I think there are a multitude of purposes behind Damon not getting the girl...yet. First of all, she still has feelings for Stefan and their relationship problems this season have been over what Klaus did to Stefan and the effects it had on his character, not because of the relationship itself. So this relationship needs real closure, closure that can't be blamed on Klaus and their faithfulness to one another had to be rewarded. Second, Elena, as human, possessed an appreciation for the type of love Stefan gave to her because of it's influence on her recovery after her parents death, and the safety it entailed [ which her character sought after so much death in her life]. So as a human, and during this stage, that type of love as well as her unresolved feelings for him caused her to choose him. Thirdly, for Damon, he has been redeemed, he is a hero, he put this broken girl back together and loved her in any capacity she required, and is still passed over. But here's the good point, the beauty of Damon's love is DESPITE the fact that he is passed over, he still stays for her, protects her, and puts her feelings and ease before his own, this kind of devotion and selflessness will be why she DOES choose Damon later. One must also remember as a vampire safety is no longer as much of an issue, her character shall be stronger and shall feel things deeper and this plays to Damon's type of love. She will also finally have more information on truly understanding Damon like we do with the return of her memories, like his love confession and first meeting, that give real insight into Damon and is devotion and selfless love for her. Lastly, it is middle game. Instead of looking into a season worrying about what we could lose, and her running back to Stefan, we have SE poised to be undone by THEIR problems and incompatibility, not by Klaus, but because they don't work. This will bring REAL closure to SE and open up to DE with a fully committed Elena, a stronger Elena going for the unsafe, all consuming and powerful love she didn't chance as a human. And this love is ETERNAL now, this love will sustain their eternal lives, and this love is worth waiting for. Despite the disappointments, please do have faith in where the story is going as a whole and where it will eventually go for DE and please respect the TVD cast and Crew, especially Julie, as despite the bad, she also writes the good and is at the helm of a show we love and she deserves proper respect. Have faith #DEFamily, you have no where to go but up.