Best of the 2010s: The relationships that shaped the decade

Best of the 2010s in 2014: Klaus and Caroline, “Klaroline,” from The Vampire Diaries

Honestly, you could pick any year between 2009 and 2017, and The Vampire Diaries would have a plethora of memorable ship moments. No character had just one epic love, and we could probably argue over who was best for whom until the end of time. But that’s not the goal here.

The year 2014 was, beyond just relationship dynamics, a landmark year for the series, thanks to the airing of its 100th episode. So, when searching for a couple to highlight in our best of the 2010s listing, it’s only proper to start with the milestone episode (“500 Years of Solitude”). As with any other time in Mystic Falls, one could probably make the case for just about any pairing, but we’re going with Klaroline as our best of the 2010s choice.

In 2014, Klaus came back to town after hearing about Katherine’s impending doom; but he promised to leave forever if Caroline would just be honest with him about her feelings. In an earlier episode, he’d vowed to wait, saying he wanted to be her “last love.” With a lifespan as long as his, time might not have mattered much to Klaus, but maybe even vampires need crumbs every now and then.

So, Klaus pushed Caroline to say what he knew to be true; and, of course, he was right. Whether she liked him or not, Caroline had somehow managed to fall in love with Klaus; and after she finally said the words out loud, the two vampires got back to nature, if you will.

There’s something particularly ship-worthy and entertaining about an enemies-to-lovers story, so even if this ship’s first time came with the threat of being the only time, it’s still a favorite. After all, what’s a ship without a little angst? Besides, it’s not often you watch television and wonder how such a hot hook-up didn’t manage to burn down the forest.