MovieChat Forums > The Vampire Diaries (2009) Discussion > Does Stefan even love Caroline?

Does Stefan even love Caroline?

posted 8 years ago by forksforrests
24 replies | jump to latest

So, I think it's Paul giving like 50% in the Steroline scenes, but honestly, I have never bought for one second that Stefan was really in love with Caroline and thought he found his soulmate (or whatever BS they're trying to hammer down).

When he was with Elena, you could tell that he truly loved her and there was just more energy and spark in his scenes. Paul actually gave 100%.

While as when we watch Steroline scenes, Candice is the one giving 110% with the excitement and the gushing and her typical nervous energy, and it somewhat makes up for Paul's lack of enthusiasm but it's really not selling Steroline as endgame for me.

I mean, come on, the proposal scene? Wtf. We got more of a magical, romantic vibe from that AU/vision Stelena engagement scene than we did for a real proposal between Steroline. I can't believe Stefan was like "do I really have to say it". You're proposing...? Of course you do! What kind of unromantic, passionless crap was that

A rose is just a rose.

[–] sparklingly 8 years ago

I know what you mean. I was never a Stelena shipper but I appreciated what both Paul and Nina brought to their scenes. You could tell that they were giving it their all and it was a totally different energy. In comparision Steroline feels very lackluster but good on Candice for trying her best to make it work I guess.

ETA: So I was curious and watched the proposal scene and it was even worse than I thought. Like Stefan didn't even want to say the words and he looked and sounded completely bored. It was just sad. A proposal shouldn't be half-hearted.

When your mind breaks the spirit of your soul.

[–] forksforrests 8 years ago

So I was curious and watched the proposal scene and it was even worse than I thought. Like Stefan didn't even want to say the words and he looked and sounded completely bored. It was just sad. A proposal shouldn't be half-hearted.

Yes! This is exactly the scene I had in mind as I created this thread, because I have never seen Stefan look so, so bored in his relationship to Elena. Even when he was living in that fantasy world and he proposed to Elena, it was SO much more emotional.
I can't believe he didn't even say the words until Caroline had to force them out (and really Caroline? a friendship ring??? you guys are living together, don't be an idiot). So ridiculous.

Yet Steroline lovers seem to really be having a field day with it because the proposal was so typically Steroline and Stefan didn't want to say the words because he didn't feel the need to and that's their relationship (friendship) to a T.
Ok, but that could be true for all relationships? A ring implies engagement but the words are what make it romantic. Stefan was so cringeworthy during that proposal, it turned me off of Steroline AGAIN
A rose is just a rose.

[–] sparklingly 8 years ago

I actually went back and watched the fantasy proposal to compare and see if Paul really can't do better than this and he definetely could.

Another thing that got me was right before the proposal when he said "You're my family now" to Caroline and he sounded completely emotionless. Like that could be a beautiful thing to say to someone but he put no emotions into it and it was just weird. Oh yeah, Caroline was playing dumb when she asked "like a friendship ring?" just so she could get Stefan to actually say the words. It was so corny.

Good for them. I guess I just don't see the point of turning them romantic if they're not gonna have any romance to them. They might as well have them stay friends then since that is so them after all.

When your mind breaks the spirit of your soul.

[–] Dogandathermos 8 years ago

Considering Candice has had chemistry with everything down to a pile of bricks on that show, it's all the more cringe-worthy that her and Paul lack ALL believable chemistry.

Ever notice how he laughs in off in interviews, pointing out his friendship with Joe (King), along with his with Candice? Um, how about the fact that the only person he worked closer with than Nina, was her BOYFRIEND, Ian? I literally cannot think of One Single Scene where I didn't wholeheartedly buy Stefan's chemistry with Elena. Or one where the actors looked uncomfortable and pulled me out of the moment. In fact, before she was public with Ian, fans who didn't realize Paul was married, were CONSTANTLY asking if he was anywhere from sleeping with, to hoping to marry Nina. Hell, plenty of fans who knew about Torrey STILL feverishly queried this.

