Who comprises TV's Most Dynamic Duo? That's what we're asking readers to vote on, and it's also the case taken up by various members of the TV Fanatic staff. So far, articles have been written that made the argument for...

• Mike and Harvey on Suits.
• Emily and Nolan on Revenge.
• Kensi and Deeks on NCIS: Los Angeles.
• Troy and Abed on Community.
• Sam and Dean from Supernatural.
• Castle and Beckett from Castle.
• Shawn and Gus from Psych.

Now, Editor-in-Chief Matt Richenthal is here to explain why Alaric and Damon from The Vampire Diaries deserve your vote. On what grounds? He explains below...

Damon Salvatore and Alaric Saltzman face a few obstacles in this poll. They lack the fun sexual tension of Kate Beckett and Rick Castle. They are not featured in practically every scene together, a la Shawn and Gus or Mike and Harvey. They are not related, like a couple of rugged supernatural hunters.

But I'm here to say these supposed drawbacks are precisely what make The Vampire Diaries duo so dynamic. The chemistry between Damon and Alaric has been so apparent from the beginning - their scenes so hilarious and their connection so unlike any other on television - that they've evolved into a bromance not even Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec could have seen coming.

I mean no disrespect to any other nominees, but the writers of Bones and Castle, for example, clearly planned to tease the ties between their leads from the very beginning. They scripted storylines specifically to brings these tandems closer; to pull them apart; to play around with viewers' emotions; to keep fans invested in the core relationship of the show. And, hey, that sort of plotting has been done for decades. It makes for great television.

But, in many ways, we've been manipulated to root for these duos. The same cannot be said for Alaric and Damon. I do not have it on any authority, but I'd be shocked if producers saw this unique friendship coming. Remember: Damon turned Alaric's wife! These two were set-up to be rivals...

... but something simply popped between the pair right away, as a begrudging respect developed between a vampire and a history teacher who thought his mission in life was to hunt vampires. As a result, we're now treated to just the right amount of Damon and Alaric. They share maybe one or two scenes together every couple weeks, which only leaves viewers wanting more. I couldn't have been the only one afraid the friendship was over after Damon killed Alaric - seriously, think your duo has been through a lot? DAMON KILLED ALARIC! - only to giddily witness the following exchange:

Alaric: You’re going to recycle that same crap-ass apology you gave to Mason Lockwood?
Damon: Yeah, well. I didn’t mean it with him. | permalink

Cue sheepish smile across Alaric's lips and cheers across Vampire Diaries nation. Case closed. Bromance intact. Your vote required now: Who is TV's Most Dynamic Duo?

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.