The Originals Review: Episode 2×14 – “I Love You, Goodbye”

There May Be Wedding Bells Chiming But For Whom Does The Bell Toll?

On this week’s The Originals, it’s the wedding everyone has been waiting for (and/or dreading). Klaus is playing nice, or is he? Sure, he offers up his house for the wedding to take place and later invites them to move in, but could he have shadier motives? Elijah must decide whether or not to finally admit his feelings out loud to Hayley but could it be too little too late to get his lady-love? Klaus becomes convinced that Elijah wants Jackson dead but as Kol draws nearer to death, the Jackson issue is put aside as the Mikaelson family comes together to be with him in his last moments. With so many hearts breaking, can any couple make it out of this pre-hiatus episode with their relationship intact? Let’s take a look!

Back From The Dead In Time For The New Threat

The last episode of The Originals had an explosive ending that left both Elijah and Finn’s fate unknown. While Elijah is shown to be alive and well within the first minute of this episode, Finn’s state of being takes a bit longer to be shown. Eventually, we see Freya come to where his body is being kept in the morgue and with a bit of magical hand-waving as well as a charm she had put on him before he went on the attack, she is able to bring him back to life. She warns him that Dalia is undoubtedly on the move back to come for baby Hope. Interestingly enough, she explains that Dahlia came a thousand years prior for Freya right after her magical abilities began to manifest. It’s this very magic that acts as a beacon of sorts and seeing as how baby Hope’s abilities were shown to have started up recently, there is little doubt that Dahlia will be the Big Bad for at least the remainder of the season.

“Esther was nothing compared to Dahlia.” ~ Freya

The pacing of this plot point has held steady. Despite not having had much time to interact on screen with one another, the chemistry between Finn and Freya is steady. Despite not having much literal movement in their actions or setting, there was good intensity in this plot because of the writing and performances. The threat of Dahlia is only able to be taken as seriously as it is because both of these elements have combined to make us believe that Dahlia is something formidable despite the fact that we’ve only seen her in a thousand-year-old flashback. It will be particularly interesting to see how these two play into the constant shifting of Mikaelson-relationships. So many of these siblings have inflicted some serious damage on one another, only to end up making up and standing together so perhaps Finn and Freya will be able to band with the core Mikaelson group in time for one epic showdown in the season finale against Dahlia. Bring it on!

Love Will Keep Us Together

Though there’s always plenty of Mikaelson family drama to keep us busy, the writers took time to tend to another fan-favourite relationship, that of Josh and Aiden. Now that Josh  has recovered from Finn’s bloodlust-spell, he shows concern over how Aiden might have felt about nearly getting eaten by his boyfriend. Much to viewers’ delight, Aiden is nothing but overjoyed to see that Josh is up and okay once more, holding no grudge over what happened. But the happy moment is brief when he decides that perhaps it’s in Josh’s best interest that they slow down their relationship since having a bunch of powerful werewolves (after Hayley and Jackson’s wedding) running around may put him in harm’s way. But once Aiden has a heart-to-heart with Jackson on the matter, Jackson advises him that he shouldn’t deny himself this happiness he derives from being with Josh. In the end, Aiden decides to move forward with Josh.

“We’re not winning this fight without something to fight for.” ~ Jackson

The approach to Josh and Aiden’s relationship on the part of the show runners and writers has been excellent. The fact that it is a gay relationship does not define the narrative but it isn’t ignored, either. In particular, the mention from Jackson about Aiden coming out to him at age 17 and how he told Aiden that it didn’t change their friendship, was a way of presenting the ‘coming out’ milestone but ultimately the main threat to Josh and Aiden’s relationship is still first and foremost the age-old feud between vampires and werewolves. It’s far too rare for the stories of characters who are of a social minority to not be dominated by their being a social minority. But Josh and Aiden’s blossoming romance is something that can be a positive depiction for many who don’t often feel represented in the media content they consume. Steven Kreuger and Colin Woodell are doing a beautiful job playing this arc.

Forget The Wedding, Let’s Talk About The New Queen

All this build-up to Hayley and Jackson’s big day and there was no shortage on drama and angst swirled into this sort-of-happy occasion. Of course the most obvious question regarding this union is the white-hot connection between Hayley and Elijah. Having already consummated their relationship, but not ever having discussed it afterwards (who has time for the “what are we” talk when psychopathic family members are coming out of the woodwork to murder your mystical baby?), the stage was set for an emotionally intense moment for this statuesque pairing. As Elijah seems just about to admit his feelings, Hayley shuts it down by saying it’s too late for him to speak up, and she might actually be able to find happiness with Jackson. Later, Elijah says that he might move out which is clearly in response to the fact that Hayley and Jackson will be moving in to the Mikaelson manor. But much like many a bride before her, Hayley has some rather typical pre-wedding jitters. Of course she has a greater duty being performed in going through with this ceremony, as it will bestow the ability to change at will unto all the werewolves present that have chosen to align themselves with Hayley and Jackson’s pack.

