The Originals: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

The Originals: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Movie Review

"You risk turning New Orleans into a warzone, brother. I won't let that happen."

The daytime soap didn't die. Its just added vampires, werewolves and other beasties to its roster and moved to primetime. From the slick, sick, gory and obnoxiously campy (HBO's True Blood) to the dark, twisted and *gasp* effective (Showtime's Penny Dreadful) to meticulously manufactured teen bait (The Vampire Diaries) to the latest Comic-Con guilty pleasures (VD spin-off The Originals), television has found a stable of fresh victims: horror fandom's most iconic creatures. There's just one problem. In a desperate bid to separate from the pack, the majority are all too eager to sacrifice the very things that've made their monsters the stuff of nightmares. (Penny Dreadful being the rare exception.) In the case of The Vampire Diaries and The Originals, the vampires lack bite -- sometimes literally -- dare to brave sunlight, feast on feebly penned, paper-thin melodrama, engage in all manner of longing, pining and angst-ridden nonsense, and have nothing better to do than whine, pout and glower their way through eternity. Is anyone else hungry for some real vampires and werewolves? The sort of terrors that would rip Klaus and his kin to shreds? On principle, if nothing else? Where is The Walking Dead of the vampire/werewolf shows? Where are the fangs? The frights? The evil? The edge? The terror? (The Strain tries. It really, really tries. But bad scripting continues to drive a stake right through its hopes.) Hasn't Twilight inflicted enough damage on the genre already? Must we suffer through another vampire soap opera?

Apparently so, even though The Originals, for all its faults -- its many, many, many faults -- is at least a step up from its progenitor, The Vampire Diaries, which is inching nearer and nearer to unwatchable. Maybe if The Originals wasn't cursed with such god-awful dialogue, never-ending subplots, neatly packaged plot twists, betrayals and cliffhangers, an abundance of exhausting love triangling, and all that soapy sudsiness... maybe if it had something new to bring to the table, something we haven't seen before, something that might elevate the mythos. And dear God, how about a few better actresses to match wits and skills with the series' smartly cast, scene-stealing gents? Perhaps then I might buy in. Maybe I'd see what others see. (1.8 million viewers isn't a lot, but it's 1.8 million who have something here that brings them back week in and week out.) Instead, all I see is a hackneyed, mediocre series with dwindling ratings that, let's be honest, probably won't make it to a third season. Oh, it's loaded with potential. I'll concede. But can creator Julie Plec and her showrunners capitalize on that potential? The Vampire Diaries skeptic in me is screaming "no."

