1.00 Pilot

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Pilot
File:Elenacemeteryfog250.jpg
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 1
Written byJulie Plec
Kevin Williamson
Directed byMarcos Siega
Production no.100
Original airdateSeptember 10, 2009
"Previously on"-
Other cast
Chris William Martin as Zach Salvatore
Benjamin Ayres as Mr. Tanner
Cindy Busby as Brooke Fenton
Steve Belford as Darren Malloy
Marci T. House as Mrs. Clarke
Wesley R. MacInnes as Peeing Guy
Curtis Lum as Peeing Guy #2
Lee the Raven as Crow
Episode chronology
« PreviousNext »
-1.01 Night of the Comet

Official synopsis: Four months after the tragic car accident that killed their parents, 17-year-old Elena Gilbert and her 15-year-old brother, Jeremy are still trying to cope with their grief and move on with their lives. Elena has always been the star student; beautiful, popular and involved with school and friends, but now she finds herself struggling to hide her sadness from the world. As the school year begins, Elena and her friends are fascinated by a handsome and mysterious new student, Stefan Salvatore. Stefan and Elena are immediately drawn to one another, and Elena has no way of knowing that Stefan is a centuries-old vampire, struggling to live peacefully among humans, while his brother Damon is the embodiment of vampire violence and brutality. Now these two vampire brothers – one good, one evil – are at war for Elena’s soul and for the souls of her friends, family and all the residents of the small town of Mystic Falls, Virginia.

Contents

Synopsis

Stefan at the Salvatore Boarding House

Warning: This synopsis contains detailed spoilers about the plot.

Stefan’s voice-over: He announces he’s been alone for over a century and is a vampire. Outside Mystic Falls: In their car, a young couple, having a good-natured argument, notice fog thickening around them and suddenly strike a figure in the road. Seeing it on the ground, the boy gets out, being attacked when he approaches. The girl gets out, calling him. Suddenly, his body drops onto the hood of the car. She screams and runs off before being lifted off the ground by an unseen force. Salvatore Boarding House: Stefan, on the roof watching the sunrise, drops to the ground.

Gilbert house: Elena writes in her diary. Aunt Jenna offers to make breakfast before leaving and Elena tries to talk to Jeremy. Bonnie's car: She chats about Grams but notices Elena’s not listening. Suddenly, a large crow hits the windscreen. Elena says she can’t be freaked out by cars forever. Mystic Falls High School: Stefan arrives. Caroline asks Bonnie if Elena is okay. Schoolyard: Jeremy gives Vicki pills. Inside, Stefan compels the school secretary. Elena sees Jeremy heading to the mens’ room, so she follows him and accuses him of drug-taking. He walks out. Stefan encounters Elena leaving the mens' room. They act awkwardly before Elena leaves, eyeing him again.

Mr. Tanner's class: Bonnie texts Elena, as Stefan is staring at her. Mystic Falls Cemetery: Elena sits at her parents' grave, writing in her diary. Suddenly, fog gathers and a crow lands on the gravestone. She tries to ignore it, but when she turns around, it's still there and she runs off. She stumbles and finds Stefan standing there. He asks if she's okay and says he's visiting family. She sees his ring before he enquires if she’s hurt herself. She checks her leg and his face changes and he tells her she must leave. When she turns around, he’s gone.

Salvatore Boarding House: Stefan writes in his journal about his encounter with Elena. Mystic Grill: Jeremy asks Vicki why she's ignoring him. Nearby, Matt and Tyler talk about the latter and Vicki. Elsewhere, Caroline tells Bonnie about Stefan. Gilbert house: Elena is surprised to see Stefan at the front door. He returns her diary and she invites him to the Mystic Grill. Mystic Grill: Matt and Bonnie talk about Elena and they see her and Stefan arrive together. At a table, Matt, Caroline, Stefan, Elena and Bonnie talk and Caroline mentions the party at the Falls. Salvatore Boarding House: Zach bursts into Stefan's room, handing him a paper detailing mysterious deaths. Stefan says he has everything under control and when Zach leaves, he extracts a photograph of a young woman, which bears the words "Katherine 1864". Mr. Tanner’s class: Stefan contradicts him when he talks about the Battle of Willow Creek and he ends up humiliated.

