The RPM Show

By Ryan Matthews

One of the biggest hits of last year returns for its second season: The Vampire Diaries on The CW. It is based on the series of books by L.J. Smith about a young girl who falls in love with a boy named Stefan who later reveals that he is a 150 year old vampire, and just moments later his brother Damon shows up to create havoc on his own brother and their hometown of Mystic Falls, Virginia.

The main character is Elena Gilbert, played by former Degrassi: TND star Nina Dobrev. The characters of Stefan and Damon are played by Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhadler, who was previously ABC’s LOST. Last season we found out that the girl who turned the boys into vampires is Katherine and she looks just like Elena.

Katherine returns to Mystic Falls but no one knows why. In the season premiere we learn Katherine has come back for Stefan because she is still in love with him. This does not sit well with Damon so he decides to kill Elena’s brother Jeremy so he can become a vampire himself, but in the end Jeremy survives Damon’s attack because he wore the family ring that protects them from dying. Elena’s best friend Bonnie who became a witch last season has vowed to protect her friends at any cost, even it means killing a vampire herself.

This year we will learn more about Tyler Lockwood and his family curse of being a werewolf. Also, at the end of the season premiere Katherine ends up killing one of Elena’s friends Caroline while she is recovering from her car accident. Clearly, this is a sign that no one is safe on this show and the producers have proved that on more than one occasion. This is a clear indication that Katherine will do anything to get what she wants and that the war between the Salvatore brothers and her is on.

In the last two years, America has been obsessed with vampires because of the Twilight series and True Blood. With The Vampire Diaries, you get better storylines and more characters to come with it. Basically, it’s a fresh take on the mythology of vampires, werewolves, and witches with a lot less romance put into it. So with that in mind, I highly recommend you watch this show because you have the total package: a great cast, great writers, great storylines and an entertaining thrill-ride. I give the show four possible stars out of four and two thumbs up. Catch all-new episodes of The Vampire Diaries Thursdays at 8/7c on The CW. Do you like this show? Is this something you would watch every week? Where do you think the plot is headed? The producers say no character is safe. Who will die next? Send us an e-mail and tell us what you think of the show.