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Season 1 – The Vampire Diaries

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – The Vampire Diaries 2009 Drama Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
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73% Tomatometer 30 Reviews 79% 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

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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 The Vampire Diaries explores the supernatural with a good dose of small-town Americana... May 3, 2021 Full Review Sarah Hughes Independent (UK) 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. Feb 5, 2010 Full Review Rebecca Nicholson Guardian The Vampire Diaries is a mishmash of ideas we've seen before. Feb 2, 2010 Full Review Joe Lipsett Hazel & Katniss & Harry & Starr Podcast 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 Apr 29, 2021 Full Review Matt Richenthal TV Fanatic 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. Rated: 4.5/5 Apr 1, 2020 Full Review Linda Maleh Forbes 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. Sep 10, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Alice W We watched the vampire diaries and we really liked it. It’s a supernatural drama with vampires diaries, romance and lot of action. The story is about Elena, a girl Who meets two vampire brothers, Stefan and damon. The series is full of suspens, powerfull scenes and unexpect twists. The music is great and fits the emotions very well. Our favorite character is Damon. He’s funny, mysterious and really captivating. We definitely recommended the series. It’s exiting, emotional and hard to stop watching. If you enjoy stories with love, danger and supernatural things, you will love it too ! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/24/25 Full Review Ragot L The Vampire Diaries is such an addictive show that mixes love, mystery, and creepy creatures. The characters are super likable and the story never lets you go with its crazy twists. The chemistry between Nina, Ian, and Paul is fire. The vibe is dark but so cool, and you get hooked right away. Honestly, if you’re into fantasy stuff, this is a must-watch for sure! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/17/25 Full Review Brynn C honestly the best season out of the whole show. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/12/25 Full Review Rowan C Great introduction to all of the characters, this season was very mysterious and It sets up the rest of the show. By the end of this season I was intrigued with every characters story because they are all interesting. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/17/24 Full Review Armondo F i love it how it’s all mysterious dark i love this series Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/30/24 Full Review Ali B It's filled with glossy romance and chessy high-school tropes like Pretty Little Liars and Gossip Girl, and it's definitely not a masterpiece show like Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones, but The Vampire Diaries has much more qualities that make it worth-watching for a CW show : compelling characters ( no pun intended ), well-crafted and addictive storylines that make the 22-episodes per season length go unnoticed and a surprisingly pleasing dark atmosphere Nina, Paul and Ian portrayed their characters with such individual charisma and chemistry that would make Kristen, Robert and Taylor hide in a corner. By the way, their love triangle had better execution and, unlike the 5-movie franchise, allowed the three lead characters to grow from it The supporting cast/characters were given plenty of room to shine too, especially Caroline, Alaric and Matt. I love how Katherine and Klaus were written with depth and complexity, but still remained villains nonetheless To sum it up, The Vampire Diaries is just as tasty as the blood bags in Damon's fridge Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/18/24 Full Review Read all reviews
The Vampire Diaries — Season 1

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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

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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
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