I started watching The Vampire Diaries a few months ago. I had just finished Gossip Girl on Netflix and loved it and when it was over, I was crushed. It was the perfect escape for afternoons when the boys were napping. Vampire Diaries was a suggestion that popped up on Netflix but I was hesitant to watch it. I am not a Twi-hard. I'm not a Twi-anything. I tolerated the Twilight books, hated the movies and am so sick of hearing about Edward and Bella and all them that I might become a Buffy and go slay me some vampires.

Anyway, one afternoon during the boys' nap, I was bored and decided to click on the show. And from that moment on, I was addicted. Here are a few of the reasons why:

The actors
There was not a single actor on the show that made me angry. A lot of shows have a token annoying actor... like Charley in Revolution  or Peter Florrick in The Good Wife... there is usually someone who is obviously miscast and they make their scenes teeth-gritting awful. But in TVD I genuinely appreciate all the actors. Some are smarmy and some are irritating, but it's because their characters are supposed to be that way (like John Gilbert). And then there are actors, like Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev and Kat Graham, who are just amazing. Have they been nominated for awards other that People's Choice? Because they should be. The actors are talented. Enough said.

[image error] I will eat your neck...(Oh, as a brief aside, I was reading an article where Ian Somerhalder mentioned that he gets a lot of marriage proposals due to TVD being so popular. Ha! That seriously made me laugh. Not because he's getting propositioned, because he is very good looking and talented, so of course women would go after him, but rather because it made me wonder... do women actually think if they propose to an actor signing autographs that he'll say yes? I mean, seriously. Makes you wonder about some people.)

The characters
Damon is one of the most fascinating characters I've seen in years. He is the older brother, a reluctant vampire at the start who was, essentially, forced to transition by his brother Stefan. And yet now he is the vampire who loves being a vampire. I don't know if love is the right word... he revels in it. But then, in the midst of him being a bloodthirsty (literally) creature, he has a heart... like when he compelled Jeremy to forget, or when he gave Rose a beautiful vision of her lost home as she died in his arms, or all the times he did the right thing by Elena, even when it hurt him to do so. Seeing this multi-layered character is probably my favourite aspect of the show... from him lying in the middle of the road at the start, in order to attack the car who stopped to help him, all the way to him risking everything to save his brother.
Stefan is another interesting character because he is so human (not literally). Another vampire but one who feels excruciating guilt about his past... until he can't take the pain anymore, switches it off and becomes the Ripper. I love his ability to go back and forth from saint to sinner... it makes him more real, more flawed and in his imperfection he tries to change and put that behind him again and again.

Nina Dobrev, the actress who plays Katherine and Elena, gets big props here, because the difference between Katherine and Elena is another huge reason to watch the show. Katherine is so spoiled and selfish, only thinking of herself, and Elena is the opposite. Their mannerisms, their tone of voice, even things like the way they walk or the smallest facial expression show how different they are despite looking identical. There hate-hate relationship is another great reason to watch and keep on watching.

Caroline is another favourite. I have a lot of favourites, but Caroline stands out because she is so good without being the perfect Elena-main-character girl. She can be annoying at times, or whiny at times, but her heart is in the right place and her positive attitude and bluntness is endearing.

The flashbacks
I enjoy a flashback well done. Some shows have flashbacks that either give away too much or not enough, or they seem corny and out of place. The flashbacks in this show are perfect. They add a new dimension to the characters and gives a broader picture without resorting to hand holding the audience. (As a side note, as much as I adore the flashbacks, it was apparently debated whether or not the show should even do them. Fascinating article to read if you're interested in some of the debates from the writer's room.)

The plot
OK, liking a plot seems kind of a given for liking a show, but seriously, this plot and all the twists and turns and new ideas and recurring characters and so forth make the show great. Just when one particular stream seems to have run dry of intrigue, a new one opens up. My husband started watching with me after season one, and he loved it too. The actors portray the events and emotions and the story moves along quickly and thoroughly. The mark of a good show is one that makes you think, keeps you guessing and yet also gives clues along the way. This show has it all.

There are probably a few other reasons I could list about why TVD is such a great show... but I'm out of time. But if you haven't watched it yet, I recommend it. Give it a try. You'll enjoy it. And if you watch it for the romance and love triangles (Stefan-Elena-Damon, Klaus-Caroline-Tyler etc), check out my women's fiction novels, all three available on Amazon... they have intrigue and heartbreak and I know you'll enjoy them.

Anyway, sound off below... what do you love about The Vampire Diaries. And... admit it... are you a Damon/Elena fan or do you prefer Stefan?

Have a great day all!