TV REVIEW: The Originals “Live and Let Die”

By Erin Resnick

I generally have one rule when it comes to shows: do not get involved in “shipping.” It’s all right if you enjoy a pairing of characters, whether real or not, but sometimes it can get out of hand. Many fans lose sight of a television show when they become obsessive in focusing on one couple and many times, especially with social media at play, it can become dangerous. Shows are much more fun and interactive when we converse about the many different aspects our favorite 22-42 minute programs produce.

That said, The Originals has me in a bit of a conundrum because I love everything about the new pairing of vampire Josh and newcomer werewolf Aiden (and not just because I miss the coincidentally same named characters from Being Human). An introduction of a gay, interspecies couple is a welcomed opportunity to push the show to new boundaries, especially where The Vampire Diaries (and many other shows) have failed in the past.

But before I spend the next 500 words gushing about my new favorite “ship,” let’s discuss Monday night’s episode “Live and Let Die.”

Though Marcel was proud of himself for producing a brand new vampire army, he couldn’t foresee the problems they were about to face as Esther had decided to sic the wolves on them. New wolf leader Aiden advised Marcel and the vampires to learn their place or he wouldn’t be so nice the next time around.

Over in the French Quarter, Cami was using Finncent, acting as her advisor, as a therapist and Elijah and Hayley were throwing sass back and forth at each other. Elijah was anxious to find Klaus, but he was too busy recruiting Cami in the middle of a parade to help him track down Davina and Mikael.

Meanwhile, Davina had snuck Mikael out to her cabin in the woods to hide after the mess he had caused in the Quarter. Instead of lying low, Davina decided she wanted Mikael to Mr. Miyagi her and demanded he help her learn to fight. Unfortunately, her ankle didn’t hold up during the lesson.

Over in the popular cemetery, Finncent had called a meeting with Aiden and the wolves. He expressed his desire to create a new army, which included the recruitment of children with the werewolf gene (hey, remember when werewolves were supposedly super rare and most vampires didn’t even think they still existed?), which angered even Aiden as he and Hayley decided to appeal to Elijah and Marcel to help right the wrong.

Back in the woods, Davina decided the best person to help her recover from her ankle was not Mikael and his vampire blood, but Koleb and his magical herbs and hot body. The two flirted, but it was info Koleb was after at the behest of his mother. As Davina slept, Koleb snooped around, finally coming face-to-face with Mikael. Instead of outing his true identity, he made a deal with Mikael to unlink him from Davina’s spelled bracelet.

Back in the city, the wolves and vampires teamed up to save the children from having to murder anyone to activate their curse. Oliver promptly helped Elijah massacre a ton of wolves, but Finncent and Esther were no match as it was Elijah they had been after all along.

After some drinking, flirting, and dancing, Klaus and Cami were able to track down Mikael, now free from Davina. The two went head-to-head as Mikael came inches from staking Klaus with the White Oak stake. Luckily, Klaus had a handy tool of his own, the dagger that lodged itself into the body to produce pure agony. Klaus decided to spare his father, but Mikael was secretly able to remove the dagger before any permanent damage could be done.

With the werewolf children safe, Josh was able to settle down and go on his first (not) Tinder date. It was no surprise as the familiar face of Aiden sat down next to him, reciprocating his feelings.

Esther confessed her wish to reunite the family to a chained and bloodied Elijah (RIP another flawless suit). But what was “purifying” Elijah going to entail?

Things we need to discuss:

• The End. Nothing else matters and we can all go home now.

• “As a devout feminist, I refuse to say that you hit like a girl” – Elijah, the truest of all vampire gentlemen. Was that literal heart squishing between him and Gia a sign of a new “ship” as well?

• Did I mention Jaiden?