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Season 1 – The Vampire Diaries

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – The Vampire Diaries Sep 2009 Drama Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
73% Tomatometer 30 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
This supernatural drama, based on the series of novels by L.J. Smith, details the lives of two brothers, Damon and Stefan Salvatore, who have been living as vampires for centuries. After years of moving from from place-to-place to hide their eternal youth (and bloodthirsty condition), the brothers return to the small Virginia town, Mystic Falls, where their lives as humans ended. Damon is snarky, handsome and charming, with a propensity for evil, while Stefan tries to remain noble -- in part to atone for bad behavior in his past.
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The Vampire Diaries — Season 1

The Vampire Diaries — Season 1

What to Know

Critics Consensus

It's not particularly innovative and there's a lot of angsty brooding going on, but there's a self-referential cheekiness in The Vampire Diaries that will appeal directly to its target audience.

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Critics Reviews

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Raisa Bruner TIME Magazine 05/03/2021
The Vampire Diaries explores the supernatural with a good dose of small-town Americana... Go to Full Review Sarah Hughes Independent (UK) 02/05/2010
It might not be the most groundbreaking show on television right now, but it's a well-crafted, interestingly developed series, which really kicks up a gear after an anodyne opening episode. Go to Full Review Rebecca Nicholson Guardian 02/02/2010
The Vampire Diaries is a mishmash of ideas we've seen before. Go to Full Review Joe Lipsett Hazel & Katniss & Harry & Starr Podcast 04/29/2021
A modern update on its 90s source material, The Vampire Diaries is undoubtedly indebted to shows like Buffy, The Vampire Slayer. The break-neck pace and sexed up cast is initially overwhelming, but the show finds itself as S1 progresses Go to Full Review Matt Richenthal TV Fanatic 04/01/2020
4.5/5
The show actually provides answers. It doesn't drag out mysteries with no end in sight. Every week, viewers are treated to valuable nuggets of information, while, of course, dropping their jaws over new questions and plot developments. Go to Full Review Linda Maleh Forbes 09/10/2019
It would be easy for the show to get bogged down in cheesy clichés, but as it builds its characters and its mythological world, cliches are about the last thing that you find. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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ajsysysv O. @RT29475870 May 27 best show ever created See more Marco L @decatur555 Apr 27 The Vampire Diaries is a lot more entertaining and better written than people who dismissed it as teen vampire fluff often admit. Yes, it leans into romance, melodrama, and supernatural soap-opera energy, but it does so with real pace, strong narrative drive, and characters who keep the story moving. The love triangle gives it commercial appeal, but the real engine is the tension between the two brothers, which adds more emotional and dramatic bite than expected. It is darker, sharper, and more addictive than something like Twilight, and it knows how to use its clichés instead of being crushed by them. It definitely has uneven moments and plenty of excess, but it also has charm, momentum, and writers who understood how to keep a guilty pleasure alive. See more MARISOL B @RT34983943 Apr 22 The Vampire Diaries (Season 1), created by Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec, is a supernatural drama starring Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, and Ian Somerhalder about love, vampires, and secrets. The story takes place in Mystic Falls, where Elena meets Stefan, a vampire. His brother Damon brings conflict and danger. The season follow their relationship and secrets, mixing romance and mistery. The show is successful because it mixes romance and supernatural drama in a simple, interesting way. One strong point is the acting and the chemistry between characters. The story is easy to follow and keep you interested, even if some part feel a bit predictable. It also adds tension and small twists that make it more engaging. In conclusion, The Vampire (Season 1) is an entretaining series. I recomend it to people who enjoy romance and supernatural stories, especially teenagers and young adults. It has drama, suspense, and emotional moments that make it enjoyable to watch. See more Cannon C @Abustar Jan 28 Great pacing and storyline See more Lotte S @RT09915126 Oct 9 Me and my friend both watched the series and thought it was very thrilling and adventurous, but also very romantic and funny. I like that there is a great balance between the love story part and the gruesome vampire part. All the actors and actresses look glamourous throughout the series. We could literally watch this over and over again. I’ve watched it 3 times already and every time I watch, I love it even more. The cliffhanger was so exiting at the end of every episode. Normally, any kind of thriller/ gruesome movie isn’t my cup of tea, but this was definitely an exception. See more Alana M. @lanabebes_11 Aug 9 MY FAVORITE SHOW EVERRRRR. Seen it like 8 times over See more Read all reviews
The Vampire Diaries — Season 1

