The Originals

:

Season 1
Season #: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 228 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 190 out of 228
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 228
  3. Negative: 24 out of 228
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User Reviews

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  1. Nella112
    Sep 21, 2021
    10
    One of the best tv shows that ever existed. Never a dull moment and is better than TVD. The central theme of family is what makes this show so great and there is no better family than the Mikaelsons!
  2. Nomoreilleagals
    Jan 8, 2019
    1
    I have been staying with friends and they are watching the Originals.
    Having given it several episodes all I can say is 2 thumbs down. Total waste of time watching this show with all the bad english actors. And if you have any issues with seizures then you will have not want to watch this bad show since every other scene has somebody zipping from one side of room to the other.
    Do    I have been staying with friends and they are watching the Originals.
    Having given it several episodes all I can say is 2 thumbs down. Total waste of time watching this show with all the bad english actors. And if you have any issues with seizures then you will have not want to watch this bad show since every other scene has somebody zipping from one side of room to the other.
    Do yourself a favor and watch something better than this garbage.    … Expand
  3. laiza
    Mar 18, 2017
    10
    Amazing! I watch everything and anything and this just doesn't compare! Its so unique and shocking. The plot twists are so clever and cunning.it not predictable like all the other shows out at the moment. And its focuses more on family ties which is not what a lot of other shows do.
  4. vmuniverse
    Jun 5, 2016
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Horrible....horrible tv serie. Witches who can't use magic? How convinient... No extra costs for special effects.
    Vampires who look like they've just took a sunbath? ( none are white/pale looking) Vampires that walk in daylight because of a ring? how convinient again...! No fangs visible...once again, no extra production costs.
    They try to make a vampire/witches serie, but they are appearntly on a tight budget. The result? A loooot of talking bla....bla...bla. A few special effects and boring storyline. It's horrible.....just a horrible tv serie. Please put it out of it's misery.    … Expand
  5. simply_coco
    Apr 10, 2016
    10
    very good series, love that show is picking up, hate that sometimes they make Klaus look weak.. after all his is the Original Hybrid. pleased with the directing. very excited to see a season 4
  6. mel94
    Feb 28, 2016
    10
    The originals has this force that somehow pulls you in..I'm excited to see what comes next,its slightly different than the vampire diaries ,but that's what makes it great its's not a teen drama per say its more mature and twisted ..
  7. shahdan
    Jul 19, 2015
    7
    If anyone wants to watch this show, then do so for Klaus, and Klaus only. The rest are unimportant, but it's almost delicious to watch his whims and scheming unfold in a perfectly unpredictable manner. The man reflects a Man's dark side so perfectly that it makes for an unapologetic and guilty viewing.

    But before I come to that, I gotta say, I find the whole moral judgments from posters    If anyone wants to watch this show, then do so for Klaus, and Klaus only. The rest are unimportant, but it's almost delicious to watch his whims and scheming unfold in a perfectly unpredictable manner. The man reflects a Man's dark side so perfectly that it makes for an unapologetic and guilty viewing.

    But before I come to that, I gotta say, I find the whole moral judgments from posters on Klaus' character so funny and immature and lacking in narrative understanding. It's as if the nicer and one-dimensional a character is, the faultless it is, the better it is. This notion is very nauseating, by the way. When the exact opposite is true; the more faults a character has, the more dynamics it has to play with. People should endeavour hard to remember that.

    Coming to the review, I cannot stress enough how badly written almost all of the characters are, save for Klaus. The good thing about him is the fact that he already has such dynamic and fluctuating elements to his characterization that implicitly support the narrative, keep it interesting - as long as he's in the frames, of course - and he's an excellent plot catalyst. He's excellent and phenomenal in every aspect. This paper-thin plot would have sunk a long time ago had it not been for his tightly constructed character that skillfully and flawlessly takes on several personas in every episode. It's mind-blowing how a writer (or writers) can craft such a brilliant character and be equally and conversely bad and drab on the other end. The rest of the characters are petty as hell.

