The CW

Whether or not she likes it (sadly, the poor girl didn’t get a choice in the matter), Elena Gilbert will sprout fangs in the fourth season of The Vampire Diaries. Knowing Elena, she’ll do everything in her power to keep her human characteristics and maintain her sense of compassion. She loves her friends and family and would never do anything to jeopardize their lives. However, her transition won’t be an easy process — especially with Caroline and Stefan taking the moral high road when it comes to feeding — she’s probably going to feel a little confused about what’s right and wrong…and what’s natural. (To eat cute little bunnies or innocent residents? Oy ve.) And that’s where Damon enters the picture to employ some tough love!

According to executive producer Julie Plec, who recently spoke with Entertainment Weekly about the upcoming twists, the eldest Salvatore brother will go out of his way to help Elena get settled in her fresh state of being and feel more comfortable in her new vampire skin. How so? Here’s the scoop:

While some of the gang might be looking to help Elena fight her craving for a kill, there’s one person who certainly will not: Damon. Vampire Diaries executive producer Julie Plec says the elder Salvatore is rooting for Mystic Falls’ newest vamp to give in to what he feels is certain to happen. “In his mind, there’s an inevitability to being a vampire that we should just get to and get past. [It's] the equivalent of kicking Elena out of the bird’s nest and letting her fall and see if she can fly.” What do we say gang? Fight or flight?

Clearly, in order to survive, Elena will have to consume human blood. Additionally, it’s great that Damon is going to coach her through the process — even if it means losing a little control. However, we’ve got so many questions: Will she continue feeding throughout the seas? Will she kill anyone like Caroline did at the carnival in Season 2 when her urges go the best of her? Can she curb the deep-rooted desire to plunge her teeth into some poor nearby neck pulsating with blood? We will all find out soon enough but, in the meantime, we’d love to hear YOUR feedback!