Plot Synopsis

When Klaus Mikaelson, the original vampire-werewolf hybrid, receives a mysterious tip that a plot is brewing against him in the supernatural melting pot that is the French Quarter of New Orleans, he returns to the city his family helped build. Klaus' questions lead him to a reunion with his diabolical former protege, Marcel, a charismatic vampire who has total control over the human and supernatural inhabitants of New Orleans. Determined to help his brother, Elijah, find redemption, Elijah follows Klaus and soon learns that the werewolf Hayley, Klaus' onetime flame, has also come to the French Quarter searching for clues to her family history, and has fallen into the hands of a powerful witch named Sophie. Tensions between the town's supernatural factions are nearing a breaking point as Marcel commands his devoted followers and rules with absolute power. For Klaus, the thought of answering to his powerful protege is unthinkable, and he vows to reclaim what was once his -- the power, the city and his family. While they wait to see if their sister Rebekah will leave Mystic Falls and join them, Klaus and Elijah form an uneasy alliance with the witches to ensure that New Orleans will be ruled by the Originals once again. Plus, when Sophie reveals to the brothers the almost unbelievable news that Hayley is carrying Klaus' unborn child, Elijah realizes that the Original family has been given a second chance at humanity and the redemption they desperately crave. As the first season came to a close, the werewolves decimated the vampire community, while the witches made a horrific assassination attempt against Klaus and Hayley's newborn daughter. This spinoff first aired as an episode ("The Originals") of THE VAMPIRE DIARIES on April 25, 2013. The CW aired the series premiere of THE ORIGINALS on Thursday, October 3, 2013 at 9pm ET/PT, moving to its normal time period on Tuesdays at 8pm ET/PT starting on October 8th. In the second season -- which premiered on Monday, October 6, 2014 at 8pm ET/PT -- Klaus and Elijah united against their resurrected mother, Esther, who tortured them with demons from their pasts in an effort to persuade them to surrender their vampire bodies and become mortal. Esther, however, was only the harbinger, as Klaus learned that a long-standing curse had marked Hope for a life of isolation and terror at the hands of Esther's sister, the witch Dahlia. In his quest to defeat Dahlia and protect his daughter, Klaus showed little mercy, destroying bonds with even his closest allies as he fought to get close enough to Dahlia to kill her. Eliminating Dahlia came at a great cost to the family, leaving Klaus isolated, Elijah furious and Hayley cursed to roam the bayou in her wolf form, separated from her daughter once again. Season 3 of THE ORIGINALS premiered on Thursday October 8, 2015 at 9pm ET/PT on The CW. Despite the family turmoil, Season 3 finds the French Quarter enjoying a new semblance of supernatural peace. Having taken up the prestigious mangle of Regent to the witches, the rebellious Davina rules with an iron fist, refusing to allow any magical favors for vampires -- even her longtime friend Marcel, who is making his way back to his former glory as vampire king of New Orleans. The long-lost Mikaelson sister, Freya, is working to rebuild the family she has always dreamed of, while enjoying her newfound freedom and relishing in New Orleans's night life. Meanwhile, the Mikaelson brothers are estranged, and given that Hayley and her pack continue to suffer mightily at the hands of Klaus' petty vengeance, Elijah refuses to entertain the idea of forgiving his brother. Still, Klaus remains on his best behavior, focusing on his art and attending regular therapy sessions with Cami. The relative quiet, however, comes to an end when Vincent and Cami find themselves caught up in a surprising mystery involving the newest resident of New Orleans: Lucien, the first vampire ever sired by the Mikaelsons a thousand years ago. His arrival in the city shakes up the status quo for all of the supernatural factions, but none more so than the Originals themselves. Upon reuniting with Klaus, Lucien shares news of a prophecy that foretells a gruesome end to the Mikaelson family -- a prophecy that may leave the Originals unable to trust even their closest allies. Season 4 of THE ORIGINALS premiered on Friday, March 17, 2017 at 8pm ET/PT on The CW. The new season begins on the fifth anniversary of the Mikaelson family's greatest defeat. Although Marcel Gerrard has