    The rest of them need constant props to even make a dent in the narrative. I really suggest the writers to up their game, otherwise the whole thing will become fragmented fairly quickly. Over all, this is Klaus' show through and through, and here is to a rather wishful hope that it remains so.    … Expand
  8. Honest_Reviewz
    Nov 24, 2014
    8
    I have not read a review that really does this show justice, so I am writing one. There are so many mind numbing vampire tv shows and movies out there today like Twilight, Teen Wolf, and even this shows origin The Vampire Diaries, that when someone with a brain sees the word vampire, their mind is immediately closed to even the notion of something enjoyable. But this show is not like anyI have not read a review that really does this show justice, so I am writing one. There are so many mind numbing vampire tv shows and movies out there today like Twilight, Teen Wolf, and even this shows origin The Vampire Diaries, that when someone with a brain sees the word vampire, their mind is immediately closed to even the notion of something enjoyable. But this show is not like any of the others, in so many ways it differs from the image of teen vampire TV.

    To start off there are no teen vampires in this show, they are all adults. Then there are the constant love stories that plague the vampire genre, that have been almost entirely eradicated in The Originals, tho there is one character who's lines really do annoy the viewer, but that is less than the number one show on television, The Walking Dead, and the character (Cami) gets far less lines than Daryl, and Beth.

    On top of that there are so many shows that have far worse writing and acting than The Originals, like the popular show Arrow, Sleepy Hollow, or The Agents of Shield, but many critics give all of those shows far better reviews, simply because they cannot fathom the idea of a decent vampire show. I am personally made fun of in a joking manor by many of my friends because I watch the show, and feel so strongly about coming to its defense.

    Now I'm not comparing the show to Breaking Bad, The Walking Dead or any other great shows, because I don't think that the Originals is as good as any of them. But I also don't think that it is nearly as bad as so many critics say, claiming that the only reason the show is popular is because our generation has been conditioned to love vampires so much, but I believe that they only give the show bad ratings because they have been conditioned to despise anything that involves the word vampire.

    But none of what I have said up to this point was really a review, so here it is.
    The Originals is a show about the Mikaelson families battle for control of the city of New Orleans. The Mikaelsons are a family of ten who lived in the new world around the year eleven hundred. They lived with their tribe of humans with a couple of mixed in witches, neighboring a tribe of people who every full moon turn to wolves and kill anyone who wonders the woods. One night Henrik, the youngest Mikaelson and his older brother Klaus stay out to watch the men turn to beasts and Henrik is killed. Fearing that the rest of her children are in danger, Esther Mikaelson; a very powerful witch, turn her children against their will into creatures of the night who cannot be killed by any wolves or men. And so Finn, Elijah, Niklaus, Rebekah, and Kol become the original vampires. Then when they slaughter people, their parents are filled with regret and the witch Esther turns her abusive husband, Mikael into a vampire who only feeds on the blood of vampires. Mikael then discover that Klaus is not his son, when Klaus turns into a wolf at the full moon, after activating his wolf gene by his first kill. In the origin show that The Originals spun off from (The Vampire Diaries) Klaus kills Mikael after being hunted by his adoptive father for a thousand years. Then Klaus is drawn back to his old home, which Mikael destroyed, New Orleans. There The Originals picks up with the remaining members of the original family Klaus (Joseph Morgan), Rebekah (Claire Holt), and Elijah (Daniel Gillies), who will fight against witches, wolves, vampires and humans to reclaim their home, and protect their family.

