The Originals Episode 1×21 “The Battle of New Orleans” Review

War Has Come - The End is Fast Approaching With This Week’s Episode of “The Originals”…

Shut your windows and bolt your doors, for “The Battle of New Orleans” has begun and the first wave left devastation in its wake. This week’s episode of The Originals saw each of our players make their move in an attempt to rule the town, with Marcel aiming to thwart Klaus, Klaus aiming to breed hybrids and the apparent “humans” aiming for total domination. While Elijah scrambled to defend their home from Marcel loyalists and Klaus took on the former king himself, neither realized that people they considered allies had betrayed them for their enemies. With werewolves on the rise and a baby on the way, the end is fast approaching and we cannot tell who will come out unscathed. So - let’s submit to this episode of The Originals shall we?

RELATED: The Originals Episode 1×20 “A Closer Walk With Thee” Review

War Has Come… We’ve waited months for this moment: when war would be declared and enemies would fall. Yet even with the time to prepare, I don’t think any of us were entirely ready for the onslaught of bloodshed and emotion. What started out as a simple day of car cruising and vamps bathing in the sun while perving on hot joggers turned into a cataclysmic showdown of power, inevitable betrayal and decades of planning and patience rewarded in a stunning reversal of fortune. Yep, if we thought Cami’s solo quest was oddly timed we were sorely wrong. What I loved about this particular twist was that, while the writers have been dropping hints about the Guerrara wolves all season, it still came as an absolute shock. When Bitch-Face Francesca first showed up, her presence was unexpected (albeit annoying), to say the least. But as we take in the beauty and cunning of this surprise – especially considering last week’s episode and what we thought was going to take place – then we can only appreciate the lengths the writers went to craft such a change in direction. Ironically, another major shift in this episode was my attitude towards Francesca. She might still be a bitch, but Peta Sergeant demanded the viewers’ attention when her character’s fangs emerged and she stated: “I’m like you Hayley, and now I’m gonna take back my town.” The way she holds herself; the way she speaks – Francesca has always commanded a room when she enters. But now she has a reason to, and hoo boy did it show. It was almost mind-numbing to watch her casually murder her human counterpart in order to activate the werewolf gene; not to mention seeing her cronies follow suit. Coupled with the ferocity of their attacks on the vampires, Ollie’s wolves on board the Guerrara train, and Klaus and Elijah’s weakened states, then suffice it to say the war may have begun but it’s certainly far from over.

Francesca: “I don’t really care about what you want. Let’s talk about what I want.”

Choices & Consequences… While Genevieve’s treason wasn’t entirely unexpected, it was still brutal to watch Klaus’s face as she told him why his strength was waning. Joseph Morgan was a myriad of emotion in this episode; displaying Klaus’s seduction, his manipulation, his bewilderment, ferocity and control with such finesse you’d never think his acting was a chore. To see Klaus’s carefully laid plans – including his trademark “backup plan” – receive hit after hit was frankly mortifying. Indeed, his day started off so well: dangling his mother’s grimoire in Genevieve’s face thinking such a priceless artifact would secure her loyalty; vamp-napping Joshua so as to sway Davina into telling him where Marcel was; dodging a Thierry-inspired explosion without a care because this was merely a dent in his overall plan. They say pride comes before a fall (or in Klaus’s case, greed before irony), and unfortunately, the price for this fall could be devastating. Speaking of our Mama Wolf and her bub, Phoebe Tonkin was on fire in this episode. It’s bizarre to think that when this series began, many of us were anti the baby and – by retrospect – Hayley’s presence in New Orleans. But as of this episode? No more. Tonkin more than proved her worth when she bellowed “You will not take my baby, I will kill all of you,” all the while thrashing beneath the witch’s clutches. Also – while I’m loathe to admit it – her kiss with Elijah was much more believable and enjoyable in this episode compared to last week’s disaster of a lip lock. To be fair, Daniel Gillies also played an integral role in the believability of this kiss, and his statement afterward of “You will always have a choice” cemented the authenticity of the moment in general. Theirs still isn’t a ship I will board, but even I can appreciate the tingly feelings that scene evoked. But Helijah aside (and their relationship may be moot point after next week), it’ll be interesting to see whether Genevieve has a sudden crisis of conscience regarding the baby. Her wavering resolve is evident (despite receiving a nasty reprimand from the ancestors last week), but will it be enough to save mama and baby? Or will Klaus and Elijah find the strength in their injured states to rescue Hayley themselves? Dear lord, how’re we supposed to survive until next week again?

Genevieve: “And as for you, the great irony is in wanting to take this city you’ve lost everything. Your sister Rebekah, your adopted son Marcel, and now even your child and her mother will suffer. All because of your greed.”

Every Revolution Requires Sacrifice… It’s probably safe to assume that no one lost more than Marcel in this episode. While he had to know that declaring war on the Originals – even one of them – would result in overwhelming carnage, it didn’t lessen the heartache when Marcel beheld the walls of his former home coated in his friend’s and family’s blood. It wouldn’t go amiss if Marcel’s darkest hour only led to his victory in the light; especially knowing how much he loves and honors New Orleans. But does Marcel deserve to be king again? His right to the throne is questionable, purely because of the fear he instilled in all the supernatural factions bar his own. While his passion is commendable, he was something of a tyrant (which makes sense, considering his father-figure) and it does make you wonder if someone else doesn’t deserve a chance at ruling New Orleans. Politics aside, Charles Michael Davis was bloody brilliant in this episode. When Marcel gave his enemy pep talk, I had goose-bumps. Whoever decided Ms Mr’s “Bones” should play in the background was a genius. Not only did it accentuate the intensity of Marcel’s words but it was the perfect path into the “madness and sadness” to come. Likewise, Marcel’s fight with Klaus was nothing short of epic. Despite hating every second of that punch-up, it was almost artistic: the way in which Klaus wanted to decimate Marcel while simultaneously (or at least it seemed) hoping he would surrender so he could spare his life. What made the fight even better was Marcel tossing out one final insult: “I’m not a monster Klaus. I’m not you” (defiant til the end – and really, Klaus should be proud). I’m frightened to predict the events of next week, for even if Marcel reclaims the throne it will be a bittersweet victory. With Thierry dead and now Diego gone, Marcel’s family has become the hybrid he’s at war with. Whatever the outcome, we know it’s going to be insane.

