Why Do People Hate Matt Donovan? | The Vampire Diaries

For every character there is to love on The Vampire Diaries, there are a few to hate. While the list mostly includes annoying villains, useless supernaturals, and guest stars there are two characters in the main cast that are well known for annoying the fan base. You already know we’re talking about Matt Donovan and Elena Gilbert. But is Matt hated because he’s boring or because he’s a terrible boyfriend to Caroline? Is Elena hated because she’s a pick-me or because she switched from Stefan to Damon? In this special episode, we talk about the main reasons why people hate these two and whether we actually hate Matt and Elena.
To be included in an upcoming special: Call [phone] to leave a voicemail sharing your theories and ask questions for us to discuss in a call-in episode!
Sections
00:00 Intro
02:33 Hate for Both Elena & Matt
06:29 Why do people hate Elena Gilbert?
25:36 Why do people hate Matt Donovan?
57:35 Outro
Get more of The Rippah Diaries at:
linktr.ee/TheRippahDiaries
Tiktok: @therippahdiariespodcast
Instagram: @therippahdiariespodcast
Spotify and Apple Podcasts: The Rippah Diaries
Audio Production by @sheahenny

[@caleb1o198]

Every time Matt comes back to life somewhere a child looses a balloon.

[@analis_s]

Damn 😂

[@LukeAlexander]

Matt’s annoying cause he doesn’t serve the story much, he’s just there. He complains about the town and supernatural constantly yet still surrounds himself with them. I only liked Matt a bit in season 1 but after that- beyond annoying but in a sense of why are you even here? I love human Elena, vampire Elena just doesn’t do it for me as much for some reason. Stripes away a lot of who she was. But I also prefer Elena’s character when she’s in love with Stefan vs Damon so maybe that’s why lol.

[@Strife93]

Love your break downs of TVD its cool seeing you here watching TVD videos. Can't wait for part 3 of S3

[@degrassihybrid23]

The core 5 of the show is the Stefan, Damon, Elena, Bonnie, and Caroline.

[@safin8691]

I feel matt acts in the show like his father owns mystic falls

[@Strife93]

Yes everytime he acts like he's the only one from Mystic Falls it drives me crazy. Pretty much every character on the show is from Mystic Falls. Caroline has a good comeback to him later on when he says it didn't use to be like this and she's like yes it was we were just children and it was hidden from us.

[@allenpayne927]

Matt still being around has kind of become a joke in the whole TVD universe

[@elizas159]

So I’ve been watching the show since 2013, and I love Elena. But I think the thing that makes her seem selfish is that she spent years having the plot revolve around her. She was in constant danger and got used to her friends sacrificing everything to save her. So in seasons 4-6 where the plot isn’t as centered around her, she doesn’t get it. Cause she’s so used to it being about her. Like when Damon was trying to get Bonnie out of the prison world and Elena assumed he was doing it for her. He told her no, Im doing it cause I care about Bonnie. I also think that she is used to taking responsibility for things. Cause the people she loves were in constant danger for years because of her. People were dying because of her, or being threatened because of her. So she takes responsibility for the problems. Then, when it’s not about her she keeps trying to take responsibility. And that comes off as selfish.

[@valeria-cy4zp]

I think most of the Elena hate comes from the writers. They wrote her like that so she acts like that. Most of the time she is fine but the writers seemed to be afraid to let Elena out of sight so she was inserted in everything.

[@Hi-cq2hm]

2009 fans loved Elena, new fans are the one who hates Elena.

[@loveatfirstglow24]

I also think people hate Elena because once she becomes a vampire the writers write her character as a plot point for Damon. Elena became the girlfriend of Damon nothing more, nothing less. The writers forgot what made people like Elena between 1-3 seasons. Some writers don’t know how to write characters with substance when they’re in a relationship. A lot of shows have this problem. With Stefan, Elena had a “life” with Damon she had Damon “he consumed her”. She kinda forgot about her friends. I watched the show when it aired in 2009

[@oliviaplaushin2678]

I’ve always hated Jeremy, especially after the ghost girlfriends arch

[@Strife93]

I've truly never understood the Elena hate I went through the entire show loving Elena so much then I got online in TVD community and seen alot of Elena hate. I do understand the Matt hate. 😂 I just feel that Matt's character should have been wrapped up in season 2 his character wasn't going anywhere to me he was just there complaining about all the characters we love. He even goes after Bonnie in the later seasons. Edit: Oh btw Enzo isn't the one that kills Sarah Salvatore. In Season 8 Sybil is the one that kills her, she stabs Sarah if I'm remembering correctly.