    In conclusion, the show has decent acting a good story, with decent screen writing, great action, Danial **** Gillies, mostly great actors, and character that you will quickly begin to care about, (not including Jackson). So I would give the show about a 7.9, for above average, enjoyable, and plenty of Klaus killing people.    … Expand
  9. Donl
    Nov 14, 2014
    0
    Sadly, like many of today's TV shows, this show is full of subtle political agendas. National Geographic stated that the next race up for extinction are the white-Europeans due to dangerously low birthrates globally. Inter-racial couples make up 13% of America, and even less globally. So now those of us that are smart and caring are starting to ask why is it then necessary to constantlySadly, like many of today's TV shows, this show is full of subtle political agendas. National Geographic stated that the next race up for extinction are the white-Europeans due to dangerously low birthrates globally. Inter-racial couples make up 13% of America, and even less globally. So now those of us that are smart and caring are starting to ask why is it then necessary to constantly push this agenda in American TV shows? We don't have constant TV shows about Native Americans in interracial relationships. Probably because we know that would be cruel and insensitive. When a birthrate among any racial group is dying out, time to not be cruel and insensitive. We all come from ancient tribes, and we are all beautiful. Maybe 100 years from now, this kind of message won't matter if white-European birthrates start going up, but until then it's hateful and irresponsible media messages. I stop watching any show now when I see this message being pushed. Wake up world, not matter what race you are. Panda bears are worth saving, and any race can become the Panda bear.… Expand
  10. SiAScORCH
    Nov 5, 2014
    8
    I wouldn't pay too much attention to the critic score as those people clearly have bad taste in shows/movies and what not. I like this show because it keeps you interested in it, not to mention it has a lot of action in it. For the ladies it has the romance aspect thrown into it, but it's just an overall good show to watch and I believe it's better than it's counterpart The VampireI wouldn't pay too much attention to the critic score as those people clearly have bad taste in shows/movies and what not. I like this show because it keeps you interested in it, not to mention it has a lot of action in it. For the ladies it has the romance aspect thrown into it, but it's just an overall good show to watch and I believe it's better than it's counterpart The Vampire Diaries. If you're thinking of watching this show, then stop thinking and go watch it. You won't regret it. It's one of the few shows I actually enjoy around this time of the year.… Expand
  11. Arukami
    Jul 15, 2014
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. In my opinion this is much better than VD, I love their over all story line, their past the presentation of it the acting, overall everything. What I love about this is it's about loyalty and family bonds that even though they seem unfixable, cannot be even broken. Instead of some vampire love triangle. I will admit vampire diaries is more developed but I just like this series better. And how these characters relate to you, how much you care about them and how much you bond with them makes a huge different in the show.*Spoiler* How, Niklaus gave his child the wooden night he gave Rebekah seriously made me sob in my living room, he kept it all those years.… Expand
  12. FMaxCar
    Apr 23, 2014
    1
    Ineffective, frustratingly predictable and annoying. The series shows a despicable main central character whose whims and ego are the sole fulcrum upon which the whole nonexistent plot seems to turn. Witches, werewolves and vampires mixed in a nonsensical story which follows and unclear path; Is it about power? vengeance maybe? love and honor? whims and prejudices? Themes abound, but noIneffective, frustratingly predictable and annoying. The series shows a despicable main central character whose whims and ego are the sole fulcrum upon which the whole nonexistent plot seems to turn. Witches, werewolves and vampires mixed in a nonsensical story which follows and unclear path; Is it about power? vengeance maybe? love and honor? whims and prejudices? Themes abound, but no single one of them develops.
    The Originals is just a sad vampires soap opera and it certainly lacks originality and a pair of good writers.    … Expand
  13. hadeel1992
    Apr 16, 2014
    0
    worst tv show someone can ever see , alot of gaps in the story , if u were watching the vampire diaries , u will find them completely different characters , my advice never to waste ur time over bad stroyline
  14. Foodmom
    Apr 14, 2014
    10
    First I have to say.. I love The Originals and Love the sexy Daniel Gillies .. if Vampires were real.. He could bite me anytime and Charles Michael Davis very sexy. I am hoping he is not taken away from the show. The last story with the witches was getting a little crazy... but thats over.. I hope the stories to come will be much more suspenseful and captivating. I haven't miss anFirst I have to say.. I love The Originals and Love the sexy Daniel Gillies .. if Vampires were real.. He could bite me anytime and Charles Michael Davis very sexy. I am hoping he is not taken away from the show. The last story with the witches was getting a little crazy... but thats over.. I hope the stories to come will be much more suspenseful and captivating. I haven't miss an episode yet and don't plan to!… Expand
  15. serenebells511
    Apr 2, 2014
    10
    Having been a Vampire Diaries fan and just a fan of supernatural series shows, this is a brilliantly made show. It really sets itself apart from the Vampire Diaries because it's not really focused on love but rather family, loyalty, and power. These characters know who they are; they're not really as conflicted as the characters in VD but rather are struggling with past demons. This showHaving been a Vampire Diaries fan and just a fan of supernatural series shows, this is a brilliantly made show. It really sets itself apart from the Vampire Diaries because it's not really focused on love but rather family, loyalty, and power. These characters know who they are; they're not really as conflicted as the characters in VD but rather are struggling with past demons. This show is just enchanting, captivating, edgy, and it has its rather intense moments. The Originals is a show that shouldn't be underestimated because it has a lot of surprises and it makes you connect to the characters on a personal level. Not to mention all of the awesome actors who are not only just incredibly good looking but extremely talented. Give this show a shot.… Expand
  16. SlyckNickChick
    Mar 18, 2014
    10
    One word I would describe the Originals AMAZING! I like Vampire Diaries, but so far prefer this show over that in a heart beat! It seems like the werewolf and vampire shows and movies are so many, but the witches add a nice twist! If anyone has not given this show a chance hang in there you wont regret it! Time to go Supernatural is starting!
  17. melsnickers
    Mar 15, 2014
    9
    This show is a great twist that was necessary for TVD. More interesting, more deep in the knowing the original vampires and telling their story. This was Julie Plec's best idea after TVD.
  18. JackyBeans
    Mar 3, 2014
    8
    Good series.
    Although concept seems cliche, the way it portrays vampires/human/wolf eternal conflict is interesting and clever.

