Best TV show I've seen in years!

I first heard of this show last year during the whole `Twilight' phenomenon and was apprehensive about watching it as I thought it was just going to be `Twilight' for TV. One evening when I had nothing to do I decided to watch the pilot episode and I actually enjoyed it. I then decided to watch the second episode and enjoyed it even more so I had a feeling I would enjoy this show. However, it wasn't until I saw Episode 4, "Family Ties" that I really became hooked and haven't looked back since. This show beats `Twilight' by a LANDSLIDE! :-) As the episodes progress we get an excellent insight into the characters, who are all really likeable. The story centres around 17-year-old Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev), who lost her parents in a car crash four months prior to the first episode but she somehow survived as she was in the car at the same time. She lives with her 15-year-old brother, Jeremy (Steven R. Mc. Queen) and their aunt Jenna, who is their sole legal guardian. When visiting her parents' grave at the cemetery, she meets the mysterious Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley), who has returned to Mystic Falls after some length of time. Unfortunately for him, his older brother Damon (Ian Somerhalder) has also decided to show up in town in order to cause misery for his brother in regards to something they fell out over - something that took place in 1864, which proves that the brothers are not human but are, in fact, vampires. I won't elaborate too much on the storyline itself but if you're expecting it to be exactly like the books its based on, it's NOTHING like them but in the earlier episodes there are a few nods to them. The writers have taken the basic plot of them (girl meets boy, they fall in love, boy turns out to be a vampire) but have made up their own story, which is by no means a bad thing at all as each episode has kept me hooked each week and the fact that each one ends on a cliffhanger has made the weekly wait that much worse (but I mean that in a good way, of course!) The cast is absolutely brilliant and I have to commend the casting person/people on that one. The three main leads are as follows: Nina Dobrev, who is extremely likeable as Elena and doesn't come across as being awkward like Bella in the `Twilight' movies, Paul Wesley, who looks very like Edward Cullen but suits the role of the brooding Stefan Salvatore really well and is just trying to make the most of his existence in 2009/2010 Mystic Falls and lastly, Ian Somerhalder, who is absolutely FANTASTIC as evil brother Damon Salvatore and even though at first we're not sure whether we should like him or not throughout the season you'll see that he is just a really, really misunderstood individual - something that I'm sure many people can relate to. I will be very surprised if he doesn't get a load of award nominations/wins as he really manages to make the role his own. The cast doesn't just stop at the main leads as many of the other characters also have ties to the town's history in some way - Bonnie (Katerina Graham), Caroline (Candice Accola), Matt (Zach Roerig) and Tyler (Michael Trevino). They are all excellent and they all have problems in their own lives, which are quite easy to relate to, whether it be self-esteem issues or family matters. They are all very interesting to observe and get to know. Before I really lose myself in this review, I will just say that it has been an absolute thrill watching this show (best TV show to air since LOST, in my opinion). The writers can give themselves a pat on the back in the knowledge that they have really got onto a winner with this one and as long as they keep coming up with such intriguing storylines, I will be a loyal fan for however long the show lasts. I cannot wait to own this on DVD and I also cannot wait for Season 2 to air in September! :-)