Damon and Stefan at the boarding house

The Falls: Stefan arrives for the party and is accosted by Caroline. Around the fire, Bonnie hands Elena a bottle and has a vision of death. She walks off before Elena finds Stefan behind her. Woods: Jeremy corners Tyler when he starts getting aggressive with Vicki. Bridge: Elena talks about Matt and the car crash. Stefan tells her she won't be sad forever before his face changes again. He leaves. Woods: Vicki is alone and is suddenly attacked by an unseen force. Party: Matt tells Elena he still believes in them. Caroline is rejected by Stefan. He approaches Elena, who sees Jeremy wandering off and goes after him. He discovers Vicki’s body. They return to the party seeking help and Stefan disappears. Salvatore Boarding House: He arrives home and tells Zach about the attack. In his room, a crow flies in as he comes face-to-face with his elder brother, Damon. The Falls: Bonnie tells Elena about her vision. Stefan’s room: Damon taunts Stefan, provoking him until Stefan shows his vampire face and forces them both out the window. Outside, Damon continues to taunt hun and hands back his ring, before throwing him against the garage and warning him not to mess with him again.

The Falls: Elena tries to talk to Jeremy but he brings up the subject of her cemetery visits. Mystic Grill: Bonnie talks to a rejected Caroline. Hospital: Vicki wakes up muttering "Vampire". Elena’s room: She writes in her diary as Stefan, at the Boarding House, looks at Katherine’s photograph and writes in his journal. In duelling entries, they express their feelings, saying the bad things remain. Living room: Jeremy looks at a photograph of his parents. Mystic Grill: Bonnie pays for the drinks as Caroline smiles coyly at Damon. Elena’s room: She says bad things follow you and there's no escape and then spots Stefan outside. When he asks her if she’s okay, she tells him to ask tomorrow as she invites him in.

Missing scenes

  • A scene in the Mystic Grill where Tyler purposely knocks into Vicki, causing her to spill a drink on Stefan, was in screeners and the pilot showing at Comic Con, but didn't make it to air. Tyler tries to start a fight, but Stefan merely stares at him and then excuses himself.

Quotes

Bonnie: "So Grams is telling me I'm psychic. Our ancestors were from Salem, witches and all that - I know, crazy. But she's going on and on about it and I'm like, 'Put this woman in a home already!'"
Elena (about Matt): "He hates me."
Bonnie: "That's not hate, that's 'You dumped me, but I'm too cool to show it, but secretly I'm listening to Air Supply's Greatest Hits.'"
Tyler: Hey, Pete Wentz called, he wants his nail polish back."
Jeremy: "Pete Wentz, huh? How old school TRL of you. Carson Daly fan?"
Elena: "I'm Elena."
Stefan: "I'm Stefan."
Elena: "I know. We have History together."
Stefan (returning Elena's journal): "Don't worry, I didn't read it."
Elena: "No? Why not? Most people would have."
Stefan: "Well, I wouldn't want anyone to read mine."
Elena: "You keep a journal?"
Stefan: "Yeah, if I don't write it down, I forget it. Memories are too important."
Zach: "I know that you can't change what you are. But you don't belong here anymore."
Stefan: "Where do I belong?"
Tyler: "Wow. Vicki Donovan says 'No.' That's a first."
Jeremy: "I'm drunk. Am I throwing myself at you?"
Vicki: "No, you're worse. You wanna talk to me, get to know me, see into my soul and screw, and screw, and screw until you're done with me."
Jeremy: "Is that what you think?"
Vicki: "That's what I know."
Stefan: "I like Bonnie. She seems like a good friend."
Elena: "Best friend in the world."
Stefan: "And Matt seems like he can't take his eyes off of us."
Elena: "Matt's that friend since childhood that you start dating because you owe it to yourselves to see if you can be more."
Stefan: "And?"
Elena: "And then my parents died. And everything changes. Anyway, Matt and I together, it just - I don't know, it wasn't, um... It wasn't..."
Stefan: "Passionate."
Elena (surprised): "No. No, it wasn't passionate."
Stefan: "Crow's a bit much, don't you think?"
Damon: "Wait 'til you see what I can do with the fog."
Damon: She took my breath away. Elena. She's a dead ringer for Katherine. Is it working, Stefan? Being around her, being in her world? Does it make you feel alive?"
Stefan: "She's not Katherine."
Damon: "Well, let's hope not. We both know how that ended."
Damon: "You should know better than to think you're stronger than me. You lost that fight when you stopped feeding on people. I wouldn't try it again."
Caroline: "Why didn't he go for me? How come the guys that I want never want me?"
Bonnie: "I'm not touching that."
Caroline: "I'm inappropriate, always say the wrong thing. And Elena always says the right thing. She doesn't even try - and he just picks her. And she's always the one that everyone picks, for everything. And I try so hard - and I'm never the one."
Bonnie: "It's not a competition, Caroline."
Caroline: "Yeah, it is."

