When the Mikaelsons say “Always and forever,” they really mean it; and after seven years of apart, NOLA is calling them back together again. Review of The Originals‘ Season 5 premiere “Where You Left Your Heart.”
Since the very beginning The Originals has been such a compelling show.
It’s beyond comprehension to think about what life must be like for immortals; I mean, I can’t even fathom 1,000 years. But both cast and creators of the show have been so successful in their storytelling that maybe, just maybe, we now have an idea of what it must be like to be a thousand-year-old vampire walking the Earth.
What has been even more remarkable is watching Klaus and the Mikaelsons, supposedly monsters, risk everything to protect their family and home, especially their Hope. So, as we begin the final season of this epic series, my heart is heavy. I don’t want to say goodbye. Yet, I’m thrilled to be back with my faves and ready to watch them (hopefully) get their version happily ever after.
Season 5 begins with another major time jump. For the last seven years, NOLA has been in a time of peace and prosperity, thanks to a coalition of Vincent, Freya, Hayley, and Josh who meet to keep the supernatural creatures in check. In fact, they even have time to get together and plan Mardi Gras parades!
Freya has spent this time trying to figure out how to purge the Hollow from her siblings and bring her family back together. Doing so has kept Freya away from Keelin, who is doing Doctors without Borders in Lebanon. Freya has always put her family first, at the cost of her own health and happiness. So I’m with Keelin when she asks Freya to come join her. Freya deserves to be in love and enjoy it. Plus, we deserve these FREELIN feels! But as Freya is preparing to leave NOLA, you can tell there’s a shift in the air. Seven years of peace and prosperity won’t be lasting much longer. Truth be told, we should have expected it because when the Mikaelsons say “Always and forever,” they mean it. We should have known that not even the Hollow would be able to keep them apart.
Is this the only way? The final season begins Wednesday at 9/8c on The CW! #TheOriginals pic.twitter.com/BMas8KMQRH
— The Originals (@cworiginals) April 17, 2018
Klaus is the primary violator of the agreement. He has been on a rampage through Europe, stopping in Paris to check up on Amnesia-Elijah from time to time. Elijah is pretty much living his best life, performing piano at a bar and interacting with patrons. He’s happy. Many would say this is a false type of happiness, since he doesn’t even know what he’s missing. But we all know being a Mikaelson is burdensome, and Elijah has long carried the bulk of that burden. Perhaps it’s from this guilt coupled with pure loneliness, that Klaus keeps coming around. This doesn’t stay a secret because everytime two or more of the siblings get together, plantlife dies and water turns to blood. YIKES.
Of course Hope Mikaelson would have the most EPIC teenage angst, ever. After all, she is her father’s daughter. The episode begins with Hope at school in Mystic Falls, turning her werewolf classmate, Henry, into a hybrid, then being suspended for it. Again, she father’s daughter. Hope is a young woman and attempting to assert her own identity. As she tells her mother: “My body, my choice; well, my blood, my choice.” At the same time, Hope has no intention of manipulating Henry. She has a good heart and turns Henry into a hybrid in order to prevent him from being picked on at school. Besides: “You’re sired to me…but don’t worry. I believe in personal autonomy.”
Hope is annoying–she’s a teenager! But I find that I like her a lot. She has gumption and cares very deeply. Ultimately, it becomes clear that Hope is desperate to have her father in her life. Despite calling Klaus a deadbeat to Hayley and then questioning his intentions to Uncle Kol (who is sweet and in Belize and married to Davina!!!), by the end of the episode, Hope is plotting to make her way to Europe and her dad.
You really can’t take Klaus anywhere! He’s rolling around, snatching hearts (literally!) and killing people/creatures left and right, all the while breaking his own daughter’s heart in the process. Thank goodness for Caroline Forbes! We get the KLAROLINE reunion that fans deserve! Klaus is snarky beyond belief, possibly going insane, but with Caroline, he’s also vulnerable. Why is he on a rampage through Europe? He’s trying to protect Elijah who, with his amnesia, could be attacked by a Mikaelson enemy (or their descendents) and wouldn’t even know the danger. Why is he avoiding Hope? Because he loves his daughter so much and doesn’t believe he’s good enough for her. She’s better off than being raised by a monster. And it’s Caroline who reminds Klaus that, by ignoring Hope, he is doing much of what Mikael did to him and his siblings. Caroline speaks the whole truth and nothing but the truth when she admonishes Klaus: “Stop using Mikael as an excuse to be a bad father!”
Speaking of whole truths, you know my love of Marcel and Rebekah. These two have been trying for centuries to be together and met roadblocks from Klaus and their own resentments. But now, in New York, Marcel and Rebekah have found joy. I’m telling you, when Marcel got on his knee to propose I fangirl-squealed. He is so romantic. FOUR OBJECTS AND A QUESTION is the best game ever. But then Rebekah gets in her own way, using her unhappiness over the Mikaelson family’s current separation to drive a wedge. Just when we’re able to get Klaus away from Elijah, Beks finds her way to France (all while leaving Marcel at a literal alter at City Hall). So heartbreaking… but you know, this confirms what I’ve known from the beginning–Elijah is so central to the Mikaelson family. Despite the dangers, his siblings can’t help but seek him out. “I find I’m not good without Elijah,” Klaus tells Caroline. I don’t imagine any of the Mikaelsons are, including Hayley.
Yes, you read that right. I called Hayley a Mikaelson! Now you know I’m a massive HAYLIJAH shipper and have been from The Originals pilot. My rage over the way that ship was sabotaged last season is now at a still hot simmer. I’ve never understood why Hayley’s and Elijah’s love isn’t enough to sustain them. Remember in the Season 4 premiere when Hayley and Freya succeed in waking the rest of the Mikaelsons? She takes out all those henchmen, but before she can finish the job, Elijah comes to her? Remember Hayley’s sigh of relief? He gives her his jacket and then THAT KISS *UNINTELLIGIBLE HIGH-PITCHED VOWEL SOUNDS* Didn’t we almost have it all?
In any event, I can’t fault Hayley for getting a little boyfriend. Irish Declan is FINE AF with that accent, and I do enjoy seeing Torrance Coombs on my TV screen. But when Hayley goes missing at the end of the episode, why do I think he’s somehow involved?
Thank goodness Klaus calls Hayley to check in. Thank goodness Hope picks up the phone and tells him her mom is missing. Thank goodness Klaus is on his way to NOLA! Yeah, it’s raining blood and the potential for the Hollow to reassemble is increasing, but I really want a Mikaelson Family reunion, starring Hope and Klaus, so… *KANYE SHRUG*
The Originals airs Wednesdays at 9:00pm ET|PT on The CW.