[@sugarman4354]

This was me. I first watched TVD last summer. I went in completely cold with no knowledge of the show, characters or actors involved. Was soon hooked & the main reason for this was because of the character Elena. The show pretty much revolved around her & her relationships with Stefan, Damon & her friends. It was a show about so much more but if it was called Elena instead of The Vampire Diaries it wouldn't have been titled incorrectly. After Binge watching the series I searched out for forums etc to see what online communities thought of the show & to perhaps join in/vent. Thinking I was 15 years too late to take part I was truly shocked to see the hate for this character. I genuinely can't wrap my head around it. She was basically the light within a very dark universe. Loved most of the characters including Matt. They were all important to the flow of the story. Only complaint was Kai at the end of S6 destroyed that character for me + S7/8 with the Heretics, Sybil & Cade etc I didn't hate these characters but they were all extremely annoying.

[@Hi-cq2hm]

New fans hate Elena, original/old fans loved Elena, if you see all the old interviews and comic cons, they all love Elena, new fans love different characters than old fans, when the show was airing the most popular character and actor was Demon/Ian, now with the new fans the most popular character is Katherine.

[@sugarman4354]

@@Hi-cq2hmAmazing how fast things change. Don't think I'll ever understand how evil is now more loved than good. The world is upside down in many ways. Hopefully one day Good will become more attractive than evil once again.

[@Hi-cq2hm]

@@sugarman4354 Right.

[@JordiVanderwaal]

@@Hi-cq2hm really? I remember that when TVD first aired, a lot of people hated on Elena. But new reactors like Elena, mostly.

[@kd_kaz2y5]

I think people hated Elena and Matt because they acted like they were so much better than some of the other characters in the show (at some points but not always). I think the Elena crying was valid. Elena is the main character and I love her but sometimes she does become a bit annoying.

[@redershades]

i also think looking back on the character's actions based on the situations they've been put in is important. katherine was always going to find elena, so was klaus, and she was bound to be a vampire. that's why the s3 delena first meeting retcon is so impactful to me because like... i feel like he could've protected her? but the brothers clearly didn't know any of this was gonna happen but damon's usually the one to keep her alive so that's why i think her with damon is the safest place but i also think he makes the most ridiculous emotion lead decisions from s4 and on, i get it's his character development but it's kind of annoying. but elena and damon are two of my favorite characters, just because i love the books and i really think elena was in love with him at the end of season 2. i love that elena's not just a human but a doppelganger, so she's not completely useless lol. maybe i have selective listening but everything her and damon have done is to take care of the people they love

[@valeria-cy4zp]

I never hated Elena...during the show in the 2010´s when it was airing she was loved. Caroline was the cool girl and Elena was kinda the most down to earth, semi cool because she was going through a tough period in her life but she was popular among fans. Bonnie was done dirty of the trio but that is another conversation altogether. I guess the detriment of Elena was that she had to be saved because she was human but that was also the plot point of the show so...without her there was no show. The only thing I hated about Elena was the not telling Jenna situation and season 3 attention spoilers (the Kol situation where she says I can´t risk my bother´s humanity just to save mine but let´s just kill a bunch of thousands of vampires to get to the cure O.O Like Elena sweetie chill, not all vampires deserve to die. Other than that she showed strength, resilience and bravery. Who else could just give up everything to Klaus just to save all her friends and family the way she did? That was selfless and I loved that for her. With Matt though...he goes through phases and I think it´s all on the writers. When they knew what they wanted from him they put in cool situations and I like that there was someone normal to juxtapose the craziness and supernatural stuff. He has some good human moments and acted as an human anchor for most characters. However when they made him unlikable and he was just kinda there semi hating and brooding, most of the times trying to do good by making things worse...Damon should have compelled his ass to Denver or something xD a new life somewhere off where he could be normal. Matt,Taylor and Jeremy was on the writers, half the time they just did not know what to do with them because when they had no ``point´, they were just in the way of our main characters most of the time so that´s why they get the hate. Trying to do good in a world of vampires just backfired on them most of the time. Sorry for the rant xD

[@vyper4861]

I watched this series when it was on (I think I started when S2 or S3 was airing) and I like Elena. I'm not very well versed in TVD fandom so I wasn't even aware that people hated her. Your comment around 20min got me thinking, maybe people are making the comparison with Katherine who went through pretty much the same thing as Elena (being a doppelganger) and took matters into her own hands to save herself, she didn't had friends or two brothers ready to die for her. Also, often times peoples are trying to strip Elena away from her ability to make decisions for herself. That and the fact that it's not her fault if Bonnie, Stefan & Damon would be ready to die for her so it doesn't seems fair to blame it on her. But anyway for me, it's not really a fair comparison because Katherine really isn't the average person, I feel like most people would act more like Elena if put in the same shoes as them (but maybe that's just my biais toward Queen K :D).

