The King Has Spoken... Review: The Originals - "House of the Rising Son"

Season 1, Episode 2

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

RATING: 4

“I have a plan … I am executing that plan the only way I know how.” – Klaus

The Originals does seem to be following a formula. This week, Klaus (Joseph Morgan) is the central focus and his vendetta against Marcel (Charles Michael Davis) remains front and center. I’m curious to see how the black sheep (in wolf’s clothing) does in New Orleans—especially with baby sis coming into town. You know trouble follows.

Observations and thoughts:

“House of the Rising Son” provides more background on the relationship Klaus and Marcel have. It stems back to when Marcel was a kid, saved on the side of the road by a sympathetic Klaus. I know I must have missed the part where we learn Klaus is Marcel’s maker, but what I find most interesting is the original nature of their relationship. Marcel was once like a son to Klaus. What changed aside from what Klaus so emphatically professes? What happened between the two that we don’t know about yet? Not only that but Marcel had a thing for Rebekah (Claire Holt)? Say what! How does the girl do it?

I did not see this coming.

“Oh, and welcome home, little sister.” Rebekah does make quite the entrance to her former hometown. I love that she’s spunky, crass, and vulnerable all at once. She still has that underlying yearning for a normal life, or as normal a life as she can have as a vampire. We don’t often get to see her in action as the baby sister in the Mikaelson family, so to get a glimpse of her kicking ass is quite the treat. I almost forgot how acidic her tongue can be. She doesn’t mince words when trying to get her point across.

You know me, I have to comment on the things that most people overlook. This week, it’s the awful wigs the costume department has everyone wearing/the guys wearing. They all look ridiculous, especially Klaus. Those craptastic hairstyles from the past don’t look period appropriate at all, and I hate to nitpick, but the scenes from the past are beyond fake. If you want to convince me we’re back in 1800s New Orleans, covering the camera with a sepia toned lens doesn’t convey the spirit of back in the day. Nothing feels genuine and it pulls me out of the episode. I’m too busy reeling over the low quality makeup, hair, and sets to get into the plot.

These witches are snitches. Yup, I made that rhyme. Here’s the thing—they claim to be so oppressed by Marcel, yet look for ways to get brownie points from him? Oy!

And here I thought sparks were flying between these two. He belongs to Caroline, Cami!

Speaking of Marcel, Davis does a great job of portraying him in “House of the Rising Son.” I like Marcel’s enthusiasm as the self-proclaimed “king” of New Orleans. But Davis’ portrayal doesn’t come across as over the top because Marcel is the outspoken, gregarious type. He enjoys life to the fullest and doesn’t hold back in any aspect of that.

We now know where Elijah (Daniel Gillies) is—or at least the location of his coffin. I’m so saddened by this development. Why the writers think it’s a good idea to take one of the best things about the show and put it on the backburner just astounds me. Elijah is the glue that holds the Mikaelson family together. Klaus and Rebekah do nothing but bicker. They make peace for about two seconds, and then are back at one another’s throats again. Or Klaus pulls out a dagger, and you know how that ends. Maybe, just maybe Klaus and Rebekah will stick with each other a little longer to rescue their brother. I hope so. Because if Elijah is out for good, I’m out too.

Hayley (Phoebe Tonkin) is beginning to grow on me. No, not really. I’m still not sure why she’s around. The baby thing is an OK plot device, but I can’t get behind it. *Cue the drama*

Memorable and funny lines:

Rebekah to Hayley: “Ah, you must be the maid. My bags are in the car; get them, will you?”

Rebekah: “I was expecting to see some kind of supernatural miracle baby bump. Guess you’re not showing yet.”

Klaus to Rebekah on turning her lover: “If we turned every man you dropped your knickers for, human beings would cease to exist and then we’d have no food.”

Rebekah: “Being daggered in a box for decades sucks. Trust me.”

Marcel: “Got a thing about people who betray their own friends.”

Rebekah to Marcel: “If I find out you know where Elijah is, there’s no need to fear Klaus. I’ll kill you myself.”

Marcel to Rebekah: “What was once yours, what was once your brother’s, is now mine.”

Mystery girl Davina is bad news. Too bad they aren’t in Mystic Falls.

Now that Rebekah has some insight into what, or more like who, Marcel is using to keep his control over New Orleans, what do you think Klaus will do with that information? “She’s not just any witch. She’s something I’ve never seen before; something beyond powerful.” How can the Originals overcome the mysterious Davina (Danielle Campbell) and take Marcel down? Klaus is determined but tenacity can only get you so far. Rebekah’s love for her family and her “whatever it takes” attitude will be sure to make things interesting. Marcel is messing with the wrong group of vampires, that’s for sure.

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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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