Summary
The Vampire Diaries is filled with heartbreaking moments that still make fans cry even years after the show ended.
Deaths and sacrifices held immense importance throughout the series, as characters such as Lexi, Jenna, and Enzo tragically met their fates.
The connection between Stefan and Damon was the central focus of the show, resulting in heart-wrenching moments like their emotional reunion and Stefan's selfless sacrifice for his brother.
The Vampire Diaries concluded in March 2017 after an incredible eight seasons. Even six years later, these ten scenes still have the ability to bring tears to some fans' eyes. This supernatural teen drama series on The CW was filled with heart-wrenching deaths, devastating breakups, unexpected resurrections, and intense shifts in humanity. Selecting just ten moments proved to be a difficult task due to the abundance of emotional turmoil throughout the show. Nonetheless, these are the heartbreaks that have left a lasting impact on us and will likely be etched in our memories for years to come.
At its core, The Vampire Diaries revolved around the intricate bond between two brothers, Stefan and Damon Salvatore, and their shared affection for one woman, Elena Gilbert. While the love triangle played a significant role in the narrative, it was not the sole focus of the story. Throughout the eight seasons of The Vampire Diaries, numerous moments eclipsed the rivalry between Team Stefan and Team Damon, and the following ten scenes epitomize the heart-wrenching nature of the show.
10 Damon Kills Lexi In The Vampire Diaries Season 1
9 Jenna's Death In The Vampire Diaries Season 2
: The impact of Lexi's short-lived appearance in the first episode of The Vampire Diaries reverberated throughout all eight seasons. Every time Lexi made a spectral comeback, it was cause for celebration, and her reunion with Stefan in the series finale was nothing short of extraordinary. Thus, reflecting on the distressing moment when Damon impaled Lexi's heart in Season 1, Episode 8 of The Vampire Diaries is far more poignant now than it was when initially aired.
In The Vampire Diaries season 2, episode 21, Jenna's demise marked a significant moment in the CW series. The tragic event unfolded when Klaus, a contentious character within The Vampire Diaries universe, not only turned Jenna into a vampire but also became her murderer. This loss added to the already long list of parental figures Elena had lost throughout the series. As a pivotal point in the storyline, it is impossible to forget the heart-wrenching moment when Elena, in an attempt to shield Jenna from fear, urged her to switch off her humanity before Klaus took her life.
8 Elena Turns Off Her Humanity In The Vampire Diaries Season 4
7 Bonnie's Funeral In The Vampire Diaries Season 5
Nina Dobrev has established herself as one of Hollywood's finest criers, skillfully showcasing her abilities as Elena in The Vampire Diaries. However, her most exceptional emotional performance came during season 4 when Elena endured the devastating loss of her brother, Jeremy. Consumed by grief, Elena pleaded for the pain to cease, leading Damon to suggest a solution - turning off her humanity in an attempt to numb the anguish. Unbeknownst to them, this ill-fated decision only added to the tragedy of the scene.
Following Bonnie's demise in the concluding episode of The Vampire Diaries season 4, Elena, Damon, Caroline, Matt, and Jeremy conducted a solemn funeral for her during the fourth episode of season 5, when Jeremy finally divulged her passing. Fortunately, Bonnie would later be revived; however, the sight of the individuals she cherished bidding their farewells to her continues to haunt us. Each of them commemorated Bonnie by leaving a heartfelt memento on a tree stump nestled within the woods, rendering it an ethereal and poignant scene capable of stirring tears in anyone's eyes.
6 Damon's Goodbye To Elena In The Vampire Diaries Season 5
5 Stefan & Damon Reunite In The Vampire Diaries Season 6
The most heart-wrenching moments in The Vampire Diaries always revolve around death. In the gripping finale of season 5, Damon and Bonnie found themselves stranded on the Other Side, compelled to bid farewell to their loved ones. For Damon, that meant parting ways with Elena. Sadly, she could not perceive his presence as he existed in a different realm, but Damon could see her, and Elena sensed his ethereal existence. In desperation, she pleaded for him not to abandon her, and Damon uttered, "I have no choice, my love." Once again, Nina Dobrev's emotive performance elicited copious tears, coupling seamlessly with Damon's poignant words, ultimately reducing viewers to emotional ruins.
Damon's absence following The Vampire Diaries season 5 finale left not only Elena, but also Stefan, devastated. In the final scene of season 6, episode 5, Stefan poured out his emotions at the Salvatore crypt, confessing, "I'm not doing well without you ... Because I'm lost, brother. I'm lost." Overwhelmed, Stefan hurled a bottle of bourbon across the room, only for Damon, who had returned from the Other Side, to catch it. The two brothers, who had endured countless trials throughout The Vampire Diaries, embraced, their connection superseding everything else.
4 Sheriff Forbes' Funeral In The Vampire Diaries Season 6
Sheriff Liz Forbes had an integral role in two of the most compelling dynamics in The Vampire Diaries: her vibrant mother-daughter relationship with Caroline and her genuine friendship with Damon. As the devastating events of season 6 unfolded, Liz's passing was a blow not only to the characters but also to the audience. While her death scene was undeniably heart-wrenching, it was her funeral that truly resonated, with Caroline offering a poignant musical tribute, Damon delivering a heartfelt eulogy, and law enforcement officers solemnly draping the American flag over Liz's casket.
3 Caroline Destroys Her Mother's Letter In The Vampire Diaries Season 6
After the passing of her mother, Caroline made the decision to shut off her emotions during season 6 of The Vampire Diaries. This caused her to unintentionally burn the last letter that Liz had left for her. However, when Stefan shared a memory of him and Liz with Caroline, her humanity resurfaced, filling her with remorse. It was unfortunate that Caroline never discovered the contents of the letter, which was a bitter pill to swallow considering the countless cherished memories she held of her beloved mother.
2 Stefan Kills Enzo In The Vampire Diaries Season 8
Enzo's introduction in The Vampire Diaries season 5 didn't exactly make him the most beloved character. His unexpected romance with Bonnie further puzzled viewers. However, as time passed, Enzo and his bond with Bonnie began to resonate with some audience members. Tragically, just as the viewers were forming a connection with their love story, Stefan mercilessly tore out Enzo's heart right before Bonnie's eyes. Following the moments of despair, Bonnie, having given Stefan the cure, rushed to Enzo's lifeless body and cradled it in her arms. In that devastating moment, a piercing cry erupted from Bonnie, an agonizing wail that would eventually unveil the chilling revelation—her cry had inadvertently opened the gateway between hell and earth.
1 Stefan Sacrificing Himself For Damon In The Vampire Diaries Series Finale
Leading up to the grand finale of The Vampire Diaries, avid fans were filled with apprehension about the fate of either Salvatore brother. Regrettably, their worst fears materialized. Determined to ensure Katherine's damnation as Bonnie redirected the hellfire back to its abode, Damon resolved to become the sacrificial lamb. He even compelled Stefan, who had reverted to his human state, to let him shoulder the burden. However, Stefan had taken vervain, so he administered the cure to Damon and valiantly took his place, sparing his brother from certain doom.
Given that a significant portion of the CW series revolved around Stefan and Damon's relationship, it was logical for one brother to ultimately sacrifice themselves for the other. Nonetheless, Stefan's demise remained profoundly sorrowful. The concluding scene in The Vampire Diaries, wherein Stefan and Damon are reunited in the afterlife, validated all the anguish endured.