Damon Salvatore and Elena Gilbert shared their first kiss in Season 2, Episode 1, “The Return,” of The Vampire Diaries. This wasn’t just a peck; it was a significant, if ultimately deceptive, moment that ignited a complex and passionate relationship fans would obsess over for years.
Unpacking “The Return”: The Episode That Started It All
“The Return” is pivotal for many reasons, but undeniably, Damon and Elena’s kiss is one of its most memorable scenes. The episode sees the arrival of Katherine Pierce, Elena’s doppelganger, and the return of a familiar face to Mystic Falls. Chaos ensues as everyone struggles to understand Katherine’s motives and the new threats she brings.
The kiss happens towards the end of the episode. Damon, believing he is kissing Elena, expresses his pent-up feelings. He admits he loves her, knowing that loving her will make his life more complicated. This confession, followed by the passionate kiss, appears to be a crucial turning point. However, the rug is pulled out from under the audience – and Damon – when it is revealed that he was actually kissing Katherine, who was impersonating Elena.
This deception is crucial because it frames the initial spark between Damon and Elena as manipulative and calculated on Katherine’s part. It sets the stage for the push and pull dynamic that defines much of their relationship’s early stages. It also establishes Katherine as a major antagonist willing to use any means necessary to achieve her goals, including exploiting Damon’s vulnerability.
The Significance of the Kiss: More Than Just a Moment
While the kiss was ultimately a ruse, its impact resonated deeply throughout the series. It highlighted the undeniable chemistry between Damon and Elena, even if one of them was a doppelganger in disguise. The scene also planted the seed of doubt within Elena about her feelings for Damon, as she couldn’t deny the electricity that seemed to surround them.
The incident also deeply affected Damon. He believed he finally had a chance with Elena, only to be crushed by the realization that he was manipulated by Katherine. This betrayal reinforced his already cynical view of relationships and further fueled his unpredictable behavior. However, the raw honesty of his confession – the admission of his love and the acknowledgement of the complications it would bring – revealed a depth of character that challenged the initial portrayal of Damon as simply a villain.
Finally, the kiss served as a plot device, pushing the narrative forward by intensifying the rivalry between Damon and Stefan and highlighting the dangers posed by Katherine’s manipulative nature. It created a ripple effect that impacted every character in Mystic Falls and set the stage for the dramatic events that would unfold in subsequent seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Damon and Elena’s First Kiss
H3 Was the kiss consensual, given that Damon thought he was kissing Elena?
Technically, yes, Damon believed he was kissing Elena and she was present. However, Katherine’s impersonation raises serious ethical concerns about deception and manipulation. Damon’s consent was based on a false premise, making the situation morally ambiguous.
H3 Did Elena know she was kissed by Damon in that scene?
No, Elena did not know about the kiss until later. Katherine kept the incident a secret, further compounding the betrayal and fueling Elena’s confusion about her own feelings.
H3 Why did Katherine kiss Damon pretending to be Elena?
Katherine’s motives were multifaceted. Firstly, she wanted to torment Damon, playing on his affections and then revealing the truth to inflict pain. Secondly, she likely wanted to test Damon’s feelings for Elena, gauging the depth of his infatuation. Finally, she aimed to sow discord between Damon, Elena, and Stefan, creating chaos and disruption in their lives.
H3 How did Damon react when he found out he kissed Katherine and not Elena?
Damon was furious and heartbroken. He felt betrayed and humiliated by Katherine’s manipulation. This incident further solidified his animosity towards her and fueled his unpredictable behavior. He channeled his pain into rage and a desire for revenge.
H3 What were Elena’s feelings about the kiss when she found out?
Elena was confused and conflicted. On one hand, she felt violated by Katherine’s impersonation and the manipulation involved. On the other hand, she couldn’t deny the underlying chemistry between her and Damon, a chemistry highlighted by Damon’s confession of love, even if it was misdirected. This sparked a flicker of curiosity and a sense of unease within her regarding her own feelings for Damon.
H3 Did this kiss lead to more intimate moments between Damon and Elena later on?
Yes, this initial kiss set the stage for the undeniable sexual tension between Damon and Elena. While their relationship was initially fraught with conflict and mistrust, the underlying attraction continued to simmer, eventually leading to more intimate moments as the series progressed. Their relationship evolved significantly, and they eventually became one of the show’s most beloved couples.
H3 How did Stefan react to the news of Damon kissing “Elena”?
Stefan was understandably upset and betrayed. He felt that Damon had crossed a line, even if it was Katherine impersonating Elena. This incident strained the already complex relationship between the Salvatore brothers and exacerbated their rivalry for Elena’s affections.
H3 Is “The Return” considered a pivotal episode in The Vampire Diaries?
Absolutely. “The Return” is a pivotal episode because it marks the official return of Katherine Pierce, a major antagonist whose actions drive much of the plot. It also features Damon and Elena’s “first kiss,” a moment that sparks the complicated love triangle and sets the stage for the evolving relationships between the main characters. The episode’s events have a profound impact on the rest of the series.
H3 How did this initial deception impact Damon’s trust issues?
Damon already had deep-seated trust issues stemming from his past. Katherine’s deception only exacerbated those issues, making him even more reluctant to open himself up to vulnerability and emotional connection. It reinforced his cynical worldview and contributed to his often-erratic behavior.
H3 Did Elena ever acknowledge the feelings that the real Damon conveyed during that kiss?
Yes, even though the kiss was initially with Katherine, the genuine feelings Damon expressed – his love for Elena and his awareness of the complications it would bring – were eventually acknowledged by Elena. Over time, she realized that Damon’s feelings were real and that she, too, had feelings for him that she couldn’t ignore. This understanding was crucial to the development of their relationship.
H3 Was this the only time Katherine impersonated Elena to interact with Damon?
No, Katherine impersonated Elena on multiple occasions throughout the series to manipulate Damon and other characters. Her ability to perfectly mimic Elena’s appearance and mannerisms allowed her to cause significant chaos and emotional turmoil.
H3 Beyond the kiss, what other important events happened in “The Return” that shaped the series?
Besides the kiss, “The Return” introduced Katherine’s return to Mystic Falls, a game-changer that set off a chain of dramatic events. We also see heightened tensions between the Salvatore brothers as they grapple with Katherine’s presence and her potential threat to Elena. The episode also foreshadows future conflicts and alliances, setting the stage for the complex storylines that unfold in subsequent seasons. The introduction of Katherine’s agenda lays the groundwork for much of the conflict to come.