    This goes without saying but Joseph Morgan is simply at his best here.

    Recommended.
  19. joey1
    Feb 20, 2014
    10
    What I like about this series is that the characters are well developed and the story line amounts to one thing-- The importance of family no matter what or who your are. Of course Elijah is my favorite, and always has been. I think I continued watching the VD only because the originals were in it. After a few seasons, my interest in the VD started to ween, but I kept watching hoping thatWhat I like about this series is that the characters are well developed and the story line amounts to one thing-- The importance of family no matter what or who your are. Of course Elijah is my favorite, and always has been. I think I continued watching the VD only because the originals were in it. After a few seasons, my interest in the VD started to ween, but I kept watching hoping that more stories would revolve around the "originals" which it did. When I heard that they were to have a show of their own I was really excited. To all the viewers that gave it a low score, give it a shot a litter longer. I find the more I watch it, the better the plots seem to be evolving towards a very interesting storyline, and the acting is great and believeable. Remember what happened to Star Trek!! The networks didnt realy give it a chance to fly, and fifty years later, we are still seeing spinoffs and reruns. Does that tell you something?? I for one am going to keep watching and following the characters because I beieve they have what it takes to have a loyal following of which I am one.… Expand
  20. Bo33y
    Feb 9, 2014
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Unoriginal vamps must really appeal to those zombiefied tweenies, yep can see this playing alongside bieber in some emo rave.

    Start one-two hundred years previously., then jumps to modern times, three guesses where? D'oh! New Orleans because that is where True Blood comes from, with all the werewolves, vampires, and witches. Next opening up with a vampire on a cell phone because they aren't telepathic, but wait he is chatting to another vampire taking a bath in the bathtub. If you make it any further, you discover that vampires were made by a witch to defeat werewolves so now they has hybrids, werevamps. These were the original vampires ever, only now 200 hundred years later and New Orleans is infested with vampires, snarks and grumpkins. If vampires were that easily made, every witch would be one then they all could be daywalkers.

