The Vampire Diaries': Ranking Every Season from Best to Worst

Ranking The Vampire Diaries' eight seasons can be a challenge due to individual interpretations of the show. It depends on the characters we connect with, the romantic pairings we favor, and the villains that capture our attention. Nevertheless, it is a worthwhile task to delve into the plotlines, plot holes, heroes, and villains that contributed to the show's cultural impact and its ability to stand out during the vampire craze of the late 2000s. It is widely accepted that there are at least one or two seasons that fall at the bottom of the list. Join us as we explore subjective thoughts on which seasons outshine the rest and discover which one holds the coveted title of best season.

In the town of Mystic Falls, Virginia, unpredictable lives, passionate romances, imminent perils, and catastrophic events unfold. Below the surface of this seemingly ordinary place, unimaginable terror awaits, while a young girl finds herself reluctantly entangled in a complex love triangle with two vampire siblings.

Cast: Paul Wesley, Ian Somerhalder, Katerina Graham, Candice Accola, Matthew Davis

Main Genre: Drama

Genres: Drama, Horror, Romance, Fantasy

Rating: TV-14

Seasons: 8

Website: http://www.cwtv.com/shows/the-vampire-diaries

8. Season 8

The last season of The Vampire Diaries is a complete disaster. Irrespective of our desire to appreciate the inclusion of legendary sirens and the devil himself in the show's mythology, it becomes overwhelmingly challenging to digest. Throughout half of the season, both Damon and Enzo are subjected to mind control, resulting in them becoming mere shadows of their formerly intriguing selves. Even after this influence is finally broken, the situation doesn't improve considerably. It's incredibly difficult to condemn the final season of a beloved show like The Vampire Diaries, but once it has reached a point of no return, there is little left to admire.

7. Season 5

Despite the chaotic nature of this season, particularly when delving into the Donovan family's involvement in supernatural affairs and their connections to the mystical events in Mystic Falls, the final episode truly delivers an intense and memorable conclusion. While it may be a wild ride, it undeniably serves as a fitting end to Season 8 of The Vampire Diaries. For those who have been fans since the beginning, tears were undoubtedly shed.

With Season 5, we witness the introduction of the underwhelming villains, particularly the chaotic Silas storyline. This storyline unravels by revealing that Elena is not the lone doppelganger within their circle of friends. Stefan becomes the second member to join this exclusive club, although his double lacks the charisma and wickedness of Katherine Pierce. Silas is merely another example of a man incapable of controlling his desires, as he had already attempted it during Ancient Greece in the 1st Century B.C. There is, of course, more to this tale, but we firmly stood by Qetsiyah, despite her own peculiarities.

In addition, we have the ongoing saga of the Travelers, which can be seen as both a blessing and a curse. Fortunately, their possessive nature and group chanting come to an end when Silas, Amara, and Qetsiyah disappear in Season 5. However, their influence continues through a spell that not only temporarily keeps supernatural beings out of Mystic Falls but also grants Kai Parker a significant power boost, leading to a detrimental situation later in the series.

Season 5 also introduces an unexpected storyline for Katherine Pierce as a human. Who could have anticipated witnessing Katherine's struggles with the common cold, complete with coughing, sneezing, and congestion? Nevertheless, she puts up an impressive fight until she is ultimately faced with a fate even worse than the Other Side, marking a nearly final farewell to her character.

6. Season 4

The bottom two seasons are now behind us. Season 4 introduces a rollercoaster of emotions, with both high points and low points. After the premiere, the focus shifts to Elena's adjustment to life as a vampire and her attempts to fit in, amidst the drama caused by the vampire hunter. While we learn about Elena's adaptation, we are also introduced to the storyline of Connor and the Five, which unfortunately does not reach its full potential.

Additionally, we gain knowledge about vampire sire bonds (different from the hybrid bonds discussed in Season 3) and witness Elena without her humanity. This plot point dominates the latter part of the season, initially intriguing as Elena sets her house on fire and feeds on cheerleaders. However, it eventually becomes repetitive as characters continuously express the need to restore Elena's emotions. This theme of suppressing a vampire's humanity tends to feel monotonous until the moment their true personality is restored.

Season 4 marks the final appearance of the Originals on The Vampire Diaries. In Episode 20 of TVD Season 4, titled "The Originals," Klaus returns to New Orleans to confront Marcel Girard, his former student. This leads him to reclaim his territory by reopening the family homestead and settling in. The Original family's absence is deeply felt and creates a void that remains unfilled, despite attempts by a few contenders.

5. Season 7

Season 7 introduces the show's Elena-less era, which received mixed reviews at the time. However, it does possess several redeeming qualities, causing it to rank slightly higher on this list. This season delves into the concept of the heretic, providing insight into the nature of a siphoning witch, their ability to pose a formidable challenge, and the disastrous consequences of turning them into vampires for their adversaries.

In Season 7, we encounter a group of heretics led by Damon and Stefan Salvatore's mother, Lily Salvatore. These heretics were brought back to life from a prison world, where everyone except Lily had turned into desiccated vampire corpses. Their reintegration into the modern world provides some comedic moments, especially when characters like Mary Louise struggle to adapt to modern ethics, fashion, and technology. However, their father figure, Julian, proves to be a tyrant and the most detestable villain the series has ever seen. His wishy-washy, stubborn, and backstabbing nature, along with his capacity for evil, makes him a truly insufferable character.