ushered in a new era of peace in the French Quarter, an army of unsired vampires has arrived seeking to bargain for the life of Marcel's infamous captive, the Original hybrid, Klaus. Meanwhile, the other Mikaelson siblings remain trapped in an enchanted sleep, with Hayley working tirelessly to find the means to revive them -- while also protecting her daughter, Hope. After a daring rescue, the Mikaelsons are reunited, only to find themselves faced with an even bigger threat: the revival of an ancient evil that has strong ties to their most vulnerable family member. After a devastating attack by this nightmarish entity, the Mikaelsons discover there is only one way to save themselves -- they must stand their ground in New Orleans and forge an alliance with the very enemies who hate them most, both Marcel and the leader of the New Orleans witches, Vincent Griffith. With the city of New Orleans consumed by a seemingly all-powerful cult hellbent on child kidnappings and ghastly rituals, Klaus must face his own inner demons as he struggles to become the father he never had to the child he is only now getting to know. With Hayley and Klaus focused on protecting their daughter, eldest brother Elijah must embrace his most ruthless aspect in order to become the family's lethal enforcer, putting him at odds with the rest of his family, including the woman he has come to love. And even as the family's loyalties are called into question, Freya will embark on her own deadly mission, vowing to destroy anyone who would threaten her siblings -- regardless of what she will have to do -- or whom she will have to sacrifice. Ultimately, the Mikaelsons will realize that they now face an enemy even more powerful than themselves, one with intimate knowledge of their family's greatest weakness. Upon learning the truth -- that their evil adversary cannot be killed -- the Mikaelson siblings will have no choice but to stand together -- even if this is to be their final battle. On Wednesday, April 18, 2018 at 9pm ET/PT, The CW premiered the fifth and finale season of THE ORIGINALS, which begins seven years after the core members of the Mikaelson family -- Klaus, Elijah, Rebekah (guest star Claire Holt) and Kol (guest star Nathaniel Buzolic) -- each absorb a quarter of the Hollow's dark energy and flee New Orleans in order to keep both their beloved city and young Hope (guest star Summer Fontana) safe. In the interim, Vincent and Josh preside over a Big Easy almost devoid of conflict, while Hayley and Freya watch Hope grow into a teenager, eventually opting to send her to the Salvatore School so that Caroline (guest star Candice King) can keep an eye on her. With Marcel following Rebekah out of town and Elijah stripped of his memory, the danger seems to be contained...until a sudden tragedy forces the siblings to return home. As the Mickaelsons return to New Orleans, bringing the pieces of a centuries old evil with them, it becomes clear that the closing chapter of this family saga will be as bloody and emotional as ever.
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Warner Bros. Home Entertainment provided me with a free copy of the DVD I reviewed in this Blog Post. The opinions I share are my own.

On Tuesday, October 2, 2018 Warner Bros. Home Entertainment released THE ORIGINALS: The Fifth and Final Season on DVD. Season 5 begins seven years after the core members of the Mikaelson family -- Klaus, Elijah, Rebekah and Kol -- each absorb a quarter of the Hollow's dark energy and flee New Orleans to keep their beloved city and young Hope safe. In the interim, Vincent and Josh preside over the Big Easy almost devoid of conflict, while Hayley and Freya watch Hope grow into a teenager, eventually opting to send her to the Salvatore School so that Caroline can keep an eye on her. With Marcel following Rebekah out of town and Elijah stripped of his memory, the danger seems to be contained...until a sudden tragedy forces the siblings to return home. As the Mickaelsons return to New Orleans, bringing the pieces of centuries old evil with them, it becomes clear that the closing chapter of this family saga will be as bloody and emotional as ever. Bring a final piece of The French Quarter home as you feast on all 13 one-hour episodes from season five, plus the 2017 Comic-Con panel, exclusive to DVD never-before-seen deleted scenes, and a hilarious gag reel. Buy and binge now! (Click the red "Buy DVDs" button on this page.)

SPECIAL FEATURES
- The Originals: 2017 Comic Con Panel
- Deleted Scenes
- Gag Reel