This new series continues to hump along in an attempt to brave Twilight ground on network television. Without knowing whether or not it will survive, the series not only uses all the old CW tricks, casts too older actors for high-school students, but roots itself in hackneyed themes.
The Vampire Diaries, of course, centers itself on a secret. Although the two leads have an instant attraction to each other, they are also bound together by a secret that Dobrev's Elena is unaware of these first few episodes. A common story telling trick, the basis of the secret in this series is two-fold as it is not only centered on Stefan's (Wesley) vampire history, but also a history that somehow involves Dobrev. Unfortunately, the star-crossed romance is such a stale concept that all it acts to do is stringently root the female role in passivity.
The CW Female
Although, Dobrev would appear to be enticing her man to learn more about her and her personality, there isn't any denying that she merely smiles, shimmies, and shines for her three episode old romance. Her attempt to appear "back to normal" is to rejoin her cheerleading routine (thankfully not captain) and be social, while her sexuality is relegated to dream sequences. Of course that's all great and posh on camera, but where's the normal girl in all this?
One reason for Roswell's (1999) success was not the science-fiction element or the romance amidst that, but rather that it let a normal girl figure her role out for herself. And even if Roswell struggled, other series like Felicity (1998) embraced a female story full of action rather than reaction. The CW has always struggled to create female-centered programming that was not busy with fashion, boys, and booze. Very rarely were it's female series given substance with the exception being shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997) (oh wait, wasn't there a wicca best friend on that show?) that allowed females to be more than voyeuristic vessels.
Primetime Voyeurism That Never Gets Old
But, voyeurism is on in full force in The Vampire Diaries as Wesley purely re-attends high school to re-live his romance and, of course, create a hay day for himself. His joining of the football team, dating, and school work expertise is so tiringly Twilight-esq that one merely waits for Somerhalder's Damon to saunter on-screen as despite a weak script, even the third week in, Somerhalder looks at ease playing the cocky older guy. At least his role is not about pretending as essentially everyone else in the series is pretending to be alright or have a 'normal' identity. He rather provides sarcastic commentary that thankfully reminds audiences that high school is not always the hottest template or ticket in town.
This series must also be taken into light with knowledge of the other new CW programming that is being premiered this fall. Most notably the revamp (har-har) of the 1990s hit Melrose Place that is entrenched in the post-college, professional world. Therefore, The Vampire Diaries provides new programming for the Gossip Girl crowd that is eager to consume high school fodder.
Who Will Tune In?
Yet what this series is going to be crippled with is too much rehashed history within the story that won't allow it to grow or actually move past its initial concept. Even the vampire lure lacks rules or boundaries that define their world versus the rest of Mystic Falls. Sigh, another week to wait...
