The Vampire Diaries - Season 6eps22 Apr 2026

Tyler triggering his werewolf curse again by killing Liv felt like a step backward for his character, making his storyline seem repetitive.

A massive takeaway praised by reviewers at TV Fanatic and Den of Geek was the realization that the show had successfully moved past its original teenage love triangle. Stefan admitting to Caroline that Elena's greatest gift was bringing his brother back to him reframed the entire show as a love story between Damon and Stefan.

Kai Parker solidified his spot as one of the best villains in the show's history. His cruelty at the wedding and his sadistic linking of Bonnie and Elena's lives kept the episode pulse-pounding and dark. 📉 Low Points The Vampire Diaries - Season 6Eps22

The writers' treatment of Alaric was a frequent complaint. After losing Jenna and Isobel, the scene where he holds the body of his murdered, pregnant bride Jo, followed by his attempted suicide in the car, was considered overly dark.

It serves as the official, heartbreaking send-off for the show's main protagonist, Elena Gilbert, played by Nina Dobrev . 🌟 The Verdict Tyler triggering his werewolf curse again by killing

Critics and fans largely agree that episode 6x22 is a masterclass in handling a major cast departure. Instead of abruptly killing off Elena, the writers crafted a clever magical loophole that respected her character's journey while leaving the door cracked open for her eventual return. 📈 High Points

The episode's true core rests on Damon’s shoulders. The "old" Damon would have let Bonnie die to keep Elena awake. Choosing to save Bonnie and wait 60+ years for Elena proved his ultimate redemption and cemented his character development. Kai Parker solidified his spot as one of

To give Elena a personal farewell with every character, the episode uses psychic shared visions. Moving from the stoner den with Jeremy to the feather trick with Bonnie, these highly nostalgic walks down memory lane were absolute tear-jerkers for long-time viewers.