: While Stefan tries to live peacefully among humans, Damon represents a more predatory threat. The episode ends with Stefan realising Damon is responsible for recent local "animal" attacks, including one on Vicki Donovan [14, 15]. Main Cast Nina Dobrev : Elena Gilbert / Katherine Pierce [17, 20] Paul Wesley : Stefan Salvatore [17, 30] Ian Somerhalder : Damon Salvatore [20, 25] Steven R. McQueen : Jeremy Gilbert [20, 27] Kat Graham : Bonnie Bennett [25, 30] Candice King : Caroline Forbes [17, 25] Zach Roerig : Matt Donovan [25, 30] Featured Music
| Character | Trait / Role | Key Quote | |-----------|----------------|-----------| | Elena Gilbert | Grieving, resilient human doppelgänger | “I have to believe that there’s more than just this – the relentless cycle of high school, and parties, and … pain.” | | Stefan Salvatore | Guilt-ridden “vegetarian” vampire (animal blood) | “I’m not the monster you need to be afraid of.” | | Damon Salvatore | Antagonistic, hedonistic vampire (human blood) | “I’ve got 145 years of bad blood with my brother. You’re just a fling.” | | Bonnie Bennett | Empathic witch (powers latent) | “I felt something. Something cold.” | | Jeremy Gilbert | Depressed, drug-using younger brother | “Don’t pretend to care. Nobody does.” | The Vampire Diaries Episode 1 Season 1
: Both Elena and Stefan use diaries to process their feelings, a recurring narrative device for the show. : While Stefan tries to live peacefully among