The Vampire Diaries: A Spellbinding Journey of Elena and Damon's Rekindled Memories

Summary

Elena chose to have her memories of Damon erased, which made her view him as a monster and want nothing to do with him.

Taking the cure for vampirism allowed Elena to regain her memories of Damon, reigniting their relationship. In the future, Elena pursued a career as a doctor and married Damon, providing a glimpse into her ultimate destiny following the events of The Vampire Diaries.

Elena's heartbreaking decision in The Vampire Diaries led her to have her memories of Damon erased, leaving fans to wonder if she would ever regain them. Despite initially choosing Stefan, Elena eventually fell in love with Damon, Stefan's brother, after she turned into a vampire. Their journey towards happiness was far from smooth, especially when it seemed that Damon and Bonnie had perished in an apocalyptic event. Overwhelmed by grief, Elena turned to Alaric, a newly turned original vampire, and requested to forget her love for Damon.

In her admission, Elena revealed that she had fallen in love with Damon while still technically in a relationship with Stefan. The erasure of this pivotal moment had a ripple effect, wiping away all the fond memories she had of Damon. Consequently, Elena saw him once again as a monstrous figure. Damon returned to an Elena who wanted nothing to do with him. However, when Alaric lost his vampire status due to a magical barrier surrounding Mystic Falls, Elena's choice was no longer in her hands. Desperate, she decided to cross the barrier herself. Although some fragments of her memories returned, they were not enough to fully restore her genuine feelings towards Damon.

How Elena Got Her Memories of Damon Back

After Bonnie Bennett successfully escaped the prison world, the cure for vampirism resurfaced. Despite facing some obstacles, Elena finally had the opportunity to take the cure. Accompanied by Damon, she obtained everything she had longed for since her transformation into a vampire. In addition to reverting her back to being human, the cure had an unexpected bonus effect. Similar to when a human turns into a vampire, the process also erased all past compulsions. As a result, Alaric's previous actions were reversed, and Elena regained her memories of Damon, starting with their charmingly awkward first date.

Throughout season 6 of The Vampire Diaries, even with her memories erased, Elena found herself falling in love with Damon once again. She openly expressed her feelings before deciding to take the cure, and Damon pledged to take it with her. However, the return of Elena's memories not only reaffirmed the depth of their love but also mirrored the moment she transformed into a vampire. It was during that transformation that she discovered meaningful moments with Damon, which he had previously compelled her to forget, and those memories fueled her initial love for him.

This was a crucial turning point for the legendary couple, yet their journey was far from smooth. They encountered a series of challenges, including Elena being placed in a deep slumber for numerous years, Damon only attaining humanity in the final episode, and the heart-wrenching loss of countless friends throughout the years. Nevertheless, amid all these trials, the resurfacing of Elena's memories remained one of the most emotionally charged milestones in the central romance of The Vampire Diaries.

What Happened To Elena After The Vampire Diaries?

The possibility of Dobrev's Elena making a reappearance in the universe was always a question with the existence of two Vampire Diaries spinoff series, The Originals and Legacies. Unfortunately, she never did, but hints about her ultimate fate were dropped in both series. In season 5 of The Originals, a doctor's office window displays "Elena Salvatore, M.D." written on it, providing two significant pieces of information about Elena. It reveals that she achieved her dreams of becoming a doctor and also married Damon Salvatore. This narrative progression for the character is significant as it showcases her accomplishment and follows in her father's footsteps as the town physician.

Nina Dobrev's Elena resurfaces in Legacies at the mention of her and Damon raising their own children in Season 1. However, a deeper insight into Elena's fate unfolds in Season 3. Josie Saltzman departs from the Salvatore School and enrolls in the local high school, eventually finding a home at Damon and Elena's residence. The revelation that the house is situated at Elena's childhood home once again brings forth Elena's past as a doctor.

Elena Isn't The Only Vampire Diaries Character To Lose Their Memory

Television frequently explores amnesia storylines, but they often fail to resonate with audiences. While the plot of Elena's quest to restore her memories of Damon captivated fans of The Vampire Diaries, the same cannot be said for another beloved character who lost their identity. In season 5, Stefan, who had been trapped in a safe at the depths of a quarry for months, was discovered and then subjected to a spell by the formidable witch Qetsiyah in an effort to strip Silas of his psychic abilities.

After the successful spell, Stefan unfortunately suffered from memory loss. Elena, Damon, and their friends made numerous attempts in the following episodes to trigger his recollection by taking him to significant locations and recounting his past experiences. Unfortunately, these efforts resulted in negative outcomes, such as Stefan relinquishing his humanity, leading to a less favorable period in The Vampire Diaries storyline. However, their ordeal was short-lived as Qetsiyah ultimately restored Stefan's memories using a different spell. This was in stark contrast to the highly successful Elena and Damon memories plotline.