Diary entries

Stefan's journal

I shouldn't have come home. I know the risk. But I had no choice. I have to know her.
I lost control today. Everything I've kept buried inside came rushing to the surface. I'm simply not able to resist her.
I had a plan. I wanted to change who I was, create a life as someone new, someone without the past. Someone alive.
They follow you. You can't escape them - as much as you want to.

Elena's diary

Dear Diary, Today will be different. It has to be. I will smile, and it will be believable. My smile will say, "I'm fine, thank you. Yes, I feel much better." I will no longer be the sad little girl that lost her parents. I will start fresh, be someone new. It's the only way I'll make it through.
Dear Diary, I made it through the day. I must have said "I'm fine, thanks" at least 37 times. And I didn't mean it once. But no one noticed. When someone asks "How are you?", they really don't want an answer.
Dear Diary, I couldn't have been more wrong. I thought that I could smile and nod my way through it, pretend like it would all be okay.
Without the pain. Someone alive. But it's not that easy. Bad things stay with you.
All you can do is be ready for the good, so when it comes, you invite it in. Because you need it. I need it.

Body count

  • Darren Malloy, killed by Damon when he goes to check a body in the road.
  • Brooke Fenton, killed by Damon after he's done with Darren.

Music

Listed in order of appearance.

  • Mat Kearney "Here We Go" [In the Gilbert house with Elena, Jeremy, and Jenna]

  • The Raconteurs "Consoler of the Lonely" [Jeremy with Vicki and Tyler at school]

  • Stars "Take Me to the Riot" [In the Mystic Grill with Matt, Vicki, and Tyler]

  • Katy Perry "Thinking of You" [Matt and Bonnie talking in the Mystic Grill]

(watch music video on YouTube)

  • MGMT "Kids" [Elena, Stefan, Caroline, and Bonnie talking in the Mystic Grill]

  • Placebo "Running Up That Hill" [In the boarding house with Stefan and Zach]

  • White Lies "Death" [Stefan arrives at the party]

(watch music video on YouTube)

  • Bat For Lashes "Siren Song" [Bonnie and Caroline in the Grill/In the hospital room with Matt and Vicki]

  • The Fray "Never Say Never" [Closing montage]

Book references

  • The first post-teaser scene features Stefan standing on the roof of the boarding house, staring off into the woods. This echoes Stefan's first scene in The Awakening, as he stands in the woods before school.
  • Elena sits by the window as she writes in her diary.
  • When told by the school secretary that his records are incomplete, Stefan removes his sunglasses and mind-whammies her into allowing him to register anyway.
  • When Mr. Tanner lays into Elena during History class, Stefan distracts him by schooling him on Mystic Falls' Civil War history, embarrassing the teacher in front of the entire classroom.

