The Originals: A Spinoff That Outshines The Vampire Diaries!

When the TV network The CW announced a spinoff of its successful series “The Vampire Diaries,” focusing on the ancient Mikaelson siblings, many viewers initially scoffed at what appeared to be an attempt to capitalize on a well-liked franchise. However, something extraordinary transpired when “The Originals” premiered in 2013 – this spinoff swiftly proved itself not just as equivalent to its predecessor but often surpassing it in nearly every aspect. The character development of Klaus Mikaelson, who was a captivating villain in “Vampire Diaries,” into a multidimensional anti-hero driving his own storyline became one of television’s most intriguing character transformations. In contrast to “The Vampire Diaries” that delved into increasingly convoluted love triangles and doppelgänger narratives for eight seasons, “The Originals” offered a more mature, well-thought-out universe filled with supernatural politics, family drama, and moral dilemmas.

Moving from the small-town high school ambiance of Mystic Falls to the lively, historically significant New Orleans gave a fresh spin to the mythology of the franchise. The Originals skillfully intertwined supernatural elements with genuine challenges, crafting tales where immortal characters faced substantial struggles beyond teenage love stories. The show’s portrayal of the unbreakable bond between the Mikaelson siblings offered a deep emotional layer that its predecessor often missed, particularly in later seasons. With both series now concluded, it’s apparent that the successor outperformed the mentor — The Originals offered a more consistent, mature, and ultimately fulfilling supernatural drama than The Vampire Diaries could ever accomplish.

A More Dynamic and Layered Setting

In “The Originals,” rather than just providing a charming setting for teenage vampire stories like Mystic Falls did in “The Vampire Diaries,” New Orleans emerged as a character itself, offering a far more intriguing canvas for storytelling. Its deep history, lively culture, and well-established supernatural community provided a rich tapestry of complexity that was lacking in the small-town dynamics of Mystic Falls. Instead of feeling constrained by its small-town limitations, New Orleans offered authentic depth – various supernatural groups competing for power, ancient conflicts simmering beneath the surface, and an undeniable sense of place that “The Vampire Diaries” couldn’t replicate.

The charming, historical streets of the French Quarter, filled with jazz music, set the ideal mood for tales of vampire lore. Notably, the show’s writers skillfully wove the city’s true multicultural heritage into its supernatural storyline, giving it a sense of authenticity rather than just serving as a backdrop. The Originals masterfully depicted how the Mikaelson family had influenced the city over generations and how their arrival disrupted existing power dynamics among vampires, witches, werewolves, and humans, creating a complex political scene that transcended ordinary teen dramas.

Superior Character Development

The TV series, “The Vampire Diaries,” often grappled with preserving consistent character growth, especially as the plot unfolded. Characters such as Elena Gilbert sometimes appeared to act according to storyline demands instead of staying true to their inherent traits, whereas some secondary characters were seldom given opportunities to grow or found themselves trapped in repetitive narratives. Conversely, “The Originals” provided its characters with the chance to develop significantly while still holding onto their essential characteristics.

In my perspective as a movie reviewer, Klaus Mikaelson’s transformation from ruthless antagonist to loving father felt authentic and well-paced, never appearing forced or unjustified. His connection with his siblings, particularly his intricate bond with Elijah, added layers of emotional intensity that transcended romantic entanglements. Characters like Marcel Gerard and Vincent Griffith were given careful, multi-layered development, rather than being relegated to mere plot devices. Even characters who originated from The Vampire Diaries, such as Rebekah Mikaelson and Hayley Marshall, found new depth when released from the shackles of Mystic Falls’ soap opera-like drama.

A More Mature Approach to Storytelling

As a dedicated cinephile, I’ve always admired the evolution from “The Vampire Diaries” to “The Originals”. While the former stayed true to its young adult roots, the latter dared to venture into more mature storytelling. Instead of love triangles dominating the plot, family ties, strategic power plays, and moral quandaries became the focus. It wasn’t shy about delving into complex themes and gray areas of morality, creating a universe where right and wrong were seldom black and white.

In essence, the main struggle depicted in the series “The Originals” wasn’t about who Elena would end up with romantically, but rather whether a family marked by violence and deceit could find forgiveness through love and selflessness. The show delved into debates on nature versus nurture, the impact of past wounds, and the potential for transformation after centuries of gloom. These heavier topics lent “The Originals” a complexity that was sometimes absent in the later seasons of “The Vampire Diaries“.

Embracing Diversity and Representation

The Vampire Diaries has faced valid criticism for its insufficient representation of characters of different ethnicities and underrepresentation of their stories. On the other hand, The Originals, though not without flaws, took considerable strides in this aspect. The backdrop of New Orleans facilitated a more diverse ensemble, and the series provided substantial plots and growth opportunities for characters from various origins.

In the series, characters such as Marcel Gerard and Vincent Griffith weren’t just filler figures but essential components of the storyline, each possessing their own autonomy and narrative trajectories. The show’s portrayal of New Orleans’ distinctive cultural legacy, encompassing its Voodoo traditions and Creole heritage, provided an authentic depth that surpassed the uniformly conventional Mystic Falls depicted in ‘The Vampire Diaries’.

Stronger Season-to-Season Consistency

In my humble opinion as a movie critic, what truly set “The Originals” apart from its precursor, “The Vampire Diaries,” was its unwavering narrative coherence. You see, “The Vampire Diaries,” which spanned an impressive eight seasons, unfortunately experienced noticeable drops in quality, especially post-Nina Dobrev’s exit in Season 6. The storylines grew increasingly complex, with fresh supernatural perils popping up seemingly out of the blue and character development often veering into the bizarre.

Throughout its five-season span, The Originals consistently adhered to a clear vision in its storytelling, despite occasional weaker episodes. The quality generally remained steady, and the series always stayed true to its central themes and character development. By bringing the show to an end after five seasons, The Originals skillfully sidestepped the narrative exhaustion that characterized the later years of The Vampire Diaries, wrapping up its storyline while it was still brimming with creative energy.

A More Satisfying Conclusion

In summary, both shows concluded with poignant character deaths and emotional resolutions; however, The Originals delivered a more unified and thematically fulfilling finale. The selfless sacrifice shared by Klaus and Elijah symbolized the climax of their millennia-long relationship, offering a suitable ending to their narrative of redemption, woven intricately around family love.

In simpler terms, the final episode of “The Vampire Diaries” was pleasing to many viewers, but it leaned heavily on old references and convenient endings. Bringing back Dobrev as Elena was nice, but the hasty conclusions for several characters fell short. On the other hand, “The Originals” took the time to give proper goodbyes to its main characters, respecting their growth over the series.

The Legacy of Both Shows

It’s crucial to recognize that The Originals might not have come into being without The Vampire Diaries. This is because the latter laid the foundation for the world, introduced the Mikaelson family, and cultivated the fanbase that ultimately paved the way for The Originals. Many of the aspects that made The Originals successful, such as Joseph Morgan’s captivating portrayal of Klaus, were initially nurtured on The Vampire Diaries.

The shows in question have made a lasting impact on supernatural TV and retain a steady fanbase via streaming services. Remarkably, they’ve even produced another offshoot series, “Legacies,” extending the world initially established in “The Vampire Diaries.” However, when considering the two originals side-by-side, it’s “The Originals” that demonstrates a more refined, mature, and coherent narrative — an exceptional instance of a spinoff surpassing its parent series.

2025-03-09 17:12