As a forever-fan of the Mikaelson family, this episode answered one of my most burning questions after the incredibly emotional series finale of The Originals. If you were like me and wondered what happened to Klaus Mikaelson after he sacrificed himself in the name of the greater good and the better future of his daughter, the mid-season finale of Legacies gave you some closure. This episode also allowed us to empathize with Rafael more, and it showed an arguably premature shift in MG’s moral compass. However, since it was a mid-season finale it did leave us with many questions. We will have to wait until the new year to see what’s in store for the students and faculty of the Salvatore school.
Let’s get into it!
Some serious The Vampire Diaries and The Originals spoilers ahead!
A Wish to be Better Men
Thanks to the Necromancer bringing Cassie back to life, Rafael had to grapple with a lot in this episode. Eventually Rafael seemed to truly accept his own involvement in Cassie’s death. While it was clear he had no intentions of murdering Cassie when he took that turn too fast, he definitely did it to spite her since they were arguing. Watching Rafael battle the guilt and pain of being a part of the reason why someone he loves died was heartbreaking. It was so important to see Cassie forgive Rafael and to let him know that she didn’t hate Rafael for the way things ended. All Cassie wanted Rafael to do was acknowledge that Rafael has room to grow and better himself. Cassie made it very clear that Rafael’s relationship with his anger will be one of his hardest to manage.
Alaric and his excruciating bluntness about Rafael and Cassie’s situation didn’t help at first. Since Ric was visibly grieving the loss of Jo once again, his words didn’t come across as compassionate and understanding as they normally do. Ric’s patience for the Necromancer disappeared as soon as it involved Ric’s family. Ric started to do what Ric has always done since The Vampire Diaries fans fell in love with him way back in 2009: He turned to alcohol. Ric noticed that his old patterns resurfaced after Hope displayed his many bottles and locked him in his office to think about it (but to mostly keep Ric from foiling her plan).
A reckoning with the loss of loved ones for a brutal second time pushed Rafael and Ric together with a common goal: to be a better person. Rafel was more open to the idea and looked to Ric for guidance. Ric didn’t vocalize his desire to be a better man but it seemed to be present, even it was a twinkle in his eye.
I predict that Ric’s journey will be much more internalized than Rafael’s. Of course Ric will do his best to help Rafael because that’s who Ric is. Through his budding mentor-ship with Rafael and Hope and the rest of the people in his life, Ric will grow and change. Also, the depiction of Ric and Rafael’s personal journeys to better versions of themselves could help to prove that men displaying emotions does not equal weakness. It will also be interesting to see two men change for the better instead of perpetrating what could develop into aspects of toxic masculinity, which would isolate themselves from their loved ones. For example, Rafael’s uncontrollable anger even after becoming a werewolf or Ric’s belief that his priorities are the only important ones instead of allowing Dorian his one day off.
All of the Feels
It’s not surprising that Hope wondered what became of her father after his death. Hope has always carried the weight of the world on her shoulders. It’s also not surprising that Klaus refuses to find peace until Hope does. Even through many missteps and multiples lives lost, most of what Klaus did over the course of The Originals was for Hope. Of course Klaus died with love in his heart and doesn’t regret his sacrifice. Klaus knew that his demise would give his daughter a future. There’s a great chance that we wouldn’t have Legacies had Klaus not perished.
It is so sad that Hope believes her father would be disappointed in her for the way she’s acted as of late. I don’t believe there’s much Hope would do that Klaus would see fault in. The Necromancer even told Hope, “His spirit is all around you,” in a visit to the iconic Rousseau’s set. Hope is clearly her own worst critic instead of her own best champion. This became even more clear when Hope believed her father’s journey to peace was a lie the Necromancer told her to punish her. Hope doesn’t have enough faith in her ability to find any semblance of peace to give her father the same in the afterlife. At least she is willing to work on giving herself a chance. The fact that Hope said, “I’m glad to know you;re with me, but I look forward to the day when you’re not,” gave me enough of a reason to believe that Hope will try to find peace. That’s enough to work with for now. I really do wish that Hope becomes her own best champion sooner rather than later.
It was disappointing that one of Hope’s questions went unanswered. Hope wondered if her father was alone on the other side or whatever exists or doesn’t exist after death. The Necromancer spoke in many riddles and gave false answers, but never gave a clear answer to that question. I wish they had because that was one of my biggest questions as well.
Too Bad Too Soon?
As a fan of The Vampire Diaries, I remember very clearly when it was revealed that Stefan Salvatore had murdered Dorian’s family. It was a great episode in general, however, it was also great since it allowed viewers to get to know and understand Dorian better. All of those tensions and memories were brought back to the surface this week when Dorian tried to take a day off for Remembrance Day. Some rebellious, supernatural teenagers had to ruin his day and stir up feelings. Kaleb and MG weren’t as smooth as they believed and Dorian caught them in the act of feeding on an innocent human who was just visiting lost loved ones.
This situation gave Dorian a chance to provide a very clear and intimidating definition of a Ripper. My dear Stefan Salvatore was one. It looked as if MG may be one as well. MG never had a problem with drinking the blood the school provided until he felt like he couldn’t save his friend. He blamed the “bunny blood,” which makes sense from MG’s perspective.
I understand why they brought this storyline into this episode. Dorian remembered his family, who were murdered by a Ripper, while what could be another Ripper was born in front of his eyes. I use the word “born” because if MG had stayed on the diet the school provided FOR A REASON, this side of MG may never have emerged. Well, it could have but just later in the series.
I’m interested to see where the show takes this storyline so early in the series. Will there be any parallels to Stefan’s own struggles with being a Ripper? Will they just dry MG out and move on? Will MG getting a taste of human blood cause dramatic changes in his fundamental principles? I hope this plunge into what could be a very, very dark side of what has been a pretty cheerful and optimistic character results in a riveting story that gives a fresh take on the Ripper story. I hope it doesn’t fizzle out too soon.
Other Spelltacular Moments:
- The clear shot focusing on the Stefan Salvatore Memorial Library sign started the episode on a great note for me.
- Kaleb read about the Salvatore brothers. Is that a part of the curriculum? Where do I sign up?
- “Literally nobody knows who you are.” – Ric @ every new Big Bad
- Hope is still an artist! They didn’t forget!
- MG’s nana is already one of the best characters on this show and we haven’t even seen her yet. She sounds like an amazing woman.
- Where are Josie and Lizzie? No one mentioned their whereabouts…. Not even Ric.
- “I’m glad to hear even evil monsters don’t like Nazis.” – Hope Mikaelson
- How can I become a member of the Adventure Squad?
- The Necromancer was concerned about his legacy. How ironic.
- I want to know more about the Necromancer’s beef with the Grim Reaper.
- Of course Lizzie went through a vegan phase.
- The Necromancer calling on a Bennett witch made me miss Bonnie Bennett even more.
- I love that everything Ric warned Hope not to do went in one ear and out the other. Of course it did. How very Hope Mikaelson of her.
