A refreshing change from mediocre CW-style superhero series. The plot has an arc, and doesn't come off like writers are winging it each week -- some actual thought went into a story. And it's done without the emphasis on flashbacks to create a backstory. Quirky... unique... engaging... worlds better than the cookie-cutter Marvel franchise.
Ugh near impossible to watch. The acting was sub-par and the characters were trying too hard to define themselves. Why is the CW so bad at making shows?
After 4 episodes: The visuals are unexpectedly beautiful but it suffers quite a lot from typical teen drama bs. But the fantasy world seemes interesting enough for me to keep watching.
How this has become a discussion about two very different shows, I can't possibly understand. (Seriously, TRUE BLOOD and THE VAMPIRE DIARIES? It's like comparing HOUSE, MD and GREY'S ANATOMY.)
I started watching this show when I was most definitely a part of the target audience, and despite my initial fear of this show being a TWILIGHT rip-off (despite the fact that the books had been written before, which yes, would make it a "Follow the leader"; mainly because Book!verse differs vastly from TV!verse), its flaws are entirely different.
THE VAMPIRE DIARIES has a protagonist-centered morality, that, when it comes down to it, isn't caused by Elena Gilbert's gentle or loveable personality (of which's existence, by now, only the Salvatores seem to be entirely certain), but the fact that she's got the special kind of boobs. Her magic hooha is infamous among fans of PNR and UF, the hypocrisy of the characters one of the most fandom-intern-critizised points of the entire show.
Despite that, we still watch it, and once you've come to the point where you hate a show with a passion, yet can't wait for the next episode, you do wonder why that is. (Or at least I do.) The heteronormativity, the lack of POCs, the annoying protagonist and love-triangle, the melodrama, the patheticly obvious loop-holes and inconsistencies. Even the beautiful and rather talented actors and actresses (and amazing music (and yes, to be fair, the few very well-written and often well-directed episodes) shouldn't be able to make up for it, right?
But in the end, the show is what the HOUSE OF NIGHT series is in the PNR bookworld. It might suck, it might be immature, sex-negative, and downright awful at times, but it's also compelling. I can't help but react to the insanities that ensue, and even though it probably isn't what the writers and creatores intended, my hatred for certain characters and the misery I feel everytime they mess an magnificent concept up beyond repair, are what keeps me coming back.
In other words, if you are looking for a well-written, sex-positive, 21st century TV-show whose writers you can trust, look somewhere else. If you want a guilty pleasure "Jesus, why do they all look so good, and wth, how is this his voice?"-experience, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES should definitely do. (Then again, shows like LOST GIRL, TEEN WOLF, and BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER are, at this point, easier to recommend with a clean conscience.)
(That isn't to say the show isn't enjoyable. Especially if you are less involved, are able to be entertained by shows despite their influence on particular people, or don't question the characters' and writers' decisions, it should be a show you might come to like.)
Been catching up on this show on Netflix. So many seasons to go through, but this show totally rocks!! ... and the Winchesters... GORGEOUS HOTTIES!!
Started out watching this show when Season 1 was nearly done, and watched it all the way through, and i can honestly say that it's a waste of time starting to watch it. Im still watching it though for no reason at all :P Yeah it's a problem i have, if the series is somewhat ok, and it's only 20 min then i just watch it hoping it will eventually get better, but ir really doesn't. Definetly a show im not gonna recommend to anyone, but it's allright if you need a time killer i guess.
This show has the best finale I have ever seen! While the show does have its points where it gets boring, the ending made it all worth it! Very well done!
This show doesn't deserve a big Toblerone.
You shouldn't watch the two (maybe 3) last season, it kind of ruins everything. But the begining of the show is great
genuinely inventive, enjoyable art, perticularly I am a fan of the characters cosmo and wanda, a married couple that get equal screen time to the protagonist, does that happen in children shows? fav couple
So many cheap laughs. The only good thing about this show is Max.
I don't know why I am still watching this. The first few seasons were OK, then they ran out of storylines.
