Central character per episode (The Vampire Diaries), part 4

[arabian]

Finishing up with all of the currently aired episodes, here is part four in listing and explaining who I think the central character per episode of The Vampire Diaries is. As before, here is what I based my choice upon:

1) Which character had the strongest emotional arc

Comments

[badboy_fangirl]

Yay for Damon! *claps*

"The Descent" is by far my favorite Damon-centric episode other than "The Return" of course, but I like that you gave him "Daddy Issues" and "The Dinner Party" too, because he's just been a busy boy this season. So much happening internally and externally for him.

I did LOL at you "giving" it to Tyler, but seriously? His is the only good part of ItLotM, as we've already lambasted at length, but I still get irritated when I think of that episode, and I never rewatch it, which is odd for me, because I re-watch ALL TVD eps.

I think it's interesting that because of Katherine's "supporting actor" status, she's missed out on two episodes that could go to her, but that would also imply that Kat has emotions to have an emotional arc with, and that might be being too generous with her anyway, right? :-)

[arabian]

There are other Damon-centric episodes I prefer, but just for the Damon aspect himself, yeah, after "The Return," "The Descent" is definitely my favorite too.

I was surprised when going through the last batch of episodes and realized how many had Damon fitting the criteria I set for myself.

Re: Tyler and "By the Light of the Moon," yeah, other than a few stray moments, the Tyler arc is so completely the only good part of that episode.

LOL! Katherine "missing out" on episodes, but as a recurring character who is mostly around just to cause mayhem, I just can't see her as anything even less than supporting. Yes, I consider Jeremy, Alaric, Jenna and Matt as supporting, but they do at least have small arcs that featured their point of view. Other than ML and "Katerina," Katherine hasn't.

[midnightblack07]

ohh wow, I never would have thought that Damon surpassed even Elena at this point, but your reasoning is pretty spot on and they have been progressively featuring him more and more heavily as the series progressed--which, of course, is just fine by me hehe =P

it's clear that midway through season one, the popularity and unexpected breakout-star status of Ian Somerhalder and Damon Salvatore led to his role as one of two central characters (Elena being the other).

You know I kind of think the same thing, like I don't doubt that they have a story to tell and that Damon's arc (as most of the characters) has been in the making since day one, but I certainly do feel that his popularity plays a role in how heavily they emphasize his individual character (I see this in particular with their advertising), and I kind of see them starting to do it with Caroline as well (which is AWESOME); so, long story short, yaay =)

[x5vale]

I think that out of every episode so far, this is the first one that essentially has only one lead. With other episodes, even if they strongly showcased their central character, there was strong stories and motivation going on with other characters.
I totally agree. It was all about Damon and the other characters were just like shadows in the background.

but Damon was a huge part of both of those stories, as well as his own trying to find his way journey.
Exactly.

The only character stuff learned from the flashbacks was in the final one with Lexi and Damon. Yup, Damon ... who also essentially set up all that happened in the A-plot (aka, the dinner party). Even outside of that, there was a bit of focus on him in the Stefan and Elena scenes. Finally, Damon interacted with every character on screen except for Bonnie, Jeremy and Caroline.
I really enjoyed that episode because Damon had the chance to actually interact with everyone and I loved loved loved Damon and Alaric developing an actual friendship.

I decided to go with Bonnie