I think it's a real testament to both the writers and to the actor that Damon can do unspeakably awful things, like seriously smurfing EVIL stuff, and yet you can't help but feel for him and hope for some redemption somewhere down the road.

As for Bonnie, I think she's the weakest actress on the show, but she's pretty much the only person with any power against the vamps. I don't like how severely weak the humans would be without Bonnie. Maybe they can throw in a Slayer somewhere in there to balance things out.