The Vampire Diaries: The Complete First Season – DVD Review

DVD Reviews, Reviews, Shows



Vampires are definitely a hot topic today. Hollywood has gone crazy with creating movies and television shows about vampires and love stories between vampires and humans. So when you heard that Kevin Williamson, who created the ever popular Dawson’s Creek, was going to create a vampire show about teenagers in high school, you probably immediately thought this will just be a Twilight and Creek remix. Obviously, Williamson’s Vampire Diaries found the right home on The CW with its main demographic being the teenage girl/young women demo. As a result, it has quickly developed into one of The CW’s most-watched scripted shows. But is too much like that popular movie series about a girl named Bella and a vampire named Edward, or is it the right mix of both?

Vampire Diaries centers on Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev), a beautiful 17-year-old girl whose parents have recently tragically died a few months ago. She now lives with her young Aunt Jenna (Sara Canning), and tries her best to look after her very troubled 15-year old brother, Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen). When she returns to Mystic Falls High School in Virginia, she meets a 150-year-old vampire named Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley), but she doesn’t know he is a vampire. Things get complicated when Stefan’s vampire brother Damon (Ian Somerhalder) has it out for him and will rest at nothing to make sure Stefan’s life is a living hell – or an unliving hell for that matter. While Stefan doesn’t kill humans anymore, Damon has no problem killing without hesitation. But why has Damon really showed up in Mystic Falls, and what will happen once Damon shows an interest towards Elena as well?

The pilot episode may actually be the worst, which is quite odd since it’s function is to draw viewers in. Unless, of course, people mistake this show as Twilight on the small screen and automatically make the decision to either watch it regardless or don’t give it a second look because of that. But Vampire Diaries is quite different than Twilight in a variety of ways. It may still be a teenage soap featuring vampires and humans, but it is never as melodramatic; the soapy elements have been toned down to a reasonable level. In fact, the more you watch this series, the more you probably will like it. It’s definitely not as funny as True Blood or Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but there is enough subtle humor to mix things up and keep things moving.

What also helps Vampire Diaries distance itself from Twilight is the more likable cast. We have no Bella Swans here; Nina Dobrev is far more likable and less annoying than Kristen Stewart. It helps that Nina’s character, Elena, comes across as more of an independent woman than Bella, but still Nina must be given credit for leading this cast. Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder are also outstanding as Nina’s co-stars. She has great chemistry with both of them, and Ian is excellent as the evil bad boy vampire. The supporting cast is also strong, and you will surprised to see that you start to care more about them as the first season goes on.

Ignoring the pilot episode, the first season of The Vampire Diaries is superior than anything Stephenie Meyer could have drempt up. The acting and writing is just so much better. The main target demographic for this series is still clearly teenage girls or young women who love Twilight, but those who have a strong dislike for those movies might be pleasantly surprised by this first season.

Episodes:

Disc One:

Episode 1 – Pilot
Elena Gilbert and her brother Jeremy come to terms with the death of their parents. Elena is popular amongst her peers and the perfect straight A student, but has difficulties hiding her grief from the world. Meanwhile, Jeremy treads on a dangerous path of using drugs to ease his pain. The arrival of new student Stefan Salvatore, however, makes Elena think about romantic possibilities.

Episode 2 – The Night of the Comet
Mystic Falls begins the preparations to celebrate the passing of a comet. Vicki recuperates in the hospital from her injuries. Stefan uses his abilities to erase Vicki’s attacker from her memory, but is interrupted by Matt. Mr. Tanner warns Aunt Jenna about Jeremy. Elena and Damon meet for the first time at the Salvatore house and his revelation on Stefan’s past brings Elena closer to the truth. Damon finds his next victim in Caroline.

Episode 3 – Friday Night Bites
Bonnie warns Elena about Stefan. Tyler attempts to humiliate Stefan but it backfires as Stefan catches and passes the ball back, winning everyone over. Damon and Caroline gate crash any plans Elena had for Stefan and Bonnie to get along.

Episode 4 – Family Ties
Elena and Stefan go to the town’s annual Founder’s Party. Vicki wants Tyler to take her to the party. Damon tells Elena about the history of the Salvatores. Stefan tries to cut Damon out of his life.

Episode 5 – You’re Undead To Me
Elena and Jenna have a problem with Jeremy’s relationship with Vicki. Stefan comes clean about his past to Elena. At a fund-raiser, Bonnie is taken aback by how advanced her powers are, and turns to her grandmother for guidance. Elena uncovers some news about the Salvatore family.

Disc Two:

Episode 6 – Lost Girls
Elena seeks answers from Stefan about all the bad things happening in Mystic Falls. Stefan reveals how the rivalry with his brother began through a series of flashbacks. Damon controls Vicki’s future. Meanwhile, Sheriff Forbes and Mayor Lockwood try to protect their town.

