‘Vampire Diaries’: Elena’s Fight With Damon Proves She Still Loves Him

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The fourth season premiere of ‘The Vampire Diaries’ found Elena once again denying Damon’s feelings for her — and I think I know why!

I get that Elena (Nina Dobrev) chose to be with Stefan (Paul Wesley) on The Vampire Diaries. I’ve made my peace with that. But here’s my issue: Does choosing one brother mean she’s obligated to be cold and insensitive to the other? Her argument with Damon (Ian Somerhalder) on the Oct. 11 season premiere was borderline nonsensical — an excellent lead-in to the vice-presidential debates — and begs to be examined more closely.

Sandwiched in between super-sappy Stefan scenes, Elena and Damon had a pretty tense confrontation outside of Pastor Young’s house, in which she refused to acknowledge how much he really care about her.

Elena: “It was my choice to save [Matt]! Why aren’t you seeing that?”
Damon: “It’s a little hard to keep track of all your choices lately, Elena.”

In Damon’s defense, Elena has a history of making terrible choices. And I’m not hating on her for that — she was only human, after all — but I do have to wonder why she’s messing with Damon’s head like this. Their next exchange was even more puzzling.

Elena: “I remember everything. One of the highlights of my transition, remembering everything you compelled me to forget. Like how you and I met first. You were a stranger that told me you wanted me to get everything I wanted from life. Damon, why didn’t you tell me?”
Damon: “Would it have made a difference? … I didn’t think so.”

Could Elena’s signals be any more mixed? She asked Damon why he didn’t tell her he met her first, in a tone that suggested it would have made difference, yet remained silent when Damon asked her point-blank if it would have mattered.

Here’s my theory: Elena’s cold approach to Damon is actually her way of covering up how she really feels. She made her choice to be with Stefan, but she still has feelings for Damon, and that scares her. He’s the unpredictable, non-whipped brother — the one that will do whatever it takes to keep her safe, even if it goes against her wishes. Both Salvatores are hopelessly in love with Elena, but only one of them makes her feel like she’s in control.

Damon ended the conversation with “Are we done here?” and although Elena didn’t have answer for him, I sure do:

We’re not done. Not by a long shot.

Watch Elena and Damon’s confrontation below, then vote: Is it clear that she still loves him?