And while Nina And Elena's chemistry with Ian and Damon was strongly palpable from early on, it never did take away from what she repeatedly brought to screen with Paul. And then there was Katherine...
SIGH.

At this point, I accept Steroline. I didn't get many feels from him and Val either, but at least their STORY made more sense, and had more possibilities. And I DO so badly want Stefan to be happy. But other than Petrova dopps and Rebecca, there aren't any audience-friendly sparks. I wish they had brought in some new, cute as a button, semi age-appropriate girl for Stefan. Ideally a witch. Or a wolf.

I accept Steroline, but for season 8, with 14 eps left, I feel screwed by the creative team. I wanted to go out with ALL THE FEELS. Right now, no one's igniting a match. besides of course Bonenzo, who may have peaked in their crazy short run last season.

[–] IAimToMisbehave 8 years ago

I literally cannot think of One Single Scene where I didn't wholeheartedly buy Stefan's chemistry with Elena.

Really? I always thought they had extremely weak chemistry. It almost made me stop watching right off the bat until Damon showed up. Their kisses looked like they were uncomfortable filming them (their bodies are always like, a foot apart when they kiss, except that one where Nina was filming with Paul's stunt double).

I think Steroline have lost the chemistry that they used to have in scenes like 2x03 and 6x13, but IMO that's down to bad writing, not Candice and Paul. Those two have great chem off screen when they're joking around in interviews. The writers just needed to stick with what made Steroline good, rather than trying to turn them into something more dramatic.

[–] forksforrests 8 years ago

I mean, it is subjective but really? I always loved that Nina and Ian were dating off-screen and yet Nina managed to have such real chemistry with Paul on-screen that it didn't feel awkward or tense. Especially in all their dance scenes, or basically all throughout season 3 when they weren't together. One scene that comes to mind is when Ripper Stefan caught Elena when she 'fell' off the bleachers. Also, when Elena had her humanity turned off and Stefan was helping her feel again, that was some prime spark.

A rose is just a rose.

[–] bluesysax 8 years ago

Really? I always thought they had extremely weak chemistry. It almost made me stop watching right off the bat until Damon showed up.

Completely. It was the sheer lack of chemistry and pure cheese that turned me off and had me clamoring for the more exciting, tension filled DE. If Stelena had been better, DE might not have become the force it did, and in hindsight I blame Paul. He sucks the life out of alot of scenes he is in IMO. He does better opposite the male characters like Jo Mo and Ian.

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Never argue with stupid people,they will drag you down to their level then beat you with experience.

[–] forksforrests 8 years ago

Considering Candice has had chemistry with everything down to a pile of bricks on that show, it's all the more cringe-worthy that her and Paul lack ALL believable chemistry.

exactly!! I have bought Caroline's chemistry with literally everyone they've paired her with. Tyler and Klaus especially, but Enzo too. Hell, even Matt I could buy in her human days. I loved the Caroline/Stefan chemistry too, as friends. But then they tried to dip into the deep end, and it just backfired.

A rose is just a rose.

[–] lindsay-kneece 8 years ago

He loves her like any guy would love the 4th epic love of his life!

[–] mrumble-704-31166 8 years ago

I like them together..and at first its something u never would have expected..in the pilot so Stefan said to Caroline "you and I are never gunna happen".. And yet it did.
On another note I feel they only got paired together cuz there was no one left..everyone was dating someone else so it was like why not pair Caroline and Stefan together..
But once they showed it..I liked them together.

[–] lindsay-kneece 8 years ago

to me they're like those mismatched socks you find in the dryer and you fold them together bc you can't find their pairs

[–] forksforrests 8 years ago

! Fourth time's the charm. Fifth, really, since he's had 2 chances with Val.

A rose is just a rose.

[–] bluesysax 8 years ago

Harsh, but very true.