[@zwski396]

I think the writers back themself into a corner when they made everyone in the original cast supernatural (Even Jeremy ended up being a "hunter") . From a writers perspective, Matt had to live for the entirity of the series because they needed a "main" human to balance out the show. Unfortunately this meant that that was Matt's only on screen purpose and they forgot to actually give him a plot each season. I think Matt should've been written out of the show around Season 5, either as a really sad death for Elena to experience or he simply moves away to escape the supernatural that he hates. Then it could've been nice to introduce another character or two to be the humans to keep the show balanced.

[@allyroberts6727]

I feel like they could have utilized his character as the best case scenario of what a “human life” could have been. They could have even made it so he was likeable. A lot of plot points like him becoming a sherif could have still been used even. He is always saying how he really wants nothing to do with vampires. I want to say maybe a little after Elena is turned, he gets more serious with making it out of mystic falls after graduation. Have him be the only one to stick to his guns and make it out. They could have a catch up episode where Elena goes to visit him as a sort of break/grass is greener. Grieve the old life she could have had, accept her new life and even appreciate all the good that has come from it, no matter how crazy it had gotten. Matt would still hold a place in her heart as her friend. It could show that even people you love who have different values and lifestyles doesn’t change what they mean to each other. The writers really dropped the ball when there was so much unused potential with having a human character in a world where being human is the abnormal 😩

[@Jeremy-wp4yh]

I discovered your channel and don't see any videos on Bonnie. There's alot to unpack there!

[@Lindababiie]

Im currently re watching the vampire diaries and im at the point where Elena and Damon start “dating”. I think the hate for Elena (at least for me) is the fact that Stefan loved Elena so much he fought Klaus compulsion for their love. He loved her so much and when she becomes a vampire she completely changes who she is and she breaks up with Stefan and 24 hours hasn’t even passed yet and shes hooking up with Damon. Damon killed Jeremey is always killing/hurting the people Elena loves and will do anything to keep her alive even if she disagrees. Stefan always respected Elenas choices and decisions and would always protect the ppl she loves no matter what even if she died in the process (as she did when her and matt went over the bridge). Also the fact that she had this weird flirty friendship with Damon from the beginning. It was never one sided as much as she claimed it was. I could go on and on about how fucked up her relationship with Damon was.

[@amberaugustine9948]

btw it’s funny when they point out damon is the only that abused people which is completely wrong. Stefan, klaus, and Katherine have abused people also and yet the fans always keep quiet about those things. It’s only aimed at Damon which makes no sense. They never give the rest the same energy which is ridiculous.

[@susannamendesmiranda5742]

No but don't disrespect Bella like that! She is has REAL empathy for people and vampires and is never judmental. Elena is all the time acting like she is better than everyone else and so good and oh my god evereryone who is not on her moral compass is a monster. But when is someone she likes (or herself doing not so moral things) then that is ok. And also she was written to be saved and gentle and bla bla bla but she was also written to please men and what they think being a girl is. She is always dressed and coded to look like she does not care for girly things and be so cool and sometimes even punch some bag guys never be too feminine because of course feminine stupid blonde girls are bad and annoying and only care about gossip (hince the way they wrote Caroline to be the opposite in s1 and make Elena seem so much better). I do like her but there is a lot of problematic stuff about her as a character.

[@loveatfirstglow24]

People hate Elena because the writers completely changed her entire personality when she became a vampire. Traits are heightened and they only heightened the worse parts of her. You all seem pretty bias about Damon so you all might not care about Elena changing because that meant she was with Damon now. Majority of fans loved earlier Elena, her becoming a vampire was the worse thing the show did. People hate Matt because he is a agonist to the stars of the show. If you didn’t like Stefan, Damon, or Elena I personally feel no one would hate man. Matt is right, vampires ruined everything, he was also a hypocrite at times about vampires as well. 2024: A lot of women are starting to dislike Damon, mostly because the “SA” of Caroline, which also is another reason they hate Elena.

[@stacyshevardi170]

thank yoo for th new episoooooooooooooode! I've never liked Tyler, he reminds me too much of my high school ex boyfriend so I guess it's the reason 🤣

[@bloodislife]

I hated Matt in season 4 onwards because they gave him the worst storylines. Also he constantly whined about vampires, and hated his best friends and put them in danger (helping Reyna while using Caroline as bait?!) I love Elena

[@davontamartin7038]

Ppl compare elena and Bonnie bc Elena causes majority the problems which leads to her loses Bonnie has to save the day in turns which is why she loses people.

[@amberaugustine9948]

I love Elena. I never hated her. Yes she has a few flaws, but she hasn’t done anything wrong. She is very compassionate and selfless, so it’s ironic when people call her selfish. She clearly cares for her friends. Katherine is selfish since she only cared about herself lmao. I love Elena, and hate Katherine so much. She is allowed to cry and have emotions, people are just being too dramatic.

