Nina Dobrev leaving The Vampire Diaries may have come as a shock at the time, but in reality, it was more like a blessing in disguise. Despite the high ratings, the Elena-centered plots were becoming tired and old, ultimately dragging the whole show down. The most maddening one being the on-and-off nature of her relationship with Damon (Ian Somerhalder), which lasted all the way until the end.
In season seven, fans get to experience the comforting feeling that comes along with being reunited with their favorite show after a long hiatus, but with a special bonus – TVD has a brand new sense of life. Under the watchful eye of executive producer Julie Plec, The Vampire Diaries has officially been revived.
Possibly the most impressive thing that fans will notice about season seven right off the bat is the smooth transition into the realm of post-Elena activity. Unlike shows that write characters off and then make their absence the unintentional elephant in the room by pretending they never existed, at no point does The Vampire Diaries shy away from the topic of their lost protagonist.
[zergpaid]The remaining characters don’t ignore the events of her “demise,” and they certainly don’t pretend she wasn’t a major part of their lives. Sweeping a main character under the rug is a recipe for disaster. If anything, the writers included so many Elena references in the season seven opener that it came across as if they were trying to overcompensate.
Speaking of overcompensating, now that the Elena/Damon love affair has all but been put to rest, the writers didn’t waste any time pursuing the romantic relationship between Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Caroline (Candice Accola). To a certain extent, however, keeping the romance alive takes precedence on a teen drama, even of the supernatural persuasion. Plus, keeping this love affair on the on-ramp will only remind viewers of how frustrating waiting for something that might never happen can be e.g. Klaroline.
There is no shortage of emotions going this season, so at least fans will have a modicum reprieve with the light-hearted interaction between Stefan and Caroline (something that fingers crossed will continue and not just be another deliberate tease). Between Alaric’s (Matt Davis) master plan to resurrect his murdered bride, Lily’s sick obsession with her “children,” and the current vacant state of Mystic Falls, there are certainly more than enough depressing events to come on season 7.
