewolf) who later helps Damon with a cure. In return, Stefan accompanies Klaus on a long journey and is pulled into a never-ending phase of bloodlust.
That’s when Elena begins to look at Damon differently. He has her back at all times, he looks out for her, and she finds herself doing the same. The show turns the whole ‘opposites attract’ theme into one where the characters realise they’re more alike than different.
Their friendship eventually blossoms into love and Elena makes her choice between the Salvatore brothers. Viewers have often called out the characters for problematic sequences where Damon hurts Elena’s friends and makes decisions for her. But she always ends up forgiving him (toxic relationship alert?), and Damon finds ways to redeem himself.
Elena and Damon were tied by the vampiric sire bond
When Elena turns into a vampire, the series reveals that Stefan didn’t actually meet Elena first! Unlike what viewers saw in the pilot, it was Damon who met Elena first, when he arrived in Mystic Falls. They two have a conversation where Elena confesses that she wants a love that would consume her.
Damon compels her to forget him, but she eventually remembers the meeting during her transition into a vampire. The moment completely changes ‘The Vampire Diaries’ because we see that Damon cares for her before he gets to know her.
Elena breaks up with Stefan after becoming a vampire because she is unable to conceal her feelings for Damon. The couple get together, later discovering that Elena is actually sired to Damon! She had feelings for Damon as a human, and after turning into a vampire, a sire bond has been created between them.
While this makes Damon doubt her feelings for him, she is determined to prove him wrong. Later, it is revealed that a sire bond doesn’t affect one’s feelings. Elena chooses Damon and they have a romantic summer at the end of season 4!
Theirs was an epic love story that even led Damon to become a human
Damon is seen as a vampire who has embraced his new life and has no qualms about who he is. He despises the mundane life that humans live and enjoys the powers that come with being a vampire. But his love for Elena makes him realise that he can’t live without her.
And, at the end of season 8, Damon makes the ultimate sacrifice. He finally becomes human after being injected with the cure for vampirism, devoted to living happily ever after with Elena. ‘The Vampire Diaries’ spin-off show ‘Legacies’ also mentions that Damon and Elena are happily married. And that’s not it, the couple even has children together!
Damon and Elena had an all-consuming love, just like she dreamed of. They went through several difficult instances together and always came out stronger. Their chemistry, sacrifices, and friendship transformed ‘The Vampire Diaries’ and made the story even more thrilling than it already was.
What is your favourite thing about Damon and Elena’s love story? Let us know in the comments section below.
