‘The Originals’ Season Finale Review: From a Cradle to a Grave

I think we all need a minute to compose ourselves after that heartbreaking, jaw dropping, beautifully crafted episode of The Originals!

I found myself gasping and clutching my chest multiple times throughout the hour long slot. I have to say, this show did incredibly well for its first season finale. I’m still completely reeling from, not just the final moments, but every step leading towards it.

The audience was treated with an intense showdown to save the baby, multiple deaths, and quite a copious amount of returns. I can’t say it enough, this entire episode was beyond epic. “From a Cradle to a Grave” is definitely the best episode to date.

Having Hope:

We begin right where the previous episode left off. Hayley (Phoebe Tonkin) is in labor and in the witch’s ‘care’. In no time, Klaus (Joseph Morgan) arrives to rip a few heads off, but sadly doesn’t get very far before Monique (Yasmine Al-Bustami) steps in with her witchy juju. Klaus is restrained and forced to look on as his baby is born. The moment of truth finally arrives, and all is well for a split second. Genevieve (Elyse Levesque) has an inkling of kindness as she allows Hayley to hold her baby, but that nice sentiment is soon crushed by Monique slicing Hayley’s throat. I really felt for Klaus here, even I was shocked by that. It really goes to show just how cruel the witches are, because let’s be honest… That was completely unnecessary.

That act alone fuels Klaus and Elijah’s (Daniel Gillies) need to track the witches down to end them. They go to the center for all things witchy in New Orleans. Unfortunately they’re unable to find the location of the witches, because a spell was placed over the graveyard creating basically a massive maze. After a few heart wrenching scenes between the brothers and the thought of all hope being lost, Hayley makes a triumphant return! No one can keep a wolf down… Or should I say hybrid? It turns out that the baby’s blood was still in Hayley’s system when she died, forcing her to be in transition. You can call it a mother’s instinct, but Hayley was able to sense where her baby was immediately, making it 10x easier for the trio to find the sacrificing location.

The group arrived with only seconds to spare, but put up an excellent fight! Elijah managed to disarm Genevieve, lending them some time. Hayley got in a few  good punches too! Klaus ended up killing Abigail (Alexa Yeames), but it was Marcel who truly saved the baby. Trying to get leverage on Klaus, he enlists the help of Davina (Danielle Campbell) and Cami (Leah Pipes). Cami takes him to her uncle’s secret enchanted witch chamber and finds a death star, which Davina reveals can give a person 1000 cuts. The weapon was to be used to save Marcel’s friends by getting Klaus’s blood, but at the last moment, Marcel decided to be the hero and save Klaus’ baby. I kid you not, I started crying so hard at that.

In Memoriam:

Although the baby was saved, a lot of people ended up dying. Besides Monique and Abigail, the vampires all suffered horrific deaths. That being because Davina brought Mikael (Sebastian Roché) back and I guess after being dead for (I’m assuming) a year, he gathered quite the appetite. I honestly forgot he fed on vampires, but A+ for the continuity, TO Writers!

Mikael was all set to kill Klaus, but is soon stopped by Davina. It turns out that she brought him back with a catch: He is to obey her every command and to torture Klaus on her terms. I have to say, Davina has really grown as a character. This was definitely a badass moment.

It is also revealed, curtesy of Genevieve, that the “ancestor” who gave the command to kill the baby happened to Esther. Genevieve explains that Esther will not stop until the baby is dead and her remains are consecrated into the New Orleans earth. Talk about a messed up family. Soon after this massive reveal, Genevieve bites the dust! Unlike Monique, I actually liked Genevieve. She showed a lot of remorse, and she was a thoroughly enjoyable villain with a soft side.

As if all of that wasn’t enough, Hayley explains that the baby will never be safe in New Orleans, or anywhere for that matter. She refuses to let her child grow up in a war zone, much like herself. Klaus proposes that the only way to ensure the safety of their child, would be to make everyone think that she’s dead.

Cue Marcel (Charles M Davis)! After his heroic move in saving the baby, it’s pretty save to say that he’s buried the hatchet with Klaus. That being said, he meets with Oliver to propose a deal he can’t refuse. Marcel proposes that they make The Quarter a no vampire zone so long as the werewolves leave them be across the river. At first Oliver finds his offer to be foolish, but he soon changes his mind after Marcel reveals that Klaus’s baby was killed in the aftermath of the wolf attack and that he will side with the vampires if a war ever erupted. Pretty smart if you ask me! Marcel left a stillborn child, which I assumed was ripped to shreds in a werewolf fashion, in a box to force the werewolves (and Cami) to believe that Klaus and Hayley’s baby was dead.

Hello, Goodbye:

Once the story of the baby’s death was planted, Klaus had to work fast at securing a safe home for his child. Klaus doesn’t have a lot of friends who would be willing to take care of his baby, so it’s no doubt that the audience was thrilled to see the return of Rebekah (Claire Holt)! She is being entrusted with Klaus and Hayley’s child, who we then found out was named Hope.

This was a very touching scene, but like most things revolving around TVD and TO world, it doesn’t last long. The baby may be safe with Rebekah now, but New Orleans has a new enemy to deal with. Esther is back and she has a scheme in motion. I’m curious to see how this plays out.

Raise your hand if you have ever felt personally victimized by this show? What an excellent end to a fantastic season! So much to speculate, so much to look forward to when it returns! I, for one, cannot wait!

It seems that The Originals has gradually gotten better throughout this season, and if that’s any indication, next season will be extraordinary. This was definitely the best episode thus far, and it’s safe to say that I’m going to stay a bit wounded from the Joseph Morgan and Daniel Gillies tears that I was forced to endure. Regardless, I’m so excited to see what happens next season!

Rating:

A+++

So FanBolters, what was your favorite part from this season finale? Are you excited for Esther’s return? And which Mikaelson sibling do you think hitched a ride back with her? Also, what is her plan?! Oh, and we can’t forget about Davina! Are you excited to see what she has in store for Klaus? Let us know in the comments below!

Photo Credit: The CW