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‘The show’s really about brothers,’ Wesley tells EW.

So grab your tissues and join us on this trip down a vampire-filled memory lane.

O Come, All Ye Faithful

Credit: Bob Mahoney/The CW

This week, Paul Wesley looks back on playing Stefan Salvatore…

I remember watching episode two and thinking, This is pretty good.

Theres so much that goes into a pilot.

You cant view it objectively.

And then I remember watching episode two and that was when it really hit me.

I think the shows at its best when the stakes mean something.

So I think seasons 1, 2, 3 were very real and all the consequences meant something.

And I also think the shows at its best honestly when its about the relationship between the brothers.

So that was exciting for me.

I see a lot of young actors lose themselves and they really start believing it.

I hope it never got that way for me.

I think its so important to not lose yourself and to just understand that youre a conduit.

As told to Samantha Highfill

The Vampire Diariesairs Fridays at 8 p.m.

ET on The CW.