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Nina Dobrev

Elena Gilbert

Paul Wesley

Stefan Salvatore

Ian Somerhalder

Damon Salvatore

Steven R McQueen

Jeremy Gilbert

Sara Canning

Jenna Somers

Kat Graham

Bonnie Bennett

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 10, 2009 Pilot Elena is drawn to Stefan, a handsome and mysterious new student; Vicki is attacked at a party; Stefan learns that his evil older brother has returned. Details Episode 2 Aired Sep 17, 2009 The Night of the Comet Stefan tries to make Vicki forget who attacked her; Jeremy struggles with drug use and his feelings for Vicki; Damon reveals information about Stefan's past. Details Episode 3 Aired Sep 24, 2009 Friday Night Bites Tyler's attempt at embarrassing Stefan backfires; Elena invites Bonnie and Stefan to dinner; an act of violence shocks the town. Details Episode 4 Aired Oct 1, 2009 Family Ties Elena asks Stefan to escort her to a party; Vicki thinks Tyler is hiding their relationship from his family; Stefan tries to get Damon out of his life permanently. Details Episode 5 Aired Oct 8, 2009 You're Undead to Me Jenna and Elena worry about Jeremy's relationship with Vicki; Stefan reveals part of his past to Elena; Bonnie is surprised by abilities she didn't know she had; a stranger shares a disturbing story with Elena. Details Episode 6 Aired Oct 15, 2009 Lost Girls Stefan tells Elena how his rivalry with Damon began; Damon takes control of Vicki's future; Mayor Lockwood and Sheriff Forbes try to protect the town. Details Episode 7 Aired Oct 29, 2009 Haunted Stefan tries to help Vicki when her behavior becomes increasingly dangerous; Bonnie's abilities surprise Damon; Matt tries to cheer Vicki up by taking her to the high school's haunted house. Details Episode 8 Aired Nov 5, 2009 162 Candles Stefan is visited by one of his oldest friends; Elena tries to avoid Stefan; Jeremy's behavior surprises Jenna and Elena; Damon's offer to help Sheriff Forbes has tragic results. Details Episode 9 Aired Nov 12, 2009 History Repeating Bonnie has frightening dreams about one of her ancestors; Caroline and Bonnie continue to fight over the medallion; Damon tells Stefan why he returned to Mystic Falls. Details Episode 10 Aired Nov 19, 2009 The Turning Point Damon and Stefan find they have some competition to deal with; Elena makes a shocking discovery. Details Episode 11 Aired Jan 21, 2010 Bloodlines Damon encounters someone who wants to make him pay for past wrongs; Stefan tries to help Bonnie accept her powers. Details Episode 12 Aired Jan 28, 2010 Unpleasantville Damon and Stefan try to identify the new vampire in town; Matt gets a job at the Mystic Grill; Stefan and Damon accompany Elena to a school dance. Details Episode 13 Aired Feb 4, 2010 Children of the Damned Bonnie's date with Ben takes a terrifying turn; Stefan and Damon search for the missing journal belonging to Elena's ancestor; Damon learns that an old acquaintance has come back to town. Details Episode 14 Aired Feb 11, 2010 Fool Me Once Stefan helps Bonnie and Elena out of a hazardous situation; Jeremy invites Anna to a party in the woods. Details Episode 15 Aired Mar 25, 2010 A Few Good Men Matt is surprised by the return of his long-lost mother (Melinda Clarke); Elena and Stefan worry about Damon's new attitude; Elena searches for information about her birth mother. Details Episode 16 Aired Apr 1, 2010 There Goes the Neighborhood Anna brings a surprising guest on a visit to Damon; Elena and Stefan go on an awkward double date with Caroline and Matt; Jenna reunites with her old friend Kelly; Jeremy's relationship with Anna takes an unexpected turn. Details Episode 17 Aired Apr 8, 2010 Let the Right One In Stefan is faced with a frightening decision; Matt hopes his mother will stick around; Caroline makes a discovery that shocks everyone in town. Details Episode 18 Aired Apr 15, 2010 Under Control Stefan tries to control his new situation; Jeremy and Elena receive a surprise visit from their uncle (David Anders); an incident at a party causes trouble between Tyler and Matt. Details Episode 19 Aired Apr 22, 2010 Miss Mystic Falls Elena and Caroline compete in a beauty pageant; Elena is glad Bonnie is back in town; John Gilbert tries to intimidate Damon; Damon discovers that Stefan is hiding a secret. Details Episode 20 Aired Apr 29, 2010 Blood Brothers Elena learns how Stefan and Damon became vampires; Pearl and Johnathan have an ugly confrontation; Anna and Jeremy's friendship continues to grow. Details Episode 21 Aired May 6, 2010 Isobel Alaric is stunned when Isobel returns to town and demands a meeting with Elena. Details Episode 22 Aired May 13, 2010 Founder's Day Despite Alaric and Damon's efforts to stop him, Johnathan (David Anders) sets a plan in motion that results in destruction, chaos and death. Details

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The Vampire Diaries — Season 1

The Vampire Diaries The Vampire Diaries The Vampire Diaries The Vampire Diaries View more photos

Season Info

Director
Marcos Siega, Liz Friedlander, J. Miller Tobin, Kevin Bray, Dennis Smith
Executive Producer
Kevin Williamson, Julie Plec, Leslie Morganstein, Bob Levy
Screenwriter
Kevin Williamson, Barbie Kligman, Bryan Oh, Sean Reycraft, Andrew Kreisberg, Julie Plec, Brian Young, Andrew Chambliss, Bryan M. Holdman, Caroline Dries, Gabrielle G. Stanton
Network
The CW
Rating
TV-14
Genre
Drama, Fantasy
Original Language
English
Release Date
Sep 10, 2009