It's been six years since the last episode of The Vampire Diaries aired, but it remains one of the most popular supernatural dramas to date. Premiering on The CW in 2009, TVD instantly won over the audience and established itself as one of the network's biggest shows of the time. Exploring various mystical storylines set in the fictional town of Mystic Falls, this teen drama spanned eight seasons and catapulted its cast into stardom.
As Halloween is approaching, many fans are feeling nostalgic for their beloved show. Apart from supernatural mysteries, The Vampire Diaries also offered a plethora of intricate romance stories. Notably, the show was infamous for its numerous love triangles.
Here are just five dramatic romance arcs that stirred the most controversy on TVD.
5. Elena, Damon, and Stefan
The central love triangle of the entire show, Elena's on-again-off-again relationships with the Salvatore brothers divided the audience, with some shipping for Stefan while others favored the more mature Damon. Ultimately, TVD resolved this conundrum in later seasons by having Stefan step away from his relationship with the show's main female protagonist.
4. Damon, Sybil, and Elena
Since Sybil appeared on TVD in the final season when Elena had long been absent, many people might wonder how this could be a love triangle. However, the siren manipulated and exploited Damon's fond memories of his ex-girlfriend to alter the object of his affection. She replaced Elena's image with her own, making it seem like Salvatore had loved her all along, enraging many viewers.
3. Jeremy, Bonnie, and Anna
While Bonnie and Jeremy's love story was arguably the sweetest on the entire show, it turned out to be the most disappointing. When Bonnie brought her sweetheart back from the dead, Jeremy began seeing ghosts, including Anna, his ex-girlfriend whom he had loved deeply. Their renewed connection culminated in an affair when Anna assumed her physical form for one night. Understandably, the audience did not accept this betrayal.
2. Stefan, Caroline, and Valerie
Caroline had many relationships on TVD, which is perhaps why fans generally have little sympathy for her. However, Stefan's rekindled romance with his ex-girlfriend and the love of his life, Valerie, and subsequent departure with her shocked many fans and prompted sympathy for Caroline, who was left alone in great distress.
1. Lillian, Lorenzo, and Julian
Evidently, Lillian, also known as Stefan and Damon's adoptive mother, was the most ambiguous character on the show. Her love for TVD's primary antagonist, Julian, is ample proof. However, she also had a brief but tender romance with Enzo, which many viewers found inappropriate, given that he was her son's best friend.