The Epic Love Saga of Stefan and Elena in The Vampire Diaries: A Season-by-Season Journey

Summary

Stefan and Elena had a love at first sight kind of romance, with major ups and downs, but their initial attraction led to a strong bond and deep connection.

Throughout various seasons, Stefan and Elena encountered challenges such as rescuing one another and handling the advent of the Originals. These trials not only tested their relationship but also showcased their unwavering dedication.

Despite their separation and Elena's decision to be with Damon, Stefan and Elena continued to be significant friends in each other's lives. They consistently stood by each other during difficult times, demonstrating their lasting affection and solidarity.

From the moment Elena and Stefan first dated in The Vampire Diaries, their journey as an iconic couple was filled with significant milestones. While both Stefan and Damon possessed their own strengths and weaknesses, their romantic connections with Elena were vastly different. The only common thread between the relationships was the intense love both brothers felt for her. Ultimately, Elena ended up with Damon, but it was Stefan who held the title of her first love.

Stefan played a pivotal role in introducing Elena to the vampire world, which went on to have a profound impact on her life. Similarly, Elena served as a catalyst in helping Stefan rediscover his humanity, a vital aspect for him. Unlike the gradual development of Damon and Elena's romance, the connection between Stefan and Elena was seemingly love at first sight. Even after their romantic relationship had ended, Stefan and Elena continued to be significant figures in each other's lives.

Season 1: Meet And Fall In Love

"Pilot" - Stefan and Elena meet for the first time.

"The Night of the Comet" - Stefan and Elena have their first kiss.

"Lost Girls" - Stefan explains vampirism and his history to Elena.

"The Turning Point" - Stefan and Elena have sex but Elena then learns that Katherine looks just like her.

In "Let the Right One In," Elena shares her blood with Stefan, triggering a dangerous craving for blood.

While Stefan and Elena may have embarked on the familiar path of instant love seen on television, they managed to make it work unlike many others. The undeniable chemistry between Nina Dobrev and Paul Wesley captivated audiences as their characters faced numerous obstacles. Although initially drawn to each other, Stefan grappled with hiding his vampire identity until Elena discovered the truth and confronted him. Stefan opened up, leading to a deepening bond between the two.

Just as it seemed that their bond couldn't strengthen any further, Elena found herself in the position of having to nourish Stefan with her own blood in order to rescue him. This presented them with yet another barrier to overcome. Now, with Stefan's insatiable craving for blood, Elena had to step in and assist in his salvation, shifting the dynamic of their relationship. The significance of this moment was crucial in dispelling the notion that their connection was unidirectional, with Elena always playing the role of the distressed damsel.

Season 2: Established Relationship (With A Few Hiccups)

"Memory Lane" - Elena and Stefan stage a break-up to trick Katherine.

"The Sacrifice" - Stefan saves Jeremy for Elena but gets trapped in the tomb himself.

"By The Light of the Moon" - Elena makes a deal with Elijah to save Stefan.

Stefan agrees to leave Mystic Falls with Klaus in "As I Lay Dying." Despite the focus on Damon and Elena's romance in most of The Vampire Diaries season 2, Stefan and Elena remained a content couple throughout these episodes. They successfully navigated Katherine's efforts to break them apart, making it one of their happiest seasons together.

Again, their desire to protect one another was evident as Stefan willingly trapped himself inside the tomb alongside Katherine in order to save Jeremy. Likewise, Elena made a daring deal with one of the Originals to secure Jeremy's safety. However, the unexpected arrival of the Original Mikaelsons caused even more turmoil in Stefan and Elena's relationship than Katherine or anyone else ever could. Klaus, in a fit of rage, mercilessly took the lives of both Jenna and Elena herself (although she was later revived through her father's selfless sacrifice). Consequently, Stefan made the difficult decision to ally himself with Klaus and leave Mystic Falls behind in a bid to save Damon, effectively signaling the end of his relationship with Elena.

Season 3: Unofficially Broken Up, Stefan Leaves Town With Klaus

"The Birthday" - Stefan silently calls Elena, keeping their connection.

"The End of the Affair" - Stefan protects Elena from Klaus.

"The Reckoning" - Klaus forces Stefan to turn off his humanity.

"The Murder of One" - Elena admits she loves both Stefan and Damon.

"The Departed" - Elena officially picks Stefan over Damon but dies before coming back as a vampire.

