15 Must-See Episodes of ‘The Originals’
9. Savior (Season 3 Episode 9)
It’s a typical Mikaelson family Christmas on The Originals Season 3 Episode 9, “Savior.” Under the tree, there’s an odd assortment of gifts, including a “Ripper” curse and some ancient poison.
With a doomsday prophecy slowly coming to fruition, there’s still some holiday cheer. Klaus gets a little something in his stocking as he and Cami finally acknowledge their feelings for each other and become friends with benefits.
Tired of being pushed around by a city rife with vampires on power trips, Vincent takes on a powerful new role. Klaus’s demented ex, Aurora, succeeds in striking a horrific blow against her former beau.
10. No More Heartbreaks (Season 3 Episode 19)
First her brother, then her uncle, and, finally, Cami. The O’Connell family can’t seem to catch a break. Everyone warned Cami Klaus’s attachment to her would be her undoing, and they were right.
This episode is a tear-jerker as Cami says her goodbyes to all the people she loves the most.
But “No More Heartbreaks” takes an even darker turn with the unexpected death of not just one, but two major characters. Of course, nobody ever really dies on The Originals, and if they do, they inevitably show up in a flashback or as a ghost, or a hallucination.
11. Give ‘Em Hell Kid (Season 3 Episode 21)
Once again, the Mikaelsons put themselves above everyone else, but this time there are serious consequences. After their latest betrayal, Marcel struggles with his role within the Mikaelson family.
The lingering threat of Lucien’s serum — which has the power to create a weapon capable of killing an Original — pits Marcel against Klaus and Elijah. Every insecurity and slight Marcel has ever felt from his surrogate family comes to the surface. Their relationship takes an irrevocable turn for the worse.
12. Haunter of Ruins (Season 4 Episode 3)
After five years of separation, the Mikaelsons come together, and Klaus spends the day with his daughter. This is the first time we see Klaus interact with Hope in a truly paternal way. Hayley shields Hope from her father’s nasty deeds, so she sees him as something other than a monster.
Their happiness is short-lived as a malevolent presence from Vincent’s past re-emerges, posing a threat to Hope. This provides an excuse for most of the family to return to New Orleans, thwarting their plans to scatter (with the exceptions of Kol and Rebekah).
The Originals Season 4 Episode 3 is a great episode for some backstory on Vincent, and the guilt he feels over Eva’s descent into madness.
13. Voodoo Child (Season 4 Episode 12)
Sweet little Hope becomes the bad seed as the Hollow sets up shop inside of her. The Mikaelsons realize they’ve drastically underestimated the Hollow’s power. Over the course of the series, the Mikaelsons, especially Klaus, are basically indestructible.
Now, the family is feeling a sense of futility, finally encountering an adversary who renders them powerless to save Hope. “Voodoo Child” is a pivotal episode because it shows there is something else — aside from white oak and Marcel’s venom — capable of taking down the Mikaelsons:
Vincent: This is gonna be the end of always and forever.
14. The Feast of All Sinners
Vincent’s plan to remove the Hollow from Hope and disperse the ancient evil among the four immortal Mikaelson siblings means they can never see each other again. Despite having endured periods of separation in the past, they always find their way back to each other.
Throughout the series, several of the characters refer to the family’s oath of “Always and Forever” as a sick kind of co-dependence, but it comes down to an unwavering sense of loyalty.
While the end of always and forever means a new beginning for others. it’s a bleak prospect for Elijah and Klau. Elijah understands his compulsive need to put his family’s happiness ahead of his own could end up being their downfall.
Elijah follows a very dark path throughout Season 4, causing him to lose everything and everyone he loves, so he takes drastic measures to put it all behind him.
15. When the Saints Go Marching In (Season 5 Episode 13)
Season 5 of the series is the most disappointing with the exception of the finale. It wouldn’t be The Originals without some huge twists, and watching Elijah and Klaus journey to a place where none of us can follow leaves us sad, hopeful, and surprisingly satisfied.
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Did we miss your favorite episode of The Originals? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
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Jennifer Lind-Westbrook
Jennifer has been working as a freelance writer for six years, contributing to BuddyTV, Screen Rant, TVRage, Hidden Remote, Gossip On This, and PopMatters. She prefers binge-watching old episodes of The Office (British and American versions) to long walks on the beach. She's still holding out hope that Happy Endings will get a revival.