Mystic Falls' overpopulation

I wish that TVD didn't introduce so many characters and kill them off! I suppose the writers like using these death to remind us how fragile life is, that vampires are dangerous, and to heighten the drama. It also makes it easier for them to tell mini-stories and move on from them, while continuing to focus on the main trio.

However, as we began diving more into the show's mythology with the introduction of the Originals, it became clear to me that the show shines best when the trio is surrounded by other well-developed characters. The trio doesn't live in a bubble and it is good to see that.

My biggest problem with the revolving cast door is that it makes it difficult for me to invest in new characters and most of them are given very little story or character development before their lives are cut short. The treatment of Mikael is, by far, one of my biggest disappointments of the show. So many missed opportunities! I wanted to see him interact with the rest of his children, his wife. I wanted to learn more about his motivations, his past.

I think it would be better in such cases to hold off on introducing such important characters until the writers have something more substantial planned for them.

Honestly, I'd rather they introduce someone just to have them killed by the end of the episode rather than have them wandering around doing nothing. It is obvious by now that every year it becomes increasingly harder for the audience to care for the new people. The introduction of the Originals worked for the most part (well, there are still some who complain about S03 having too.much.originals.) because Julie managed to give them very complex characterization and because, let's face it, the idea of a family who has lived a thousand years is really fascinating (just thinking about the potential, the possibilities are endless). And the casting directors nailed it with their choices, the actors have all been excellent. But for every Rebekah that gets popular, there is a Meredith or an Abby, or a Jamie, characters who fell flat, characters that kept viewers wondering "what is he/she doing here"? And I'd rather these characters were dead instead of just...being there, you know?

Also what the hell was the point of Jamie? Did the writer's just not want Bonnie to go to the decade dance dateless? And don't even get me started on her mom. Then these two also just disappear without reason or cause and will probably reappear in the exact same way. They introduce characters and have them hang out in offscreenville, only to introduce even newer ones. It makes no sense to me.

The only good thing about this is they do tend to kill these characters off, which makes me less nervous for the fate of my favorites. I don't even know if this is a good thing or a bad thing because (this is going to make me sound like a masochist) I kind of miss the days when I was literally worried sick about someone I loved dying. In particular Caroline in S2 (I guess I was freaking out over Klaus last season) but I haven't really had moments of edge-of-my-seat suspense in a while.