Before I get into this review, let me put in one disclaimer: vampires are overplayed. I dislike all the vampire books, movies and T.V. shows that have come out in the last couple years. Having said that, I absolutely love “The Originals,” a new series on the CW that is focused on a family of vampires.
Yes, I know, I just contradicted myself. But in my defense, “The Originals” is a spinoff of the series “The Vampire Diaries,” which began in 2009, only a year after those awful books about sparkling vampires were turned into movies. So I consider my love for “The Originals” completely warranted.
Taking place in New Orleans, “The Originals” follows the first vampires ever created, three siblings who were turned into immortal beings more than 2,000 years ago. In this reality, all vampires are traced back to the original family, which was turned by the mother of the Mikaelson family, a witch who did not want to lose her five children. Now, only three remain: Elijah, Niklaus and Rebekah.
The Mikaelson family was first introduced in season two of “The Vampire Diaries” as an evil family that goes on a rampage after more than 50 years being locked away.
The siblings go from characters you love to hate to characters you just love. As they progressed in “The Vampire Diaries,” viewers found that there is more to the Mikaelson family than just bloodlust. Vampires have feelings, too!
Now, in “The Originals,” the three remaining original vampires develop even more; they are an estranged family attempting to come together again.
Niklaus, known more popularly by Klaus, is played by Joseph Morgan (“Immortals”). The vampire/werewolf hybrid is back in the city he helped create almost 200 years ago.
Since he left New Orleans, Klaus’ prodigy, Marcel, has taken over and made himself king of the city. Marcel is in control of all the vampires, kills any witch who uses magic and has run all the werewolves out of town. Klaus is immediately jealous of the power that is no longer his and has vowed to take it back by destroying Marcel’s world from the inside.
Elijah is the oldest of the siblings and works tirelessly to keep what is left of his family together. Klaus is expecting a child with another werewolf, Hayley. Vampires are unable to have children, but apparently Klaus’ werewolf side makes this “miracle baby” possible. While Klaus wanted nothing more than to dispose of his unborn child at first, Elijah convinced Klaus that this baby was their chance to be a family again.
As for Rebekah, the youngest of the three, picture a teenager who falls in love too easily and goes crazy when guys don’t love her back. Add heightened feelings and 2,000 years of angst, and you have Rebekah Mikaelson. Although her petty attitude can be annoying, her compassion toward Elijah and her developing friendship with Hayley makes it difficult to be too hard on her. Rebekah just wants to love and be loved; she’s just having a difficult time getting there.
“The Originals” is five episodes in, and this show does not disappoint. The fact that these characters have already been developed allows them to dive right into the story without wasting too much time with a back-story. However, if you didn’t watch “The Vampire Diaries,” you can easily jump into this show. You just won’t know quite as much of the family’s complicated history. 4.5 stars out of 5.
