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The Vampire Diaries Finale Recap: All’s Well That Ends Well … for Now

The Vampire Diaries

Graduation
Season 4 Episode 23
Editor’s Rating 5 stars
The Vampire Diaries

The Vampire Diaries

Graduation
Season 4 Episode 23
Editor’s Rating 5 stars
Photo: Annette Brown/CW

Last night was the finale of The Vampire Diaries — and man, did it deliver. I vaguely remember what it was like before I started watching this show, but now my life is so overrun by drama and intrigue and incredible facial features that it’s basically a nonstop roller coaster from Thursday to Thursday (strategically placed teaser clips, you know?). Last night’s episode was everything I wanted it to be. It had romance, terror, a huge helping of nostalgia, and a final twist to put every past season’s cliff-hanger to shame. I’m gonna get into it below, but here is the most important thing you need to know: Stefan’s beauty has been multiplied, and I’m not just talking about the fact that he’s switched up his hair-care regimen.

Stefan Is Going to Love Again

Stefan and Lexi dancing to Bon Jovi gets a plus 20. Okay, so he wasn’t so much dancing as fist-pumping, but still: It was everything.

“Help me celebrate my seventeenth high school graduation.” I thought Stefan just went back to high school for Elena. You mean to tell me he’s been going to calculus and gym continuously since he was actually 18? Jesus. Minus 7.

“I should be upstairs grooming my hero hair.” Stefan was so snarky in the beginning of this episode. It sorta felt out of character, but whatever, I loved it. Plus 3.

“She’s the love of my life. I’d go back to her in a heartbeat.” I knew, of course, even in this moment, that Stefan would not be the one Elena would choose. And I think Stefan knew, too. This seemed like a resignation more than anything else. But you know what? Plus 2. Life (immortality) goes on.

The conversation between Elena and Stefan was a wonderful scene. Elena handed Stefan the cure: “You deserve whatever you want out of life. You deserve this.” She wasn’t giving him herself, but she was giving him a chance at a human life. Plus 40.

I threw my hands in the air when Elena and Damon finally got together, but I put them right back down again when I saw Stefan’s face. That was hard to watch. I’m glad Lexi was still there. Minus 25.

“Hey, Damon … I’m not happy about Elena, but I’m not not happy for you, either. I just want you to know that.” Wow. Plus 50, Stefan. Brothers.

“What if Elena was the one?” Stefan asked. I adored what Lexi told him, because I believe it, too. She was Stefan’s one, but it doesn’t mean she’ll be his only. There is more than one person out there to love like that, and the real truth is that sometimes we don’t end up with our epic loves. Sometimes they’re not the people we are meant to spend our lives with. Because that kind of love isn’t always sustainable (insert fire metaphor). Oh, also: Caroline. Plus 30.

STEFAN HAS A DOPPLEGÄNGER WHO IS NOW LIVING AS HIM. Silas’s true self was revealed, and turns out he has PAUL WESLEY’S FACE. Just take a moment to let that sink in. Silas threw Stefan in a box, and threw the box to the bottom of the sea. I’m not even going to give points. I’m just going to leave it there. I don’t have time because I am trying to LOCATE MY SCUBA GEAR.

Total: 113

Damon Finally Got rhe Girl

“I want you to take it.” Was there really anyone who still thought the sire bond was going to work once Elena’s humanity came back? You? Well, now you’re caught up with the rest of us. Plus 5.

Elena: “Take off your shirt ” Damon: “There are children present.” Hilarious. Plus 8.

I love seeing Damon in the wilderness. What is it about this guy that just blossoms in nature? Plus 4.

How many times is Damon going to be almost-dying of a werewolf bite in a season finale? I mean, plus 6, because it’s effective.

Alaric came and rescued Damon! I’m giving him points for this. Plus 10.

Elena punched Damon. “I taught her that swing,” Alaric said. I was so into everything that was happening in this scene until Elena pulled Stefan outside to break his (my) heart. Plus 3.

