Based on the book series by L.J Smith and adapted for television by Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson, The Vampire Diaries became an instant hit for The CW. The supernatural romantic drama premiered the year after the cultural phenomenon of Twilight, effectively piggybacking off the vampire craze of the late 2000s (though the L.J Smith novels predate those of Twilight creator Stephanie Meyer). The series starred Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder, and Paul Wesley, the central figures of an epic love triangle between two vampire brothers and the mortal girl they both fall for. The Vampire Diaries ran for eight seasons between 2009 and 2017, with a spin-off series launching in 2013. The introduction of the original vampires— Klaus, Elijah, and Rebekah Mikaelson— captivated fans, with The Originals surviving five seasons of its own.
All About the Vampire Diaries
In the L.J Smith novels, Elena Gilbert is a recently orphaned high school girl who falls for the charms of the local undead hottie, Stefan Salvatore. Their star crossed romance is challenged by the mysterious attacks plaguing Fells Church, Virginia. The television series takes some creative liberties with the characters, swaps out Fells Church in favor of the more alluring name Mystic Falls, and furthermore brings Damon Salvatore into the fold from the beginning rather than later on in a plot twist reveal. The teenage girl is caught in the middle of the brother’s rivalry as she explores romantic relationships with them both, and along the way encounters formidable enemies such as Katherine Pierce and Klaus Mikaelson.
The Vampire Diaries was a definitive success, with the first season averaging nearly four million viewers per episode. Though critics doled out mixed reviews, teen and young adult audiences couldn’t get enough of the vampy drama. The cast quickly became teen idols, with the series remaining popular even as major romantic story lines shifted.
Meet the Mikaelsons
Season two of The Vampire Diaries introduced the malevolent but handsome Klaus, a one-thousand year old Viking vampire who was turned along with his siblings by his mother’s dark magic. In addition to being one of the first vampires and therefore one of the most powerful, Klaus has a repressed werewolf nature as a result of his paternity, which is different to that of half-siblings Elijah and Rebekah. His quest to awaken his werewolf side takes Klaus on an evil quest that reigns terror upon the supernatural inhabitants of Mystic Falls, eventually culminating in his creation of a “hybrid” army.
While a half-vampire, half-werewolf Viking super villain may seem a bit ridiculous, The Vampire Diaries managed to craft Klaus into a serious and layered character. Klaus feels like a real and formidable ancient force that has lost touch with his once tender humanity. This powerful characterization of a pensive and shrewd but vicious man is largely a credit to Joseph Morgan’s impassioned performances. In fact, the family dynamics and existential dilemmas of the Mikaelsons brought some of the most heartfelt and complex narratives to the teen drama, earning the characters their very own and aptly-named spin-off, The Originals.
Unaware that awakening his werewolf nature made him fertile like a living man, Klaus sleeps with Hayley, a beautiful and troubled werewolf. The child they conceive is a one of a kind force— genetically a vampire, witch, and werewolf. The Originals picks up with the discovery of Hayley’s pregnancy, with Elijah determined to protect the young wolf and child and Klaus initially repulsed by the idea of fatherhood. Realizing the power his child will have, Klaus decides to embrace the pregnancy, and eventually comes around as a loving and fiercely protective father.
As this family drama develops, Klaus sets out to reclaim New Orleans, the city that he and his siblings built and that Klaus was once the “King” of. In his near century of absence from the Crescent City, Klaus’ protégé and adoptive son of sorts, Marcel, has taken over the supernatural kingdom. Power struggles coincide with family battles, with some of the biggest foes faced by the Mikaelsons being their own parents.
What Makes It So Great
The Originals goes on to outdo The Vampire Diaries as it moves away from teenage romance into a decidedly more mature world of power, betrayal, and family. The series allows the unique city of New Orleans to be a character in and of itself, with the eccentric nightlife, distinct architecture, and local culture always present and evident. The Originals makes clever use of New Orleans’ actual history with vampire lore, weaving the fictional and supernatural characters seamlessly into a real city. In one episode, Klaus even visits a Vampire Boutique. Viewers who have not traveled to The Big Easy may find this to be a hyperbolized representation of gothic culture in New Orleans, but that is not so. The New Orleans French Quarter is, in fact, home to various vampire-themed boutiques, cafés, and speakeasies. Furthermore, The Originals’ representation of New Orleans goes beyond its offbeat touristy allure. The series has its characters interact with lesser-known, authentic New Orleans districts and neighborhoods such as the Treme and the Westbank. The hit show stays true to the city’s history, not shying away from the racial politics and historical developments that the immortal characters would have encountered in one of the nation’s nineteen majority black cities. The Originals serves up juicy supernatural drama while not making a mockery of its setting and Creole characters.
The shining jewel of the series, however, is its representation of family. The Originals is great precisely because it is about family, the Mikaelson motto of “Always and Forever” being a testament to the endurance of familial love. It's a breath of fresh air after so many vampire romances, even if that is your cup of tea. This series also has some romantic story lines, but the focus has always been the power of the family bond— whether it's the one we are born into or the one we choose. Klaus’ redemption comes from the love of his little girl, and the moving finale portrays how the healing power of love can save even the most lost among us.