The Vampire Diaries: Season 1

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 22 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 547 Ratings

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7.6

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7.6	Your Score
7.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 547 Ratings

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Season Details & Credits

The CW | CW | Season Premiere Date: September 10, 2009

Starring: Zach Roerig, Kevin Williamson, Paul Wesley

Summary: In this adaptation of the L.J. Smith book series, vampire brothers battle for the heart of a mortal teenaged girl named Elena Gilbert.

Creator: Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec and L.J. Smith

Genre(s): Drama, Fantasy, Horror

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E22. Founder's Day
Air Date: May 13, 2010
tbd
S1:E21. Isobel
Air Date: May 6, 2010
tbd
S1:E20. Blood Brothers
Air Date: April 29, 2010

See all Seasons and Episodes

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

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Critic Reviews

100

Linda Stasi

These killers are more fun than a cemetery full of psycho zombie killers on Halloween. Read full review

Ginia Bellafante

There’s an engrossing moodiness to Mr. Williamson’s latest venture, but one he conveys without annulling the pact he long ago made with himself never to let his cheekiness go undetected. Read full review

Brian Lowry

Williamson and Julie Plec--working from L.J. Smith's books, which actually preceded "Twilight"--mix these familiar elements into a crimson cocktail that even gets reasonable mileage out of its cliches, which ought to give this early riser a chance to establish some fan loyalty before the other networks launch their Thursday lineups. Read full review

Glenn Garvin

No, it's not Twilight--but it's not bad, either. The Vampire Diaries, The CW's new fang-gang drama, successfully hitches the sanguinary sexuality of the vampire ethos to the in-group/out-group dynamic of the teen soap. Read full review

Ellen Gray

Damon ("Lost's" Ian Somerhalder) complains. "Remember, Stefan--it's important to stay away from fads." If only the CW would listen. Read full review

Randee Dawn

Where is that Buffy chick when you need her? Read full review

Tim Goodman

You will want all the extras who played vamps on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (which was great, by the way, and not to be blamed for this lackluster cousin) to return en masse to eat the cast of "Vampire Diaries," plus any remaining scripts. Read full review

SEE ALL 22 REVIEWS

User Score

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7.6

User Reviews

Loulou96

Dec 30, 2011

So yeah, the show probably isn't perfect. Elena's too perfect and caring and Stefan's a complete martyr if he's not a ripper and tearing people's heads off. But tbh, I really don't care, because the awesome script, plot lines, and (some) characters make up for it. Maybe the first fewSo yeah, the show probably isn't perfect. Elena's too perfect and caring and Stefan's a complete martyr if he's not a ripper and tearing people's heads off. But tbh, I really don't care, because the awesome script, plot lines, and (some) characters make up for it. Maybe the first few episodes aren't that great 'cause it's all about Stefan/Elena relationship (yawn) but it does get better. It takes a while to get into it, but once you do, well IMO, it is truly amazing. And yes, I have watched True Blood, and it's okay, but seriously, sometimes I just don't get the character decisions! Or the plot lines. But still.

Damon, Katherine (she's a *beep* but seriously great), Ric, Caroline and maybe even Klaus are my favourite characters. Supporter of Delena and Forwood… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

NoahF

Jan 19, 2010

Great show. Way better than expected. Very deep script. Nothing immature or cheezy about this one.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

HannahSalvatore

Aug 27, 2010

THIS IS DEFINITELY MY FAVORITE SHOW. (can you tell by my display name? ;) much better than twilight. Damon is my favorite character. If you have any taste in shows AT ALL, you will like the vampire diaries. (: Alot of action, drama, and good story line. If you havent seen it before, go checkTHIS IS DEFINITELY MY FAVORITE SHOW. (can you tell by my display name? ;) much better than twilight. Damon is my favorite character. If you have any taste in shows AT ALL, you will like the vampire diaries. (: Alot of action, drama, and good story line. If you havent seen it before, go check it out! I promise you, you will like it. I CAN NOT WAIT FOR THE SECOND SEASON AND FOR ______ TO COME ON THE SHOW. (you know who i mean :)… Expand

17 of 21 users found this helpful174

EmilyBennett

Nov 5, 2016

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I gave the show and 8/10 and the main reason is because Nina left. I understand that it's her decision and that we should all be respect it but i can't help but feel disappointed as the show would have concluded in a completely different way. Also, it breaks my heart seeing all the Stelena shippers hoping for a come-back. I'll admit that Stefan and Elena were everything (Stefan was Elena's "epic love") but it would be so unfair for Caroline and Damon if they did get back together.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

xlogan123

May 12, 2011

At times entertaining, though not quite amazing. The story is usually interesting and the actors are decent. Individuals who are interested in modern depictions of vampires will likely find it worthwhile.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

ferbrazil

Nov 26, 2012

The actress makes me sick, she is the most important and the most fake, in my opinion gets boring becouse of her, the other girls are nice but she.. ohhh gooosh, kill me pleeeease

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

Virefly

Feb 18, 2018

This show is wrong in so many ways. It's like Twilight but somehow even worse, And i'm an Supernatural fan.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 128 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

57

Series Overview
Season 8

tbd
- Season 8 Overview
  Air Date: October 21, 2016
Season 7

tbd
- Season 7 Overview
  Air Date: October 8, 2015
Season 6

tbd
- Season 6 Overview
  Air Date: October 2, 2014
Season 5

tbd
- Season 5 Overview
  Air Date: October 3, 2013
Season 4

tbd
- Season 4 Overview
  Air Date: October 11, 2012
Season 3

tbd
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: September 15, 2011
Season 2

78
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: September 9, 2010
Season 1

50
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: September 10, 2009
- tbd
  S1:E22. Founder's Day
  Air Date: May 13, 2010
- tbd
  S1:E21. Isobel
  Air Date: May 6, 2010
- tbd
  S1:E20. Blood Brothers
  Air Date: April 29, 2010
- tbd
  S1:E19. Miss Mystic Falls
  Air Date: April 22, 2010
- tbd
  S1:E18. Under Control
  Air Date: April 15, 2010
- tbd
  S1:E17. Let the Right One In
  Air Date: April 8, 2010
- tbd
  S1:E16. There Goes the Neighborhood
  Air Date: April 1, 2010
- tbd
  S1:E15. A Few Good Men
  Air Date: March 25, 2010
- tbd
  S1:E14. Fool Me Once
  Air Date: February 11, 2010
- tbd
  S1:E13. Children of the Damned
  Air Date: February 4, 2010
- tbd
  S1:E12. Unpleasantville
  Air Date: January 28, 2010
- tbd
  S1:E11. Bloodlines
  Air Date: January 21, 2010
- tbd
  S1:E10. The Turning Point
  Air Date: November 19, 2009
- tbd
  S1:E9. History Repeating
  Air Date: November 12, 2009
- tbd
  S1:E8. 162 Candles
  Air Date: November 5, 2009
- tbd
  S1:E7. Haunted
  Air Date: October 29, 2009
- tbd
  S1:E6. Lost Girls
  Air Date: October 15, 2009
- tbd
  S1:E5. You're Undead To Me
  Air Date: October 8, 2009
- tbd
  S1:E4. Family Ties
  Air Date: October 1, 2009
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  S1:E3. Friday Night Bites
  Air Date: September 24, 2009
- tbd
  S1:E2. The Night of the Comet
  Air Date: September 17, 2009
- 8.4
  S1:E1. Pilot
  Air Date: September 10, 2009