Stefan and Damon Salvatore are often depicted as the heroes of The Vampire Diaries, but they have their moments of villainy too. Elena and Jeremy, in their pursuit of humanity for Elena, take extreme measures that result in unnecessary harm. Killing Kol to speed up Jeremy's Hunter's mark growth leads to a vampire genocide with serious consequences.

Matt's justified hatred of vampires takes a dangerous turn when he turns against Stefan without seeking the truth. Stefan's no-humanity behavior results in chaos and unintended consequences, including his desire for revenge nearly causing harm to Elena.

Caroline turns off her humanity after her mother's death, leading to Stefan following suit, further complicating matters. Bonnie's decision to fake turning off the Gilbert Device results in tragic deaths, highlighting the unintended consequences of her actions.

Damon's abusive and violent actions go unpunished, revealing the lack of accountability for his behavior. Enzo's allegiance with Lily and Alaric's struggles with alcoholism and violence add layers of complexity to the characters. Elena and Damon's obliviousness to the troubles of their loved ones demonstrate how their relationship blinds them to the turmoil around them. The characters' flaws and missteps add depth and complexity to the intricate world of The Vampire Diaries.