Reports have been going around that Season 7 of the American supernatural drama TV series “The Vampire Diaries” on The CW might be the show’s last.
Accordingly, the best indication that the ax is going to fall on the show soon is the fact that it was moved by The CW on a Friday time slot beginning on the second half of Season 7 from its original Thursday primetime schedule.
Apparently, the network’s move was propelled by its 0.5 rating in the 18-49-year-old viewer demographics, which started sometime in the Season 5 of the show when Nina Dobrev was still the main protagonist of the TV series.
So it is safe to say that the departure of Nina Dobrev and her Elena Gilbert character after Season 6 of “The Vampire Diaries” has nothing to do with the rating decline for Season 7 because it was merely carried over from the previous two seasons.
But if it’s any consolation to the showrunners, “The Vampire Diaries” has significantly improved story-wise during its Season 7 or when Nina Dobrev already left the show as it has opened a lot of interesting storylines for the other characters, notes Cartermatt.
Still popular on social media
“The Vampire Diaries” is also very popular on social media and its following is like no other. Damon Salvatore, played by Ian Somerhalder, and Elena Gilbert remain a popular couple in spite of Dobrev’s departure from the show.
In addition to its throngs of fans, “The Vampire Diaries” has also spawned a spin-off TV series titled “The Originals” which is now on its third season.
However, critics still believe that The CW might not cancel the show at all and the rumors are mere speculations to sort of hype “The Vampire Diaries” and bring back most of its disenfranchised viewers because of Dobrev’s exit.
Many also believe that the network still wants to do the right thing for the series and keep its legacy. Thus, it is possible that “The Vampire Diaries” might be renewed for a possibly-shortened Season 8, which is to be the final season of the show. It is also expected that the final season will wrap up the story and build towards a fitting conclusion.
What to expect on the second half of Season 7
The second half of Season 7 of “The Vampire Diaries” will premiere on January 29. According to the synopsis of the next episode, titled “Hell is Other People,” Julian, played by Todd Lasance, will make sure that the friends of Stefan, played by Paul Wesley, will have a tough time saving him, details the Christian Today.
The teaser trailer of the next episode of “The Vampire Diaries” showed the younger Salvatore still in the hands of the sadistic Julian while Damon is already free.
During the midseason finale of “The Vampire Diaries,” both Damon and Stefan got trapped inside the Phoenix Stone.
When the series returns for the second half of Season 7, Damon shall reportedly be resurrected by Bonnie, played by Kat Graham, using the mysterious gem.
The trailer showed Bonnie telling Damon that he has been dead for the past three months. It also showed that Julian still has Stefan lying on a slab. It seems that Julian is planning to burn Stefan and then came the sudden flare-up.
The clip also showed Caroline, played by Candice Accola, being frantic and worried, and telling Damon that once Julian puts Stefan’s body on fire, there is no longer hope of getting him back from the dead.
There is also an uncharacteristic scene in the promo trailer wherein Stefan is shown standing in front of Damon while the elder Salvatore brother tells him that he is not supposed to be where he is. It seems that a different soul shall take over Stefan’s body.
Damon continues to be bewildered and he becomes demented with Caroline, and then shouting that none of what is happening is real. Damon then puts a stake into her heart and it was witnessed by Matt, played by Zach Roerig. While Matt tried to rescue Caroline, the picket has already pierced her heart.