We’ve discussed the differences between the Vampire Diaries books and the show a few times here – and now it’s the show’s producer’s turn. Julie Plec, executive producer of The Vampire Diaries, recently chatted with TV Guide about the reasons for the differences between the two. So if you’re looking for some explanations, you finally have them! Check it out:
Where did Damon’s creepy black crow go?
The pilot of the series was pretty faithful to the first book. One of the big changes though was having Damon (Ian Somerhalder) exercise mind control over an eerie crow rather than tranform into it. But we haven’t seen his pet in a while. Where did the creepy crow go? Plec says the set-up gave Damon too much power too quickly. “We thought that if we’re starting there, and they can do all this now, where the hell are we going to go?” she says. Also, “it felt a little comic booky and while people really enjoyed it, the same amount of people thought it was cheesy.”
Why did Elena and Stefan ditch their journals?
Early on in Season 1, the show featured a lot of Elena (Nina Dobrev) and Stefan (Paul Wesley) writing in their journals. Then, they suddenly stopped writing (although we occasionally get a glimpse of the journals in the background). Plec says that’s because once the two found each other, they wouldn’t need to their journals to turn to. “The power of a journal is when you’re lost and alone and feel like you have no one to talk to,” she says. “What we have fun with is how to integrate the concept of journals — from Alaric typing in his computer or the old John Gilbert journals that set off the mythology of the vampire device. And we still haven’t laid our hands on a Lockwood journal.” Plec isn’t ruling out a return to written thoughts either. “There might come a time when Elena has no one to talk to and needs to go back to that journal, but right now she’s got lots of people to confide in,” she says.
Will Damon and Bonnie grow closer?
In the show, Bonnie hates damn near all vampires, but in Season 2, Bonnie (Katerina Graham) and Damon eventually teamed up to fight the bigger fight. The question is whether or not they will take it a step further and develop the close bond they do in the novels. Plec understands that their relationship important to book fans, but says, for now, they’ll just remain frenemies. “The fun we have with them right now is [going] from two people who have absolutely no respect, admiration or love for each other, whatsoever, but because they share a common goal and share common loves, they come together and are willing to put their differences aside and work together.”
Read the full interview HERE.
So what do you guys think? Do you fans of the novels agree with Plec’s reasons for the differences or do you wish they would take more from the books?
– Moonlight
Well, I liked the crow. And it seems to me that by giving up the journals for the reasons mentioned, then the show’s writers have removed subtext from the story–which is pretty nearly always a very bad thing.
Why Is It Called The Vampire DIARIES If They Dont Write In Diaries
Haha excellent point ;)
i think the reasons are good but i would still love to see more of the books in the shows. there are just somethings you have to include in the show, like the crow to show damon is around, and the journals that show the true thoughts of the main characters (stefan & elena), but what i really would love the show to include is the kitsune twins from the third book. other then that they are doing a very good job making the books into the show, but i think they should include some of the basic things from the books just to show they are related- at least a little.
they are really ignoring ALOT of good facts and adventure bye not letting Damon be more devious and Elena being more sassy while Bonnie in the book is a little sissy. the completly ignore facts. i wish they put more of the book into the t.v. series. because then it confuses you if you are a new fan and read the books to catch up but the books and t.v. series are different. :)
Ur Right they Need To Get The Facts Right Cos Elena Should Of Been Dead By Katherine And Clause Should Of Changed Katherine tHATS wHAT It Sed In the books and vicky should of died by clause and the fox twins and caroline cuming a werewolve and having werewolve baby
i mean i wish they would include Shinichi and Miaso the kitsune twins from books. they ignore the crow and in the book series even with elena and stefan being with each other elena is the only one who writes and her journal and actually writes what happened through her eyes
right damon kills the crow cos hes hungry cos stefan locks him in the celler and caroline lets him out.But my question is why is it nothing like the book at all???? i Mean its set in the same times and the names are the same but thats it elena should of died noww thats what it says in the book cos katherine kills her as an animal and nobody nos shes back??
I Nooo They R Stupid Tooo Leaave Themm Outtt. They Wer One Of The Best parts Of The Story
Well U Nooo
There Leavin Out Tooo Much
I don’t see jeremy in the books either, elena has a little sister instead and the names aren’t even completely the same because all the last names except for Gilbert and salvatore have been changed