Episode 7 – Haunted
Stefan tries to save Vicki from herself. Damon tries to take his necklace back from Bonnie, he is shocked by Bonnie’s powers. Bonnie discovers more about her family’s history. Matt takes Vicki to a haunted house.

Episode 8 – 162 Candles
On his birthday, Stefan is surprised by a visit from Lexi, one of his oldest friends. Elena keeps Stefan at arms length, but Lexi gives her some unsolicited relationship advice. At Damon’s command, Caroline tries to get his medallion back from Bonnie. Damon makes a kill that angers Stefan. FInally Bonnie reveals the truth to Elena that she is a witch.

Episode 9 – History Repeating
Stefan learns the reason Damon returned to Mystic Falls – Jeremy gets a break from the mysterious new history teacher, Alaric Saltzman and introduces Alaric to Jenna. Bonnie is having terrifying dreams about one of her ancestors. Despite Elena’s efforts to smooth things over, Bonnie and Caroline continue to argue over the medallion. When the girls hold a séance to help them decide what to do, the results are stranger than any of them expected. Matt comes to Caroline’s aid when she needs a friend. Damon finally reveals to Stefan the stunning reason he has returned to Mystic Falls.

Episode 10 – The Turning Point
Stefan and Damon find a common enemy and someone they deem to be a threat. Meanwhile, Elena confesses her love for Stefan and persuades him to stay in Mystic Falls, but she also makes a devastating discovery that adversely affects her relationship with him. Jeremy takes up drawing fantasy creatures again.

Disc Threee:

Episode 11 – Bloodlines
Damon travels to Georgia, where he goes to visit, Bree a former lover to help him open the tomb. To make things even more interesting Damon has to face someone from the past seeking vengence. Stefan tries to help Bonnie overcome her fears and accept her powers. Jeremy meets a girl named Anna who has her own theories on the mysteries behind Mystic Falls.

Episode 12 – Unpleasantville
Damon, Elena and Stefan attend the school dance with a 1950s’ theme, where Alaric introduces himself to Damon. Stefan and Damon try to figure out the identity of the new vampire in town, and Stefan gives Elena jewelry filled with vervain to protect her family and friends. To make ends meet, Matt takes a job at the Mystic Grill. Ben comes to help Bonnie when he notices Damon is bothering her.

Episode 13 – Children of the Damned
In flashbacks, Stefan and Damon recall the long-ago actions taken by townspeople including their father, Guiseppe Salvatore, and Pearl, leading to the devastating events that caused the rift in their relationship. In the present, Bonnie’s date with Ben takes a frightening turn. Elena helps Stefan as he and Damon race to find the missing journal that belonged to Elena’s ancestor. Stefan learns the reason behind Alaric’s interest in both the journal and the town’s history. Damon discovers that an old acquaintance has returned to town with an agenda he understands.

Episode 14 – Fool Me Once
Stefan helps Elena and Bonnie out of a dangerous situation. Jeremy asks Anna to a party in the woods, unaware that she has her own reasons for wanting to meet him there. When Stefan, Damon and Elena work with Bonnie and Grams to open the tomb, everyone is shocked by what they discover.

Episode 15 – A Few Good Men
Matt and Caroline are surprised when Matt’s long-lost mother returns to Mystic Falls. Elena and Stefan are concerned about Damon’s new positive attitude, and Alaric makes some surprising discoveries about his past life. Meanwhile, Stefan and Jenna help Elena search for information about her birth mother.

Disc Four:

Episode 16 – There Goes the Neighborhood
Anna visits Damon and brings along an unexpected guest. Elena and Stefan endure an awkward double date with Caroline and Matt, but Stefan and Matt start to bond after realizing they share some common ground. Jenna reunites with her old friend Kelly, and Jeremy and Anna’s relationship moves in a new direction.

Episode 17 – Let the Right One In
Stefan and Damon make a new enemy, which puts Stefan in a dangerous situation. Damon and Elena try to enlist Alaric’s assistance in helping Stefan. Matt hopes that his mother may finally be back for good. Caroline’s car breaks down during a storm, leading her to make a terrible discovery that shocks everyone in Mystic Falls.

Episode 18 – Under Control
Stefan struggles to maintain control of his new circumstances, and Elena and Jeremy’s uncle, John Gilbert, unexpectedly shows up in Mystic Falls. Alaric and Elena have an awkward conversation about Isobel. Stefan exhibits some unusual behavior at the Founder’s Day event, and things turn ugly when Damon tries to find out why John Gilbert has returned. Matt and Tyler find themselves in conflict after an incident at the party, and the relationship between Matt and his mom reaches a new low point. Meanwhile, Elena is unable to comfort Jeremy, causing him to take action.

