Talk About a Flood. Review: The Originals – “Après, Moi, le Deluge”

Season 1, Episode 11

Air Date: Thursday, January 21, 2014, 8/7c on The CW.

RATING: ★★★★★

“Why does any witch do anything?” – Klaus

Surprise, surprise. I wasn’t expecting such a great episode of The Originals after last week’s disappointing return. I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen for even a minute during “Après, Moi, le Deluge.” So much intrigue, such an engaging storyline, and it all begins with a history of witches. Bet you can’t guess what this episode is about. I wanted more once the hour was up. I can’t wait to see what happens next week as a new quartet of witches enters the scene.

Observations and thoughts:

“Kill a demon today, face the devil tomorrow.” Rebekah (Claire Holt) is the only sibling to think about every facet of a plan before executing it. But even she misses the mark sometimes. Rebekah is allowing her endgame to clutter her thoughts. She’s focusing on getting revenge against her brother and trying to save the life of a young witch. Only those things don’t go hand in hand. So how does she choose? Oh, right … “Survival first, plots to overthrow my brother, second.” Silly me. The girl has her priorities straight. Too bad she doesn’t have an ally. Holt pulls it off yet again, showing how shrewd Rebekah can be amongst the boys.

Not their best plan.

“… and we all saw it burnt to the ground. Twice. I will not let that happen again.” So maybe Klaus (Joseph Morgan) has a heart after all. He loves the city they built and doesn’t want to see it come to harm. But at what expense? Klaus is always painted as the bad guy, yet he’s not exactly evil to the core. His thought process is a bit convoluted but he’s planning to reach a solution the only way he can. Who cares if he steps on some toes or alienates himself? Klaus is all about his endgame. He wants power and he’ll get it. I just don’t know what else he’ll have once he achieves it.

The sexual tension between Hayley (Phoebe Tonkin) and Elijah (Daniel Gillies) is thicker than I realized. I felt like turning away from my TV screen during their almost kiss. I seriously thought I was intruding upon a private moment between two lovers. Hayley is so open to the idea of being with Elijah; Elijah is running from what’s in front of him because of what he once had. But as Hayley says, “I won’t choose the dead over the living, so why are you?” She has a point. There’s no reason to dwell in a past that can’t be repeated. Is loving Hayley going to be a challenge? Of course, but what better way for Elijah to shine through and show his true colors. I think the writers have chosen a fantastic way to bring love to a man who feels he’s no longer susceptible to a great love. Would I have chosen Hayley to fill that role? Probably not, but someone has to take care of Klaus’ baby mama. Why not keep it in the family.

Random thoughts:

Marcel (Charles Michael Davis) is no longer the big bad vampire he used to be. He’s open to so much more emotion now. He cries, begs, and bends over backwards to please others. What’s happened to him? “I’m done caring what Klaus says.” Sure.

The special effects rock! As Davina (Danielle Campbell) battles a new illness, everything that happens to her is extreme. I have to give credit where credit is due. I’ve never seen someone vomit dirt before. Freaky, yes, but also well done. Now, if only the witches’ bones looked more lifelike.

Look who’s the last one standing.

Sophie (Daniella Pineda) puts her foot in her mouth. I’m so tired of this witch, I can’t even tell you. I really wish she would vanish into thin air. She’s not helpful at all. Sophie claims to know everything there is to know about her ancestors and all things witchy, yet she doesn’t sense the subterfuge happening right under her nose. Shouldn’t witches know the members of their coven? I’m beyond disappointed in her. Yeah, she gets my sympathy in her plight to save her niece but other than that … “If it means I get my niece Monique back, I can handle it.” We see how that turns out. Not a twist I was expecting. Even watching the episode a second time, I still didn’t see it coming. Well played, writers. Well played.

Gillies is a scene stealer. His charisma oozes throughout a scene, wrapping you up in his essence. With a look, a whispered sentence, a cautious approach, he makes Elijah come alive. He’s quickly overtaking Klaus as my favorite character.

I’m inclined to applaud Davis for his heart wrenching delivery of Marcel’s pain. He’s coming along nicely in this role and I look forward to seeing where his character goes next. Marcel won’t handle his grief easily, and I suspect Klaus will have some part in how Marcel heals.

Memorable and funny lines:

Klaus: “Dead, old, young or alive, witches are a pain in the ass.”

Elijah to Hayley: “You don’t have to eavesdrop; I keep nothing from you.”

Elijah: “Not a people person, are we, Nicklaus?”

Klaus: “Nonsense, I love people.”

Rebekah to Sophie: “Sometimes what’s more important is not who you’re siding with, but who you’re siding against.”

Hayley to Elijah: “I live in the now. If I feel something, I act; if I want something, I take it.”

What more does Father K have to gain in this situation?

“Après, Moi, le Deluge” ends with an interesting twist. One I didn’t see coming, and one that will ensure exciting times are ahead. Marcel will live through his rage; Sabine (Shannon Kane) will show her true colors; and the Originals will learn about their new enemy. And hey, if you saw that twist coming, I’d love to know how you figured it out. Drop me a line in the comments below if you wanna chat, or hit me up on Twitter @ellemoe to discuss the show.

Tune in to The Originals, Tuesdays at 8/7c only on The CW. For more on the show, visit the official site.

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Elle

Writer, mother, realist, cloud lover, daydreamer, dessert enthusiast, sweet tea addict, perfectionist, and lover of life and Christ, but not in that order. http://www.fanfiction.net/~vikingloverelle