The Vampire Diaries: Caroline & Tyler's Relationship Timeline, Season By Season (2024)

They may not fit in the "enemies to lovers" category, but Caroline and Tyler still have one of the most tumultuous romances inThe Vampire Diaries. In fact, it would be easier to leave their relationship statusas "it's complicated" for the first half of the show.

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There are viewers who believe Tyler is Caroline'sbest love interest inThe Vampire Diaries,as well as those who believe he is her worst. By taking a look back at the events that brought them together, it's easy to seeboth the positive and negative aspects of their relationship.

Season 1

Caroline And TylerAre In The Same Friend Group

Like the majority of theoriginalcharacters, Tyler and Carolinehave known each other their whole lives. They were both raised in Mystic Falls and run in the same circles,yet they don't have much of a relationship outside of their friend group.

Caroline and Tylerappear to be acquaintances morethan anything else, and they have minimal screen time during the first season. Caroline ends up romantically involved with Matt, while Tylerand Jeremy spend the first chunk of episodes fighting over Vicki's affections.

Season 2

Tyler Falls For Caroline When She Helps Him Through His Transition

The universe throws Caroline and Tyler together in an unexpected way, and Caroline becomes his rock when Tyler triggers the werewolf curse. She finds herself stuck betweenMatt and Tyler inThe Vampire DiariesSeason 2, asa new love trianglebegins to take shape.

Following the death of his Uncle Mason, Tyler is brainwashed by Jules, who convinces him that Caroline is the enemy.Tyler eventually realizes his mistake, butthere's no way to undothe damagehe's caused. He leaves townand doesn't reunite with Caroline until the end of the season.Ittakesalmost being sacrificed by Klaus, but Tyler and Caroline reconcile and rekindle their friendship.

Season 3

Caroline And Tyler Date On And Off

With everything out in the open between them, Caroline and Tyler finally become an official couple inThe Vampire DiariesSeason 3. Yet, nothing ever comes easy for the pair and theirrelationship is repeatedly put to the test. After Caroline is kidnapped and tortured by her own father, Tylersearches for her with the help of the Sheriff.

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Not long after that, Tyler is turned into a hybrid and sired to Klaus. No matter what he feels for Caroline, he can't help but put Klaus's needs first. Whenthe bond forces Tyler to bite her, he leaves Mystic Falls to find a way to break it.Although he's successful, Caroline and Tyler's happiness is short-lived. The season ends with Caroline believing that Tyler is dead, when, in actuality, Klaus has jumped into his body.

Season 4

Klaus Forces Tyler To Leave Town (And Caroline)

Despite being freed from Klaus'spossession,the Originalhybrid remains a problem forTylerand Caroline. Klaus is already athreat to Tyler'slife, but his interest inhis girlfriend makes him a threat to their relationship. Klaus does several romantic things for Caroline inThe Vampire Diaries, andshe clearly isn't immune to his charm.

However, Carolinerefuses to act on any feelings she may have and stays true to Tyler through thick and thin. Klaus forces Tyler toflee Mystic Falls, and Caroline is left heartbroken. The two promise each other that they'll find a way to be together, and Klaus eventually grantshim permission to return as a gift to Caroline.

Season 5

TylerAnd Caroline Break Up For Good

With Klaus in New Orleans, Caroline and Tyler are finally free to be together. Yet, it soon becomes clear that Klausmay not have been theonly problem. Rather than returning home, Tyler spends the summer helping hybrids break their sire bonds. While it's a noble thing to do, ithas a negative impact on Tyler and Caroline's relationship.

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Tired of waiting around for him, Carolineasks Tyler to choose between his hatred for Klaus and his love for her.Tyler chooses revenge,which officially endstheir relationship. When Klaus returns to Mystic Falls and asks Caroline to give him the same choice, the two end up sleeping together. Tyler doesn't take the news well, and Forwoodreaches the point of no return.

Seasons 6& 7

Caroline And Tyler Remain Friends (More Or Less)

Hisreaction to Caroline sleeping with Klaus is something that has aged poorly about Tyler in The Vampire Diaries.While Tyler's anger is understandable, the way he goes about it is not. There's a permanent shift between the two of them, and it's clear they can never get back what they had before.

Caroline ends up in a relationship with Stefan, while Tyler falls for Liv Parker. The two agree to be friends, but even their friendship appears rather strained. Those who haven't watched the early seasons would have no idea how much Caroline and Tyler once loved each other.

Season 8

TylerIs Killed By Damon

By the tail end of the series, Tyler's appearances inThe Vampire Diaries havebecome few and far between. However, it doesn't change the fact that he once played a crucial role in the characters' lives. In a shocking twist, Tyler is killedby an emotionless Damon in Season 8 Episode 5, "Coming Home Was a Mistake."

Caroline shows remorse for his passing, but her reaction isn't nearly as distraught as one would think, given their history.While the twoare last seen on good terms, their endingis still a bitter pill to swallow.

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