While Valerie, Mary Louise, and Nora may be likable characters with potential for interesting storylines, their fates are unfortunately linked to the other heretics and the problematic phoenix stone plot device. The true downfall of Season 7 lies in its non-linear timeline, which makes it incredibly challenging to keep track of events and their respective timelines. The only way to survive this chaotic narrative is to watch and patiently wait for things to eventually make sense, especially if you're anticipating Season 8.

4. Season 6

Season 6 surpasses the season that killed Katherine and bids farewell to the Originals in TVD, thanks to two significant storylines: the introduction of the Gemini Coven and the heartfelt goodbye to Sheriff Forbes. Amidst the Sarah Salvatore plot, the introduction of prison worlds, and Caroline and Stefan's loss of humanity, the addition of the Gemini Coven profoundly impacts both this series and its spinoff, Legacies. Despite the eccentricity of the Geminis, their introduction brings forth captivating supernatural lore, including the heretics, the Merge, and the infamous Kai Parker. We owe Season 6 for this transformative shift.

Parting ways with a character as remarkable as Sheriff Forbes, who evolved from a vampire-hating member of the town council to a vital ally to her daughter, carries great significance. We cannot express enough gratitude to TVD for giving her a heartfelt farewell. Few characters in this show depart with their goodness and humanity intact, but Sheriff Forbes stands among the best. Season 6 permanently alters the landscape of The Vampire Diaries, redirecting its focus from previous villains and immersing itself in a new breed of adversaries. Already having bid a semi-permanent goodbye to the Originals and a fairly permanent farewell to Katherine Pierce, it was time for TVD to fully embrace its mystical history and shine a spotlight on all things Gemini. Additionally, Bonnie and Damon manage to make amends, putting their animosity behind them, which becomes a pleasant change of pace.

3. Season 1

And now, we come to the main three. The Vampire Diaries series had a strong start, with seamless storytelling in Seasons 1, 2, and 3. The vampires make their way into the small town of Mystic Falls, Virginia, causing all sorts of chaos and disruption. It may not be entirely fair to say they "invade" the town, but everything changes from the moment the Salvatore brothers return. Their presence initially attracts one vampire to the town, but as time goes on, more and more supernatural beings follow.

Season 1 skillfully sets the stage, gradually introducing Damon to complicate Stefan's life and building up the legend of Katherine Pierce. Ultimately, the season concludes by revealing Katherine herself in the modern timeline. It accomplishes exactly what it needs to do, captivating audiences with the drama of the human/vampire relationship and creating a strong affinity for the town of Mystic Falls. Additionally, we learn the supernatural rules that will govern our favorite characters for the next eight seasons. We discover things like the use of vervain to protect humans from vampires, the requirement of wood fully piercing a vampire's heart to kill them, and the ability of vampires to use compulsion on humans to manipulate them. Season 1 remains solid from start to finish and is still incredibly enjoyable to watch unfold.

2. Season 3

By Season 3, it was clear that a change was needed. After the conclusion of Elena and Stefan's relationship in the second season, it was evident that something had shifted between Damon and Elena. As we entered Season 3, the dynamics were bound to be different. Despite remaining loyal to Stefan, Elena's focus had expanded to include Damon in her close circle, and not just in a romantic sense.

Regardless of whether you were a supporter of Stelena or Delena, the fandom experienced intense debates over which pairing was better. While there had been some contention prior to Season 3, Klaus' intervention and the physical separation between Elena and Stefan opened up the possibility of other romantic options. Although these shipping wars became a defining feature of The Vampire Diaries, it ultimately worked in the show's favor. Damon's character growth, sparked by his connection with Elena, contributed to him becoming a better person. Thus, while the introduction of this love triangle brought about dramatic developments, it ultimately proved to be a worthwhile idea.

1. Season 2

Season 2 of The Vampire Diaries is truly exceptional. It showcases the series' most captivating villains, adds complexity to the overarching story, and sets the stage for a major shift in the relationships of key characters in season 3. The introduction of Katherine in the season premiere sparks a whirlwind of drama. Then, we encounter Elijah and Klaus, who possess extraordinary powers that distinguish them from ordinary vampires. Their profound impact on the supernatural beings of Mystic Falls is unprecedented, not only altering their interactions with other supernaturals but also their dynamics with each other.

The arrival of The Originals forever alters the show, undoubtedly for the better. They elevate the stakes and introduce a power hierarchy that generates immense tension between heroes and villains, an element sorely lacking in the first season. Season 2 establishes an ongoing external threat that seems insurmountable at the time, forcing our beloved characters to adapt to a new normal and find a way to navigate through it.

In this season, we delve into the world of werewolves and witness a significant evolution in Caroline and Sheriff Forbes' relationship. Additionally, Bonnie gets the opportunity to meet other witches and discovers the immense power of her magic. The connection between Alaric and Isobel is also explored, shedding light on its influence on the overall narrative. Seamlessly connecting various plot points, Season 2 of The Vampire Diaries is unparalleled and remains unmatched by the subsequent seasons, despite their best efforts to match its brilliance. Stream all seasons of The Vampire Diaries on Max.

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