The Vampire Diaries: Twilight on the small screen

SINGAPORE: Halloween may be over but that hasn't stopped vampires from taking over the screens, big and small.

The popularity of "Twilight" and HBO's "True Blood" has spawned yet another vampire series, "The Vampire Diaries", and judging from its September premiere in the United States - it was the highest-rated premiere on television network, the CW - the blood-sucking action is here to stay.

Directed by Kevin Williamson, the man behind "Dawson's Creek" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" which launched the careers of Katie Holmes and Sarah Michelle Gellar respectively, "Diaries" is another series that replicates the tried-and-tested teenage-vampire-romance formula.

Emotional girl meets good-looking boy. Boy has a dark secret. They fall for each other. Boy turns out to be a vampire. Another vampire enters the picture. They tussle for the same girl.

Sounds familiar? Been there, done that, but shown on the small screen this time round.

Before "Twilight" fans cry foul over plagiarism, they'd better get their facts right as "Diaries" is based on the book series of the same name by LJ Smith published back in 1991, eight years before the "Twilight" hit bookstores.

The story revolves around a group of high school students in Mystic Falls, a small town in Virginia. The recently orphaned Elena (Nina Dobrev) meets handsome new student, Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley), whose mysterious appearances and sudden disappearances leave her intrigued and confused.

Stefan is actually a vampire from the 19th century returning to Mystic Fall after more than a century because of Elena, who bears a striking resemblance to his first love, Katherine. He feeds on animal blood and refrains from hurting Elena. Instead, he protects her and becomes her guardian angel.

Unfortunately, Stefan isn't the only uninvited guest in the small town. His evil brother, Damon (Ian Somerhalder from "Lost"), learns about his intentions to return to Mystic Falls and makes life difficult for him. Not only is there no brotherly love between the two, Damien's presence threatens to turn the peaceful town into eternal mayhem.

And that's where the similarity ends.

Unlike "Twilight's" monotonous and sugary plot, "Diaries" keeps the suspense going strong with each episode (even though some of the developments aren't exactly mind-blowing). The story holds promise and more twists are expected as the drama progresses. Audience will soon realise that Elena, Stefan and Damon have a long history behind them and why Damon is hell-bent on ruining Stefan's plans.

And do look out for the sharp and witty one-liners. Under Williamson's guidance, his trademark pop-cult references and clever teenage dialogue in "Dawson's Creek" are present in "Diaries".

"Diaries" is catered for a younger audience, and with Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder playing hot vampires, I am sure there will be no lack of teenage girls throwing their necks at their feet.

And while the 27-year-old Wesley and 31-year-old Somerhalder provide the necessary eye candy and depth to the series, casting them as high school students is stretching it a little. It is hard enough as it is to imagine them as college students, let alone high school kids.

"Twilight" fans eagerly awaiting the release of will "New Moon" later this month will no doubt bite into this new vampire series which is slightly edgier and darker, but for fans of "True Blood", which explores the possibility of co-existence between human and vampires, "Diaries" may be a tad too 'juvenile' for their liking. And depending on your allegiance towards "Twilight" or "True Blood", you are either going to love "Diaries" or loathe it.

The Vampire Diaries is available on-demand on SingTel mio TV Channel 701. - CNA/fa