Throughout eight seasons on The Vampire Diaries, relationships constantly evolved. Whether brought together by chemistry, circumstance, choice or shared ambitions, the worst enemies could turn into the best of friends. Arguably the strangest pals to bond by bellying up to a bar are Alaric “Ric” Saltzman and Damon Salvatore.
This friendship forged over many bourbons isn’t without its pitfalls. Being besties with an often morally bankrupt and selfish vampire like Damon takes a certain kind of guy, one who has some deep, dark impulses of his own. But no matter how often Alaric and Damon straddle the fine line between friends and enemies, they just can’t seem to quit each other. Here are five times Damon was a good friend to Alaric, and five times he wasn’t.
Not: Plans To Dagger Elijah
With Elena’s future entanglement with Klaus Mikaelson all but guaranteed during Season 2, Damon plans a sneak attack (disguised as a dinner party) on Elijah Mikaelson. Ric doesn’t want to put Jenna in danger, and Damon promises it’s a fact-finding mission only. Even after Elijah issues a warning that he will kill everyone if he’s crossed, Damon arrogantly moves forward in the aptly titled “Dinner Party” episode.
Ric never forgets that beneath Elijah’s charming facade, he’s already frustrated that he’s forced to lie to Jenna, hindering his ability to fully protect her from a cold-blooded killer. Alaric resents Damon’s lie. It’s the first time Ric refers to Damon as his friend and reveals he has expectations when it comes to Damon’s behavior. Damon endures the scolding, which is progress. It’s the closest thing to remorse he’s able to attempt.
Good Friend: Warns Alaric About Meredith Fell
When the town medical examiner turns up dead with a stake through his heart, Damon comes up with one viable suspect — Dr. Meredith Fell. She also happens to be Alaric’s love interest. In the interest of both solving a murder and sparing his friend from getting romantically involved with a psychopath, Damon questions the lovely doctor himself in Season 3’s “The Ties That Bind.”
Damon’s concern that Alaric’s tragic luck when it comes to women could be an ongoing trend is very un-Damon like, especially when he’s got a brother off the rails and Elena to look after. Ric doesn’t ask for Damon’s help, but it’s a refreshing change from Damon snapping his pal’s neck because he’s “on a tear.”
Not: Causes Jenna To Be Sacrificed
When it comes to saving Elena from Klaus, Damon’s best intentions lead to tragic results. He rescues Caroline and Tyler, not realizing Klaus has a Plan B: he’s got Jules and Jenna. Damon’s singular focus leads to the woman Ric loves being turned into a ritual sacrifice in Season 2’s “The Sun Also Rises.”
Damon’s impulsiveness often means others suffer the consequences. As Damon dies from a werewolf bite, he baits Alaric, taking responsibility for Jenna’s death (and turning Isobel), hoping it will get Alaric to kill him. Alaric claims not to hold a grudge about Jenna, but how can he not when Damon acknowledges it’s his fault?
Good Friend: Stays By A Dying Alaric’s Side
In an ironic twist of fate, Esther’s attempt to turn Alaric into Mikael 2.0 is thwarted by Alaric himself. His Dr. Jekyll overturns his Mr. Hyde in time to stop the transition, but it means the end of the road for Ric in Season 3’s “Do Not Go Gentle.” Damon chooses to stay with his friend until the end.
Damon isn’t the sentimental type, so it’s bourbon and jokes, but he does finally offer up a sincere apology for killing Alaric — twice. Damon acts pragmatic about Alaric’s fate, but he tries to do right by his friend in the end. Alaric wants to spare everyone he loves most of the pain of watching him die, but he knows Damon can bear the burden.
Not: Breaks Alaric’s Neck
Caroline’s father Bill Forbes returns to Mystic Falls and in addition to trying to kill his daughter, begins making waves with the Council. Damon’s first instinct is to kill Forbes. When Alaric attempts to stop him in Season 3’s “Disturbing Behavior,” Damon breaks his friend’s neck. Alaric’s wearing the Gilbert ring, so Damon knows the consequences are temporary.
But Damon still kills his best friend over a difference of opinion. With Stefan gone, Alaric is Damon’s go-to guy, and he takes it for granted that Alaric will chalk it up to a bad mood. This Damon tantrum puts a temporary end to the Alaric-Damon bromance.
Good Friend: Takes Alaric To Europe
In the aftermath of Alaric’s wedding day massacre resulting in Jo’s death, Damon takes a grieving Alaric on a whirlwind drinking tour of Europe. After watching his bride gutted by her psychotic twin, and the majority of their wedding guests slaughtered, it’s Damon who helps hold Ric together.
It’s debatable how great a friend Damon is since he fails to notice Alaric sneaking off, trying to figure out how to bring Jo back from the dead. But Damon does makes Alaric a priority, putting his energy into something more useful than counting the days until he can reunite with Elena. Damon has his frenemy moments, but he does come through when Alaric’s outlook is bleakest.
Not: Compels Alaric To Steal The Ascendant
Damon compels Alaric to steal the Ascendant from Jo on Season 6’s “I Alone.” Alaric isn’t going to hand over the key to a prison keeping Jo safe from her psychotic brother, and swears they’ll find another way. This isn’t good enough for Damon who is both wracked with guilt over Bonnie being left behind with Kai, and eager to get Bonnie back so she can help him win back Elena’s affections.
Damon does what’s best for himself, marginalizing Alaric’s feelings and showing no interest in Jo’s well-being. Alaric forgives Damon for a lot of horrible things, but this breach of trust puts Damon in the doghouse.
Good Friend: Helps Alaric Rescue Jo
In Season 6’s “Christmas Through Your Eyes,” helping Alaric save his girlfriend from her evil twin gives Damon a chance to redeem himself for compelling Alaric to steal the Ascendant. Alaric, who is a mere mortal, can’t possibly get Jo back without some supernatural backup, but he questions Damon’s motives.
Damon’s impulse to kill Kai is the right one. Even if Damon only wants Kai dead because it will make him feel better about Bonnie being stuck in Prison World, he’s right to question Jo and Alaric’s judgment. It doesn’t take Kai long to prove Damon right, and the final outcome of letting Kai live is a tragic one. Damon gets points for being the harbinger of doom — it’s not his fault Alaric doesn’t heed his warning.
Not: Drags Alaric Back Into Supernatural Drama
Damon shows up in Dallas and recruits Ric to help him stop the Huntress from getting Stefan. Trying to get Stefan out of one scrape lands him in another, and Damon needs Alaric to help him hunt down an especially nasty vampire living in Stefan’s body. Damon is eager to resume their friendship, but if Alaric is, he doesn’t show it. He’s been just fine with his Damon-free life, but Damon’s so consumed with his own motives, he’s shocked to learn Alaric’s life has just gone on.
Good Friend: Brings Alaric Back From The Other Side
As the Other Side begins to collapse, it’s up to Damon to save the people he loves in Season 5’s “Home.” Granted, Alaric isn’t at the top of his list, but he is a close second. Just like in the old days, the guys have each other’s backs until the very end, and it’s Bonnie who pushes Alaric through first. Fans know Damon would have put his pal before him anyway. Ge gives Alaric the greatest gift ever — a ticket out of supernatural purgatory and a shot at a new life.
