The Originals Review: ‘Til the Day I Die (Season 5 Episode 11)

On The Originals Season 5 Episode 11, “‘Til the Day I Die,” Freya and Keelin’s wedding day is fraught with drama, but viewers experience the rarely seen sentimental side of the Mikaelsons.

Amidst a season filled with unexpected deaths, “‘Til the Day I Die,” provides a hiatus from the body count and puts the focus on what comes next for many of the main characters.

Hayley and Elijah’s relationship gets some much-needed closure, but their rendezvous in France should take place at the beginning of the season. It feels shoved into the mix like an afterthought.

The main purpose of this plot twist is to pave the way for Elijah’s death. Why else would there be so much talk about meeting again in another life?

The chemistry between Elijah and Hayley in “‘Til the Day I Die” harkens back to the sparks that flew between them in the first two seasons on The Originals, and it’s also a sad reminder of how disappointing the Haylijah saga has been.

Davina returns, and Klaus calls on her to help him figure out how to help Hope, but Davina confirms what we already know — the Hollow is destroying Hope from the inside out.

It’s not often Klaus doesn’t have some plan in the works when it comes to dealing with his enemies or his family. All season we’ve been waiting for him to figure out some last-minute way to save Hope, but on The Originals Season 5 Episode 11, he suffers in quiet resignation.

Klaus isn’t the only character who appears to give up hope (pun intended). Vincent bailing not just on Freya, but also on the city of New Orleans, comes as a shock. Vincent deserves a better ending than this, particularly after being woefully underutilized throughout season 5.

All of the main characters are beaten down this season which hasn’t been exactly enjoyable to watch.

The emotional impact of Klaus dealing with Hope’s imminent demise is lessened by the certainty that Hope survives. The character is getting her own spin-off. So, the next two episodes need to pull out all the stops to make up for a sluggish and lackluster swan song.

It’s been tough to hang on to see where The Originals is going, and while some storylines are wrapping up in a satisfying way (Keelin and Freya tying the knot, a blissfully happy Davina and Kol, a kindler, gentler Marcel), we want to watch the first family of vamps get their bite back.

Hopefully, The Originals will end where it started, Mystic Falls. The trailer for The Originals Season 5 Episode 12 shows Klaus heading to the small town to seek counsel from Caroline.

It’s almost certain that Caroline and Alaric’s daughters, Lizzie and Josie, will be the ones to save Hope. These Gemini witches have the power to siphon magic, so why not just suck up the Hollow?

“‘Til the Day I Die” provides most of the season’s highlights to date. It’s bittersweet seeing Elijah and Klaus walk Freya down the aisle, knowing this could be the last time we see everyone together — in this life anyway.

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

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

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