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Friday, April 26, 2013

#TVD "The Originals" reactions and reviews

UPDATE: http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/04/26/cw-orders-vampire-diaries-spinoff-renews-two-dramas/
The Vampire Diaries spinoff dubbed The Originals was ordered to series by the CW.

On Thursday, the Diaries’ spinoff averaged 2.2 million viewers and a 0.9 among adults 18-49 — down 31 percent from The Vampire Diaries‘ average this season. But the CW gives equal attention to a show’s impact in social media and online streaming, which is why CW topper Mark Pedowitz released this statement: “As soon as we saw last night’s episode of The Vampire Diaries, we knew we wanted more of The Originals. Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson have done a fantastic job with The Vampire Diaries, which is as fast-paced and well-written as ever, and Julie has created an equally compelling world for The Originals.”



You can find a recap here or here or here.

Hollywood Life was fully on board with this potential spin-off. "If The CW doesn’t pick up this spin-off, it would be a crime against television."

TV.com was impressed with "The Originals" as well, saying, "As an individual episode, ‘The Originals’ managed to introduce a new world and a handful of new characters, while recontextualizing our relationship with a villain-turned-lead. That's not easy to pull off."

Fans can expect a decision next month on whether or not The CW will move forward with "The Originals" as a series. Meanwhile, "The Vampire Diaries" continues on Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET.

The Vampire Diaries 4×20 Guest stars:

Joseph Morgan as Klaus;
Claire Holt as Rebekah;
Daniel Gillies as Elijah;
Charles Michael Davis as Marcel;
Daniella Pineda as Sophie;
Phoebe Tonkin as Hayley.

Joseph, Daniel, and Charles Michael Davis were the stand-outs - not only having the biggest share of screen time, but the juiciest words to act with. It's not easy to match Klaus onscreen, but Marcel was perfect. Excellent casting. He has the charisma to easily pull off being King of New Orleans, a feat quite impressive in a vampire only 100 years old.

Am I looking forward to an Originals series? Yup! Fans should especially tune in for Daniel Gillies as Elijah. He's exceptional, and not just on TVD, but I love him playing a very different character on the Canadian medical drama Saving Hope, too. (The English accent also helps.) And how loved is Joseph Morgan/Klaus? The April 22-May 5, 2013 issue of TV Guide has the Fan Favorites. Klaus won for Favorite Villain.

If The Originals goes to air, it'll include Danielle Campbell as Davina and Leah Pipes as Camille. TVD films in Georgia, so cost-wise, it'd be smartest for Originals to also be there and visit NO when they need to. Also easier for crossovers.

It's too early in the day for ratings to come out, so I'll update with those later.

What say you, TVD fans? Did you like ep. 20?

Thursday, April 25, 2013

"The Originals" Pilot

Tonight is The Vampire Diaries episode that serves as the back-door pilot for "The Originals", a spin-off series about the Original Vampires on the show.

Behind the scenes video.

Episode summary:

"The Originals"
KLAUS RETURNS TO HIS PAST IN NEW ORLEANS — Acting on a mysterious tip that a plot is brewing against him in New Orleans, Klaus makes a trip to the town he and his family helped build. Klaus’ questions lead him to a reunion with his former protégé, Marcel (guest star Charles Michael Davis), a charismatic vampire who has total control over the human and supernatural inhabitants of New Orleans. Determined to help his brother find redemption, Elijah follows Klaus and soon learns that Hayley (guest star Phoebe Tonkin) 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 (guest star Daniella Pineda). Meanwhile, in Mystic Falls, Damon and Stefan continue with their plan for Elena, while Katherine reveals a surprising vulnerability to Rebekah and asks her to deliver a message. Chris Grismer directed the episode written by Julie Plec.

If this does well, a series for The Originals could be part of The CW line-up this fall. I'll be back with a second post tomorrow with reviews and ratings.