Episode 19 – Miss Mystic Falls
At the Founder’s Day Gala, Elena and Caroline compete in the “Miss Mystic Fall” contest. Elena is very happy to have Bonnie back but Bonnie still has some issues to work. Meanwhile, John Gilbert tries unsuccessfully to intimidate Damon, and Damon discovers that Stefan is hiding a very dangerous secret.

Episode 20 – Blood Brothers
As Stefan tries to come to terms with his past, he and Damon reveal pieces of their history to Elena, including the truth about how they were turned into vampires. Pearl and Jonathan Gilbert have an an ugly confrontation. Damon and Alaric attempt to track down a mysterious invention before Johnathan can find it. Jeremy and Anna’s relationship continues to grow.

Disc Five:

Episode 21 – Isobel
Isobel returns to town and surprises Alaric with a new attitude and demands that he arrange for her to meet Elena. When the two finally meet, Isobel refuses to answer most of Elena’s questions, but instead reveals that she, too, is looking for the mysterious invention that John Gilbert has been seeking.

Episode 22 – Founder’s Day
It’s Founder’s Day, and everyone is preparing for floats and fireworks. Though Damon and Alaric try to stop Johnathan Gilbert, he sets his plan in motion, leading to a chaotic, destructive, and deadly end to the Founder’s Day celebration.

The video is given in widescreen color with an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. It is enhanced for 16X9 TVs. Transfer is great with minimal distortion. Really about what you come to expect from a new series released on DVD these days. No major problems at all.

The audio included is available in English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround sound. There are subtitles available in English and Spanish as well. The dialogue comes out crisp and clear. No major problems here either.

Audiobook – This runs an insane 6 1/2 hours. Yes, that’s over 390 minutes. But the entire first novel from L.J. Smith called “Vampire Diaries: The Awakening” is included here. This is what the series is based on, so those you haven’t read that book yet will certainly enjoy this extra that provides a lot of value for this DVD set.

Audio Commentary – There is only 1 commentary for this season of the series and it’s on the “Pilot” episode. Creators, Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec, and director, Marcos Siega all comment on this episode. This one is not that entertaining, but very insightful for those that one to know more in-depth information on filming a television series.

“Into Mystic Falls” Featurette – This runs 25 minutes and it covers every aspect of the series really. From how the series made it to The CW to writing a script to casting to production design to set design, and everything in between. This is “must-watch” for fans of the show.

“When Vampires Don’t Suck” Featurette – This runs 19 minutes and it focuses on how the fans have reacted to the series so far. They talk about the rabid fanbase, what critics have said about the series, and the popularity of vampires right now, among other topics.

“A Darker Truth” Webisodes – This totals 8 minutes and it is made up of 4 webisodes. are depressingly terrible. No one from the actual TV series appears in any of these, so this are really subpar and just not watchable unless you are a hardcore fan. You can easily skip these and not miss a thing.

“A New Breed of Vampires” Featurette – This runs 13 minutes and it’s all about the casting for this series. Audition footage is also included here. This is somewaht interesting to hear how they look for a certain “look” to fill certain roles.

“Vampires 101” Featurette – This runs 7 minutes and it’s more like a multiple choice quiz. It tells fans the rules of being a vampire in Mystic Falls. Obviously, this changes from series to series to movie to movie.

Deleted Scenes – There are 9 scenes that didn’t make the final cut of the season, and they total 13 minutes. Like most deleted scenes, these don’t add much to the overall story, and were cut for good reasons. Only worth watching for hardcore, super fans.

“Second Bite” Gag Reel – This is 4 minutes worth of the usual bloopers and mistakes while filming this season. As usual, not really that funny.

Certainly this series is not for everyone. But if you think the first season of The Vampire Diaries is just another Twilight copycat, you need to think again. The bells and whistles on this set are sound, especially an entire audio book from the novel series that this show was based on. If you are curious about the show, give it more than a couple of episodes, and you will have clearer picture of what this show is really all about. You might be surprised to learn that you actually enjoy it.


Warner Home Video presents The Vampire Diaries: The Complete First Season. Created by Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec. Starring Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, Ian Somerhalder, Sara Canning, Steven R. McQueen, Katerina Graham, Candice Accola, Zach Roerig, Kayla Ewell, Michael Trevino, and Matt Davis. Running time: 925 minutes. Rated: Not Rated. Released on DVD: August 31, 2010.



I'm not embarrassed to say that my favorite television show of all-time is The O.C. I live by the motto "you can't fight fate!" More importantly, I watch WAY too much television, but I do so for the benefit of everyone reading this now. So to my mom and my wife, I say thanks for reading! To everyone else that might stumble across this, remember TiVo should be your best friend!