Klaus’s claim to fame has always been that he was an island of one – or, at least in his own opinion. Emotions have been an inconvenient accessory that he chooses to let gather dust on a high shelf and only pull out for special occasions. Yet, we’ve seen him cave more than once in the interest of family, or loved ones – er, loved one, since that category is pretty much reserved for just Caroline (Candice Accola).
Elijah himself said that when their younger brother was killed, pre-vampire, by the werewolves, no one was more affected than Klaus. He loves the shock value of dismissing people that others make the mistake of assuming are important to him, but it’s hard to forget that this is the same guy who spent centuries toting his siblings around in coffins because he couldn’t lament the thought of losing track of them.
If you came into this show already a fan of The Vampire Diaries, none of this probably seems remarkably new to you. What was new were all the events happening behind-the-scenes during the original pilot in a very ‘Edward’s version of Twilight’ way. If you haven’t watched an episode of TVD before, then you may not get the entire “closet sensitive guy” aspect of the character right away, but it’s only a matter of time before it eclipses the narrative of The Originals.
Even as you watch Klaus put Elijah in his place, in a matter of speaking, viewers are privy to a vulnerable side of Klaus that isn’t always apparent on the surface. He may have been speaking to Elijah, but he’s really talking to himself. Klaus isn’t fooling anyone now. He is clearly emotionally invested in this entire situation; otherwise, he would have tucked his tail between his legs in the cockiest way possible, and ran back to Mystic Falls claiming that Marcel (Charles Michael Davis) wasn’t worth his time. He is exactly where he wants to be.
Even without Caroline around to nudge his moral compass in the right direction, Klaus will probably do alright on his own. The strange choice to have Elijah take the helm on The Originals premiere was just that, a strange choice, meant to shake up what you thought you knew. The stage has clearly been set for Klaus to redefine himself as one of the good guys, and I for one look forward to seeing his redeeming qualities broadcasted episode after episode, all season long. The Vampire Diaries has found its replacement villain, and The Originals have found a new reason to put family first.
For the most part I really liked what The Originals tried to do in this episode by changing up the perceptive. It threw me off because it wasn’t what I expected, but ultimately it gave viewers what they wanted without being repetitive to the point of wasting anyone’s time. I think there’s a little something for everyone within the confines of this show. Viewers, regardless of whether or not they were already fans of the Originals, won’t be disappointed.
Was the official series premiere of The Originals everything you wanted it to be? Let us know in the comment section below!
Until next episode.