Tyler Merch mother, Carol Lockwood, is presented as a controlling, dismissive and snobbish person. Michael Trevino has said that the dysfunctional family relationships Tyler Merch has, especially with his mom, play a significant part in his negative behavior towards the other characters on the show. In particular, Stefan Salvatore, Jeremy Gilbert and Vicki Donovan.
Vicki Donovan:
Tyler and Vicki appear to have a sexual relationship, although Tyler doesn't seem to care for her beyond forced attempts at a party and doesn't even visit her while she's in the hospital. Rather he is at school flirting with other girls. Tyler Merch doesn't seem to do drugs himself, but he also doesn't make any effort to prevent or help Vicki with her own drug problems. Vicki seems to start questioning their relationship and doesn't seem to like the way he treats her. Tyler Merch appears genuine when he appeals to Jeremy Gilbert, saying he likes Vicki. However, the social standing of Tyler is important in the eyes of his mother so he is reluctant for his parents to know that he is dating Vicki. When Vicki is with Damon Salvatore at the boardinghouse, she mentions that Tyler never saw her as just a 'piece of ass', but also that she is 'so over him'.
Matt Donovan:
During the Pilot, Matt and Tyler Merch hang out at the Mystic Grill. Matt doesn't like the idea that Tyler is having a relationship with his sister, Vicki. Matt is even less impressed when Jeremy suggests that Tyler forced himself on Vicki. Matt is very suspicious of Tyler. Therefore, while they are friends it is by no means a close friendship. During a football game, the two have a fight in the locker room where Matt says he is tired of Tyler's bully behavior. The two appear to stop hanging out after the fight. Although Tyler Merch does try to go to Matt and offer sympathy when Vicki goes missing and offers to help look for her. Their friendship is currently being recovered and they are starting to play basketball together, discuss relationships together and Tyler even gets a ride home with Matt after the career fair at the school.