“You will be Queen to an army, and a Queen does not run.” ~ Klaus

We’ve spoken plenty about the transformation of Hayley from season 1 to season 2 but the reason for us repeatedly doing so is that it is just too excellent to ignore. The writers have really gone all out to develop the character and Phoebe Tonkin has jumped right in to all this meaty material without hesitation. It’s also been great fun to see Klaus and Hayley’s relationship develop. His repeatedly calling her a Queen made us coo at the screen; who knew that Klaus would get this good at giving pep talks to his baby-mama? It’s always been a little one-sided on The Originals as far as gender goes, with Klaus and Elijah often stealing the spotlight with their powerful monologues and gripping action but now we have the good fortune of seeing the rise of Queen Hayley. With Klaus’ not-so-secret plans to do away with Jackson, though Elijah is determined to keep this from happening lest it break Hayley’s heart, we still say that Jackson isn’t long for this world. We reckon that Klaus may decide to be a better vampire and not go through on his plans. But, there is a war going on and Dahlia is sure to pop up soon. War means casualties, and we are betting that Jackson is going to die some sappy, “I always loved you, Hayley,” death. The fact that the writers are trying to put it out there that Hayley is falling for Jackson is a bit sweet, but also somewhat laughable since it’s hard to believe the idea that Jackson poses any real threat to the endgame of Hayley and Elijah. However, Jackson’s an excellent character and entirely likeable so we’re more than happy to carry on watching him for as long as the writers are keeping him alive.

FINAL VERDICT

With this multitude of plots all happening at once, you may be wondering why we hadn’t mentioned the death of Finn yet. Admittedly, writers Carina Adly MacKenzie and Michael Narducci nicely wrapped up his arc (for now) and put a pretty bow on it with him both reconciled with the core Mikaelsons and also able to return in some form. But considering how we had grown tired of the juvenile tantrums and general arrested development, we were entirely content to see this incarnation of him go. Now with Kol gone, we’re hoping that it’ll allow Davina get back to being her own fierce, witchy self, as well as get back to spending time with Josh since he always seems to bring out the best in her. It’s been interesting to see how the show has utilised the body-possessing magic, as it has opened up the possibility of so many different actors to play these already-established characters. Especially considering how “pale” the Mikaelson clan is and has been, it’s been so refreshing to see such talented folks like Yusuf Gatewood, Sonja Sohn, and now Maisie Richardson-Sellers get an opportunity to show their skills. Director Matt Hastings also did some nice work in this episode, such as using a great deal of space throughout the Mikaelson manor throughout the wedding processions, as it helped to enhance the magnitude of the occasion. Now that the wedding is over and done with, we’re ready for the next phase of Originals-drama: Dahlia!

Questions, Comments, Concerns…

• OF COURSE Elijah is fine! (We already knew figuratively but we’re talking about the whole explosion thing).
• “A Queen does not run.”
• Klaus telling Jackson to clean himself up for his wedding day I AM CACKLING.
• First that hug and now a time=out?!? My Jaiden feels are all over the place right now!
• Elijah rolling up to Hayley’s wedding preparation in that fitted white button-up looking like a modern-day leading-Austen-man I SEE WHAT YOU’RE DOING THERE
• Klaus’ new pet name for Hayley, “Queen,” is SO CUTE.
• Ironically, if Klaus had just kept his mouth shut, it would’ve been far less likely that Elijah would consider interfering in Hayley’s wedding. But that’s what you do, isn’t it, Klaus? Plant. Seeds.
• Gawddamnit now Haylijah are breaking my heart. MY EMOTIONS.
• I feel like Klaus is immediately going to snap back on his decision to tell Elijah to stay out of it just because he’ll be upset that Elijah was hurt. xD
• YEP! See what just happened! Klaus would be happy to dispose of Jackson and he’ll be twice as happy since he thinks Elijah will reap the benefits.
• Whoa whoa if Klaus and new-Rebekah are going to hook up, I’m going to need my fan. #ThatEyeContactThough
• Bye-bye Kol. I’d lie and say I’ll miss you, but… I care way more about Marcel getting more screen time than your temper-tantrums. *sips tea*