Quite a lot of The Vampire Diaries was constructed on answering the query, “Who does Elena find yourself with?” and it concluded with Elena selecting Damon over his brother Stefan to be her lover. Developed by Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec, the supernatural drama was primarily based on L.J. Smith’s fashionable guide collection of the identical identify. The Vampire Diaries starred Nina Dobrev because the initially human Elena Gilbert. The present’s early seasons served as Elena’s coming-of-age story, with the character not solely being launched to the world’s myriad legendary components but in addition a passionate love triangle with ageless vampire brothers Stefan and Damon Salvatore.

The Vampire Diaries created a tough arc to beat when it got here to Damon and Elena’s journey. One of many primary criticisms from Legacies was that Hope and Landon’s relationship was not on the forefront of the most recent seasons. Damon and Elena’s relationship could be powerful to beat, and it was solely made extra fascinating by a love triangle that included Stefan. Nonetheless, it was fascinating to see the twists and turns, determine when Elena selected Damon, and why she selected to finish up with Damon over Stefan in the long run.

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When Does Elena Select Damon?

When Elena first confirmed up in The Vampire Diaries, she fell in love with Stefan and that was who she appeared destined to be with. Stefan was very protecting of her and Damon was largely a jerk, who appeared to care extra about his personal egocentric wishes than anybody round him. Nonetheless, what Elena by no means knew was that she met Damon first. They shared a second within the rain, and he was at all times who she was meant to be with. So, when does Elena select Damon? She selected him sooner than even she knew, however he wiped her reminiscence, and their time collectively was delayed.

It was within the second season when Elena noticed a really completely different facet of Damon and realized that he could be the one for her – and never Stefan. This led to the third season when Stefan left Mystic Falls and Elena grew nearer to Damon. Regardless of not wanting to harm Stefan, she could not deny her emotions and the 2 shared a kiss in “Coronary heart of Darkness.” By the tip of the season, Elena was a vampire and Damon was there to mentor her. She started to lastly develop away from Stefan and began to bond with Damon.

By The Vampire Diaries season 6, Damon and Elena lastly admitted their love for one another. By this time, it was too late. Simply as they lastly revealed how a lot they beloved one another, and Elena selected Damon in The Vampire Diaries, she fell right into a curse and ended up in a coma. Nina Dobrev left the present, and it regarded like Elena and Damon would by no means have their glad ever after. It lastly occurred within the collection finale when Elena awakened, Damon gave up his vampire life to change into a human, and the 2 spent their lives collectively.

Vampire Diaries Elena And Damon Have been All the time Meant To Be

Performed by Paul Wesley, Stefan bursts into Elena’s life after saving her from a automobile accident. The pair shortly bonded and, regardless of a number of bumps within the street, Elena and Stefan shaped a romantic relationship. All through The Vampire Diaries seasons 1 and a pair of, Elena and Stefan served because the present’s central couple. Although Damon more and more developed emotions for Elena throughout those self same episodes, he saved the extent of them buried. Equally, at first, Elena alternated between dismissing or tolerating Damon and his crush.

Nonetheless, issues started to vary when Stefan turned his humanity off and left city with Klaus Mikaelson (Joseph Morgan). Regardless of repeatedly looking for him, Elena and Damon started spending extra time collectively, rising nearer. Nonetheless, each of them remained intent on staying loyal to Stefan. Damon continued serving to to reunite them, even on the expense of his personal happiness. By the tip of The Vampire Diaries season 3, Elena accepted that she had emotions for Damon however finally selected to be with Stefan.

Issues modified additional nonetheless when, in The Vampire Diaries season 4, episode 1, “Rising Pains,” Elena accomplished her transition right into a vampire. It was beforehand established {that a} facet impact of that individual transformation is heightened feelings. Elena would particularly fall vulnerable to these throughout her time as a vampire. That was most notably prevalent throughout her grief following the demise of her brother, Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen).

Nonetheless, it additionally performed a element in her finally selecting Damon in The Vampire Diaries season 4, episode 23, “Commencement.” As a human, Elena was extra successfully in a position to compartmentalize her emotions for Damon and prioritize her loyalty to Stefan. As soon as she was a vampire, nonetheless, her love was magnified. It was revealed to eclipse her emotions for Stefan and will not be simply ignored.

Damon’s Reminiscence Wipes Muddied The Water For Elena

One other lucky facet impact of transition is that earlier compulsions are undone. On account of turning into a vampire, Elena turned as soon as once more aware about all of the occasions that Damon had wiped her reminiscence. These moments tended to be events the place Damon had revealed his true emotions — getting it off his chest earlier than eradicating any hint of it from her thoughts. Equally, it allowed Elena to witness Damon Salvatore’s oft-unseen selfless facet. Moreover, in The Vampire Diaries season 3, Elena said that issues might need been completely different if she had met Damon first.

The return of all Elena’s lacking reminiscences additionally enlightened her to the truth that she’d met, and been charmed by, Damon earlier than encountering Stefan. The Vampire Diaries season 4 conveyed that she did not have all the knowledge when she beforehand selected Stefan. This concept can be explored once more in The Vampire Diaries season 6. After Damon appeared to have died, Elena had all reminiscences of ever loving him erased. In consequence, she fiercely disliked him. Upon turning human, although, Elena’s reminiscences have been as soon as once more restored. The second served as a microcosm of their whole arc throughout the seasons.

Armed with full data (and reminiscences) of every part that had taken place through the years, coupled along with her heightened feelings, it allowed her to make a extra knowledgeable selection. It turned clear that Damon was the one for her in any case — not as soon as however twice — with Elena realizing that “even in demise, Damon was the one which made her really feel most alive.” Although their romance would hit a number of extra obstacles alongside the way in which, that truth remained true — proper up till the tip of The Vampire Diaries and past.

What Elena And Damon Have been Up To Throughout Legacies

In Legacies, Damon and Elena are talked about a number of occasions — significantly by Josie Saltzman. In Legacies season 3, episode 9, she tells Ric that she’s been staying with Damon and Elena, and invitations him over to their house. Whereas the couple has but to seem on the present, just a little might be ascertained about their lives through the spinoff. The pair appears to be glad and wholesome, with Elena working as a health care provider in Mystic Falls. She and Damon are actually married, and so they have a daughter named Stephanie Salvatore who’s attending Mystic Falls Excessive College. It is a becoming finish for The Vampire Diaries couple and a cheerful one at that.