You can’t deny Caroline was a different person after her transition into a vampire in The Vampire Diaries

In The Vampire Diaries, Caroline Forbes’ glow-up as a vampire is loud, clear and a tad addictive to watch. Pre bite, she was anxious, competitive, and heavily characterized by a desire to be liked. She was the typical neurotic cheerleader, who was too afraid to screw up. Then, we get a plot-twist: She dies (thank god), is brought back as a vampire, and everything alters (this is one of the very few things we can credit Katherine Pierce with).

Suddenly, the girl who determined her worth from pep-rally scores, is reborn with a certain clarity about her priorities, and she is now able to walk/run with supernatural speed. It is not merely a cosmetic transition, but one that rewires her ability to think, love, and fight. Throughout the series, writers and critics cite her transition to the supernatural state as the pivotal point around which her journey revolves: This is where she starts being less insecure and appropriating true power.

Caroline's makeover from a mean, perfectionist human to a kind, confident vampire

As a human, Caroline Forbes, played by Candice King, was the typical mean girl. She was snobbish, controlling, and could not survive without others’ validation. All of this changed once she was turned into a vampire. The change did not seem to escalate her worst characteristics. Instead, it brought out the best version of her. Apparently, becoming a vampire took away her insecurities and envious nature that would guide her actions as a human, giving way to a caring side. She never descended into darkness, she turned out stronger, organized, and extremely loyal to the people she loved.

Friendships, romances, and defined morality

Caroline’s transformation into a brand new person is most evident in her relationships. Before becoming a vampire, she would at times exhibit petty behaviour, at least in her romantic affairs and friendships. As a vampire, Caroline is highly defensive of her circle of friends, and will not tolerate betrayal and manipulation. That reflects in the way she fights with Elena, stands her ground against the Salvatore brothers, and deals with dicey dynamics (hello, Klaus Mikaelson). We also cannot overlook how human Caroline found herself attracted to Damon Salvatore while her vampire self fell in love with Stefan Salvatore, which was the exact opposite case for Elena Gilbert.

Vampirism also adds an ethical twist to Caroline's character. She is merciless when necessary, willing to use her compulsion, and confront dangers. However, her merciless streak is always coupled with her nearly obstinate benevolence. She is not superficial - rather, she is ruthlessly pragmatic when it comes to ensuring the safety of people even to the extent of taking cold decisions.

Aspirations, motherhood and a reinvented life

Later seasons provide Caroline with challenges that are a world apart from her early high-school insecurities: being a surrogate mother to a pair of twin girls, leading a school for supernatural children, dealing with heartbreak and loss (not to mention the crushing blows that accompany falling in love with other immortals), and being a leading figure among the survivors in Mystic Falls. Such milestones aren’t just fan service, but proof of how the character, after her transformation, learns to take control of her life.

Her vampirism contributed to extending her life span but the series employs this longevity to enable her to take on the responsibilities that human Caroline wasn't quite ready for. We see Caroline nurturing children, running a school for supernatural teenagers, dealing with heartbreak and loss (not to mention the grievous blows that can come with falling in love with fellow immortals).

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According to many viewers, Caroline’s transformation is one of the most satisfying plot twists the show had to offer. The story of Caroline extends beyond supernatural glamor, where writers often merely provide a character with fangs and consider the problem solved. Caroline Forbes proves that it is possible to change radically by embracing yourself rather than trying to become somebody who you are not.

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