Marcel: “A wise man said if you know yourself and know your enemy then you don’t need to fear the outcome of battle. I know myself. I know my friends. And I know my enemy. I know his strengths, I know his pride, and I know his house - every nook and cranny.”

Final Verdict

Firstly, bravo to writers Charlie Charbonneau and Michael Narducci for twisting the seemingly terrible plotlines of the last two weeks into an episode filled with incredibly shocking arcs. I nearly wanted to retract my critique of last week’s episode after viewing the chaotic brilliance of this episode. “The Battle of New Orleans” could have posed as the season finale, it was so well written: scattered with shock after shock and ending with the king of all cliff-hangers. This episode was like a slow-building orgasm: the kind that hurts beyond all comprehension but you can’t get enough of it and you’re scared for it to finish; afraid nothing else will ever measure up to the intense pleasure or satisfaction of indulging in it. From Ollie and Jackson’s kidnapping to Klaus’s terrible roar before the end credits, the dialogue was impeccable and the acting extraordinary. Jeffrey Hunt should also be commended for small directorial touches which added to (1) The horror of Elijah’s vampire massacre (blood coating the walls, bodies scattered everywhere); and (2) Shots which emphasized the gravity of what was about to happen, such as watching Hayley from above as she screamed to be set free. There was also an element of mystery in this episode: from the disconcerting nature of Mikael’s presence hovering over Davina to Cami’s venture into a room filled with supernatural trade secrets. The questions surrounding these situations promise an exciting finale – and second season – to come. This episode had everything: Klaus on a ledge, explosions, vamp-napping, Helijah kisses, life-draining spells, hybrid bites, Hayley calling Monique a psychotic bitch, justification for my hate towards Francesca, Marcel’s spine-tingly pep talk, Elijah single-handedly facing a horde of blood-thirsty vampires. This wasn’t just a phenomenal episode – this was an episode to remember. Bravo cast and crew, I cannot WAIT for next week.

Elijah: “Disregard my brother. Over the course of the last millennium his capacity for tact has somewhat diminished.”

Klaus: “Well that’s typical isn’t it? Marcel fills a room with dynamite and yet I’m the tactless one.”

RELATED: The Originals Roundtable – “The Battle of New Orleans”

Questions, Comments, Concerns…

• I may have adored this episode and felt a little reprimanded over my thoughts on “A Closer Walk With Thee,” but it doesn’t quell my concerns for the future of this series. There will be crossovers between The Vampire Diaries and The Originals, but I’d love to see this series stand on its own without TVD’s plots to fall back on. That’s where my concern about the moonlight stones and key come from. There’s bound to be story arcs we as viewers disagree on, but that’s what makes a show fantastic to watch. To enjoy different aspects of a series is what television is all about. Thus, I will continue to critique The Originals according to my own views and opinions - and you, as a viewer and reader, are welcome to disagree with me. Just do it with respect. Okay, #EndRant #OntoTheShowNow
• KLAUS AND MARCEL WHY MUST YOU HURT EACH OTHER YOU’RE BOTH TOO PRETTY FOR THIS.
• Josh needs to be okay. Like, if he isn’t, blood will be spilled (in addition to all the other blood that’s been spilled and will be spilled). #FairWarning
• The pages of Ester’s grimoire were so REAL looking. Creepy but cool. Nice work props department.
• What’s the dealio with that key? You’d think it was the key to supernatural orgasms, everybody wants it so bad. (The Originals = bringing out the dirty in me)
• “Do I at least get to kill this fool?” I WISH BRO. RIP Diego, I’m going to miss your hair 🙁
• Klaus on a Ledge. I would watch that movie. #JustSaying
• “I’m not without mercy Davina.” KLAUS YOU GLORIOUS BASTARD. WHY MUST YOU KILL PEOPLE SO.
• Wonder what’s in that archive room of Kieran’s? I felt like grabbing a flashlight and sandwich and exploring it myself. Curioser and curioser.
• “You’re the point of all this.” Errmm, is it just me or is everybody suddenly very interested in Hayley? Baby aside, something’s up with our Mama Wolf and I’m eager to know what it is.
• Speaking of the baby, HOLY CRAP IT’S COMING. #DontKillIt #WhyDoICare #OhWell #ProtectTheSpawnOfKlaus
• “If you fail to uphold your end of the deal the consequences for you will be apocalyptic.” May not have been romantic for Genevieve but it was for me HA #Boom #MyOvaries
• “Gentlemen, shall we?” – and with those three words, all the women of the world became pregnant. Elijah you whore.
• WHY MUST PEOPLE HURT ELIJAH THOSE WOLVES WILL PAY. #MarkMyWords #NobodyBitesElijahAndGetsAwayWithIt
• I honestly fell in love with Hayley when she called Monique a psychotic little bitch. Take that you brat.
• Klaus’s roar. Is there anything more powerful?
• How are we supposed to survive until next week? Better yet, after next week?!

The Originals Episode 1×22 “From a Cradle to a Grave” [SEASON FINALE]
airs Tuesday 13 MAY at 8/7c on The CW