Pilot Perception: The Originals

Welcome to Pilot Perception, our feature in which we break down the first episode of each new show in order to help you decide whether it’s worth your time.

The Show: The Originals, The CW in the U.S. and CHCH in Canada, Tuesdays at 8/7c

Note: The show premiered in a special timeslot tonight, but moves to Tuesdays next week.

The Pedigree: The show was created by Julie Plec (The Vampire Diaries), who wrote the first episode and executive produces with Leslie Morgenstein (The Vampire Diaries, Gossip Girl) and Gina Girolamo (The Secret Circle, The Lying Game). Frequent Vampire Diaries director Chris Grismer directs.

The Cast & How You Know Them: The show is carrying over cast members Joseph Morgan, Daniel Gillies, Claire Holt, and Phoebe Tonkin from The Vampire Diaries. The cast of The Originals also includes Charles Michael Davis (Grey’s Anatomy), Daniella Pineda (Homeland), Leah Pipes (The Deep End), and Danielle Campbell (Prison Break).

The Premise: In this spinoff from The Vampire Diaries, the Original family – Klaus, Elijah, and Rebekah – return to New Orleans, where they get mixed up with witches, Klaus’s former protege Marcel, and the werewolf Hayley, who is now carrying Klaus’s child.

A Taste:

What Works: The Originals has some of the most interesting characters from The Vampire Diaries along with some fine additions to the cast, so it’s definitely got a good base to start from. The New Orleans setting and more adult tone are intriguing as well. Klaus and Elijah are fascinating, both individually and together, and I love the new dynamic between Hayley and Elijah. The new characters all seem to have potential, and I’m looking forward to learning more about them. And there was at least one plot point that completely took me by surprise.

What Doesn’t: This episode was pretty slow, because it had a lot of exposition to get through, but hopefully the pace will pick up a bit soon. There was more exposition than Vampire Diaries fans needed, but not really enough to make it very accessible to newcomers – but, again, this is really just a first episode issue and hopefully not an ongoing show issue. If The Vampire Diaries is anything to go by, this show will be running through plot at a breakneck speed in no time! Unlike some other viewers I’ve spoken with, I don’t have a problem with the baby plotline, but I hope Hayley gets some more agency soon.

Our Favorite Line: “What an entirely unwelcome surprise.” “And what an entirely unsurprising welcome.”

You Might Like This if you like The Vampire Diaries, of course, and if you’re interested in a slightly darker, more adult story set in this world.

If You’re Interested: The CW is showing the first episode again tomorrow, Friday, October 4th, at 8/7c, or check for it online at The CW, CHCH, or Hulu. Then tune in for the second episode in the show’s normal timeslot of Tuesday at 8/7c.

(Photo courtesy of the CW.)