As the third installment in The Vampire Diaries universe, Legacies had a lot to live up to. The combined events of its two predecessors held plenty of history for Legacies to have behind it while also creating new characters and villains. While many characters are familiar to the world, such as Alaric, Josie, Lizzie, and Hope, others are brand new to the environment.
Characters like MG, Rafael, and Kaleb were invented for the series and had to fit into the already existing universe. These are the ten best episodes of season one, according to IMDb.
We're Being Punked, Pedro (8.2)
Steven R. McQueen reprises his role as Jeremy Gilbert for a brief guest-star appearance. With Landon and Rafael on the run, Jeremy must track them down and return the boys to the Salvatore School. Back in Mystic Falls, Josie, Hope, Lizzie, and MG must participate in community service. But, when a Gargoyle paralyzes Lizzie on its hunt for the knife, Josie and Hope must work together to kill it.
There's a Mummy On Main Street (8.3)
Spring break takes an unexpected turn when Alaric leads a road trip to find an urn. But, when the culprit behind unusual attacks is a Mummy, the group must work together to find the urn, defeat the Mummy, and protect the innocent humans. However, they're not the only ones after the urn. Meanwhile, Lizzie makes a point of how Hope has ruined other Saltzman family vacations. But, the truth behind Lizzie and Hope's rivalry is revealed to have started with a lie from Josie after she got nervous about her feelings for Hope a few years prior.
After only compelling people's memories, Kaleb finds that he needs more blood to sustain him. Kaleb brings this to Alaric's attention while informing Alaric that the witches need to learn offensive magic as well.
Maybe I Should Start From The End (8.4)
When Hope realizes that Landon is in trouble, she and Alaric travel to Kansas to save him. Although Landon had been hoping to find his mother, he does not receive a warm reunion. Instead, Landon is drugged, bound, and taken on the run with Seylah. Although Hope and Alaric eventually find Landon, there are still more mysteries to unravel. The truth about Landon's past begins to come to light when Seylah reveals that she had been thrown into the Malivore pit and came out pregnant.
Malivore (8.4)
Landon's mysterious identity causes Hope to lead a variety of tests to determine if Landon is supernatural. When he fails each time, Hope digs deeper into Landon's past. But, when it comes time for the honor council to vote, they can not in good conscious decide on keeping Landon. The race for honor council has tensions rising when Rafael, MG, and Lizzie all work to win. But, while the vampires choose Kaleb, Penelope had gotten the witches to vote for Josie instead.
There's A World Where Your Dream Came True (8.5)
Lizzie takes advantage of a Jinni by wishing for worlds without Hope Mikaelson. But, in three separate realities, that wish is shown to prove that their best realm is the one Lizzie wished away. In the first two alternate universes, Hope still exists and has a massive impact on the Saltzman family. In the final world, Hope Mikaelson was never born.
Without Hope, Klaus never would have gone through the redemption arc he had on The Originals. Without that, the world became a much darker place, which leads to supernatural characters hiding away. It also shows that in a world without Hope, Lizzie would have killed Josie.
I'll Tell You A Story (8.6)
In the penultimate episode of the season, the secret past of Malivore is finally revealed. Forced to hear Clarke out, Landon is shocked to hear that Malivore is their father. Meanwhile, Hope tries to figure out the right way to apologize to Landon, but only after finding the words does she finally grasp that Landon is in trouble.
Alaric finally reveals a dangerous truth to Josie and Lizzie. After keeping the secret their entire lives, Alaric sits down with the twins and explains how The Merge works within the Gemini Coven. Going forward, Josie and Lizzie understand that they are expected to participate in the Merge when they turn twenty-two.
Let's Just Finish the Dance (8.7)
"Let's Just Finish The Dance" includes several easter eggs from The Vampire Diaries and The Originals. Roman's appearance certainly counts as one, just as Hope's dress does. Hope's dress is the same that her father, Klaus, had given as a present to Josie and Lizzie's mother, Caroline. Then, of course, the Miss Mystic Falls Pageant had been a part of the town's history for years.
Mombie Dearest (8.8)
A family reunion is in store when Jo returns to Mystic Falls. But, it isn't a happy reconciliation. Instead, while Jo appears an innocent woman seeking to bond with her teenage daughters, she is actually the next monster wishing to steal the knife.
After a possessed Jo buries Josie alive, it is up to Hope, Penelope, and MG to save Josie.
The Boy Who Still Has A Lot Of Good To Do (8.9)
"The Boy Who Still Has A Lot Of Good To Do" was directed by The Vampire Diaries alumni, Paul Wesley. To get answers from Mg's family, MG, Landon, and Rafael go on a road trip. Through flashbacks, Rafael tells Hope the story of how he, Landon, and MG got separated. The result reveals that MG had killed Landon, and Rafael had bitten MG. But, in true fashion to the universe, Landon doesn't stay dead for long. In the episode's final moments, Landon rises from the ashes, unveiling his powers as a phoenix.
There's Always A Loophole (9.0)
When Triad infiltrates the Salvatore School, the students are forced to fight to save their lives. Alaric's plan to protect the world from the Salvatore students backfires when Triad uses it against the students, leaving Alaric to allow the honor council to decide his fate as Headmaster. Hope believes she can save everyone by throwing herself into the Malivore pit based on being a tribrid. Her choice leaves Rafael indefinitely in his wolf form.