Even on a show as rich in characters, such as The Vampire Diaries, Damon Salvatore stands out among the rest. Thanks to Ian Somerhalder’s performance and Damon’s complex character (as well as his personal charm), he became one of the fan favorites.
Damon had a long journey on the show. Everybody knows he started out as the main villain of season one but quickly joined the heroes (with occasional relapses). Damon changed a lot as a person which reflected the ending of his story. However, some fans are convinced that Damon’s ending didn’t make all that sense.
Makes No Sense: Stefan Also Had A Lot To Live For
With that being said, Stefan also had a lot to live for. His relationship with Caroline took off and the two seemed to have a happy future ahead. So in the end, it’s only a question of personal preferences, whether the fans think Damon or Stefan should have been the one to sacrifice his life.
Who knows? Maybe some fans agree with both Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley’s ending, and that they both should have ended up dead.
Fitting Ending: His Happy Ever After With Elena
Even though Elena originally dated Stefan, she ended up with Damon. Their relationship had its ups and downs, but since it was revealed that they had lived out the rest of their lives together, it is clear that they were right from each other.
They eventually got married and had children. If Damon died, none of this would have happened and it’s hard to say what would become of Elena after losing her soulmate (again!).
Makes No Sense: But He Was Still A Bad Guy Once
It’s true that Damon turned things around in the end. But he was still a former bad guy – and unlike most villains on The Vampire Diaries, he didn’t get punished for his evil actions by dying (not permanently anyway).
Damon had abused Caroline and made her his blood bank. He snapped Jeremy’s neck because he was angry at Elena. He killed his nephew, Zach, to get back on Stefan. He murdered Stefan’s best friend, Lexi. And that’s only a few of his terrible deeds.
Fitting Ending: He Got His Revenge On Katherine
Unlike Stefan, who eventually forgave Katherine for her actions, Damon’s hate for Katherine remained. So it must have been a satisfying moment for him when he survived and Katherine went back where she deserved to be – in Hell.
Of course, Stefan’s death spoiled Katherine’s punishment a little but at least this way, he knew Katherine wouldn’t be back to torment him.
Makes No Sense: But He Could Have Been The One To Kill Her
With that being said, it would still make a smidge more sense if Damon was the one to capture Katherine and make her die in the fire. When Damon found out Katherine wasn’t trapped in the tomb and had him for a fool, his new mission was to bring her down.
After all, Katherine was the main reason for the conflict between Damon and Stefan, as well as the reason why Damon became a vampire in the first place. Killing her and going out with a bang would be just in Damon’s style.
Fitting Ending: People Kept Putting Him Aside His Whole Life
One of the reasons why Damon acted the way he did was because he might have felt like he was always only the second best. And that’s the type of feeling no one likes. His father Giuseppe preferred Stefan, who was more obedient than his rebellious older brother. Katherine told Damon that she never really loved him, that it was always Stefan.
And Elena initially mirrored Katherine’s words when she said it would always be Stefan. So Damon deserved to be the most important person for someone for once. And killing him off would have diminished that.
Makes No Sense: He Was Willing To Sacrifice Himself
Despite how his life had changed for the better, Damon was still willing to sacrifice himself. He even tried to compel Stefan to let him do it.
Unbeknownst to Damon, Stefan was on vervain and the compulsion didn’t work. It’s understandable that Stefan didn’t want his brother to die but if Damon made the choice and was at peace with it, Stefan should have respected his decision.
Fitting Ending: He Deserved To Have A Better Life When He Was Human
Damon never wanted to be a vampire. Not like Stefan, who accepted the transformation willingly. Damon just wanted to be with Katherine and when he thought she died, he was willing to die too.
However, Stefan coaxed him into becoming a vampire. Since Damon’s human life, as well as his vampiric life, wasn’t all that great, it was a fitting ending that he got a shot at a better life in the show’s finale.
Makes No Sense: He And Elena Separated In The Afterlife
One of the things that make no sense about Damon’s ending is why he and Elena got separated in the afterlife. Yes, Damon wanted to see his brother again but Elena surely had missed Stefan too. So why couldn’t they have all gone see Stefan after Elena had met with her family? It’s a mystery.
