The Originals is one of CW’s most-watched shows. This CW spin-off centers around the lives of the Mikaelson Family whose varying storylines have stolen fans’ hearts.
With the likes of characters like Niklaus, Elijah, and Rebekah, audiences have been taken on a roller coaster of emotions as the first vampire family finds their place in New Orleans. Throughout the show's 5-year run, new concepts and powers were explored which added on to the supernatural story of The Vampire Diaries saga. These storylines have both positively and negatively contributed to the Originals plot.
Best: Niklaus, Elijah’s, And Rebekah’s Bond.
The trio that is Niklaus, Elijah, and Rebekah Mikaelson is a fan favorite. Throughout the series, the siblings have always had an unbreakable bond and each other’s best interests at heart. Their storyline is complicated as they have overcome the struggle of being the first vampire family together.
Although at times they parted ways due to disagreements, their fears of being hunted by their own parents have strengthened their power and relationship. This can be seen in their constant promise of “Always and forever” which was first introduced in season 1 episode 1 and stayed a motif throughout the series which is why the sibling’s unbreakable bond is one the show's best storylines
Worst: The Mikaelson’s Past With Lucien, Aurora, And Tristan
Overtime, the Mikaelson’s have accumulated an endless list of enemies. In season 3, longtime enemies Lucien Castle and the De Martel siblings gathered for revenge. The plot planned by Lucien, Aurora and Tristan taunted the Mikaelsons with the Prophecy of betrayal by “one by friend, one by foe, one by family” which created a further lack of trust between the Mikaelsons.
Further, the introductions of Lucien and Aurora resulted in Camille turning to a vampire and her eventual death as collateral damage. Due to the betrayal and loss of loved ones, this storyline focussing on revenge and the past is one of the worst in the show.
Best: Niklaus And Camilles Relationship
Love is an evident theme in The Originals; Familial love, as well as romantic love, are explored through the various characters of the show. allowing audiences to learn more about their favorite characters. For example, Niklaus and Camille’s storyline allowed the audience to see Klaus as something else other than the tyrant as he is often painted to be.
This is seen in season 3 episode 19, as the audience experiences a heart to heart between Camille and Klaus where she describes Klaus as the light and hope for her. As a result, the love storyline Niklaus shared with Camille remains one of the best as the audiences see this difficult and often harsh character change for the better.
Worst: Niklaus And Hayley’s Hate Of Each Other
Hayley is the mother of Hope and Elijah’s love interest. She was first seen in The Vampire Diaries season 4 episode 16. It would be expected that although Hayley and Klaus had relations and share a child, they would be friends at the least, however, their relationship was never positive. Hayley and Klaus were often in opposition.
For example, in the season 3 episode “You hung the moon”, the two are seen dangerously fighting which resulted in Hope seeing her parents covered in blood at the hands of each other. The strain that was apparent in Niklaus and Hayley’s relationship left a wedge in this family’s relationship which was unfortunate for both the characters and audiences to experience.
Best: Dahlia, Esther And the First Witches Of The Family
Introduced as a villain, Dahlia was the aunt and sister of Esther. In season 2, the relationship between the two was further explored as Dahlia is e-awakened after the birth of Hope. Although Dahlia planned to take Hope with the aim of harnessing her power, she made it evident how powerful Mikaelson witches are. In addition, Freya was introduced to the family being their long-lost sister.
The storyline with Dahlia ended with reconciliation and the family’s promise of Always and Forever was reinstated. The importance of familial bonds explored and the introduction of Freya places this storyline as one of the best in the show.
Worst: The Mikaelson Siblings And Their Parents
Throughout the series, the Mikaelson siblings have lived in fear of their parents which had made it hard for them to live in peace. Troubled with pressure from ancestors, Esther has always regretted her decision to turn her children into vampires with dark magic. Also, the Mikaelson siblings often found themselves running from their father Mikael, who was known as the vampire who hunts vampires.
Both Mikael and Esther were ashamed of their actions creating vampires. As a result, both parents try to take down their children numerous times. For example, in season 2 episode 9, Ester and Mikael join forces however fail as they have in the past. Both parents hunting their vampire children is a negative storyline in the show as the Mikaelson parents never healed and loved their children but rather left them to run for their lives.
Best: The Birth Of Hope Mikaelson
The birth of Hope Mikaelson was a turning point for the Mikaelson family as she gave other characters of the show a new purpose. This is made evident in season 4 and 5 as in order to save Hope, the family willingly sacrifices themselves for her. Referred to as the “Tribrid”, Hope has the blood of a strong witch line and the Original family and werewolf genes to help her overcome all enemies she may face.
Although the show Originals has concluded, a spin-off show called the “Legacies” is currently continuing to explore this exciting and ever-evolving storyline of Hope carrying the Mikaelson’s legacy.
Worst: The Harvest
The Harvest is a ritual the witches of New Orleans undergo in order to keep their power linked with ancestral bloodlines. The witches of the French Quarter were heavily criticized for the practice of the Harvest as it entailed sacrificing young girls. Further, the aftermath of the Harvest resulted in part enemies of the Original Family to rise again in the replacement of the girls.
With enemies such as Papa Tunde risen in season 2 episode 11, the family fought against strong witch ancestry to save Hope. Due to the harsh practices and negative aftermath of the Harvest, it remains one of the worst storylines in the show.
Best: Niklaus As A Parent
Niklaus Mikaelson has not had a great record with parents seeing he has at least once murdered all of his parental figures throughout the show. As a result, it would difficult for the audience to even conceive Niklaus as a potential father figure. Niklaus’s childhood was far from perfect and as a result, this inspired him to be better, being an encouraging, caring, and kind-hearted father.
For example, in season 1 episode 2, we see Niklaus act as a father figure to Marcel and with Hope in season 4 episode 3 sharing a special bond with both of them. Caring deeply for Marcel and Hope shows that Klaus is capable of loving, hence why this is a positive storyline
Worst: The Hollow
It can be argued that the Hollow was the most powerful witch to have ever been introduced in the show due to her destructive and dark magic. Once summoned by Vincent Griffin and his wife long before the arrival of the Mikaelson family in New Orleans, the Hollow returns in season 4 episode 1 in search of more power by acting as a dark shadow over Hope. In order to defeat the Hollow, the Mikaelson’s had to sacrifice their freedom numerous times with the aim to tame the Hollow within themselves, away from Hope.
Ultimately, Niklaus sacrifices himself to protect his daughter. As the Hollow storyline ended, so did Niklaus and Elijah’s as they sacrificed themselves to protect Hope. This storyline saddens fans, therefore, being one of the worst.