‘Vampire Diaries': Caroline, Stefan & Elena Spoilers — Season 6 Interview | TVLine 

returns from winter break Thursday (The CW, 8/7) and second-time director Paul Wesley promises three things: “dynamic” action, a major Forbes family moment and an “oh, s—t” final twist he’s, honestly, pretty proud of.

Boss Talks Delena’s ‘Emotional Obstacles,’ More Steroline Twists and Another Big Death ‘Soon’

“I loved the last episode I directed, but I actually prefer this episode,” Wesley says, referring to “Resident Evil,” Season 5’s what-if hour. “It was a different energy, it was nostalgic and very slow. There’s something about the pacing of this next one that makes it really engaging.”

Read on for our full Q&A with Wesley, which touches upon — among other developments — the director’s favorite moment from tonight’s episode, his thoughts about Caroline essentially becoming Elena’s replacement in Stefan’s life and how he feels about losing Steven R. McQueen at the end of the season.

TVLINE | How is it decided which episode you’re going to direct? The last one was pretty Stefan-heavy, which must have been difficult.

We don’t get the scripts until maybe two weeks before we film — sometimes it’s more like the day before — and I think they arbitrarily choose an episode number, depending on director availability. When they go to write that episode, they keep in mind that I’m directing it, so they 

not to make it Stefan-heavy. This particular episode coming up is certainly not Stefan-heavy, but it’s also not Stefan-light, because he is one of the main characters. There are other characters, like Caroline, Sheriff Forbes, Kai and Elena, whose workloads are much more heavy than mine.

TVLINE | What was the biggest change between your first time directing and this one?

People came up to me this time and said, “You’re so relaxed and calm.” I was really nervous my first time, and while I still had some jitters this time around, it was much easier. I knew what I wanted to do and I knew what everyone was capable of. You share your vision and you trust a lot of people; you can’t try to micro-manage everything. It’s really important for directors to let people do the jobs they’re good at, which is something I learned.

TVLINE | Which actor surprised you the most as a director this time?

It’s interesting to work with guest stars or recurring actors because they haven’t been on the show for six years, so they can surprise you. They make you go, “Oh! I didn’t expect you to say your line that way.” The series regulars, including myself, all have a cadence and a disposition that we’ve assigned to our characters. … Chris Wood is so good in my episode. He really is so great, the perfect blend of dark humor and true danger, just a really talented guy. Candice Accola and Marguerite MacIntyre also really nailed it in this episode. They’ve got some great stuff.

TVLINE | Is there a specific scene you’re excited for us to see?

There’s a scene at the end of the episode, the final sequence, and it really puts my episode on the map in terms of having an effect. It’s really effecting. I don’t want to reveal what happens, but it’s a scene that has a really interesting twist and leaves you going, “Oh, s—t!”

TVLINE | What would you say Stefan’s main focus is right now?

In a weird way, his main focus is Caroline. That’s sort of been his M.O. lately. She’s sort of a huge part of his life now as a friend. Stefan and Elena were so inseparable, bonded, etc., and Caroline and Stefan are now sort of the duo. Everything he does revolves around Caroline at this point.

TVLINE | You’ve always been a big supporter of Stefan and Caroline’s relationship. Why do you think they work well together?

character that does something people would find uncharacteristic of them, but not something arbitrary just for the sake of being arbitrary. Our characters are vampires, they’re hundreds of years old and I just think Stefan should remember that he’s an old soul who can do crazy things once in a while. The minute a character becomes predictable, it becomes a little boring.

TVLINE | Stefan’s fake proposal to Elena earlier this season was definitely unpredictable. Is the door still open for those two?

I’m telling you, all it takes is one shift in writing. All it takes is one intelligently shifted moment or new storyline to sort of diverge and —

boom! — we’re back on the Stefan and Elena train. I have no idea what the writers are doing or planning on doing or if that’s something they’re even interested in, but I wouldn’t eliminate anything from the equation.

TVLINE | Lastly, how do you feel about losing Jeremy — and Steven R. McQueen as a series regular — next year?

It’s weird. We’ve gone through this before, but certainly not in Season 6. I love Steven. He’s such a sweet and nice and kind kid. Of course it’s sad, you know, but he’s a young actor, we’re in Season 6 and I’m excited to see what he does next.

hoping Elena and Caroline factor into Stefan’s future? Do you think the vamps will find a way to save Sheriff Forbes? And will you miss Jeremy/McQueen next season? Drop a comment with all of your thoughts below.

Steroline is so forced. Killing her mother to make a ship happen is the worst

I find Stefan’s storyline with Caroline really predictable, boring and not exciting: with Elena, he was different, ALIVE. Now he is like a dead character.

Stelena was never forced like steroline: making steroline happening because of Liz’s death is disgusting.

Agreed so much. With Elena he had something, he’ll never have with Caroline. And to kill her mom for that…no comment. But hey, anything to please Delena fans.

I’m happy that I have stopped watching the show. Everything is lame and predictable,

I had no idea Jeremy was leaving. I’m sure they will kill him off.

STEROLINE STEROLINE STEROLINE. I LOVE THEM. And you know a ship is good when it brings out the haters from rival ships, ha ha! :DDD

Ican’t wait to se Steroline happening <33 my otp is the best for each other

Great interview. Stefan is my favourite character and I definitely want him with Caroline! I did really love him with Elena seasons 1-start of 4 but I think it would be weed if they got back together. Rooting for him and Caroline! And my friends are too.

Oh my god the show had better not let us down with Steroline, I didn’t have high hopes when the season began but I have been loving every second we’ve gotten so far!!! *crosses fingers and toes that it keeps going that way*

McQueen should have a good career ahead of him and will be missed. Stefan and Caroline… opposites attract? I can see where he would like her honesty and be amused by her actions, but I still miss her lighting up Klaus’s eyes. They were just so teaseingly cute together.

Say what you want, but Caroline will never replace Elena for Stefan. You don’t love someone the way Stefan loves Elena & then just somehow jump onto her best friend a few months later..

I am kind of surprised that he is very careful on how her frames the Stefan/Caroline relationship. He stressed it was “as friends” and backed away from his former stance that they should be in a relationship, he deflected the question like a pro. I know there are some on this site who are passinate Steroline fans, but from what I have been hearing it is going to stay “best friends” and I don’t have a problem with that. Caroline’s story should not always be defined by her love life and not every relationship has to turn to love.

Dude, yes. Caroline’s character seems to always be defined by her relationships with men. She has been with almost every character on the show. STAHP IT. The only male character she hasn’t been with (Jeremy) is leaving. They just need to let her be alone because by herself, she is a cool character.

Stefan, Matt and Bonnie are the only 2 I can stomach on this show any more. I use to get so excited about watching this show before and now it isn’t must see anything.

Steroline will happen because Caroline mom will die? Steroline seem so forced and to make that relationship happen just because Liz is dying? That is a very very low punch on the fans face. That is gross, shame on you writers to make that happen. Whatever happen to theTVD from Season 1 2 and 3? Nothing from there is left in the show now, not even one mii ounce. Everything start to fall apart the moment Elena was turn into a vampire, everything from there started to get worse and worse in the show

I’m sorry but I don’t see how Steroline makes Stefan unpredictable, if anything both Stefan and Caroline have become the most boring characters this season because of that romance

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