Elena Gilbert does not get pregnant with Damon Salvatore’s child during the original run of The Vampire Diaries. While their relationship culminates in marriage and a happily ever after in the series finale, The Vampire Diaries explores other aspects of their life together.
The Absence of Pregnancy in the Original Series
The central storyline of The Vampire Diaries focuses on supernatural elements: vampires, werewolves, witches, and their interconnected histories. Elena’s transformation into a vampire early in the series dramatically altered the trajectory of her life and, crucially, her ability to conceive naturally. Vampires, as presented in the Vampire Diaries universe, are essentially undead; their biological functions, including reproduction, cease to function.
While Elena eventually becomes human again towards the end of the series, the main narrative does not extend to depicting a pregnancy. The focus remains on resolving the overarching conflicts and bringing closure to the main characters’ arcs. The finale jumps forward to show Elena and Damon living happily ever after in their human lives, hinting at a fulfilling future together, but pregnancy isn’t explicitly addressed.
Legacies: The Continuing Story
Although Elena doesn’t get pregnant in The Vampire Diaries, the Legacies spin-off series, which explores the next generation of supernatural beings, offers a potential answer to the question of Elena and Damon having children. In Legacies, Alaric Saltzman mentions that Elena and Damon have a daughter named Stefanie Salvatore.
This information is revealed subtly through dialogue and character interactions, implying that Elena and Damon did eventually have a child after the events of The Vampire Diaries. However, the circumstances of Stefanie’s conception are never fully elaborated upon in Legacies. This leaves room for interpretation and speculation among fans.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to clarify the details surrounding Elena’s (lack of) pregnancy and the subsequent implications within the Vampire Diaries universe:
1. Was Elena able to have children as a vampire?
No, vampires in The Vampire Diaries are unable to naturally conceive. Their bodies are essentially dead, and the biological processes necessary for reproduction are non-functional. This is a fundamental aspect of vampire lore established within the series.
2. How did Elena become human again?
Elena was cured of her vampirism through a complex series of events involving the Cure, a substance created by Qetsiyah and later used by Damon’s brother, Stefan. Kai Parker later linked Elena’s life to Bonnie Bennett, meaning Elena would only wake up from a magical slumber when Bonnie died. When Bonnie broke the spell at the end of the series, Elena returned to her human form.
3. What happened in the Vampire Diaries series finale?
The series finale showed a flash-forward to Elena and Damon living happily ever after as humans in Mystic Falls. They are seen visiting the Gilbert family tomb and later reunited with deceased characters in the afterlife. Stefan sacrifices himself to kill Katherine, allowing Elena to return to her human form.
4. Does Damon ever become human again?
Yes, Damon also becomes human in the series finale. Stefan injects Damon with the Cure before sacrificing himself to destroy Katherine. This allows Damon to live a human life with Elena.
5. How is Stefanie Salvatore mentioned in Legacies?
Stefanie is mentioned in Legacies through passing conversations and subtle references, primarily involving Alaric Saltzman. The show never explicitly shows or delves into the circumstances of her birth, but her existence is acknowledged. This is generally considered canon since Legacies is a spin-off directly connected to The Vampire Diaries.
6. Is Stefanie Salvatore a vampire or a human?
The Legacies series doesn’t definitively state whether Stefanie is a vampire or a human. Given that both Elena and Damon were human at the time of her conception, it’s likely she is also human. However, the ambiguity allows for creative possibilities within the Vampire Diaries universe. Her potential for inheriting supernatural abilities from Damon’s vampire lineage remains a topic of fan speculation.
7. Why wasn’t Elena’s pregnancy or Stefanie’s birth shown on screen?
The creative decision not to depict Elena’s pregnancy likely stems from wanting to maintain focus on the established characters and storylines in The Vampire Diaries. Introducing a pregnancy narrative in the later seasons could have felt rushed or detracted from the existing arcs. Similarly, Legacies prioritized its own cast of characters and supernatural conflicts, leaving the details of Elena and Damon’s family life largely unexplored.
8. What is the general fan reaction to Elena and Damon having a child?
The fan reaction to Elena and Damon having a child, specifically Stefanie, is generally positive. Many fans appreciate the implied resolution of their relationship and the idea of them starting a family. However, some fans express disappointment that the moment wasn’t explicitly shown on screen, wishing for a more detailed exploration of their lives post-The Vampire Diaries.
9. Could Elena and Damon have adopted?
While the existence of Stefanie points towards a biological child, adoption remains a possibility that is never directly addressed in either The Vampire Diaries or Legacies. Given their stable and loving relationship, it’s conceivable that Elena and Damon could have considered or pursued adoption.
10. Are there any fan theories about how Elena became pregnant after becoming human?
Numerous fan theories exist regarding how Elena became pregnant after becoming human. Some speculate that Bonnie’s magic might have played a role, while others suggest that Elena’s unique history with supernatural elements could have influenced her fertility. However, these are purely speculative and not supported by any official canon information.
11. What other spin-offs exist in the Vampire Diaries universe?
Aside from Legacies, The Originals is another popular spin-off series that focuses on the Mikaelson family, the original vampires. The Originals delves into the history and power struggles of the vampire community in New Orleans.
12. Where can I watch The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, and Legacies?
The Vampire Diaries and The Originals are widely available on streaming platforms such as Netflix and HBO Max (depending on your region). Legacies is primarily available on streaming platforms like Netflix and The CW app. Availability may vary depending on your geographic location and current streaming service subscriptions.