[@zwski396]

I think people get so caught up in the attraction to damon, stefan, klaus etc. that they hate anyone that challenges those characters on screen. Matt has every right to hate the vampires, especially the salvatores, but people are so caught up with simping for the brothers that they refuse to acknowledge this. Don't get me wrong, Matt gets annoying, but people seem to only understand the Salvatore's hatred for people, and not Matt's cause he's not as good looking? lol

[@analis_s]

I genuinely loved human Elena she was such a sofety and nice and just better then Bella for my taste, the whole switching brothers and the sire bond didnt seat right with me. My interest in TVD evaporated along with Originals leaving the town, i finished the show anyway but it was just to know how it will end

[@amonzart2379]

I am not a big fan of Matt but I will defend him. Matt is the perfect example of what means being a Collateral damage, he plays like the regular human in Mystic Falls among supernaturals conflicts. I cant blame him for being annoying towards the other characters in TVD universe: He ended up paranoid before any supernatural being even his own friends. Think about it, Elena her ex girldfriend and "friend" almost killed him just for fun, got humillated and threatened by Damon everal times (killed his bestie Tyler cof cof) Had to be warned everytime that Mystic gang member switched their humanity off. Even Bonnie almost killed him and was left to die(indirectly) when she became Rayna Cruz 2.0, was like : sorry I am the new huntress dunno what I am doing but it is what it is, see ya lol. Not to mention that their father figure role (Alaric) had the great idea of oppening a high school for freaks GUESS WHERE? IN MYSTIC FALLS. Sorry I would be MATT if something like that happened to me those guys are the least friendship material would like to take ever. That was his role being the boxing bag for any new antagonist coming or his bipolar friends.

[@Saraht4]

i love bonnie!! #Bamon forever

[@adicookie2304]

Like I liked matt up late season 6 and season 7

[@redershades]

if people don't like these characters in the show i don't wanna know what they think of the book LOL

[@redershades]

*books

[@allomanci]

I hated Matt pre streaming and I hate him now!!

[@satin.satsuma]

Because he is annoying character and the actor has also made borderline racist comments in the past 😮

[@sugarman4354]

The hate for Elena can only be from Stelena Shippers. I'm interested to know what the reactions were when the show first aired. Was she universally liked until she chose Damon or was she also hated in earlier seasons? To me she was the light of the show & always followed her heart (how can that be bad) which eventually took her to Damon. Ultimately her relationships with both brothers went a long way to bringing both brothers back together. So major kudos to her for that. One thing that's ignored is both brothers behaved terribly when apart from Elena. While Damon was awful to others, Stefan treated Elena terribly once she turned & then chose Damon. I get he was hurt but they say a true character comes out post break up & his behaviour in sleeping with Kat & Rebekah + treating Elena like shit ("You don't know what I'm like when not in love with you") was eye opening. He was also an ass to his "friends" when Damon disappeared at the end of S5. Anyway I think Elena was an awesome character, my favourite & as a male viewer. She was the perfect damsel you'd want to protect. So good on Stefan & Damon for pretty much reflecting what drives us males which is to be the ultimate protector of the ones we love. I guess it was all about Stelena v Delena back in the day. For me it wouldn't have mattered if she had stuck with Stefan. In today's world are we not all about respecting a woman's right to choose? Well she chose Damon so why not respect her choice. Delena or Stelena, nope I'm on Team Elena. On a side note The show could have been named Elena instead of The Vampire Diaries & it wouldn't have been out of place. Interesting commentary re her character in today's time has aged. Makes me feel bad for today's young guys growing up. Surely there are still many Elena's around to be found for our boys to protect & fall for in today's time. By the way. You guys are great. I really enjoy listening to you both. Two smart, good hearted ladies. You guys shine bright. 👏🏻

[@Strife93]

I always shipped Damon with Elena so I am biased and I'm not ignoring Damon's major screw ups but this is the first time in his Vampire life that he has found something to change for or be better for. That being Elena and Elena bringing him closer to his brother. But Stefan is mean. Like Damon jokes with Stefan and teases him but Stefan says things to Damon that are truly hurtful especially after Elena chooses Damon but even before that. For example when Damon is looking through the Salvatore library for a way to get Katherine Stefan says your just upset that I get to be with the person I love while you will never be with the one you love she's just out of reach. They weren't fighting it was just our of no where. Plus there's alot more stuff Stefan does that makes me feel he's fake even though I do love Stefan just not with Elena and when he's not being a dick to Damon or Elena.

[@sugarman4354]

@@Strife93 Really good observation. He was judgemental yet had no right to be so given his own history & behaviours.