When a teen drama is on the air for 8 seasons, there are bound to be a lot of changes happening for the characters. This is definitely true for The Vampire Diaries, where the main character, Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev), literally changes from human form into a vampire and back again before the series is over.
While it seems like anything can happen at any moment in creepy Mystic Falls, there are some ways that the show stayed true to itself from the pilot episode on. And there are many ways that that the series evolved beyond the first episode.
Changed: Elena Has Eyes For Only Stefan
In the pilot, Elena meets Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley), and it's easy to see that she's drawn to him immediately. It feels like fate that they should meet each other, as they clearly have a huge connection.
While there are many sweet and romantic scenes between Stefan and Elena, as soon as she meets his brother Damon (Ian Somerhalder), the show's big love triangle is introduced. Elena may want to be with Stefan in the first episode, but she falls for Damon and wants to be with him in the end.
Stayed The Same: Mystic Falls Is Under The Threat Of Vampires
Vicki (Kayla Ewell) has a prominent role in the pilot episode of The Vampire Diaries, as she realizes that she's been bitten by a vampire. This is a turning point, as the residents of Mystic Falls find out that their town is more terrifying and sinister than they ever could have imagined.
The town is always under the threat of vampires, and this is something that remains the same throughout the show's 8 seasons. It's safe to say that things get even scarier with the introduction of the Originals.
Changed: There Are No Werewolves Yet
Both TVD and Teen Wolf feature werewolves, and on TVD, Tyler Lockwood (Michael Trevino) learns that his family is a werewolf bloodline. He eventually becomes one, and there are many other characters who are these creatures as well.
The show's pilot is mostly focused on the fact that vampires have come to town, and no one is talking about anything else.
Stayed The Same: Bonnie Is Attached To The Supernatural
Bonnie Bennett (Kat Graham) is one of Elena's best friends, and her status as a witch is one of the most interesting parts of the show.
In the pilot, Bonnie starts to wonder if she could have supernatural power, although she resists this part of herself at first. Her grandmother says that she has psychic abilities, and by the end of the episode, she realizes that it's probably true. This is something that has stayed the same on the show, as Bonnie later learns that she's a witch.
Changed: Elena's Family Unit Is Totally Altered
In the pilot, Elena lives with her brother Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen) and aunt Jenna (Sara Canning), but her family unit completely changes as the show goes on. Jeremy turns out to be her cousin, and her aunt is murdered.
It makes sense that things would change so much for Elena, as she's so young when the series opens, and the show evolves from a teen drama into a supernatural series about a town and its evil history.
Stayed The Same: Damon And Stefan's Rivalry
The Salvatore brothers aren't exactly inviting each other over for pizza or telling each other everything about their days. Stefan and Damon have a terrible rivalry throughout all of The Vampire Diaries and things only get worse as they fight over Elena.
Stefan is "the good vampire" and Damon is proud of his dark side, so these two just don't get along. It's only in the series finale that the brothers call a truce and seem to finally love and appreciate one another.
Changed: Elena Isn't Always The Main Character
It was big news when Nina Dobrev left The Vampire Diaries after the sixth season ended, and this meant that Elena was no longer the main character.
In the pilot, it's impossible to imagine the whole story not revolving around Elena, since she's the one writing in her journal and going through a tough time and becoming interested in Stefan. When she leaves, the other characters are given more to do, especially her best friend Caroline (Candice King).
Stayed The Same: Katherine Plays A Major Part In The Story
While Elena doesn't know about her doppelganger in the pilot, another character does bring up Katherine, proving that she's always been a huge part of the story.
Damon talks to his brother Stefan about Katherine and explains that he returned to Mystic Falls because Elena looks so much like her.
Changed: Klaus Isn't Around Yet
It's hard to imagine a time on The Vampire Diaries without Klaus Mikaelson (Joseph Morgan), but this character doesn't yet exist in the pilot.
This character is super important, as it turns out that he's a vampire/werewolf hybrid, and his time on the show teaches the others a lot about these types of creatures. He's also got a crucial connection to the Salvatore brothers.
Stayed The Same: Elena Misses And Grieves Her Parents
Fans can have sympathy for Elena sometimes, particularly when it comes to her family life.
In the pilot, Elena misses her parents, who died in a car accident. Like anyone in that situation, it's tough for her to come to with what has happened. Elena's grief over her mom and dad's death is something that remains throughout the entire series. In the moving and bittersweet finale, she is able to see them again at the end of her life, which is something that she has been waiting for.