Have you heard the news? Even though The Originals is ending this season, we haven’t quite seen the end of this world just yet. CW announced Thursday, May 17, that there will be a spin off called Legacies. This spin off will focus on Hope Mikaelson. But it just won’t be the same without the rest of the Mikaelson family.
Continuing the tradition of The Vampire Diaries and The Originals, the story of the next generation of supernatural beings at The Salvatore School for the Young and Gifted. Klaus Mikaelson’s daughter, 17-year-old Hope Mikaelson; Alaric Saltzman’s twins, Lizzie and Josie Saltzman; and other young adults come of age in the most unconventional way possible, nurtured to be their best selves…in spite of their worst impulses. Will these young witches, vampires and werewolves become the heroes they want to be — or the villains they were born to be?
From the heartbreaking past between the Mikaelson siblings to the thrilling fight scenes, The Originals certainly gave its watchers a story filled with twists and turns. So as we end this chapter in the Vampire Diaries saga, let’s take a look back on what we will miss most about this show and its characters.
1. The Mikaelson Siblings
There are no words to describe the hole in our heart once the Mikaelson siblings’ stories come to an end. The caliber of acting in this series was spot on that they weren’t just vampires. They were broken individuals that really only had each other in the end. Always and forever. In the past five years, they’ve become family to us fans. While they were the villains in Vampire Diaries, in The Originals we got to see the complexity and struggles that they faced. Not to mention the chemistry between Joseph Morgan, Daniel Gilles, Claire Holt, Nathaniel Buzolic and Riley Voelkel is pure magic. Such an effortless and trust to it that makes their interactions and behaviors all the more powerful but also gut-wrenching because despite wanting to hate Klaus or Elijah, you just can’t.
2. The Fangs, Magic, and Drama!
Ok, so this reason really shouldn’t need an explanation but I guess I can play along and expand. As much as The Originals is about the sibling bond and their family, it’s also very much about the supernatural. Watching Klaus or Elijah go full vampire was such a guilty pleasure of mine and I loved the intricacies in the fight scenes. I mean, who doesn’t like a showdown every now and then? With explosions and punches flying every which way? Count me in.
3. The Impenetrable Love Between Klaus and Elijah
Klaus and Elijah’s relationship is the epitome of a bond that only brothers can experience with each other. They’re untouchable when they stand together but they are also each other’s undoing. The complexity and anguish that exists in their relationship is so refreshing to see on screen though. Because it’s so realistic. No relationship is perfect and you can love and hate someone at the same time. Always and forever. Klaus and Elijah’s unshakable loyalty for each other despite killing each other (quite literally) multiple times is so admirable and spoiler alert: it truly breaks my heart to see Klaus struggle without Elijah in this last season. I’m going to miss seeing the two together.
4. The Character Development
Are you sensing a pattern here? When the Mikaelson family were first introduced on Vampire Diaries, they were the villains and caused nothing but grief and pain for our beloved TVD crew. But with each season, we slowly started to see the cracks behind their cold-hearted, bloodthirsty fade. In The Originals, we see them continue to grown and deal with demons that we never even knew existed. We learned so much about their family and their childhood in The Originals and it really revealed a lot about why they behave the way they do.
5. The Freaking Cliff Hangers!
No one does twists, turns, and heart stopping emotion like The Originals. This show literally had everything supernatural and with anything supernatural, storylines can sometimes become unrealistic and far-fetched. But while The Originals certainly had their plot holes and questionable storylines, they still somehow managed to keep us on the edge of our seats each week. Even when we can see things coming or the show becomes a little cliche, we still wind up feeling a bajillion emotions at once.
6. The Feelings!
Yep. This show is basically its own form of therapy. Need a good cry? Watch The Originals. Need to scream and yell? Watch The Originals. It’s truly incredible the range of emotions one can feel while watching The Originals. From anger to confusion to gut wrenching heartbreak, in just one episode, the writers never failed in making its characters and us feel. Over the years, we’ve grown so emotionally attached to these characters. We’ve watched them fight each other, we’ve watched Klaus tearfully confront Mikael, and it’s going to really hurt to say goodbye. It’s almost like saying goodbye to a friend. Because we’ve been by their side through it all. The good, the bad, the ugly; the highs, the lows; the most uplifting of moments and the most heartbreaking moments. We were there and we were feeling right alongside them.
7. The Gag Reels
Let’s end this article on a positive note though shall we? Even though The Originals is ending and we are kind of feeling a little sad about it, let’s remember that this show has also given us some of the best gag reels. The cast is such a funny group and despite their serious and terrifying demeanor on screen, off screen, Joseph Morgan, Daniel Gilles and the rest of The Originals cast are pure goofballs and utter clowns. Don’t believe me? Just watch this video below. You welcome!
The Originals is currently airing Wednesdays at 9/8c on the CW.