Despite months of searching, Elena refused to give up on Stefan, even though he was spending time with Klaus. There was still hope to save him, but everything changed when Klaus forced Stefan to shut off his emotions. Instead of prioritizing his relationship with Elena, Stefan became consumed with seeking revenge on Klaus. This drove Elena closer to Damon. If Stefan hadn't made that choice, things could have turned out differently for the couple.

In the latter part of season 3, Elena and Stefan made smaller attempts to reconsider their relationship, such as going to a dance together. Finally, towards the end of the season, things seemed to be improving when Elena had to make the heart-wrenching decision to let go of one of the brothers. She chose Stefan, but tragically, she was then killed. The shocking finale revealed that Elena had awakened as a vampire, completely altering the dynamic between herself, Damon, and Stefan.

Season 4: Elena Chooses Stefan, But Becomes A Vampire And Chooses Damon

"Growing Pains" - Elena begins her time as a vampire.

"We All Go A Little Mad Sometimes" - Elena chooses Damon as being a vampire increased her feelings for him.

"My Brother's Keeper" - Stefan learns that Elena is sired to Damon.

"After School Special" - Stefan agrees to have Rebekah erase his memories of Elena but she doesn't do it.

In "Catch Me If You Can," Stefan confesses his lack of love for Elena.

The fourth season of The Vampire Diaries starts with Elena awakening to the realization that she had vampire blood in her body upon her death. Stefan tries to find a solution for her, while Damon discovers a more effective approach to reach her. Becoming a vampire amplifies Elena's emotions for Damon, leading her to decide that she can no longer stay with Stefan. She chooses Damon, forever changing the destinies of everyone involved.

Season 5: Broken Up, But It's Complicated

Throughout the remainder of season 4 (and subsequent seasons), Stefan and Elena transition from being romantic partners to becoming close friends. Meanwhile, Elena's romantic involvement shifts towards Damon. During this period, they exchange heart-wrenching statements, such as Elena choosing Damon over Stefan, Stefan expressing his desire to erase his memories of her in her presence, and confessing that he is no longer in love with her. Nevertheless, despite these emotional challenges, their bond remains strong, and they continue to care for and rescue one another.

"True Lies" - The underwater safe containing Stefan is found by Elena and others but he's not in there.

"Original Sin" - Elena and Katherine both experience visions of Stefan. As doppelgängers, it is believed that Elena and Stefan are fated to be together.

"For Whom The Bell Tolls" - Elena endeavors to assist Stefan in recovering his lost memories.

"Resident Evil" - Stefan and Elena share visions of alternate realities, further complicating their ever-changing relationship. In season 5, their journey is filled with both highs and lows. While Elena finds happiness in her passionate romance with Damon, Stefan endures months of suffering, confined at the depths of a quarry. Even after his release, their struggles persist as Elena attempts to restore his fragmented memories. Amidst it all, they discover they are destined for love as doppelgängers, only to have Elena's relationship with Damon shatter this newfound revelation.

Season 6: Close Friends

Season 7: Elena Is In A Supernatural Coma

In Season 6, Stefan and Elena no longer had any significant milestones together. Fans soon discovered that the answer to the question of whether Stefan and Elena would reunite was a resounding no. Elena had found happiness with Damon, while Stefan began developing a genuine romantic connection with Caroline. Despite this, Elena and Stefan grew closer as friends. Surprisingly, Stefan even played a pivotal role in reuniting Damon and Elena, showcasing his remarkable growth and acceptance of their love as long as it brought them joy.

After Nina Dobrev's departure from The Vampire Diaries, a powerful spell linked Elena's life to Bonnie's, resulting in her falling into a magical coma until Bonnie's eventual demise. Though Stefan ventured into a relationship with Caroline, it was evident that Elena would forever hold significance in his heart. The bond between Stefan and Caroline differed greatly from his connection with Elena, with the true foundation taking form during this period. Unfortunately, with Elena absent, the moments shared between her and Stefan were limited.

Season 8: Stefan Dies And Sees Elena In Limbo

Elena only appears in the final episode of The Vampire Diaries Season 8, but she manages to meet Stefan again in the series' closing moments. Stefan's selfless act of injecting Damon with the cure and sacrificing himself, along with killing Katherine to protect Mystic Falls, allows this reunion to take place. While Elena was in a limbo between life and death due to a sleeping spell, she unexpectedly crosses paths with Stefan in the school corridor. This encounter serves as a reminder of their initial meeting, and they share a heartfelt embrace before Stefan finds peace with his friend Lexi and moves on. Once Elena awakens and begins living her dream life with Damon, she acknowledges in her writings that it was all made possible thanks to Stefan.