Other references

  • James Blunt is an English singer-songwriter known for his acoustic soft rock.
  • Barack Obama is the 44th President of the United States.
  • Heath Ledger was an Australian actor who died accidentally from the abuse of prescription medications in January 2008 at the age of 28.
  • Air Supply is a soft rock duo who rose to fame in the late seventies/early eighties with hits such as "Lost in Love" and "Making Love Out of Nothing At All."
  • Pete Wentz is the bassist for emo/pop-punk band Fall Out Boy. He's known for being fond of eyeliner and nail polish.
  • Carson Daly rose to fame in the late 1990s while hosting MTV's Total Request Live (TRL).
  • Hitchcock refers to Alfred Hitchcock, the British film director responsible for classic psychological thrillers such as the one Elena is alluding to, The Birds.

Trivia

  • The pilot was shot in Vancouver as New Moon, the second film in the Twilight Saga, was also being filmed in the city.
  • Ian Somerhalder (Damon Salvatore) attended a 100 Monkeys show with Ashley Greene (Twilight's Alice Cullen) during filming, sending the internet into a tizzy.
  • Paul Wesley (Stefan Salvatore) revealed in interviews that his naturally pointy cuspids went unnoticed until he arrived on set for the pilot shoot in Vancouver.
  • According to Paul, he was cast less than two weeks before shooting began in Vancouver. Upon winning the role, he went immediately to a book store and bought and read the series.
  • Nina Dobrev (Elena Gilbert) said the showrunners gave the entire cast journals to chronicle their experience during the Vancouver shoot.
  • Director Marcos Siega asked his Twitter followers for music suggestions during editing.
  • In screener copies of the pilot, "Panic Switch" by Silversun Pickups is used in the opening scene, but the show was unable to get clearance for air. "Sort Of" by Silversun Pickups was used instead.
  • The local news station is WPKW, which Fringe fans will recognize from that show's first season. WPKW happens to be the name of a New York-based video production company that does work for TV and feature film.
  • 935 is the house number of Elena, Jeremy and Aunt Jenna's home.

Production

The filming of the pilot was originally scheduled for March 23 - April 8 in Vancouver, British Columbia, but Marcos Siega posted to his Twitter account on March 30th: "Finally going to camera on Vampire Diaries."[1] Principal photography wrapped in the early morning hours of April 18th. Filming locations included Templeton Secondary School, standing in for Mystic Falls High School, and an unknown Vancouver estate housing the set for Stefan's bedroom at the boarding house.

Casting

The casting of Steven R. McQueen (Jeremy Gilbert) was announced on February 29, 2009[2], with lead actress Nina Dobrev (Elena Gilbert) following on March 8th[3]. Ian Somerhalder (Damon Salvatore), Zach Roerig (Matt Donovan), and Kayla Ewell (Vicki Donovan) were announced on March 25th[4], with the remaining principal cast of Katerina Graham (Bonnie Bennett), Candice Accola (Caroline Forbes), Michael Trevino (Tyler Lockwood), Sara Canning (Jenna Sommers)[5], and Paul Wesley (Stefan Salvatore) confirmed soon after.[6]

Pilot script reviews

  • Vampire Nerd found the story "not much different from the [vampire stories] we know and adore" and compared its thematic elements to Twilight and True Blood. "While certain elements of the show promise to maintain a subdued Twilight-like air about them, other aspects hint at an exploration of the more dangerous side of both living in the world of the American teenager and being in love with a vampire."[7]
  • The Futon Critic praised Williamson and Plec's dialogue, but said the pilot was ultimately "all kinds of shrug-ish" and noted "there's nothing here you haven't seen before (and done better)."[8]
  • Travis Yanan gave the script an initial review of "Jury's Out" ("didn't think it was terrible, but have some issues").[9] "...despite my feelings that its [sic] oh-so been-there-done-that...one, the CW doesn't seem to really be against retreading old material, and two, I can see it working (despite it not being much more than a talkative version of Twilight)."[10]

