A pilot lives or dies by its ensemble, and introduces a murderer’s row of future fan favorites:
Themes and motifs
One of the most brilliant casting choices in television history was Nina Dobrev playing both Elena Gilbert and Katherine Pierce. In the pilot, we don’t meet Katherine yet, but the subtext is everywhere. Stefan’s obsession with Elena only makes sense if there is history. The show’s greatest trick was hiding that history in plain sight. The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Ep 1
As the episode progressed, Elena began to experience strange and unsettling occurrences. She started to develop a strange connection with Stefan, and the two of them found themselves drawn to each other. But there was also a menacing presence lurking in the shadows, one that threatened to disrupt the fragile peace in Mystic Falls. A pilot lives or dies by its ensemble,