Sorry Klaroline shippers, the love between these immortal beings needs to die.
Warning: This post contains major spoilers for The Vampire Diaries series. Read on at your own risk!
If you’re a die-hard Klaroline shipper and want to read about all the reasons Klaus and Caroline should end up together, check out the “Klaroline MUST be endgame” post, written by our superfan of The Originals, Kristen!
Otherwise, let’s talk.
I’ll be the first to acknowledge that Candice King and Joseph Morgan, and consequently Caroline Forbes-Salvatore and Klaus Mikaelson, have insane chemistry. Individually, they’re two of the most dynamic characters in the TVD universe, and when they get together, they only elevate each other’s fire.
There are relatively few “Klaroline” moments, in comparison to the other big ships, but despite sharing less screen time than the Stelenas, Delenas and Sterolines of the world, this ship has had one of the biggest impacts on the TVD fandom. As fans, we went crazy as the relationship between the two characters ebbed and flowed between enemies, friends, and something that’s so much more. Like I said, their chemistry is undeniable, and it’s impossible to not be captivated by the pairing.
That being said, just because fans are into their chemistry, it doesn’t mean their union actually makes sense.
I’m not even going to focus on the toxic nature of their relationship and Klaus’ personality, because as a fan of The Vampire Diaries, that feels inherently hypocritical. The whole series is built on the premise of “the bad boy loving the good girl,” so in that respect, we’d be getting exactly what we bargained for.
In my mind, a fan couldn’t support Delena and oppose Klaroline, using that argument. Even Stefan falls into the “bad boy” archetype at the beginning, considering he’s a vampire who’s killed hundreds of people who’s pursuing a relationship with an innocent high school student.
It’s just that Klaroline doesn’t make sense as an endgame pairing for the story that’s being told with The Vampire Diaries and The Originals. If a few things had happened differently, maybe it could’ve worked, but as things stand now, I don’t see it being part of a satisfying ending for the world.
Related: Dear The Vampire Diaries: A love letter to Mystic Falls
The big emotional crux of The Vampire Diaries series finale was the death of Stefan Salvatore. He sacrificed himself for his wife, his friends, and his brother. He gave up his life so that all of those people could live their’s to the fullest. This happened mere hours after he married Caroline. Their epic, slow-burn relationship finally culminated in marriage only to have it almost immediately stamped out.
Caroline is an immortal while the rest of the people in her life are mortal. Obviously we have to expect that eventually she’ll move on and have new loves and experiences that have nothing to do with her family and friends in Mystic Falls. As unthinkable as that is, the opposite would be even more tragic.
However, to know that it would happen is different than actually seeing it. We know that Stefan would want Caroline to move on and find happiness, but for us to see that is an entirely different thing. It almost feels like an insult to Stefan’s memory. Of course, to see her move on with Klaus, who’s been one of Stefan’s greatest adversaries, would be another thing entirely.
We all saw how everyone reacted when Caroline finally gave into her urges and slept with Klaus. Her friends were appalled! While it would be nice to know that Caroline got to continue her immortal life with characters that we’ve known and loved in The Vampire Diaries and The Originals, to know that her friends and family might not be supportive of her relationship would be disappointing.
That’s why, I think “however long it takes” needs to take a little longer. I’m thrilled that we’ll get to see Caroline again on The Originals, and I’m equally excited that we’ll get to see her interact with Klaus more, but to see them end up together just feels wrong.
It’d be great to see Klaus get to be Caroline’s “last love,” as he predicted, but if it came at the expense of the memory of the rest of the characters who will have come and gone, it’s really not worth it.