Who’s Holding the Cards? The Originals “Rebirth” 

It would be somewhat amazing if we could kick every episode of The Originals off with a recap from Auntie Bex and Baby Hope. Ushering in a new season of mayhem and carnage, The Originals season two premiered Monday night and we were treated to the wandering Original, Rebekah, putting Klaus and Hayley’s daughter down with a sweet bed time story about how her father will reclaim his kingdom.

And not a moment too soon. After months as a shut in of the compound, Klaus has waited uncharacteristically patiently for Elijah to track down the 12 moonlight rings that steal Klaus’s power on the full moon. While Klaus could have used that time constructively to plot against the reigning Guerrera werewolves, it isn’t until he pays Marcel a visit that he puts two and two together. Just as he’s been hiding out until he has a weapon worth using to get the upper hand, Francesca and her cronies are doing the same. The weapon in question? The White Oak Stake, of course, which is missing. Upon realizing the Guerrera clan doesn’t have the stake, Klaus immediately jumps into action and calls together Elijah, Hayley, Marcel and an older vampire, Joe, to systematically dismantle the werewolves carrying the moonlight rings and restore Klaus to full power.

While that’s the bulk of the episode, it wouldn’t be The Originals without some teasing little subplots to lay the groundwork for later. Like say, Davina keeping Mikael prisoner in the attic of the church? (They should really just turn that room into a comfy dungeon since no one does anything there but be held against their will.) While they didn’t dwell on when or how Davina will unleash Mikael on Klaus, there are a few tidbits worth gnawing over. Davina just happens to be in possession of the White Oak Stake, via Mikael. Nothing like holding all the cards when no one realizes you’re even playing. Even more importantly, Davina is pouring over Esther’s spell books to find a way to unlink an Original’s sire line. Meaning, she can rip Klaus a new one without sacrificing Josh or Marcel in the process. I have to say I’m glad and intrigued they got back to this particular element of Original lore. First revealed on The Vampire Diaries, once an Original is staked with the White Oak Stake, all other vampires sired from that blood line also perish. Too often tricky little rules like that fall by the wayside. But in this case, they aren’t brushing it off and it’s going to make for an interesting balancing act to see who can die first in the weeks ahead.

This week’s “Rewind” moment has to go to Hayley losing it on Baby Hope’s nursery. While she was able to kill Francesca herself (bye bye, you coward Francesca), the act of murdering without a relief to her grief stuck a heavy chord with Hayley. While just a few short months ago, she was a mother with something to protect, now she’s just a monster, as she points out to Elijah. He feebly attempts to soothe her until she throws one unavoidable fact in his face. They, too, have changed. He no longer looks at her as something to love. (I’m paraphrasing.) Unable to deny it, Elijah does the only thing he can. He prods Klaus to comfort Hayley, as he is the only one who can know what she’s truly going through. Perhaps in pushing his brother to comfort the woman he loves, Elijah may get what he’s wanted for 1,000 years: Klaus’s redemption.

Other Original Moments of Note

Thank you to Josh for reminding us of the whole purpose of the plot. He asks Marcel point blank “What are we fighting for?” He says what we’ve all been thinking. “It’s nuts. And all for a few measly blocks of real estate?” Well said, young Josh. Why don’t any of them just collect Baby Hope and leave the Quarter to crumble on its own? But Marcel reminds Josh that their blood runs through the city and they are not fighting for scraps of land. “We’re fighting for the soul of this city.”

Cami, trying fruitlessly again to pull out of the supernatural web, calls it off with bed buddy Marcel. Methinks her efforts will go unrewarded….just a hunch.

Esther is stuck in Cassie’s teenage body, alongside her favorite son Finn, who is posing as Cami’s new graduate advisor. Finn and Esther are making under the radar moves. The unexpected twist in their plan? Kol wearing a new boy in town Kaleb mask, all poised to cozy up to Davina. Surprise!

Can we PLEASE have an Elijah moment every week where he oh-so-casually outsmarts an enemy? Elijah is at his best using that calm-before-the-murderous-storm tone in his voice. The one where you know you’re about to have your throat ripped out, but he’s so damn civil beforehand. I actually laughed with delight and glee when he stepped into Francesca’s home, teasing her as he meticulously wiped blood off his fingers. More, please.

The Originals airs Mondays at 8/7c on the CW.