Photo Credit: Andrew Eccles / The CW © 2009
On Thursday, September 10, the long awaited new series The Vampire Diaries premiered on CW. With approximately 4.6 million viewers, it was the network’s highest rated premiere ever. It looks like proof that vampires are certainly hot in the world of popular culture, but there is more to the story than just that. Like the blockbuster movie Twilight, The Vampire Diaries began as a book series long before anyone ever thought of seeing it played out on screen. Those books gave the show a built-in fan base from the start.
With only one episode aired so far, it’s hard to give an accurate prediction of how true to the books the series will be. The premiere reactions may be more positive among those viewers who have not read the books, simply because they did not know what to expect. But among those familiar with the series, some of the glaring changes may have made it difficult to take it all in the first time through.
The most obvious and easily distracting change is probably the physical description of Elena. While Nina Debrov is a gorgeous brunette with dark eyes, the Elena of the books is described as pale blond with icy blue eyes. However, that is just a physical description change, nothing that elemental to the story itself. It seems that Meredith and Bonnie’s characters from the book have been combined into the character of Bonnie played by Katerina Graham. Her psychic powers manifesting themselves through touching the beer bottle in Elena’s hand was definitely not in the book. Elena’s younger sister Margaret has become Jeremy, the younger brother played by Steven R. McQueen. It’s going to be very interesting to see how that particular change plays out as the series progresses.
The second episode will air tonight and may very well draw in even more viewers. Despite the changes, fans of the books will find themselves drawn into the familiar love affair of Stefan and Elena. For those unfamiliar with the series, this is a whole new world to discover. You can see a preview of tonight's episode on CW's site.
Comments
First off, congrats on the new "hat", Amber.
About the VD on tv, I have to say, I was pretty happy with the casting. Even though as you said, some characters are not exactly as they're described in the books, it's not like it's crucial to their personalities (no Eyes of Amber here ;)) I do like actors playing Stefan and Damon, they are gorgeous, but in a strange & unsettling way. As for replacing sister and some other, I guess it will be ok. True Blood is not going strictly "by the book", and it doesn't make it any less awesome :) So... So far so good, and let's see how VD progresses!
Amber,
Well done! You make this show sound terribly interesting, but with my Twilight infatuation, I look at this pic and see Edward, Bella, and Jasper. ;)
The insane number of viewers alone, though, make this show look extremely promising- looking forward to hearing more!
wow! grest review, congrats!!
ok, so yeah i haven't actually read the books (not that i'm not planning too, it just i dunno, RL got in the way and it's not letting me read and do what i want) so i don't have a base to compare it too, but seeing the first chapter i can already say i'm hooked, i love the character Stefan (mysterious yet tortured... hmmm, reminds me of someone, who could it be? *giggles* i think u all know *wink* ~*cough.Edward.cough*~). anyway i'm going to keep watching the series and hopefully reading the books soon so i can have my opinion on the compare and contrast of the Vampire Diaries!
Well done review Amber,
I've never really read the "Vampire Diaries", I've been meaning to read them, but I'm lacking time. However, I'm enjoying the series, at least the first episode was not bad. The only thing is, when I was watching it, I kept asking myself "what in the world do people see similar to Twilight?". The myths are different, Stefan wearing the ring was a dead give away of why he can out in the sunlight...In fact, I think Vamp Diaries follow the traditional vampiric myths; The fangs, burning on the sunlight, needs to be invited to go inside a stranger's house, etc. So, really, no Twilight similarities to me.
But anywhoo. I'll look forward to reading more of your articles Amber :)
I have being watch vd and i have to say i wasnt to keen on the first epiosed but i am now hook!its not the same as twilight which is a good thing the love story is very different.Its a great tv show but i do have to say twilight is my fav,the vd guys are hot and i lve the fact its made based on the old myths of vampiers,looking forward to tonights series.
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