    These original vampires are about as clueless as they come, you would have to be a zombie, in giving this show more then 15 minutes. It really sucks!    … Expand
  21. taltos14
    Feb 4, 2014
    1
    The worst part about this show is that it exists. If you're aware of the stylings of Anne Rice, Buffy and True Blood you know, lol, that this **** is not edgy or whatever it is you all are calling it....It's soap opera contrived bilge. Seriously, all the fluffy hair, hairless male bodies, and vampires so clean you wonder if they even bother feeding on people...it's all unrealistic drama.The worst part about this show is that it exists. If you're aware of the stylings of Anne Rice, Buffy and True Blood you know, lol, that this **** is not edgy or whatever it is you all are calling it....It's soap opera contrived bilge. Seriously, all the fluffy hair, hairless male bodies, and vampires so clean you wonder if they even bother feeding on people...it's all unrealistic drama. Drama for little girls who can't stand looking at a bug without screeching. Seriously, is this all you can offer the vampire savvy public??? Pathetic.… Expand
  22. CormacO
    Jan 19, 2014
    10
    Never really watched vampire d found it a bit childish but started watching the originals and find it fantastic. The character of klaus is wonderful you never know what he is going to do and you always hoping he will do the right thing but are left invariably disappointed but that's what fun about the show and it also helps that most of the actors are dropdead gorgeous. Favorite show atNever really watched vampire d found it a bit childish but started watching the originals and find it fantastic. The character of klaus is wonderful you never know what he is going to do and you always hoping he will do the right thing but are left invariably disappointed but that's what fun about the show and it also helps that most of the actors are dropdead gorgeous. Favorite show at the moment would recommend it to anyone that like that genre. Can't wait to see what happens next and would love to see klaus fall slowly in love with hayley!!… Expand
  23. andreiarocha
    Jan 9, 2014
    10
    The Originals is a phenomenal show! I really love the storyline and the cast .
    Joseph Morgan (Klaus) is Brilliant !! Congrats al the team and cast !!
    Great series, I recommended!
  24. techstro
    Jan 2, 2014
    10
    The Originals is not the show for viewers who don't mind hanging on to lovers triangles venture clumsily deep into an abyss of desperational insanity. What? I watched though three full seasons of vaginal disease (VD) waiting for the triangle to shape up sensibly, only for a simple minded Elena Gilbert to be scatter-brained-ed-ly torn between two guys with totally opposite mentalities andThe Originals is not the show for viewers who don't mind hanging on to lovers triangles venture clumsily deep into an abyss of desperational insanity. What? I watched though three full seasons of vaginal disease (VD) waiting for the triangle to shape up sensibly, only for a simple minded Elena Gilbert to be scatter-brained-ed-ly torn between two guys with totally opposite mentalities and values, me expecting she would make the decision long ago and that the show move on to an more sensible theme, but oh no, what do I get? Kindergarten! At the end of season three somebody knew the VD audience ran out of patience with Elena far behind the schedule of when Stefan should have. Just to cleave to Damon while Stefan gets locked in a box and sent upstream. No, not so he can come back later and drag this look alike in it to make it square for a season or two. The little interest I had left converted grew and evolved into hatred within a second. I hate all the pointless shallow romance. 

    Caroline was good but Klaus became the hope of the whole show for me. Not his romance, but his demeanor. His anger, ego, conviction, rebelliousness, power, arrogance, sarcasm, and dark humor. On top of all he's a hybrid, the most fascinating species in the supernatural world. May Klaus rise in power and trample his enemies. May Tyler not bring turbulence to the first family but find a position that keeps him a live with hope and a future not at odds against the family with the most deserving of all respects,

