Not So 'Original', But...

When it comes to film and television productions for the last few years there's no shortage of options that include vampires and wolves. Which is why I'm always amazed as to how well yet another movie or series filled with bloodsucking and neck biting creatures is always a hit. 

I'll admit I was a bit late to the bandwagon. I wasn't quick to jump on board with the Twilight or Vampire Diaries crazes. It all seemed to follow along the same old plot: boy vampire falls for human girl, and he must protect her and his family line from other vicious vampires and worrisome wolves. 

I started off faithful to Vampire Diaries and even watched the first two Twilight films, but I soon lost interest in continuing because it just seemed like the same ole recycled material. That's until recently one of my friends put me on to the series The Originals. 

[Source: Warner Bros. Television]

I was visiting my friend one day while she was binge watching a vampire show on Netflix; and honestly, there was a handsome vampire, Marcellus, that caught my eye (I'm a sucker for a fine actor). Anyway, this Marcellus guy was not only fine, but his character seemed both loyal and powerful. So I inquired about what we were watching and before I knew it, I was four episodes deep with her into season two and completely hooked. It didn't hurt that there was also another fine witch/vampire named Vincent, played by Yusuf Gatewood, to seal the deal that I must continue to watch this show. 

That night I went home and found the series on Netflix and it took me only three days to binge watch all four seasons. To say I was hooked would be an understatement: this series took the typical storyline and creatively added twists, turns, and emotional roller coasters that no other vampire production had ever sparked within me. 

The story centers around bad boy vampire NiKlaus, who is an original vampire/werewolf hybrid that returns to his hometown New Orleans; the original family also helped build this town. Soon after his return he learns that the town is currently being run by a young man that is like a son to him, which he also turned into a vampire years ago (AKA Super Fine Marcel). 

Marcel's position of authority in New Orleans have many in the community all in their feelings, which causes major tension. So NiKlaus, his brother Elijah, NiKlaus' baby mama, and the rest of the original family siblings are set to take over their town by any means necessary (You really just have to watch it. It's a must see). 

So imagine my excitement and hurt when I read that The Originals cast are currently in the process of filming their fifth and final season.

*Pause* Did y'all hear me? I said FINAL.

[Source: Warner Bros. Television]

If you haven't had a chance to experience an episode with this all-star cast of vampires, wolves, witches, unlikely alliances, weird spells, and crazy human beings you are missing out. The series consists of so many love triangles, sibling rivalries, enemies becoming friends, and the struggles of loyalty amongst family— and don't even get me started on how some of these witches will jump from their original body into someone else's... so you just never know who's who and what's about to happen. It's like the Scandal of vampire television and I am here for every bit of it.

One moment you will love a character and the very next episode you may want someone to off him in cold blood. The Originals will easily get you caught up in it, and while each of them have the most cruel and vicious side to them, the writers have a way of also humanizing them in moments where you are almost teary-eyed. 

While the plot itself is not original, the storylines are and I absolutely love it. Saying farewell to this show is going to be a tough one for me, however, I'm still excited for season five. Now I just have to decide if I want to watch real time or binge watch on Netflix because I can't handle the suspense. Decisions, decisions... either way, I won't miss it. Neither should you.