A short review regarding the 1st season of 'The Vampire Diaries'

Even if we all know that the tortured lives of vampires have been thoroughly explored in recent decades, it doesn't mean that any new show about vampires will be, at least to some extent, derivative. And now that the genre is further to the forefront of the American pop culture consciousness than ever, thanks to the ongoing success of the Twilight book/film franchise, people are even more familiar with the tropes of vampirism.

The big question is: does The Vampire Diaries offer anything new in its story of a teen girl in love with a boy who doesn't want to be a monster?

The truth is that The Vampire Diaries is not particularly about Elena (Nina Dobrev), the 17-year-old girl who attracts Stefan's attention. At the center of Diaries is Stefan, his capricious decision to return to his hometown of Mystic Falls, Virginia (the name was changed from the book for legal reasons), and the dramatic ramifications this decision has not only for Elena but for all the people around her. 

Stefan's decision affects his own circle as well Nina's. His returning home draws the curiosity of his malicious older brother, Damon (Ian Somerhalder). Damon immediately recognizes that Stefan is fixated on Elena only because she's a "dead ringer" for Katherine, the girl the brothers fought viciously over long ago. Damon has promised to inflict a lifetime of misery on Stefan, presumably because of the outcome of this fight, and Damon, who unlike Stefan doesn't shy from feeding off humans, has the strength to do make it happen.

For those keeping score, many traditional tropes are present here, but tweaked to serve the story. Stefan can't enter a house uninvited, providing two good acting moments for Wesley as he stands outside Elena's door. Sunlight turns them to ashes, but the brothers have magic rings that protect them in daylight. They have unnatural strength and speed (Stefan is always just there when Elena turns around, which is nicely creepy), but the show emphasizes that human blood gives superior strength; Stefan, who feeds on animals, is vulnerable to Damon because of it.

The supporting cast shows significant promise: Steven R. McQueen, playing Elena's younger brother Jeremy, stands out in particular, giving us a very adolescent boy whose coping skills aren't quite as good as his sister's. Katerina Graham, as Bonnie, Elena's best friend, is just frothy enough to be a nice counterpoint to an Elena who's still somber over the death of her parents the previous year. Sara Canning, as the aunt juggling an unexpected family and her own budding academic career, has potential.

My opinion is that you should see the TV series if you didn't until now. Maybe you will read the book too and you'll see how the action is taking place in the book and how in the TV show. Those in love with the eternal impossible love between a vampire and a young human girl should defintely see the film. Also, the Twilight fans should expect to major changes in this show, the vampires are not as they are in the Twilight movies...

Please read the full review on http://scifi.about.com/od/thevampirediariesnews/fr/VAMP_pilot-review.htm