The Real Issue With Legacies Was Its Main Character

When it premiered in 2018, the TV series “Legacies” on The CW was filled with anticipation. This spinoff of “The Originals” and part of The Vampire Diaries Universe came after the finale of the beloved “The Originals”. It not only focused on Klaus Mikaelson’s daughter, Hope, but also returned us to Mystic Falls where Hope was sent to attend the Salvatore School for the Gifted Young. Essentially, “Legacies” aimed to revisit the world established by “The Vampire Diaries”, introducing new characters linked with cherished franchise figures. In truth, who wouldn’t be eager to discover what happens next not only to Klaus’ daughter, but also to Caroline’s children and beyond?

Regrettably, despite having its appealing aspects, the show “Legacies” didn’t quite match the success of its predecessors like “The Originals” or “The Vampire Diaries.” After four seasons in 2022, the series appeared to conclude, possibly marking the end of the franchise. With some distance, it’s now easier to ponder why “Legacies” didn’t quite measure up to its forerunners. Granted, there were noticeable flaws: the show featured a distinctly different mood compared to other series in the “Vampire Diaries” universe, had inconsistent plotlines, and boasted a complicated supernatural setup that was often hard to follow. However, one significant factor contributed to “Legacies” failing to click as expected: its main character, Hope.

It’s possible that the main issue with the show “Legacies” lies in the character of Hope Mikaelson, portrayed by Danielle Rose Russell. Despite an intriguing concept – a daughter of one of “The Vampire Diaries'” most cherished characters, who also possesses unique potential as the only Tribrid (werewolf-witch-vampire) – Hope’s character development falls short.

Initially, Hope came across as unlikable and her character didn’t evolve significantly throughout the series. The show seemed to embrace her difficult nature, portraying her as defensive, overly confident, and often at odds with others. This behavior, while somewhat understandable given her father Klaus’s similar arrogance, lacked the balance of charisma and charm that Klaus possessed. Hope, unfortunately, lacked these appealing qualities.

Instead of developing Hope’s character through more positive traits, “Legacies” chose to entwine her with endless traumas, which only served to amplify her negative tendencies. This approach may have been intended to provide a complex backstory, but it unfortunately resulted in a character that viewers found hard to connect with.

In the initial phases of “Legacies”, it appears that the narrative was primarily focused on inflicting more pain and trauma onto Hope. Her relationship with Landon, initially promising, takes a series of tragic turns as he dies, returns as a phoenix, and ultimately requires her to take his life to halt Malivore’s destruction. This pattern of Landon’s death recurs, further aggravating Hope’s emotional turmoil each time. Essentially, “Legacies” seemed to revolve around the turbulent relationship between Hope and Landon, with plots crafted to distress the characters rather than foster their development.

Although this formula could have been somewhat effective if it had resulted in Hope gaining insights or maturing from her repeated traumatic experiences, that was not the case. Instead of utilizing the hardships as an opportunity for Hope to rely on others, the series intensified her unique status as the Tribrid and persistently portrayed her as rejecting help, regardless of the consequences. This lack of character growth for Hope not only hindered her development but also undermined the authenticity of subplots involving other characters.

By the time Season 4 rolled around, the series had begun to correct its trajectory and focus on developing Hope’s emotional growth, along with her connections with those she considered friends. Regrettably, when Hope was finally starting to evolve beyond her bratty persona and the stories were becoming more engaging for characters other than Hope Mikaelson, the show Legacies was approaching its conclusion. The series was ultimately terminated, resulting in an ending that seemed hasty and suggested Hope had rapidly acquired a significant amount of emotional intelligence over a short period.

In essence, the show “Legacies” failed to fully realize its potential due to several factors. Initially, it faced high expectations following the success of its predecessors. However, it struggled right from the start by over-extending the supernatural universe and attempting a “monster-of-the-week” format that never quite gelled together. Despite issues with tone, pace, and storyline, “Legacies” could have been successful if it had focused more on its main character. Unfortunately, Hope Mikaelson was static and lacked the same fan connection as her previous incarnation. Her stagnancy actually hindered the creation of stronger characters and narratives. Though she was the central figure, Hope needed significant growth before she could truly take center stage. Consequently, “Legacies” suffered because of this.

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2025-03-03 08:09