Man, I remember when The Originals season 1 first dropped back in 2013. As a diehard Vampire Diaries fan, I was skeptical - could Klaus Mikaelson really carry his own show? After binge-watching the whole season in one weekend (yes, seriously), I was hooked. This wasn't just some spin-off. It was darker, richer, and honestly? More grown-up than Mystic Falls ever was.
What Actually Happens in The Originals Season 1?
Picture this: New Orleans' French Quarter, jazz floating through humid air, and ancient vampires silently warring over territory. The Originals season 1 throws us right into this world where Klaus Mikaelson (Joseph Morgan) returns to a city he helped build centuries ago. But surprise - his protege Marcel (Charles Michael Davis) now runs the show with an army of vampire lackeys.
Here's where things get juicy: Klaus discovers his werewolf fling Hayley (Phoebe Tonkin) is pregnant with what might be the first hybrid baby ever. Suddenly this power struggle becomes a family affair. Rebekah (Claire Holt) and Elijah (Daniel Gillies) join the party because hey, when has the Mikaelson family ever done anything halfway?
Honestly? The baby storyline sounded ridiculous when I first heard it. But seeing how it forced Klaus to confront his own daddy issues? Brilliant writing.
The Core Power Players
| Character | Portrayed By | Role in Season 1 | Key Motivation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Klaus Mikaelson | Joseph Morgan | The Original hybrid | Protect his unborn child, reclaim New Orleans |
| Elijah Mikaelson | Daniel Gillies | Noble Original vampire | Unite family, maintain honor |
| Rebekah Mikaelson | Claire Holt | Original vampire sister | Find love, escape family drama |
| Marcel Gerard | Charles Michael Davis | Vampire king of New Orleans | Keep control at all costs |
| Hayley Marshall | Phoebe Tonkin | Pregnant werewolf | Survive pregnancy, protect baby |
| Davina Claire | Danielle Campbell | Teenage witch | Destroy the Originals |
Breaking Down Every Episode
Season 1 wasn't messing around - 22 episodes of escalating vampire-witch-warrior chaos. Let's cut to what matters:
Critical Episodes You Can't Miss
| Episode | Title | Why It Matters | Shocking Moment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot | Always and Forever | Establishes power dynamics | Klaus learns about the baby |
| Episode 4 | Girl in New Orleans | Davina's power revealed | Witches sacrifice themselves |
| Episode 8 | The River in Reverse | Klaus vs. Elijah showdown | Sword through Elijah's chest |
| Episode 15 | Le Grand Guignol | Mikaelsons vs. Marcel finale | Klaus daggered by own family |
| Episode 22 | From a Cradle to a Grave | Season finale | Baby Hope's dramatic birth |
That finale? I nearly threw my remote at the TV when Genevieve threatened to burn the baby. Talk about emotional manipulation!
Where to Stream The Originals Season 1 Right Now
Finding The Originals season 1 legally isn't as easy as it should be. After Netflix removed it last year, here's where you can actually watch it:
- Free with ads: The CW app (US only)
- Subscription: Amazon Prime Video ($1.99/episode or $14.99 season)
- Subscription bundle: AMC+ ($8.99/month)
- DVD/Blu-ray: Includes deleted scenes ($24.99 on Amazon)
Pro tip: Check your local library for DVDs. Saved me $30 when I did a rewatch last summer.
Why This Season Changed Vampire Shows Forever
Forget sparkly vampires - The Originals season 1 gave us something raw. The showrunner Julie Plec took huge risks:
- Adult themes: Pregnancy, sibling betrayal, political manipulation
- Complex villains: Marcel wasn't just evil - you understood why he feared the Mikaelsons
- Real stakes: Major characters actually died (RIP Monique Deveraux)
What really got me was the location shooting. Actual New Orleans streets, not some soundstage. You could practically smell the beignets during the Jackson Square scenes.