• Always and Forever: When Sophie reveals some life-changing news, Elijah realizes that the Original family may have been given a second chance at humanity and redemption. Klaus, however, is more intrigued by his recent unexpected reunion with his former protege, Marcel, a charismatic but diabolical vampire who now has total control over the supernatural inhabitants of New Orleans. Klaus vows to reclaim what was once his: the power, the city and his family.
• House of the Rising Son: When Rebekah arrives in New Orleans at her brother Elijah’s insistence, she meets Hayley, who gives her some unexpected news. Concerned that her brother Klaus is up to no good, Rebekah seeks help from a reluctant Sophie. At her wits’ end, Hayley takes matters into her own hands, but things quickly take a dangerous turn. Determined to uncover Marcel’s secret weapon, Klaus stays one step ahead and executes his plan. Meanwhile, after a run-in with Marcel, Rebekah is reminded of all the anger and disappointment Klaus has caused her throughout the years. Finally, Marcel enlists Davina’s help in his own dangerous plan.
• Tangled Up in Blue: After discovering interesting news about someone in Marcel’s inner circle, Klaus and Rebekah come together to attempt to unravel Marcel’s empire from within in spite of Elijah’s concerns. They enlist help from Sophie, who is reluctant to get involved for fear of the wrath of Marcel’s secret weapon, Davina. Rebekah sneakily invites an oblivious Cami to a huge vampire party thrown by Marcel, managing to anger Marcel in the process. Elsewhere, Hayley learns from the witch Sabine (guest star Shannon Kane) that the supernatural creatures of New Orleans are reacting to the potential existence of a hybrid baby.
• Girl in New Orleans: With the annual Dauphine Street music festival around the corner, Davina, itching for a night out, convinces Marcel to let her attend. Marcel cautiously obliges but asks Cami to keep a watchful eye on Davina. Agnes (guest star Karen Kaia Livers) convinces Hayley to visit a mysterious doctor in the bayou where she makes a shocking discovery. Meanwhile, Klaus takes a special interest in Cami, who reveals some alarming information about her past, and a determined Rebekah is on a mission to get to the bottom of a recent strange encounter involving Elijah.
• Sinners and Saints: Angered by recent events involving the safety of his unborn baby, Klaus demands answers from Sophie, believing she was involved. Sophie reveals to Klaus and Rebekah a troubling secret from her past. Meanwhile, Marcel asks Klaus to accompany him to the bayou after gruesome remains are discovered, while Rebekah, Sophie and Hayley set off on a mission of their own. Davina confides in an unexpected ally and reveals shocking information about the witches, ultimately leading to a disturbing revelation.
• Fruit of the Poisoned Tree: When Klaus discovers Hayley’s life is being threatened, he goes to extreme lengths to protect her and their unborn baby. Having a difficult time dealing with the tragic events of her past, Cami turns to Father Kieran (guest star Todd Stashwick) for guidance. Feeling as though he can trust no one, Marcel visits an old friend to seek out some advice, while Davina takes steps to learn how to control her magic. Finally, Klaus delivers some surprising news to Father Kieran.
• Bloodletting: When someone from Hayley’s past makes a startling revelation, she grows concerned for herself and the baby. Amidst growing tensions between them, Klaus and Elijah turn to Sabine (guest star Shannon Kane) for help in locating Hayley, who has gone missing. After making a trip down to the bayou, Klaus has a surprising and dangerous encounter with an unexpected visitor. Meanwhile, Davina makes a surprising connection, and Marcel makes Rebekah an enticing offer that leaves her torn.
• The River in Reverse: Rebekah, facing a difficult decision, turns to Father Kieran (guest star Todd Stashwick) for guidance. Elijah struggles with the consequences of a recent fallout with Klaus. Hayley remains by his side but is soon drawn away by a mysterious figure who sheds some light on her past. Meanwhile, a frustrated Cami struggles to make sense of a cryptic message she’s come across. Finally, when an unsuspecting Marcel uncovers some upsetting information involving Klaus, a confrontation ends in a surprising twist.
• Reigning Pain in New Orleans: Marcel, deeply conflicted by recent events, is surprised when Klaus opens up to him about some of his past indiscretions. Cami tries to make sense of cryptic messages she's come across and is disturbed when she gains some insight into Klaus' past. Meanwhile, in a surprising turn of events, the human faction takes matters into their own hands, resulting in a violent confrontation. Elsewhere, when Hayley learns of a plan to harm the werewolves in the bayou, she turns to Elijah and Rebekah for help. After heading to the bayou, they run into a werewolf named Eve (guest star Tasha Ames), who has information that leads them to a shocking discovery.
• The Casket Girls: As the French Quarter prepares for its annual celebration of the Casket Girls Festival, Cami suffers through as Davina attempts to free her of Klaus’ mind compulsion. Elijah and Marcel form an unlikely alliance as Klaus sets his plan in motion to get Davina back. Once it’s known that Davina is missing, Sophie gets in on the hunt to track her down. Meanwhile, Hayley is forced to make a tough decision after receiving an unexpected phone call, and Rebekah sets her own plan in motion when she enlists the help of someone from Marcel’s past.
• Apres Moi, Le Deluge: When Davina becomes violently ill and the repercussions soon begin to affect the entire French Quarter, Marcel, Klaus, Elijah and Rebekah rush to find out what is going on. Sophie approaches the others with some startling information about the Harvest Festival and presents a drastic plan to save Davina. Elsewhere, Hayley is racked with guilt as she comes clean to Elijah about her role in Sophie’s plan. Last, a sequence of unforeseen events sends shockwaves through the French Quarter.
• Dance Back to the Grave: Marcel, still angered by recent events, refuses to help Klaus when a gruesome discovery is made in the Cauldron. Rebekah is on alert when she uncovers the remnants of a sacrifice down by the docks and immediately realizes that it’s the work of a dangerous warlock from their past. Meanwhile, when Elijah gets some information that Rebekah may be in trouble, he and Hayley set off to find her. At Rousseau’s, Cami comforts Marcel, who opens up and shares some details of his past with her, but things quickly spiral out of control when an unexpected visitor shows up. Finally, a violent confrontation ensues when Klaus faces off against a powerful force with an unmatched advantage over him.
