The Originals Review: Queen Death (Season 4 Episode 9)

The Originals Season 4 Episode 8, “Queen Death,” flips the script on all the Mikaelsons and puts them in the position of the people who have suffered and fallen just so their family can survive.

They’re not the same people they were last season or the ones before it. They’ve grown as characters and have reached a place where they don’t just kill first, ask questions later…well most of the time.

This episode is a test for the Mikaelsons with Elijah being at the center of it.

And when it comes down to it, the Mikaelsons are shocked to see that they can’t let their brother die for the greater good. There is no loophole — no trick of the trade that Freya can suddenly find in her grimoires or brute force of strength that Klaus can rein upon The Hollow.

It’s an impossible situation that they can’t get out of and will learn from.

Sure, they’ll slip up every once in a while. But they’ll never look at a situation like this the same way again. They will reevaluate what they are doing and what they are forcing others to do just so they can survive another year in this world.

Elijah’s death is a wake up call for the Mikaelsons that things die and that even the strongest are sometimes left with only one option, the most painful one.

Of course, Elijah isn’t gone. It’s The Originals. Like its predecessor, people die and come back all the time. It still doesn’t take away from the strength of the message or what they’ve learned as members of this tumultuous community.

Kudos to Klaus Mikaelson for having 75% control while all of this was going down.

The Klaus of Season 1-3 would’ve jumped to conclusions from the second he entered Marcel’s home. He would’ve not given him, Vincent, or Freya a chance and reined down pain and destruction on whoever crossed his way.

Since becoming a father, Klaus has reined himself in greatly, and it’s apparent in this episode. A part of it is due to the imprint that Cami left on Klaus’ heart and mind, but being a father solidifies her teachings and makes it so there’s no turning back.

Klaus is no longer the monster he was before, alone, afraid, and so angry at the world. He has a family, friends, and will no doubt end up staying in New Orleans with a more united front of supernatural creatures at his side, not his back.

This hybrid doesn’t want to be a king because he’s not trying to compensate for anything or cover up his hurt by making others feel it. And that’s what I call character development!

Last but not least, Vincent. He is serving truth tea left and right and reminding the Mikaelsons of how similar the situation with Elijah is to….well the last three seasons of The Originals.

He’s angry and fed up with how far they will go for each other and the disregard they display towards the people of New Orleans. Difference is that they’re working together now and he’s allowed to say these things because it’s for the greater good.

Separating and trying to fight each other while fighting The Hollow is only going to lead to death and destruction so Vincent waits it out, he speaks his truth, and reminds the Mikaelsons that they are not as all powerful as they claim to be.

Vincent is the angry audience member who has binged watched all seasons of The Originals on Netflix and he is tired of seeing people with great potential to do something more, and who have lived a long and fulfilling life, fall into the same traps again and again.

What comes next for Vincent is a true test of will and his belief in those things that he preaches to the Mikaelsons. Will he be strong enough to not fall for the power of The Hollow? Or will he rise above it all and help the witches, vampires, and werewolves of New Orleans in finally defeating her.

Here’s hoping for the latter.

Additional Notes:

1. Freya and Keelin are killing me with how amazing, cute, and supportive they are of each other. Some couples never reach this place where they make breakfast for each other, back each others plays, and tell the other person that there’s no way they’re going out there on their own.
2. I’ve never had a French Quarter Beignet. Now I want one after that delicious breakfast spread Klaus indulged Hope with.
3. I think I need the fanbulance to pick up every single Haylijah shipper. He reached out to her!
4. We have no idea how powerful Hope is and I can’t wait.
5. How did no one discover that weird tree that The Hollow emerges from and turn into some sort of tourist trap?

What did you think of this episode of The Originals? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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The Originals airs Fridays at 9/8c on The CW.

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