As THE ORIGINALS heads into its final season, we begin with all of our favorite vampires, witches, werewolves and humans scattered around the globe. Of course, things won’t stay that way for long, but there’s a reason why all of our characters have separated. Seven years ago in the timeline of the show (at the end of last season), the four remaining Mikaelson siblings (Klaus, Elijah, Kol and Rebekah) took the power of the Hollow into themselves in order to save Hope, who was being possessed by the malevolent spirit. But in order to save Hope, they had ensure that they never spent time together again, as the Hollow could be unleashed if they reunited.
When season 5 begins, Hope is now a teenager and everyone will descend again on New Orleans, but it’s going to take a little while for that to happen. So where are all of the Mikaelsons and their allies/frenemies at the start of the new season? Read on to find out.
Klaus has returned to his old life as a blood-thirsty monster, ripping out a bouncer’s heart when he won’t let him into a club. Being away from his family — specifically, his brother Elijah — has removed all of the calming influences on his life, causing him to unleash his evil upon the world. He’s also kept his distance from Hope, electing not to see, or speak to, his daughter. As you can see in photos for the premiere, he will, however, come face-to-face with someone from his past: Caroline Forbes. She’s called on to try and put him back on the straight-and-narrow. But will she succeed?
Hope has grown from a child into a teenager and she’s spent many years at Caroline and Alaric’s school for extraordinary children. But she’s been engaging in a few illicit activities, one of which results in her returning to her mother, Hayley, and New Orleans. It’s clear that she misses her family, particularly her father, but her options to spend time with them are incredibly limited.
Hayley has remained in New Orleans, even as Hope boarded at the school. She’s still the alpha of the werewolves and, along with Vincent, Josh and Freya, is keeping control of the city in general. In the sneak peek below, we can see that the group are gathering in preparation for Mardi Gras and are updating each other as to where their various factions are. Peace has existed in the city for the last seven years, but — as Vincent points out — they have fought for that peace and shouldn’t take it for granted. In fact, what Hope does at school has a large ripple effect throughout the city in general. Hayley is also dating a new man — Declan. He’s an Irish chef who seems unaware of the supernatural happenings in the city.
Freya is still desperate to solve the problem that is keeping the Mikaelson siblings apart and is determined to reunite with Klaus, Kol and Rebekah. Unfortunately, she can’t figure out how to break the spell unless she can get everyone back together and she can’t get everyone back together without risking terrible calamity. And while she has remained in New Orleans and is living at the compound with Hayley, she’s being pulled in several directions. Her girlfriend, Keelin, is with the army in Lebanon and wants Freya to come over and stay with her because the couple have been apart for a long time.
Marcel and Rebekah have spent the last seven years together and are in New York City when the season begins. They’re in love and Marcel even proposes to Rebekah in the premiere. But is she prepared to tie herself to him?
Finally, Elijah is playing piano in a bar in France, still unaware of his past as a Mikaelson. But Klaus can’t stop himself from visiting his brother, even as blood pours from faucets and flowers wilt if they spend too much time in each other’s presence.
Don’t miss the season premiere of THE ORIGINALS on Wednesday, March 18 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on The CW.
