The Originals review – 2×05: ‘Red Door’

With the help of flashbacks, we learn about Elijah’s (Daniel Gillies) violent past. Will he be able to hold out against his mother’s mental torture?

Let’s bitch it out…

One of the great things that The Originals does as a spin off is that it doesn’t deny where it came from. In fact, its almost the opposite with The Vampire Diaries and The Originals. The writers aren’t afraid to do cross overs between the two shows. They understand that the viewers watch because we like what we know from The Vampire Diaries, so why would they deny that to us in the spin off? Last season we got Tyler (Michael Trevino) in New Orleans for a few episodes, and we saw Klaus (Joseph Morgan) return to Mystic Falls to see Caroline (Candice Accola).

When I heard that Nina Dobrev would be guest starring on The Originals, I wasn’t quite sure what business Elena would have with Klaus and co. in New Orleans. I should’ve known that her stint on the show would be as a doppleganger. This series is built on dopplegangers so why not the one that we know the least about. Honestly, when we learned of Tatia (Nina Dobrev) and Silas (Paul Wesley) on The Vampire Diaries, I was so tired of the doppleganger business and couldn’t believe there was a THIRD set of dopplegangers that I didn’t pay too much attention to their story. Luckily, when we revisit Tatia in Elijah’s memories, they don’t really delve in to the fact that she’s a doppleganger, but instead of what she meant to Elijah. Perfect. THIS I can get in to.

Except there isn’t much to get in to. We are supposed to believe that she was Elijah’s first love and his first real kill. But I didn’t really get anything out of the flashbacks. It felt a little glossed over to me. I couldn’t really get in to the whole story. Maybe its because Nina Dobrev half attempting an accent with olde tyme language is just completely unbelievable. Maybe its the ridiculously bad hair on everyone. Whatever it is they were selling tonight, I certainly wasn’t buying it. We all know how much I love Elijah, but even I wasn’t in to it.

The one thing I got out of the flashback scenes is that Tatia described Elijah perfectly: strong but still gentle. This is the most accurate description of him possible. And that’s exactly what I saw in his present day scenes while chained up and exploring his past. He exudes power but yet is still a gentleman. <Sigh>.

Ok. Klaus. I sincerely hope that this Mikael (Sebastian Roche) business doesn’t go on for weeks and weeks. How many times are we going to be forced to watch the same dance over and over? They fight, one tries to kill the other with the white oak stake, one runs away until they meet another day to do it all over again. I love Klaus storylines but we’ve been through all this on The Vampire Diaries. No need to reuse the storylines, please. So I’m hoping either this ends quickly or this has some higher meaning. Maybe the mother brought him back on purpose for some reason. Let’s hope anyway.

I just have to say it: Cami (Leah Pipes) and Klaus have the best sexual tension on the show. This has been a slow burn since the first episode and I love it. I love them. This is almost better than them actually getting together. This is one story I’m happy they are drawing out.

Other Observations:

• Not sure if it was just me… but all I could think of when Elijah was chasing Tatia towards the red door is Fifty Shades of Grey. (Ok second thing. The real first thing I thought was how good he looked!) This gives red room of pain an entirely different meaning. I wonder if that was intentional.
• I loved the little insight in to Elijah’s psyche about why he always looks impeccable in a suit. Leave it to mama to get down to the real talk.
• I’m confused as to why Hayley (Phoebe Tonkin) chose to save Klaus over Elijah. I understand why Marcel (Charles Michael Davis) made that decision since killing Klaus is essentially killing him. But why Hayley? She can barely stand Klaus half the time yet she has some weird love for Elijah and she chooses Klaus first. Interesting. I’m offended on Elijah’s behalf so I hope he has a problem with it when he finds out as well.
• Davina (Danielle Campbell) is such a waste. I know we need a resident witch and she’s it, but wow she’s useless. Yet somehow she walks around like she’s queen of the world. When she was first introduced as a character, no way did I think I would still be putting up with her in season two. I get it – she saved Klaus tonight in the nick of time, but let’s not forget that he was only in that position because she made the bonehead move of bringing Mikael back from the dead. Let’s just all make sure we remember that and add it to the list of stunts she has pulled, shall we?

So what did you think of the episode? Do you think Elijah will survive his mother’s mental torture? Do you think Klaus will find him in time? Sound off below!

The Originals airs on Monday nights at 8pm EST on the CW.