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The Originals: Crescent City

"Either our witch problems are over, or they're just getting started."

I don't think I've seen an episode of a series this packed with cliffhangers without it being a season or mid-season finale, like... ever.

The twists and turns in this one, fast and a touch confusing, all centered around the witches making a major play for the French Quarter, and for the most part it looks like they've succeeded. At the moment I'm not sure who in the group had the worst fate. Although it looks like both Klaus and Rebekah are going to continue suffering. Is it just me, or is it always Klaus and Rebekah that end up suffering?

I'll admit it, I'm fond of Klaus. He's an ass, and acts impulsively and recklessly without thinking most of the time, but there's something about him that's intriguing. I think there's a spark hidden somewhere in there that makes me think he could be someone great. At the moment the only great thing about him is how horrible he can be. So his suffering should be easy to watch, right? He was the big bad, he's killed and tortured a lot of characters I care about. So, why am I rooting for him?

Rebekah, on the other hand, has done some evil stuff, but mostly it's been due to her constant struggle to be free of her domineering brother. In this episode she mended fences with Elijah, did a favor for Hayley, and romanced a werewolf. Nothing about her actions have been so reprehensible that she deserves to be hurt as badly and as often as she has been. And yet, last time she was desiccated by Papa Tunde, and here she was bitten by a half dozen werewolves and captured by the ghost witches.

As for the witches, I kept waiting for someone to show up and kick their asses. Maybe it was just wishful thinking as the fit hit the shan. They may be on the side of nature (although what is natural about stolen resurrections?), and they are going against the 'evil' vampires, but they came off as very much in the wrong here. Probably because this isn't about gaining power, it's about exacting revenge. If they just wanted to eliminate their opposition, fine. Kill or incapacitate the Originals. Put them in the ground for a few centuries since they can't be killed. Torture? No, that's where they lose all sympathy.

Not to mention what Monique did to Sophie. That was some kind of witch nerve toxin, but at least she looked alive in that final moment. Perhaps we haven't seen the end of Sophie just yet. And oh yeah, they were going to burn Hayley to death. Of all the possible ways to kill someone using the four classical elements, Celeste chose the most destructive, frightening, and painful of the four. There's something instinctual about death by fire. It's primal, and for me I associate it with fury, anger and retribution. What has Hayley done to deserve that kind of death?

Was it because of her position within the hexed Crescent pack? Maybe, but more likely it's about her connection to Elijah. Celeste never had any intention of letting Elijah save Klaus or Rebekah. Of course it was rigged since they were both down before Elijah even woke up, and it wasn't much of a choice since his siblings are durable, and Hayley isn't. Celeste knew Elijah would go after Hayley, so she upped the drama, because in the end Hayley is potentially the other woman. At least that's what I read into it. Celeste is both jealous and vindictive. Not to mention she has no love for Hayley's unborn child either. I wanted a big bad, looks like I got one.

Bastianna, the elder witch that died during the Harvest ritual, is creepy and very evil. Hexing Father Kieran with the same thing she cursed Cami's brother with was just all kinds of messed up. I wonder if Kieran's mention of how his family has been a part of running the city since the beginning is a clue as to Cami's ultimate role in the series. Will she be the voice for the humans of the city? It was surprising that Cami sided with Klaus, but very smart. In the end Klaus has immortality his side, and has proven that he prizes loyalty. Even if she doesn't benefit from her actions, her descendants might.

It took a moment to figure out why Hayley was hanging up clothes. It was for her kin, who of course would all be naked. We got to meet Oliver and Jackson. Oliver seemed nice, but was obviously too good to be true. And Jackson who is our werewolf foil for Elijah, here I was hoping they wouldn't go for a triangle, damn. Besides saving her, there wasn't much on the Elijah/Hayley front, unfortunately. Also, I liked Oliver and Rebekah interacting. Too bad he betrayed her.

Bits:

After meeting Monique Deveraux, I think Sophie was better off with Davina.

At first I thought that Monique woke up because Papa Tunde was killed. But Monique would make four risen, unless Celeste counts as the first. Only Celeste possessed Sabine a year ago, and she isn't in her own body. I'm confused.

Rebekah alluded to the fact that she and Marcel killed Genevieve. Would that be why Genevieve is after Rebekah?

I like that Rebekah and Hayley are friends. They both need someone they can trust.

Monique is a big scary enigma. She can sense when Marcel is telling the truth, she hurt (possibly killed) Sophie, and wants to bring back the other three sacrificed girls to rule the witches of the Quarter. I bet Davina won't be so easily manipulated.

Not sure how I feel about the whole werewolf royalty plotline. Jackson seems okay, I guess, but the whole promised-from-birth thing is a bit too cliché for me.

Even though they didn't personally interact much, Elijah and Hayley were both being tempted. Elijah by Celeste, and Hayley by Jackson.

I liked the black sand (yes I know it was magnets) on the map effect.

I think the witches' biggest mistake was leaving Elijah active. Now he's pissed.

The next episode isn't until Tuesday, February 25th.

Quotes:

Klaus: "Can I get you anything, brother? A magnifying glass, a pipe, perhaps?"
Elijah: "Do you have a theory you'd like to share with us, Niklaus?"
Marcel: (looking at Papa Tunde's body) "Back in the day, the witches wanted to send a threat, they'd just kill a chicken and leave it on your doorstop."
Elijah: "It's rather a large and ominous chicken, wouldn't you say?"

Kiernan: "You've got to be kidding me."
Klaus: "A vampire is trying to reverse a witch's hex placed on you and it's the cup you find sacrilegious?"

Elijah: "You poisoned me with a kiss. At least you haven't lost your sense of irony."

Celeste: "Poor girl. She has no idea how dangerous it is to be loved by you."

Twisty turny confusing goodness, but damn that was a lot of characters in peril.

3 and 1/2 out of 4 Resurrected Witches.

Samantha M. Quinn spends most of her time in front of a computer typing away at one thing or another; when she has free time, she enjoys pretty much anything science fiction or fantasy-related.

3 comments:

  1. I can't really explain my fondness for Klaus, either. He's most certainly evil and he can act out in such a childish way, but he keeps doing things that make him somewhat sympathetic, like trying to save Cami's uncle, the priest. I also thought Cami was smart to side with the Originals instead of the witches, although that's probably because the series is called The Originals. :)

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  2. It's amazing how Klaus evolved from that hideous villain in VD to becoming the one you loved to hate, to just the guy you loved in spite of his villainy! I don't think we would have had The Originals if not for people's love of Klaus! :o)

    That said, I get the feeling people are constantly underestimating Elijah, just because he's the "nice" brother. Man is he pissed now! Those witches had better watch out!

    And I think Sophie is gone for good... and I feel so bad for her! Everything she did to get Monique back, and then for it to be Monique to kill her! Ouch!

    Can't wait to see what's in store for Klaus and Rebekah next week!!! :p

    PS: not too impressed by the werewolf royalty plot either. And when do we get to me Klaus' werewolf kin?

    PPS: You'd think that Klaus being part werewolf, part vampire and the son and (future) father of a witch would be the perfect person to unite the faction... If it weren't for his massive ego! :p

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  3. That scene with Elijah and the other vampires reminds me of a line from Doctor Who a couple of seasons ago: "Demons run when a good man goes to war". Did the witches learn nothing from what Elijah did to Agnes earlier this season? You do NOT mess with that man's family!

    I've never really found witches in the VD universe all that sympathetic. They always claim to be on the side of nature and balance and yet so often they come across as just plain vindictive...well, not witches but another word with a different first letter.

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