Episode Commentary: Pilot

A couple is driving down a lonely highway late at night. Their casual banter is interrupted when they hit someone. The man goes out to see if the person is alright (big mistake). The next thing you know there are fangs, blood and a body count.

So begins Vampire Diaries – the television adaption from the successful series of books by LJ Smith of the same name. Adapting a television show from a series of novels can be a tricky thing. It can either be as successful as True Blood or a faded memory like The Dresden Files.

Luckily Vampire Diaries comes out with a bang – one that will leave you anticipating the next episode.

The cast has instant chemistry. Early on, we see Elena (Nina Dobrev) writing in her diary that today is going to be different – she has no idea. Throughout her day, popular, but orphaned high schooler Elena goes through the routine of everything being fine. During this time, we get back story on the other characters in Mystic Falls. Her best friend, Bonnie, is descended from Salem Witches and has psychic abilities. Her younger brother is the local drug dealer who has a thing for one of his druggies. The friend and family dynamic is explained with quick wit and snappy dialogue.

Meanwhile, Stefan (Paul Wesley) has arrived back in town with an explainable attraction to Elena. Stefan is the tortured, charismatic vampire, who is constantly fighting against his desire to feed on humans. His brother who oozes sensuality, on the other hand has no conscience and is perfectly fine being a killer.

Damon Salvotore (Ian Somerhalder) has come to town to raise some hell. His type of fun involves bleeding his victims dry and tormenting his little brother. His suggestion of a threesome with Elena sends Stefan over the edge – but since he doesn’t drink human blood the fight is over before it begins.

What drives this narrative forward are the diaries. Both Stefan and Elena write in journals about their hopes, fears and that sense of loneliness that they feel. This need to belong to either another person or to be normal is a theme that is intriguing and fun to watch. It will be interesting to see how Kevin Williamson continues to bring these ideas to life.

There are sub-stories that are just as engaging as the Stefan-Elena-Damon dynamic too. Jeremy’s difficulty dealing with his parents’ death has manifested into an unhealthy relationship with every type of drug that passes him by. That includes the attachment to the local party girl Vicki (Kayla Ewell). There are also an introduction to several minor characters that may play a major role in future episodes. Essentially the town of Mystic Falls is ripe for storytelling, since small towns are notorious for keeping secrets.

Will Vicki turn into a vampire? Will Damon have his way with every teenage girl in sight? Will Stefan feed on more than squirrels?

Stay tuned to find out.

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