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The Best Episodes of The Originals

Every episode of The Originals ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of The Originals!

Binge this in 2d 16h•Peaking at 9.5/10

The Vampire Diaries spin-off that follows the Mikaelsons, a family of millennia-old, power-hungry vampires who want to reclaim the city they built, New Orleans, and dominate all those who have wronged them.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    The Originals Season 1 Episode 22 - From a Cradle to a Grave
    9.5/10(3644 votes)

    #1 - From a Cradle to a Grave

    S1:E22

    Hayley atempts to save her unborn baby from the witches. Francesca meets with Oliver and Jackson to decide the future of the werewolves in New Orleans.

    Director:Matthew Hastings
    Writer:Diane Ademu-John

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  2. The Originals Season 3 Episode 22 - The Bloody Crown
    9.5/10(2538 votes)

    #2 - The Bloody Crown

    S3:E22

    After months of thwarting off dangerous threats and deadly attacks, the Mikaelson siblings finally come face to face with the one person that could lead to their ultimate demise. With the stakes higher than ever and the compound overrun by an army of his oldest sworn enemies, Klaus is put on trial for centuries of atrocities he’s committed. Meanwhile, Marcel, who has been spiraling out of control following an act of betrayal by those closest to him, is stunned by the unexpected arrival of someone from his past. Finally, Elijah, Freya and Kol frantically search for a way to save their family before it’s too late.

    Director:Matthew Hastings
    Writers:Beau DeMayo, Diane Ademu-John

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  3. The Originals Season 1 Episode 21 - The Battle of New Orleans
    9.3/10(2377 votes)

    #3 - The Battle of New Orleans

    S1:E21

    Cami feels threatened, as Marcel rallies an army to take back control of the city.

    Director:Jeffrey G. Hunt
    Writers:Michael Narducci, Charlie Charbonneau

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  4. The Originals Season 4 Episode 13 - The Feast of All Sinners
    9.2/10(1746 votes)

    #4 - The Feast of All Sinners

    S4:E13

    The Mikaelsons find themselves out of options as they face the all-powerful and un-killable entity known as The Hollow. With the life of Hope at stake, Vincent proposes a final, desperate plan – one that will force Klaus, Elijah, Hayley, Rebekah and Freya to make the greatest sacrifice their family has ever endured. Season Finale.

    Director:Bethany Rooney
    Writer:Michael Narducci

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  5. The Originals Season 2 Episode 21 - Fire with Fire
    9.1/10(1726 votes)

    #5 - Fire with Fire

    S2:E21

    With the knowledge that he has been betrayed by his siblings, Klaus and an unlikely friend plan to get even with them.

    Director:David Straiton
    Writer:Michael Narducci

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  6. The Originals Season 2 Episode 22 - Ashes To Ashes
    9.1/10(1797 votes)

    #6 - Ashes To Ashes

    S2:E22

    With time running out, Klaus' ultimate plan to protect baby Hope at all costs continues to take shape.Source: CW

    Director:Matthew Hastings
    Writers:Christopher Hollier, Diane Ademu-John

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Originals

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  7. The Originals Season 3 Episode 9 - Savior
    9.1/10(1616 votes)

    #7 - Savior

    S3:E9

    When a dangerous affliction threatens to expose one of her siblings, Freya searches for a way to reverse the crippling curse even as she finds herself the target of The Strix's latest plan. Elsewhere, Klaus keeps a watchful eye over Cami while she attempts to help Detective Kinney, whose life has begun to spiral out of control as a result of Lucien's compulsion. Meanwhile, a confrontation with Marcel causes Vincent to reevaluate his decision to stay out of witch business, and Hayley's attempt at a quiet Christmas with Jackson and Hope results in an unexpected surprise.

    Director:Matthew Hastings
    Writers:Carina Adly MacKenzie, Diane Ademu-John

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  8. The Originals Season 3 Episode 14 - A Streetcar Named Desire (II)
    9.1/10(1722 votes)

    #8 - A Streetcar Named Desire (II)

    S3:E14

    With the threat of the prophecy looming over their heads, Klaus and Elijah find themselves rendered useless inside a magical trap, while Aya and The Strix's coven of witches move forward with a risky spell that could take one of them down for good. Elsewhere, Freya leads the charge to get her brothers back and enlists the help of Marcel, Hayley and Stefan Salvatore, an old friend of Klaus', whose unexpected arrival may be the key to their survival. Finally, Davina moves forward with a dangerous plan that brings her one step closer to reuniting with Kol. The crossover starts on The Vampire Diaries S7E14 Moonlight on the Bayou (I).