Pilot reviews

  • Futon Critic: "I’m sure this show will have its audience, but boy am I not among them. The final product proves to be just as predictable and cliche-filled as we expected… All in all, Diaries at best plays like a 44-minute music video for a much more interesting show and at worst a lifeless clone of things we’ve seen done before, and done much better."[11]
  • TV Overmind: "Overall, it is the familiarity of The Vampire Diaries plot that sometimes works against it. Seasoned vamp aficionados may find much of the story boringly familiar. Williamson should have paid attention to the line he wrote for Damon, 'Remember Stefan, it’s important to stay away from fads.'"[12]
  • KryptonSite: "From the very first moments, the pilot reminds me of the first episode of a WB Network show from the times when The WB was good. There’s the pop-culture banter between a soon-to-be-doomed couple, there’s a dark and moody backdrop, and already some action and mystery… all within the first minute. Those worried that this is going to be a Twilight love-fest redux can relax. There’s a lot more going on than the romantic stuff."[13]
  • Blast Magazine: "Overall, the pilot for “The Vampire Diaries” is a great start for the series. Audiences will love the hints of humor thrown into the mix of drama, Somerhalder’s delicious bad boy taunts and the formulaic love story. Dobrev and Wesley are refreshing as their chemistry onscreen intensifies with each added scene. The only stark contrast is the narration of the diary entries which comes across as awkward at times. The atmosphere for the series is balanced, and the collaboration between talent and production are not over the top. There is a focus on keeping up the suspense until the final scenes."[14]
  • IGN: "Well, it stands to reason that this show will benefit from the vamp-craze sweeping the nation, but it still can't help but feel stale and derivative. Yes, despite the fact that it came first. Everyone's so quick to tell you that this story series pre-dates Buffy and Twilight, but they'll still try to sell it to you as a vampire story that's part Buffy, part Twilight and even part *gasp* True Blood. It's refreshing to see the character of Damon enter the story since he does behave more like a soulless and murderous minion of hell should act, but the rest of the story is painfully 'food court goth.'"[15]
  • io9: "The show fulfills all the prerequisites for today's teen dramas: semi-dated pop culture references, teens using the novel media of text messaging to communicate with one another, substance abuse, angst, and hotness, but this time with the added bonus of the supernatural. Seriously, it's like Dawson's Creek without the witty banter and with vampires, so maybe One Tree Hill with vampires."[16]
  • End of Show: "Vampire Diaries is smarter, wittier and more engaging than Twilight and has the added bonus of being episodic so the reveals and plot twists can be steadily rolled out and given the attention they deserve. It is kind of a season 3 Buffy meets Dawson’s Creek (which Williamson of course created) and has a well drawn ensemble cast who are archetypes but who nevertheless engage the interest."[17]
  • Digital Spy: "Overall, not a bad pilot, although it was rather clichéd at times. It may be of interest to early Dawson's Creek fans in that it's very teeny - and at times naff - and there's a lot of over-analysing and diary-related moments (as the title suggests). A sexy cast means that it's probably worth tuning in for at least one episode."[18]
  • ReelzChannel.com: "Some of the differences may be key to distinguishing Diaries from Twilight if the show is allowed to develop. The antagonistic relationship between Stefan and his brother Damon (played by Lost’s Ian Somerhalder) could provide for some exciting battles and Elena’s friend with psychic abilities Bonnie will be able to add new intrigue as she discovers the depth of her abilities."[19]
  • Vampire-Diaries.net: "A question a lot of people have been asking is 'Does it feel like The Vampire Diaries?' As in the books... It’s an impossible question to answer because every single fan has their own expectations. And, frankly, the goal of the producers, writers, crew, and actors is to make the best show they can. What I feel comfortable saying, because I can only speak for myself, is that I’m really liking what I’m hearing from the producers about their overall vision. There’s definite potential here and I think the show can easily strike a balance between its core love story and supernatural happenings now that it has the time to develop and twist and raise the stakes."[20]

Promotion

Images

Episode Stills in Vampire-Diaries.net Media Gallery

Clips & Trailers

Songs used that have been identified are listed beneath the trailer link.

English - USA

English - UK

  • UK Promo (Combined Pilot / Night of the Comet)

English with subtitles

Provided for the hard of hearing and people who like subs.

