The Originals
The CW | CW | Release Date: October 3, 2013
CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
52
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 16 Critic Reviews
Positive:
5
Mixed:
8
Negative:
3
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
60
Zap2it (Inside the Box)Laurel BrownOct 3, 2013
Season 1 Review: The premiere episode of the new series, "Always and Forever," tells pretty much the same story as the backdoor pilot, only from the point of view of Elijah (not Klaus, as before). This works on some levels but stumbles on others. Read full review
58
NewsdayVerne GayOct 2, 2013
Season 1 Review: A not-bad spinoff that feels older than "The Vampire Diaries" and even more convoluted. Read full review
50
Los Angeles TimesMary McNamaraOct 3, 2013
Season 1 Review: It's "House of Cards," with a werewolf/vampire hybrid instead of a charming but ruthless Southern senator. Read full review
50
Philadelphia Daily NewsEllen GrayOct 3, 2013
Season 1 Review: The originals strikes me as what "Dallas" might have been if J.R. and Bobby had been immortals. And living, of course, in the Big Easy. Read full review
50
The New York TimesNeil GenzlingerOct 2, 2013
Season 1 Review: There are so many vampires and undeads and such on television these days that this crew is going to have a hard time getting attention, especially if the show continues to be as much of a grab bag as the pilot episode is. Some serious focusing--on specific story lines, specific characters--should be the first order of business. Read full review
50
Pittsburgh Post-GazetteRob OwenOct 1, 2013
Season 1 Review: The Originals deserves credit for a mostly clear set-up for newcomers. Read full review
50
San Francisco ChronicleDavid WiegandSep 30, 2013
Season 1 Review: The performances are over the top and enjoyable enough. Read full review
40
VarietyBrian LowryOct 1, 2013
Season 1 Review: The heavy-handed dialogue, courtesy of series creator Julie Plec and Michael Narducci, doesn’t deliver much bite. Read full review
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