• Crescent City: At the re-opening of St. Anne’s Church, Father Kieran finds himself in a great deal of trouble after a run-in with a witch from his past. Marcel and Rebekah grow concerned when the reemergence of someone they once knew threatens to expose secrets they’ve kept buried for nearly a century. Elsewhere, Sophie is shocked when a discovery is made at the cemetery, but she soon realizes things may not be as they seem. With the full moon looming, Hayley lets Rebekah in on her plan to throw a party for her werewolf clan, but things take a dangerous turn when uninvited guests arrive. Meanwhile, Cami is conflicted when she makes a difficult decision involving the safety of Father Kieran, and Elijah finds himself facing his own dilemma when he has to choose between Hayley and his siblings.
• Long Way Back from Hell: When Rebekah finds herself locked up in the sanatorium where she worked in 1919, she realizes a witch named Genevieve (guest star Elyse Levesque) is back to seek revenge and to reveal dark secrets that would destroy Rebekah if exposed. A distraught Elijah turns to Marcel and Hayley for help when one of his decisions puts Klaus and Rebekah’s lives in danger. With time working against them, Marcel realizes he may hold valuable information that could lead them to Rebekah and Klaus, but revealing it will almost certainly result in deadly consequences.
• Le Grand Guignol: In a series of flashbacks to 1919, Klaus opens up to Cami and reveals details of the devastating secret Rebekah and Marcel were trying to keep from him. Elijah forms an unlikely alliance with Monique (guest star Yasmine Al Bustami) and asks for her help in locating Sabine (guest star Shannon Kane.) Elsewhere, Thierry (guest star Callard Harris) is reluctant to get involved when Marcel and Rebekah approach him with a plan to take down the witches. Meanwhile, in the bayou, Hayley is at her wits’ end and holds Sabine hostage in an attempt to get information that will reverse the curse on Phoebe’s werewolf clan.
• Farewell to Storyville: Despite Klaus’ rage, Elijah is determined to protect Rebekah while the three of them are trapped in the City of the Dead cemetery by a witch’s boundary spell. Klaus and Rebekah trade bitter accusations until Elijah steps in to reveal a long-held secret from the family’s past. Meanwhile, Marcel races to free Rebekah, ultimately finding himself forced to make a deal with Genevieve (guest star Elyse Levesque). Finally, Rebekah and Hayley connect over their shared concern for Hayley’s unborn baby.
• Moon Over Bourbon Street: After accusing Klaus of doing nothing while their control over the Quarter crumbles, Elijah makes a move to take matters into his own hands. He receives an intriguing offer of support from Francesca (guest star Peta Sergeant), a beautiful woman from a powerful New Orleans family. In an attempt to bring the warring factions of the city together, the Mikaelsons throw an extravagant party, where Klaus offers Jackson (guest star Nathan Parsons) a tempting deal, Elijah and Hayely share a dance, and a violent fight comes to a surprising end. Finally, even as Marcel works on a new path to power, he continues to help Cami deal with her Uncle Kieran's tragedy (guest star Todd Stashwick).
• The Big Uneasy: Genevieve (guest star Elyse Levesque) asks Elijah to allow her coven to publicly celebrate a traditional feast day, where members of the community offer the witches gifts in return for blessings. Monique (guest star Yasmine Al Bustami) and Genevieve disagree over what the ancestors want from them, and Genevieve reveals her plan to build the witches power. When Elijah focuses his attention on restoring their home to its former glory, Klaus accuses him of doing it only to impress Hayley. Next, Klaus sets a new plan in motion by finding Cary (guest star Jesse Boyd), a werewolf from his own line, and sending him off to find a missing piece of family history. Marcel lets Thierry (guest star Callard Harris) in on his new plan to rebuild his power, but Diego (guest star Eka Darville) has his own ideas about the future.
• An Unblinking Death: Desperate to help Kieran (guest star Todd Stashwick), Cami insists on an unconventional treatment, but her good intentions lead Kieran to a violent episode. After Klaus and Elijah disagree over the best way to handle the Crescent Wolves, Elijah makes a trip to the bayou, where he is witness to a horrific explosion that only adds to the hatred and mistrust among the communities. While Jackson (guest star Nathan Parsons) and Elijah work to save the wounded, Hayley learns a surprising piece of her family history from Marcel.
• A Closer Walk with Thee: Hayley confronts a surprising enemy as she and her unborn baby fall into peril during a celebratory wake to honor a fallen member of the community. In order to save Hayley, Klaus and Elijah enlist the help of Genevieve (guest star Elyse Levesque) who struggles to maintain control over Davina and the other young witches. Cami tells Marcel that Francesca (guest star Peta Sargent) is determined to find a mysterious key that may unlock a family secret. Meanwhile, as Klaus suffers from nightmares of his father Mikael (guest star Sebastian Roche), he is forced to examine his troubled relationship with his own adoptive son, Marcel.
• The Battle of New Orleans: Klaus and Elijah enact a plan to collect the sacred stones needed by Genevieve (guest star Elyse Levesque) in order to forever change the fates of Hayley and the werewolf community. Realizing that Klaus’ plan will lead to the extermination of all French Quarter vampires, Marcel rallies an army determined to take down the Mikaelsons and regain control of the city. Davina warns Josh (guest star Steven Krueger) to leave town as she is forced to make a fateful decision that will turn the tide of war. Meanwhile, Francesca (guest star Peta Sargent) threatens Cami, who attempts to decipher a code that results in a surprising revelation among the city’s factions.
• From a Cradle to a Grave: As the baby’s due date draws near, Klaus and Elijah embark on a search for Hayley, while Hayley herself is determined to do whatever it takes to keep her unborn baby safe and away from the witches. Francesca (guest star Peta Sargent) takes a meeting with Oliver (guest star Chase Coleman) and Jackson (guest star Nathan Parsons) to determine the future of the werewolves in New Orleans. In the aftermath of a surprising attack on Marcel and his vampires at the compound, Davina and Cami join resources to take down Klaus. Finally, in a desperate move to protect those most important to him, Klaus makes a heartbreaking decision.