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Never argue with stupid people,they will drag you down to their level then beat you with experience.

[–] Allison_max_rae94 8 years ago

It's there is not Nina Dobrev covering up the fact that Paul Wesley is mediocre. Candice Accola isn't the world's best actress but she is better than Paul and can carry her own character more than he can. It just wasn't noticeable since Nina and Claire Holt actually took the focus away from Paul.

Writing wise, the Stefan and Caroline ship is convincing. Candice conveys chemistry really well- Paul Wesley is a brick wall and in reality, no amount of good work on one end can make up for that.

I've watched older episodes repeatedly- Nina and Claire carried Paul through those scenes. Elizabeth Blackmore did as much as she could. As an actor, he is fairly uninspiring. I think Ian's an absolute 'insert bad word' but his character's image post season six has been regressed, just to help Paul Wesley in his Stefan portrayal adventures.

His scene with Phoebe Tonkin in The Originals was cringeworthy- it didn't feel like Stefan, it felt like Paul gets paid to lie next to his girlfriend.

None of this gets helped by the fact Paul Wesley's decided to phone it in, which you can't do as a fairly average actor. He was phoning it in periodically last season as well. That's not to say the writing is perfect, actually the premiere co-written by Kevin Williamson was the weakest of all of them.

Most of the issues stem from last season should have been the final season but instead, plot points were dragged out and actor availability became a bigger issue this season and Sarah Salvatore might just be the first casualty. Definitely a CW/WB issue but let's put the fault of unconvincing scenes where they belong.

http://www.justjared.com/2014/05/19/the-vampire-diaries-ep-julie-plex-confirms-she-wants-at-least-seven-seasons/

The first rule of truly living, do the thing you're most afraid of -Rebekah Mikaelson

[–] forksforrests 8 years ago

You may be right. It's not something I'd ever noticed originally, but with Paul becoming more vocally negative about the show, I've come to like Stefan less and become a bit more objective about the character. So I went back and watched a couple scenes, and you're right, It's usually the other person who is dialing up the emotion (Nina, Candice), while he's a bit dead in his delivery and eyes (this is noticeable in the season 6 fake proposal at the bar to Elena when they're trying to be "other people")

I still have to say the AU/vision proposal was much better directed (and it was directed *by* Wesley) than this real life Steroline proposal. The colors, the smiling/lightness of the scene..it all felt less forced.

I didn't even realize he was on the Originals, but I'll check it out.

Honestly, actors like Wesley and Robert Pattinson really piss me off. If you're so ungrateful and hateful about your current project, then just leave! Nina did it, so why can't you? If you're going to sit there and cash your checks, then at least show a little respect for your fans and pretend to like your show until it ends. It's so hypocritical to vocally look down at the show while simultaneously making money off it. Wesley obviously lost interest around season 4/5, so he really should have left in season 6 with Nina because that's around the time when the Stefan character became a chore to watch imo. You're completely right about him phoning in it and not having the acting chops to make it work.

Ian's not a great actor either, but I have to say at least the man tries? I mean he's giving at least 80-90% in his performance, while Paul is barely trying.

[–] forksforrests 8 years ago

I figured I should break this down...and it ended up being more of rant against Steroline.

Writing wise, the Stefan and Caroline ship is convincing.

