The Originals: A Quick Guide to Prepare for Season 3

Season 3 of The Originals is right around the corner.

While some, aka me, have time to re-watch the first two seasons and The Vampire Diaries, where The Originals first guest starred, many don’t. Also, there are a lot of people out there who’d like to catch up because certain guest stars (Jason Dohring) are appearing in the next season.

That’s where I come in.

Below I have put together a comprehensive and quick guide to get you caught up on The Originals. Please note that death is not the end for many of these characters.

Let’s begin!

General Premise

The show centers around the original family of vampires: the Mikaelson’s, and their struggle to survive in a world populated not only by humans, but also vampires, witches and werewolves. The center focus is around the Mikaelson children Niklaus, Rebekah and Elijah. They have returned to their home of the New Orleans French Quarter, to dominate all who oppose them and get back the home that they had built over 100 years ago.

A resounding theme between these siblings is ‘always and forever.’

Mikaelson Children & Parents

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Niklaus Mikaelson: Temperamental original Hybrid werewolf/vampire who loves his siblings, Rebekah and Elijah, deeply. With a death count that keeps on rising day in and day out, Klaus believes that his word, power, and wisdom are the most important of all. Often referred to as Nik or Klaus. Father of Hope.

Rebekah Mikaelson: Capable, vicious and beautiful sibling who wishes to have a normal life free of her supernatural life. After a spell fell on her, she was trapped inside the body of a witch named Eva Sinclair. She decided to stay in the witch’s body to help resurrect her brother Kol. She is in love with Marcel Gerard.

Elijah Mikaelson: Often referred to as the honorable sibling who keeps his word, even if it pits him against his closest family members. Strongest relationship with Klaus and Rebekah. He’s in love with Hayley but has given her up for the good of his family and the sake of Hope.

Kol Mikaelson: Black sheep of the family who has never really found his place. After being revived in the body of an unnamed witch, Kol continued to be spiteful and jealous of his siblings Klaus, Rebekah, and Elijah. Events led him to work with and fall in love with Davina Claire. He reconnected with his siblings before his death by hex.

Freya Mikaelson: Oldest of the Mikaelson siblings who was taken away by Freya at a young age. She is a powerful witch who wished to be free of the hold Dahlia had on her and prevent Hope from suffering the same fate. Family is very important to her, but she is closest to Finn.

Finn Mikaelson: Dullest of the Mikaelson who was staked and kept in his coffin for centuries. (Hint: Original vampires can not be killed, except with a singular White Oak stake.) He loathes his siblings and would follow his mother to the ends of the earth. Possessed the body of Vincent Griffith. Refer to him for picture.

Esther Mikaelson: Mother of the Mikaelson children and one of the most powerful witches in existence. She was responsible for transforming her children into vampires and hiding Klaus’s true nature as a werewolf. She has made it her mission to kill her children and stop the havoc they have caused. Deaths include being killed by Klaus, Freya, and sacrificing herself by dying with her sister Dahlia.

Mikael Mikaelson: Father of the Mikaelson children. He has sworn to kill his bastard son Klaus. Because of this he has chased his children across the world for centuries. Killed by Klaus twice.

 

Other Main & Supporting Characters

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Hayley Marshal: Werewolf who was used as leverage against Klaus, after she became pregnant with child. She is smart, fearless and often comes toe to toe with Klaus. In love with Elijah but unable to act on it because she selflessly married Jackson to unite their people. Mother of Hope and currently trapped in her werewolf body, like all the werewolves of New Orleans.

Hope Mikaelson: Daughter of Klaus and Hayley. She is a hybrid vampire/werewolf with the abilities of a witch, who has many enemies that fear her. Was almost taken away by Dahlia, who wished to use her power to prolong her life-like she did with Freya.

Jackson Kenner: Comes from a long line of werewolves that were eventually freed from the curse stopping them from becoming human, except for during the full moon. Protective and kind man who always fights for his pack. Married Hayley to unite their people and share in Hayley’s power as a Hybrid.

Marcel Gerard: A well-intentioned vampire and leader of the French Quarter vampires. He is the former protegé and adoptive son of Klaus. He cares deeply for his ward Davina, even though he used her abilities to restrict the local witches. He is also in love with Rebekah, despite Klaus’s protests.

Camille O’Connell: Bartender and psych student who became extremely close to Klaus and Marcel. Even before discovering the supernatural she was deeply ingrained in that world. Her family has a legacy of being the voice of the humans in New Orleans.

Davina Claire: A young witch who became the ward of Marcel. Her anger at her coven was used to control the French Quarter of New Orleans. She has grown in power and taken her own destiny into her hands as the leader of the French Quarter coven. She fell in love with Kol and has sworn to destroy Niklaus.

Vincent Griffith: Powerful witch who was possessed by Finn. After being released of his possession he swore to distance himself from a life that had only caused him pain. He was drawn back in by the Mikaelsons and his desire to guide Davina in her new position.

Dahlia: Sister of Esther and the most powerful witch in existence. After making a deal to make Esther fertile, she was promised every female first-born of the Mikaelson line. She used Freya as a power source to stay alive for centuries and wanted to do the same with Hope. Killed by Esther and Klaus.

 

This is pretty bare bones compared to watching the show, but it’s enough for you to make it through the upcoming third season. If there’s anything I missed or that you think is absolutely essential, please leave a comment below.

The Originals returns to The CW Thursday, October 8th at 9/8c.