The Originals: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Dark, dark, daaaark. Did I mention The Originals' 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video presentation is dark? While by no means an encoding issue -- this is the series' photography, for better or worse -- rampant crush becomes quite a distraction, as does the somewhat inconsistent contrast leveling and at-times poor delineation that haunts many a scene. Fortunately, other aspects of the image aren't nearly as problematic. Colors are stripped of life yet reds and other visceral splashes of color still make a sizeable impact, saturation is more than satisfying, blacks are generally rich and inky (despite some muted shadows and charcoal-hued tinting), and earthtones, though subdued, are quite lovely. Detail is impressive too, with clean, razor-sharp edges and carefully resolved textures. (Flashbacks often feature soft, sometimes hazy, sepia-toned imagery, but it's all in keeping with the series' aesthetic.) I also didn't notice anything in the way of significant macroblocking, banding or other such issues, despite some intermittent noise and suspicious artifacting popping up in sequences involving extreme low light and/or visual effects. All told, The Originals' first season presentation will satiate fans' high definition thirst.

The Originals: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Though strictly of the made-for-TV variety, The Originals' DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track doesn't disappoint. Dialogue is clear, intelligible and neatly prioritized from episode to episode, no matter how unruly or violent the creatures' conflicts and clashes become. LFE output is strong and fierce, with aggressive oomph and weighty support perfectly suited to the series' grandest ambitions. Rear speaker activity is assertive and engaging as well, with accurate directional effects, transparent pans, and a rather immersive soundfield that's as convincing during quieter conversations as it is during more dramatic, fang-popping encounters. The bottom line? The Originals' AV presentation won't scare anyone away. It'll only draw you in... unless you're impervious to the series' charms, of course.

The Originals: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Pilot Commentary: Creator Julie Plec and director Chris Grismer discuss the genesis of the series, the development of the first season's story arc, the characters, cast and performances, and the connections to and departures from The Vampire Diaries.
• The Originals: Origins (HD, 13 minutes): More on the birth of the show, from its earliest inception to the evolution of the initial episodes, the challenges the showrunners and crew faced along the way, and the process of introducing characters to an audience that may have never watched The Vampire Diaries.
• Re-mixing History (HD, 10 minutes): The nuances of blending fact with fiction, the real with the surreal, and history with the supernatural by way of the show's writers.
• PaleyFest 2014 Panel (HD, 30 minutes): Julie Plec, executive producer Michael Narducci, Charles Michael Davis, Leah Pipes, Phoebe Tonkin, Daniel Gillies, Joseph Morgan, Claire Holt and Daniel Campbell participate in a spirited Q&A at PaleyFest.
• Comic-Con 2013 Panel (HD, 29 minutes): More Q&A fun with the cast and crew, albeit from Comic-Con 2013, which was held several months before the series' debuted. There's quite a bit of overlap too, making the PaleyFest panel much more revealing and, ultimately, satisfying.
• Deleted Scenes (HD): A rather lengthy collection of deleted scenes are available for "Always and Forever," "House of the Rising Sun," "Girl in New Orleans," "Fruit of the Poisoned Tree," "Bloodletting," "The River in Reverse," "Dance Back from the Grave," "Long Way Back from Hell," "Farewell to Storyville," "The Big Uneasy," "A Closer Walk with Thee," "The Battle of New Orleans" and "From a Cradle to a Grave."
• The Original Vampires: A Bite-Sized Backstory (HD, 6 minutes): A rapidfire montage of the centuries, characters, deaths, betrayals and conflicts that precede the series proper.

The Originals: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Originals rolls off the CW assembly line looking much as one might expect. Rather than distance itself from The Vampire Diaries, though, it's little more than a redundant, melodramatic off-shoot, cribbing everything from tone, dialogue, style and formula from its rapidly aging maker. There's enough here to keep addicts coming back for more, no doubt. But there isn't anything of substance. Just a lot of genre junk food that fails to justify consuming a full season of yet another bland, under-seasoned vampire soap opera. Warner's Blu-ray release is better, with a strong video presentation and stronger DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, but more supplemental material would have gone a long way toward adding value to an otherwise standard TV release.