This is something I fundamentally disagree with. The relationship might have worked in theory (best friends turned lovers trope), but it's because of the writing (and lately, Paul) that this relationship has been so botched.
a) they spent four years hitting us over the head with how Elena was Stefan's soulmate and The Only One for him. So trying to retcon the Steroline relationship and make it feel like it's been brewing since day 1 is where they initially messed up. They also make it seem like Caroline's never been this madly in love before, when her love for both Matt and Tyler were portrayed as meaningful relationships (mostly Tyler).
b) they starting confessing their feelings when Caroline's mother died and that was just AWFUL timing. Instead of mourning over Liz, it became about whether Stefan really loved Caroline and Caroline acting like a teenager again.
c) the relationship mounted when they had their humanities turned off, which almost voided the authenticity of their relationship and made it all physical but OOC physical because they were out there murdering together with their switches flipped. It was a turn-off.
d) season 7 was a mess. Stefan wordlessly ditching Caroline, Caroline not speaking to the man for three years, introducing Stefan's 'real' first love, Caroline getting her own family...ALL of this steered heavily, heavily away from romantic Steroline. It was't even a slow burn at that point. It was rerouting. But then they reunited, and Stefan went off the rails, kidnapping and drugging Caroline...yet Caroline took all of 5 seconds to forgive him and ditch Alaric. Truly awful material.

Sorry, had to get that off my chest.

A rose is just a rose.

[–] christinaparker-60256 8 years ago

So much everything you said! I always found Paul to be average, but there were moments that blew me away. You are absolutely right though, on average, he was always favorably overshadowed by his costars. It's become really apparent that he is phoning it in.

[–] Shadowfax15 8 years ago

I don't know why after all this time, they are still trying to force this relationship. It's so hard to sit through their scenes together. The character of Stefan was always a bit dull to me, but what others have said are correct - it's the women who have made his scenes more interesting.

Sticking him with Caroline feels like they are both "settling". He didn't get Elena, she didn't get Tyler or Klaus.

That proposal scene was awful. I just hope they have a master plan and are trying to make their scenes bad on purpose so they can end up with someone they are more passionate about... like anyone but each other.

Even that scene with Bonnie and Enzo was amazing, where he grabbed her and kissed her at the last minute! The first time I saw them kiss last season, I didn't buy it. But you can tell both actors really worked hard on their scenes, and they have as much passion as Damon / Elena had now.

[–] bluesysax 8 years ago

The character of Stefan was always a bit dull to me, but what others have said are correct - it's the women who have made his scenes more interesting.

True, and inevitably the characters that are paired with him suffer for it. The prime example was Katherine, but it happened with other characters too.

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Never argue with stupid people,they will drag you down to their level then beat you with experience.

[–] lulu_san 8 years ago

The proposal was absolutely pathetic and boring. I couldnt believe my eyes and ears. Just sad. How could they destroy Stefan's character like that? Its supposed to be an incredible moment but it felt empty, tired,
void of passion. It almost looked as if he was bored, dreading the moment. It
didn't feel genuine. I aso don't think Paul likes this. His acting is always off with Caroline. Painful to watch.

[–] ldddhunter 8 years ago

I disagree I think Steroline is STILL in love its just Paul Wesley's himself the actor is bored w/the show. He as Stefan adores Caroline otherwise he wouldn't have been so miserable when she was playing house w/Alaric. I think its the writing and plus Stefan is brooding b/c his brother Damon is under some serious spell that Stefan feels helpless about and can't do anything about it. He does love Caroline, I think Paul/Candice have extremely off the charts chemistry on screen. I was a fan of Stefan/Elena in the beginning of their relationship but after Elena connected w/Damon it was all bets off you could see that Elena/Damon belonged together. Right now its the writing, Paul probably bored w/it but he loves working w/Candice and has said so himself in interviews. The are truly best friends in real life and they belong w/each other as Steroline. Stefan is feeling so down and Caroline understands that b/c she knows how much Stefan loves his brother; yeah the proposal could've been more "romantic", but I blame that on the director he could've told Paul to play his character Stefan in such a way... sometimes its NOT the actors/actresses, they have to play it the way the director sees/wants it in all the scenes. So yes yes Stefan INDEED is IN love w/Caroline, I love how their relationship began as friends, then best friends, then fell in love gradually - it was built up and not rushed which I like much better anyway.

[–] TearTheStarsOutFromTheSky 8 years ago

Now I'm wondering if Caroline even ever loved tyler. These characters are so screwed up right now. Snoraline is ruining Stefan too.