French

English audio with subtitles in French.


Portuguese

English audio with subtitles in Portuguese.

Russian

English audio with subtitles in Russian.

Spanish

English audio with subtitles in Spanish.

Vietnamese

English audio with subtitles in Vietnamese.

Ratings

The series premiere was the most-watched in the CW network's three year history with 4.9 million American viewers. 1.462 million Canadian viewers tuned in.

References

  1. ^ Siega, Marcos (2009-03-30). Twitter
  2. ^ Schneider, Michael (2009-02-27). "CW casts 'Melrose Place,' 'Vampire'". Variety.
  3. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (2009-03-08). "Networks see flurry of pilot castings: Rupert Penry-Jones, Nina Dobrev land lead roles". The Hollywood Reporter.
  4. ^ Schneider, Michael (2009-03-25). "Somerhalder joins 'Vampire Diaries'". Variety.
  5. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (2009-03-25). "Donald Sutherland joins CBS' 'Eastmans': 'Lost' alum Ian Somerhalder also lands pilot role". The Hollywood Reporter.
  6. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (2009-03-26). "Paul Wesley joins 'Vampire Diaries'". The Hollywood Reporter.
  7. ^ Downeysmith, Devon (2009-03-17). "CW plans to cash in on vampire craze with new show 'Vampire Diaries'". Vampire Nerd.
  8. ^ Sullivan, Brian Ford (2009-03-17). "The Futon's First Look: 'Vampire Diaries, The' (The CW, Script)". The Futon Critic.
  9. ^ Yanan, Travis (2009-03-28). "Pilot Script Reviews... Forthcoming!". Travis Yanan Watches TV.
  10. ^ Yanan, Travis (2009-04-23). "Next Season - CW". Travis Yanan Watches TV.
  11. ^ Sullivan, Brian Ford (2009-06-10). "The Futon's First Look: "Vampire Diaries, The" (The CW)". Futon Critic.
  12. ^ Lachonis, Jon (2009-06-29). "Review – The Vampire Diaries Pilot". TV Overmind.
  13. ^ Byrne, Craig (2009-07-09). "Review: The Vampire Diaries Pilot Episode". KryptonSite.
  14. ^ Allen, Conception (2009-07-23). "Comic-Con 2009: The CW takes on vampires, diaries". Blast Magazine.
  15. ^ Fowler, Matt (2009-07-23). "SDCC 09: The CW's Vampire Diaries First Look". IGN.
  16. ^ Carusillo, Julia (2009-07-26). "Vampire Diaries Drags Us To Teen-Drama Hell". io9.
  17. ^ Walker, Kristy (2009-07-26). "Comic-Con : WB Pilots : Human Target, V, Vampire Diaries". End of Show.
  18. ^ French, Dan (2009-07-26). "Pilot Reviews: 'Vampire Diaries' (The CW)". Digital Spy.
  19. ^ Reelz (2009-08-02). "The Vampire Diaries and Being Human Offer Vampires and Werewolves and Ghosts … Oh My!". ReelzChannel.com.
  20. ^ Vee (2009-08-02). "Is it September yet?: Vampire Diaries pilot thoughts". Vampire-Diaries.net.


Episodes
Season 1:     Pilot • Night of the Comet • Friday Night Bites • Family Ties • You're Undead to Me • Lost Girls • Haunted • 162 Candles • History Repeating • The Turning Point • Bloodlines • Unpleasantville • Children of the Damned • Fool Me Once • A Few Good Men • There Goes the Neighborhood • Let the Right One In • Under Control • Miss Mystic Falls • Blood Brothers • Isobel • Founder's Day
Season 2:     The Return • Brave New World • Bad Moon Rising • Memory Lane • 2.05 • 2.06 • 2.07 • 2.08 • 2.09 • 2.10 • 2.11 • 2.12 • 2.13 • 2.14 • 2.15 • 2.16 • 2.17 • 2.18 • 2.19 • 2.20 • 2.21 • 2.22
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