Poetic. Review: The Originals – “Fruit of the Poisoned Tree”

Season 1, Episode 6

Air Date: Thursday, November 5, 2013, 9/8c on The CW.

Rating: ★★★★★

“No one hurts my family and lives. No one.” – Elijah

Poetry paves the way for the Original siblings looking to rid themselves of a witchy menace. While the vampires and witches leave emotions on simmer in their short-lived feud, the Mikaelsons are out to protect what’s theirs. I wouldn’t be in a rush to eat an apple or any other piece of fruit being doled out in New Orleans any time soon.

Observations and thoughts:

Elijah (Daniel Gillies) proves he is not one to be trifled with. He’s the oldest Original sibling and makes it a point to protect his family against all threats. I’ve never seen him in such a fiercely protective mode. And he’s a sneaky little bugger. “As of now, our deal with Sophie Deveraux is null and void.” Alrighty then. I guess what Sophie (Daniella Pineda) don’t know won’t hurt her. Or will it? In a scene that garners much chuckling from me, Pineda fails miserably with her poor excuse of fainting like a willowy damsel. She clambers to the ground with such forced phoniness, it makes me shake my head. It’s a good thing Gillies gives a commanding performance powerful enough to remove the stain of Pineda’s clumsy acting. And speaking of Gillies, he thrives as Elijah. Even without the three piece suit, he demands attention and claims the interest of everyone in the room. With a calm demeanor that doesn’t ruffle a feather, he tells it like it is, dishes out his judgment, and walks away with a clear conscience.

Marcel (Charles Michael Davis) has been pushed to the wayside in light of bigger fish to fry. He has his heart-to-heart with his bestie, has a little roll in the hay with a former lover, and yet still manages to best the Originals. I don’t know whom to root for anymore. I like Marcel as a villain. It’s interesting to see how he operates compared to Klaus (Joseph Morgan). Klaus barks orders, yells, and threatens. Marcel charms, manipulates, and veils his threats with a polite sting—always keeping a big smile on his face. Both evil doers in their own right, Marcel always stays one step ahead because of his many minions. I’m beginning to think New Orleans is his city and it won’t be taken away easily. Or at all.

“I need to feel that pain.” Cami’s (Leah Pipes) desire to have some emotion toward her brother’s demise is heartrending. I understand her need to feel something so she can deal with the situation but it won’t help her get over the anger she’s keeping inside. She’s given Klaus a taste of what it means to be human. I think he’s dealt with his own kind for so long, he doesn’t know how to interact with human beings like, well, a normal human being. He uses his power of compulsion to do what he thinks is best for Cami. But oh no, poor Klaus doesn’t know all. He doesn’t realize removing memories or certain emotions linked to those memories won’t give peace because it goes missing. He doesn’t think or comprehend like a mortal being with no sense of infinity. People don’t forget. People don’t live for 1000s of years, able to put aside vague recollections of a life once lived. I think Cami is good for Klaus in that she’s his eye opener. He won’t go through life with clouded vision anymore. I believe he’ll think twice before messing with someone’s mind again.

Random thoughts (and my usual nitpicking):

Wasn’t Hayley (Phoebe Tonkin) only a few weeks pregnant two weeks ago? Did I miss the time jump? Elijah wasn’t in a box for months, was he? I must have missed something.

Why is Father Kieran (Todd Stashwick) still holding court in what is supposed to be an abandoned church?

“As usual, they’ll be thick as thieves and I’ll be left to clean up the mess.” Since when does Rebekah (Claire Holt) do housework (literally)? She’s donning a fabulous mini-dress, and scrubbing a rug with yellow rubber gloves on her hands. This is not the tough vampire we know and love to hate. I don’t think I like her being pushed into a domestic role. “How did I get elected super nanny?” Exactly! She’s the only female sibling so she gets to keep house?

Davina (Danielle Campbell) is a tool, used by whomever she deems trustworthy. I hope she eventually sees her worth and strikes out on her own. She doesn’t need anyone telling her what to do or when. She seems content with her current status as a captive bird in a pretty cage, but she can’t want that forever.

I can’t forget the heat building between Hayley and Elijah. The two don’t have a real connection but some kinetic energy pulls at them. I sense trouble brewing for the two as Klaus won’t sit idly by while his baby mama shacks up with his older brother. Bring on the drama!

Memorable and funny lines:

Rebekah to Klaus and Elijah: “So this is what you do the first time we’re back together as a family—vampire book club.”

Rebekah: “Who do we have to kill?”

Elijah: “Probably no one. All right, potentially everyone.”

Klaus to Rebekah: “Elijah’s back. In his presence, all problems turn to pixie dust and float away.”

Hayley: “You know, when I first met you I thought you were a real bitch.”

Rebekah: “What changed your mind?”

Hayley: “Oh, I still think you’re a bitch. I’ve just grown to like that about you.”

“Fruit of the Poisoned Tree” delivers intrigue and awe with each scene. I have to admit I didn’t know what to expect with this episode because The Originals has been losing steam. Now that Elijah is back and in charge, it seems things are moving along quite nicely. The Originals is kicking it up a notch with mysterious disappearances and subtle declarations of war. Keep watching to see what happens next. Don’t forget to let me know what you think about The Originals in the comments section below or on Twitter @ellemoe.

Tune in to The Originals Tuesdays at 8/7c on The CW. For more on the show, visit the official site.

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Elle

Writer, mother, realist, cloud lover, daydreamer, dessert enthusiast, sweet tea addict, perfectionist, and lover of life and Christ, but not in that order. http://www.fanfiction.net/~vikingloverelle