The Originals –“Rebirth” Review. A New Day In The Quarter.

Season 2, Episode 1

Air Date: Monday, October 6, 2014, 8/7c on The CW

RATING: ★★★★★

“Good evening.” – Elijah Mikaelson

After what can be described as a slow start, it is with those two words The Originals kicks into high gear. Action, blood, and gore fill the screen as the original vampires show the werewolves why they rule the night. I have to say, “Rebirth” is a damn good season premiere. Yes, it begins a little on the drab side as viewers are brought up to date on what’s been happening in New Orleans, but the hour doesn’t fizzle out like I thought it was going to. The originals have a claim to the city. Not only that, they have pride and a duty to uphold. How a pack of wolves could think they would rule what belongs to the vampires is unfathomable.

Semantics

The brothers are taking things back into their own hands.

Vampires have been living like humans for centuries. So much so, I almost forgot exactly what they are. The emotions they exude, the outlandish way they live, it all comes down to one thing—escape. Escape from death, sickness, pain. Well, that last one not so much, but you get what I mean. Creatures bred from magic aren’t susceptible to things in the natural world. Once changed from human to inhuman, the newness of becoming supernatural being brings about an overwhelming abundance of feeling. Those emotions can flood the senses and crush a heart to nothing. We see this in a breathtaking portrayal by Phoebe Tonkin. She takes Hayley to another level, turning her supposed grief over losing her child internally, exposing her disgust with the creature she’s become. Hayley can’t handle being a hybrid. “Nothing about what I am is natural, Elijah.” She’s not used to the chemical changes being vampire typically comes with. She’s one of the few characters on The Vampire Diaries and The Originals who have actually embraced their werewolf heritage. Her reaction is an expected one, though her rage is misdirected. I would expect Hayley to rip Klaus (Joseph Morgan) a new one, while seeking comfort (among other things) from Elijah (Daniel Gillies). But how the tables have turned. “I saw the way you looked at me before and I see the way that you look at me now. I was a mother and now I’m a monster.” Deep. See, I don’t always expect the characters to delve into the heart of what makes them tick. They are vampire or werewolf or hybrid, not human. Someone needs to tell them that.

With that in mind, I love Tonkin’s take on Hayley’s dilemma. I think she knows a little something about what Hayley is feeling in order to put it across so well. There are no fake tears, no whining shrieks brought about by her rage; just heartfelt emotion—words. They hit Elijah’s sensibilities hard and he feels helpless. This is the one thing Elijah doesn’t like to feel. Gillies always portrays the older sibling as cool, calm, and collected at all times except when it comes to Hayley. The chemistry is still there between Elijah and Hayley despite the obstacle standing in the way of their happiness. I’m looking forward to seeing how the writers work things out for the two. They’ve been alone for far too long.

Random Tidbits:

Marcel could be making his way back into Klaus’s good graces.

Marcel (Charles Michael Davis) and Cami (Leah Pipes)?! Yeah, I didn’t see that coming. And I don’t mean what you think I mean because that was pretty obvious. I’m referring to Marcel and Cami stepping out from their shells. Marcel has always been a leader and he’s proving it. Cami isn’t a bystander either. She’s stepping into a world she doesn’t entirely understand, yet she knows she has a job to do. Bravo to Davis and Pipes for taking their characters to the next level.

My favorite thing about The Originals is a small thing. So minute, I’m sure no one else bothers to think about it. Elijah’s suits stay unwrinkled and perfectly tailored before, during, and after he enters a skirmish. Seriously, how does he do it? It is the single most amazing thing about him. No one else rips a mofo to shreds and looks as good as he does. No one.

Do we really need Mama Original to call each of her sons by their names so we know who they are? OK, maybe some of us do (‘cause yeah, I forgot who the heck they were) but it seems a little amateurish.

Mikael’s (Sebastian Roche) role becomes more evident as his encounters with Davina (Danielle Campbell) are showcased during the quieter moments of “Rebirth.” I only hope Davina knows what the hell she’s doing. She’s no longer in possession of her all powerful witch magic to back her up. And Mikael is not one to be trifled with. I rejoice to see Roche back on The Originals. He brings something special to the show. Not only does he portray the crazed patriarch with aplomb, he is a foe the original family won’t easily rid themselves of.

Memorable lines:

Klaus: “I need to spill blood.”

Elijah: “Thank you for coming, Camille.”

The man knows how to dismiss you without raising his voice. Can he be any more badass?

Mikael: “I am Mikael, the vampire who hunts vampires. Your thin human blood does little to sustain me.”

Davina: “Feed.”

Well, we know who wears the pants in this relationship.

Final Thoughts:

Mother and son reborn. What do you think of these two characters?

How long do you think it will take for the originals to realize who the two new witches in town are? You know vampires reborn as humans are quite the twist. Once turned, you can’t go back. Or so I thought. We know nothing about Cassie (Natalie Dreyfuss) or her ‘sons.’ I certainly like the fresh meat in the cast. With quite a few new faces joining The Originals this season, things are certainly looking up. Drop me a line in the comments below if you want to chat about “Rebirth” or hit me up on Twitter @ellemoe with your thoughts. I’d love to know your impression of the return of The Originals.

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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