Season Rankings (My Personal Take)
Having rewatched the whole series twice, here's how season 1 stacks up:
- Character development: A+ (Elijah's redemption arc is perfection)
- Villain quality: B+ (Marcel was great but season 3's Dahlia was scarier)
- Pacing: B (some filler episodes around #12-14)
- Finale impact: A (that birth scene still gives me chills)
Behind the Scenes Secrets
You won't believe what happened off-camera during The Originals season 1 filming:
- Joseph Morgan (Klaus) directed episode 19 - his first time directing!
- The French Quarter scenes were shot mostly at night due to tourist crowds
- Daniel Gillies (Elijah) insisted on doing his own fight stunts
- Phoebe Tonkin's pregnancy bump was a silicone prosthetic weighing 35 pounds
Funny story - the actors playing the Mikaelson siblings apparently kept stealing each other's lunch from the craft services table. Guess they really got into their dysfunctional family roles.
Most Burning Fan Questions Answered
Do I need to watch The Vampire Diaries first?
Not really. I jumped into The Originals season 1 blind and understood 90% of it. They explain the important backstory through dialogue.
Why is Klaus so obsessed with New Orleans?
He literally helped build the city in the 1700s with Marcel. It's his only real "home" - plus he's obsessed with power.
How old are the Mikaelson siblings supposed to be?
All over 1,000 years old. Rebekah turned at 17, Elijah/Klaus in their 20s. Crazy to think about.
What's the deal with the daggers?
Silver daggers dipped in white oak ash can paralyze Originals. Family drama weaponized.
Are the witches in season 1 based on real New Orleans voodoo?
Loosely. The show consulted local historians but took creative liberties. Real voodoo doesn't involve magic fireballs.
Why The Originals Season 1 Still Holds Up Today
Nearly ten years later, The Originals season 1 remains rewatchable for good reasons:
- Practical effects: Minimal CGI compared to today's shows
- Character depth: Even minor characters like Sophie Deveraux had layers
- Atmosphere: No other show captures New Orleans' gothic charm like this
The season's core theme - whether monsters can change - feels more relevant than ever. Watching Klaus struggle between his vicious nature and desire to protect his child? That's timeless storytelling.
My unpopular opinion? Season 1 has better pacing than later seasons. No convoluted prophecies or resurrected villains - just pure supernatural turf war.
Key Relationships That Define the Season
Forget romance - The Originals season 1 was about messy, complicated bonds:
Most Toxic Relationship
Klaus and Elijah - centuries of betrayal masked as brotherly love. That scene where Elijah daggered Klaus? Ouch. Still hurts.
Most Unexpected Alliance
Hayley and the werewolves. Watching a pregnant teen unite warring packs was weirdly inspiring.
Most Tragic Mentor-Student Pair
Marcel and Klaus. Their flashback scenes showing young Marcel learning from Klaus explained so much about their hatred.
Things I Wish Were Different
Look, it's not perfect. After three rewatches, some flaws become obvious:
- The whole "harvest ritual" witch plot got confusing fast
- Rebekah deserved better than constant daggering
- Camille's therapist angle felt forced early on
And don't get me started on the werewolf fight choreography. Some of those full-moon brawls looked like guys in fursuits slap-fighting.
Final Verdict on The Originals Season 1
If you're craving a vampire story with actual substance, dive into The Originals season 1. It's not just about fangs and blood - it's about legacy, trauma, and whether we're doomed to repeat family patterns. Plus, Joseph Morgan's performance as Klaus might be the best vampire portrayal since Gary Oldman in Bram Stoker's Dracula.
Sure, some effects look dated now. Yeah, the werewolf CGI wasn't great even in 2013. But the emotional punches land harder than Marcel's daylight rings. That final shot of Klaus holding baby Hope while Elijah watches? Pure television gold.
So grab some beignets, turn down the lights, and let New Orleans' original vampires show you how real monsters handle family dinner.