Okay, Delena people, let’s focus on you. Want to talk about your feelings? No? You want to shout them from rooftops? That’s cool, you can do that, too. You got what you wanted last night, and honestly? I did, too. I loved that scene. I threw my hands in the air and waved them around wildly. It was everything I wanted it to be. It was earned. And I loved that Damon basically said: Look, this is who I am. I’m not changing. And Elena told him then that she loved him. It might be a mistake. It might be a giant one. But he’s the one she wants. “That in death you were the one who made me feel most alive.” “I am not sorry that I’m in love with you.” Beautiful, beautiful moment, and one we all know has been a long, long time in the making. Plus 450. Here’s to a hot summer, a thousand new YouTube montages, and the next generation of fan fiction. What the heck — plus another 50.

“You got the girl, man … now don’t screw it up.” And then Alaric disappeared. Plus 10. What else was there to say? Oh, everything? A lifetime of bro hugs and long walks and afternoons at the bar? Minus 10, then.

Total: 536

Bonus Points:

“A snag is a bad yearbook picture” —Caroline. So true. Plus 3.

Elena, Alaric, and Jeremy chowing down on burgers was so tragic and so sweet and just … this was already hard, you guys, and we were just three minutes in. Plus 15.

“We only have until tonight. We need a no crying rule.” Can I get in on that? Plus 3.

“This is my bar. No one is going to blow it up” —ALARIC, I WILL TRADE EVERYONE FOR YOU JUST MAYBE LET ME KEEP PAUL WESLEY. Plus 12.

Matt and Rebekah making plans for their future on top of dynamite was amazing, although when did they become boyfriend and girlfriend? Did I miss that? Impending death, you guys. Plus 10.

“My shadow self is living a better life than I am.” Is she? Really? Seems like Katherine has it way better than Elena, actually. No points, though, because inevitably this became true.

MATT DONOVAN GOT ACTION. PLUS 200.

Rebekah took Matt’s place on that bomb! I am so excited for The Originals but please, Rebekah, don’t leave us. Plus 20. 

When Elena and Stefan walked up for graduation my entire room erupted in “awwww.”  Then when they all took their diplomas and moved on to the next phase of their life — serious sobs. I have loved you, Vampire Diaries. I have loved you every moment for the last four years, and I am going to love you still. I am going to follow you. Past high school into a world known to many as the Place Teen Shows Go to Die. But I want you to know, right here and now, that I believe in you. I believe in your ability to make this transition. You never even went to class anyway, so the way I see it, not much is actually changing. Plus 30.

The Mystic Falls cap and gowns were the same as the Sunnydale caps and gowns. We love the nods last night provided to CW (WB) graduation episodes past. Plus 5.

“Tyler is now free to return to Mystic Falls … he’s your first love. I intend to be your last.” I have never been Team Klaroline, but this totally sold me. It was the perfect ending to this particular chapter for them. After all, they do have eternity. Plus 50.

“Happy graduation, cupcake.” Plus 12. SHOWDOWNNNN.

Bonnie traded her life for Jeremy’s. Say what you want about Bonnie, but she is unbelievably selfless — always has been. Plus 30. I’ll miss you, Bonnie. But Kat, I feel like I’ll see you about the same amount, so NBD.

“I’ve never set one foot outside of this town.” And with that, Matt and Rebekah are off to see the world! I will cry crocodile tears if Zack Roerig doesn’t come back but OMG, Matt, STAY AWAY. GO FIND HAPPINESS ELSEWHERE. MAKE YOUR LIFE AND NEVER RETURN TO THIS HELL HOLE. Plus 20.

Elena gave Katherine the cure! And she didn’t kill her! Katherine is now HUMAN. Next year is going to be so. Freaking. Awesome. I can’t wait. Plus 40.

Total: 450

I’m not sure what the exact second, minute, light-year count on how long y’all have waited for Delena (Twitter knows), but Damon finally won Elena last night — and this round.

School’s out forever! And we’re out for the summer. But rest assured, I’ll miss you all. It has been a great (devastating) year. In all seriousness — thank you for letting me share it with you.

And if you ever get lonely: @RebeccaASerle

Vampire Diaries Season Finale Recap: Graduation