The Ultimate Love Triangle: Unveiling Elena's Heartfelt Choice Between Damon and Stefan in Vampire Diaries

Summary

Elena ultimately chooses Damon over Stefan in The Vampire Diaries, as their love for each other becomes undeniable.

Elena's emotions towards Damon grow stronger when she undergoes the vampire transformation and recovers all the memories of their previous interactions.

In the TV show Legacies, Elena and Damon are portrayed as a blissfully married couple who have a daughter named Stephanie Salvatore. Elena has her profession as a doctor, serving in Mystic Falls.

The Vampire Diaries centered around the pivotal question of Elena's romantic choice, which ultimately led to her selecting Damon over his brother Stefan. Developed by Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec, this supernatural drama was inspired by L.J. Smith's beloved book series of the same name. Nina Dobrev portrayed Elena Gilbert, initially a human character whose journey unfolded throughout the show's early seasons. As she became acquainted with the mystical aspects of the world, Elena also found herself entangled in a passionate love triangle with the immortal vampire brothers, Stefan and Damon Salvatore.

Damon and Elena's storyline in The Vampire Diaries set a high bar, making it challenging for subsequent arcs to surpass their journey. Some critics of Legacies argued that the spotlight on Hope and Landon's relationship had diminished in the latest seasons. The relationship between Damon and Elena proved to be a formidable contender, especially with the additional complexity of the love triangle involving Stefan. Nevertheless, the twists and turns of their connection, along with discovering when Elena ultimately chose Damon and why she opted for him over Stefan, made for a captivating narrative.

When Does Elena Choose Damon?

In The Vampire Diaries, Elena initially fell in love with Stefan, thinking they were destined to be together. Stefan was protective of her, while Damon came across as selfish and uncaring. However, unknown to Elena, she had actually met Damon before Stefan. They shared a meaningful moment in the rain, and Damon was her true match. Yet, Damon erased her memory of their encounter, delaying their connection.

It was in the second season that Elena witnessed a different side of Damon and realized he might be the right person for her, rather than Stefan. This realization intensified in the third season when Stefan left Mystic Falls and Elena grew closer to Damon. Despite her reluctance to hurt Stefan, Elena couldn't ignore her feelings, leading to a passionate kiss in "Heart of Darkness." By the end of the season, Elena transformed into a vampire, with Damon as her mentor. Slowly, she started distancing herself from Stefan and forging a stronger bond with Damon.

Vampire Diaries Elena And Damon Were Always Meant To Be

: The Vampire Diaries finally granted Damon and Elena's long-awaited confession of love in its sixth season. But timing proved to be their enemy, as their declaration coincided with a tragic twist of fate - just as Elena chose Damon, she fell victim to a devastating curse, plunging her into a seemingly endless coma. Nina Dobrev's departure from the show left fans uncertain if Damon and Elena would ever find their blissful conclusion. However, the series finale brought closure, as Elena awoke from her slumber, prompting Damon to relinquish his immortal existence and embrace humanity, ensuring a lifetime of togetherness for the star-crossed lovers.

Portrayed by Paul Wesley, Stefan enters Elena's life after rescuing her from a brutal car accident. Their connection instantly flourishes, and despite encountering a few obstacles along the way, Elena and Stefan embark on a passionate romance. Throughout the initial two seasons of The Vampire Diaries, Elena and Stefan effortlessly steal the spotlight as the show's core couple. As those episodes progress, Damon secretly develops profound emotions for Elena, though he conceals the true extent of his affection. Similarly, Elena initially oscillates between disregarding or tolerating Damon's infatuation.

However, a significant shift occurred when Stefan decided to switch off his humanity and leave town alongside Klaus Mikaelson (Joseph Morgan). Despite their relentless search for Stefan, Elena and Damon found themselves growing closer and spending more time together. Nevertheless, both of them remained steadfast in their loyalty to Stefan. Damon selflessly continued to assist in their reunion, even if it meant sacrificing his own happiness. Eventually, as The Vampire Diaries season 3 came to a close, Elena admitted to her feelings for Damon but ultimately chose to be with Stefan.

Furthermore, the dynamic underwent further transformation in The Vampire Diaries season 4, episode 1, titled "Growing Pains," as Elena completed her transition to become a vampire. This particular transformation was known to result in heightened emotions, which Elena experienced intensely, especially after the loss of her brother, Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen).

Damon’s Memory Wipes Muddied The Water For Elena

played a crucial role in Elena's decision to ultimately choose Damon in the Season 4 finale of The Vampire Diaries, titled "Graduation." During her human days, Elena was able to separate her emotions and give priority to her loyalty towards Stefan. However, once she became a vampire, her love for Damon intensified to a level that overshadowed her feelings for Stefan, making it impossible for her to overlook.

Transition also brings about a fortunate outcome as it unravels past compulsions. When Elena transformed into a vampire, she regained access to all the instances when Damon had erased her memories. These instances often revealed Damon's genuine emotions - his way of expressing himself before erasing any trace of it from her mind. Additionally, this allowed Elena to witness Damon Salvatore's selfless side, which was seldom seen. Moreover, in The Vampire Diaries season 3, Elena mentioned that things might have unfolded differently if she had met Damon first.

Elena's missing memories returned, revealing that she had met Damon and been charmed by him before Stefan. The Vampire Diaries season 4 showed that she made her choice without having all the information. This theme resurfaced in season 6. When Damon was believed to be dead, Elena had her memories of loving him erased and developed a strong dislike for him. However, when she became human again, her memories were restored, and this moment symbolized their entire journey together.

With a complete understanding of their history and her intense emotions, Elena was able to make a more informed decision. It became evident that Damon was the one for her, not just once but twice. Elena realized that, even in death, Damon brought out her truest feelings of being alive. Despite facing more challenges in their romance, this truth remained constant until the conclusion of The Vampire Diaries and beyond.

What Elena And Damon Were Up To During Legacies

Damon and Elena are frequently mentioned in Legacies, especially by Josie Saltzman. In season 3, episode 9, Josie informs Ric that she's been residing with Damon and Elena and invites him to visit their residence. Although they have not yet made an appearance in the show, some details about their lives in the spinoff can be inferred. The couple appears to be content and in good health, with Elena working as a doctor in Mystic Falls. They are now married and have a daughter named Stephanie Salvatore, who attends Mystic Falls High School. This serves as a satisfactory and joyful conclusion for the beloved couple from The Vampire Diaries.