    the Originals!    … Expand
  25. Charl89ie
    Dec 30, 2013
    9
    This Series explode for me every expectations.The first time i hear that they gonna make a Spin-Off about The Original Vampires of The Vampire Diaries i was a little bit angry.One of the biggest reason i keep seeing this Series was because i really like the Storyline with the Originals and now with they gone i wasn't sure if i would see anyone of them.But then,after some 3 episodes of TheThis Series explode for me every expectations.The first time i hear that they gonna make a Spin-Off about The Original Vampires of The Vampire Diaries i was a little bit angry.One of the biggest reason i keep seeing this Series was because i really like the Storyline with the Originals and now with they gone i wasn't sure if i would see anyone of them.But then,after some 3 episodes of The Originals i can only say that this series got potential.They got really some good characters,a very good script and a amazing plot.… Expand
  26. XavierBlaq
    Dec 27, 2013
    3
    As a fan of The Vampire Diaries, I expected a lot from this show, and found myself completely underwhelmed by the result. It is not that the actors are any worse in the show, it is not that the plot twists are any less entertaining, and it is not that I was put off by the darker tone, it is that the heart and soul that really made me care what happened to the characters, including theAs a fan of The Vampire Diaries, I expected a lot from this show, and found myself completely underwhelmed by the result. It is not that the actors are any worse in the show, it is not that the plot twists are any less entertaining, and it is not that I was put off by the darker tone, it is that the heart and soul that really made me care what happened to the characters, including the originals, in The Vampire Diaries is nowhere to be found. Though the creators of the show can fix this and have the time to do so, they had better do it fast or I may just give up on this extremely disappointing show.… Expand
  27. tkatsikis
    Dec 26, 2013
    9
    WOW!!!! Even though this show is a spin-off from the Vampire Diaries, it is a much more mature, darker and edgier show with twists and turns at every minute. In my opinion this show will surpass the Vampire Diaries as it has all the best characters from the original show. I am loving it!!!
  28. titanicmovies
    Dec 8, 2013
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A perfect of vampires in the adult world without teen drama and plenty of action and interesting storylines.It's entertains and how!! Highly recommended!!… Expand
  29. jaydanae
    Dec 3, 2013
    10
    I'm not a fan of the Vampire Diaries, however, love for that show is not needed to be entertained by The Originals. It has both great acting and a story line. Although, I do find one or two characters to be annoying at times that is to be expected with any show. Overall this show is amazing and Klaus, the main character, makes the show great with his myriad of emotions. So for thoseI'm not a fan of the Vampire Diaries, however, love for that show is not needed to be entertained by The Originals. It has both great acting and a story line. Although, I do find one or two characters to be annoying at times that is to be expected with any show. Overall this show is amazing and Klaus, the main character, makes the show great with his myriad of emotions. So for those seeking to watch it just because you're in LOVE with the vampire diaries its not that show. It's completely separate and different so one should not expect it to be.… Expand
  30. Senuality
    Nov 17, 2013
    10
    This show, in its first season is far more exciting and tuned for a much older crowd than TVD. I imagine the only bad reviews are from little 19 year old girls who don't understand raw emotion just yet and want their little fantasy land with two handsome hunk vampires to fawn over. This show, is much deeper, you need a more mature mind to comprehend the subtleties in it. It's better thanThis show, in its first season is far more exciting and tuned for a much older crowd than TVD. I imagine the only bad reviews are from little 19 year old girls who don't understand raw emotion just yet and want their little fantasy land with two handsome hunk vampires to fawn over. This show, is much deeper, you need a more mature mind to comprehend the subtleties in it. It's better than TVD, as I had to force myself to get into TVD at the start because I had run out of shows I liked to watch on Netflix. And the number one thing I missed about TVD, was Klaus, and the epic love triangles going on that now seem to be fading once again. This last season of TVD was picking up for me as Stefan lost his memory and Elena started to remember why she fell in love with him, but it's just too fluffy for me in general. I will still watch it, to see how it plays out, but the show I'm really in love with now is The Originals. I hope they keep doing what they are doing with it, because right now it just sets me on fire with the amount of chemistry that is between all the characters in it. Amazing show. Thank you for giving us who are no longer 20 anymore something to enjoy that goes along with the Vampire fad right now.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

32
#32 Most Discussed TV Season of 2013
35
#35 Most Shared TV Season of 2013

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
52

Mixed or average reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 16
  3. Negative: 3 out of 16
  1. Uncle Barky
    Reviewed by: Ed Bark
    Oct 3, 2013
    67
    There are a lot of moving parts and agendas here, but The Originals does a pretty good job of stitching them all together by the end of its first hour.
    Read full review
  2. Zap2it (Inside the Box)
    Reviewed by: Laurel Brown
    Oct 3, 2013
    60
    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
  3. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Mary McNamara
    Oct 3, 2013
    50
    It's "House of Cards," with a werewolf/vampire hybrid instead of a charming but ruthless Southern senator.
    Read full review
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