    Director:Matthew Hastings
    Writers:Beau DeMayo, Diane Ademu-John

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  9. The Originals Season 3 Episode 19 - No More Heartbreaks
    9.1/10(1587 votes)

    #9 - No More Heartbreaks

    S3:E19

    Following a violent encounter that has left Cami’s life hanging in the balance, Klaus is forced to rely on his family and allies to find a cure as he keeps a watchful eye over Cami at the compound. With time running out, Freya turns to her arsenal of spells, while Vincent and Marcel head to Cami’s apartment to gather a crucial ingredient. Elsewhere, Hayley and Elijah travel to the bayou in hopes of bringing back a potential antidote that could save Cami’s life. Finally, Davina confronts Lucien and learns some heartbreaking information that will change her future with Kol forever.

    Director:Millicent Shelton
    Writers:Celeste Vasquez, Michael Narducci

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  10. The Originals Season 5 Episode 8 - The Kindness of Strangers
    9.1/10(1482 votes)

    #10 - The Kindness of Strangers

    S5:E8

    As pressing matters rage on in New Orleans, the Mikaelson siblings find themselves forced to set aside their differences and work together to escape a "chambre de chasse."

    Director:Kellie Cyrus
    Writers:Carina Adly MacKenzie, Beau DeMayo

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  11. The Originals Season 5 Episode 12 - The Tale of Two Wolves
    9.1/10(1511 votes)

    #11 - The Tale of Two Wolves

    S5:E12

    With Hope facing a life-threatening affliction and deteriorating quickly, Klaus travels to Mystic Falls to seek help from Caroline. Tasked with keeping Hope preoccupied in Mystic Falls, Elijah comes to a heartbreaking realization about his niece. Meanwhile, at the Salvatore School for the Young and Gifted, a run-in with Alaric Saltzman throws a wrench into Klaus’ plan.

    Director:Rudy Persico
    Writers:Carina Adly MacKenzie, Julie Plec

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  12. The Originals Season 1 Episode 16 - Farewell to Storyville
    9.0/10(2218 votes)

    #12 - Farewell to Storyville

    S1:E16

    Since the original vampires were stuck in the cemetery, Klaus takes any chances to punish his sister with the Original-killer stake.

    Director:Jesse Warn
    Writer:Michael Narducci

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  13. The Originals Season 2 Episode 13 - The Devil Is Damned
    9.0/10(1611 votes)

    #13 - The Devil Is Damned

    S2:E13

    Vincent joins forces with a figure from his past. Kaleb is forced to make a difficult life or death decision, and Elijah finds himself in the fight of his life. Hayley and Jackson become pawns in Vincent's dangerous plan.

    Director:Lance Anderson
    Writers:Christopher Hollier, Julie Plec

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  14. The Originals Season 3 Episode 17 - Behind the Black Horizon
    9.0/10(1384 votes)

    #14 - Behind the Black Horizon

    S3:E17

    When it's discovered that Freya has been kidnapped and is in the hands of a dangerous new threat, the Mikaelson brothers are forced to put aside their differences in order to save her before it's too late. Following a lead that brings them to Mystic Falls, Elijah and Finn run into deputy Matt Donovan, who does not take well to new vampires in his town. Meanwhile, Klaus and Hayley work together to uncover the motive behind one of Lucien's secret agendas, while a troubling shift in Kol's behavior leaves Davina concerned for their future together.

    Director:Joseph Morgan
    Writers:Declan de Barra, Diane Ademu-John

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  15. The Originals Season 3 Episode 20 - Where Nothing Stays Buried
    9.0/10(1391 votes)

    #15 - Where Nothing Stays Buried

    S3:E20

    In the wake of a ruthless plan that has left their family shattered, Klaus, Elijah and Freya desperately search for a way to take down Lucien once and for all. However, their efforts are put on hold following an urgent plea for help from Kol and Marcel. At Klaus’ insistence, Freya and Elijah reluctantly stay behind to offer their help, while Klaus and Hayley head to the bayou after uncovering Lucien’s latest plan. Once there, an unexpected showdown between Klaus and Lucien forces Freya to take matters into her own hands, setting off a chain of events that will change all of their lives forever.

    Director:John Hyams
    Writers:Carina Adly MacKenzie, Christopher Hollier

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  16. The Originals Season 1 Episode 11 - Après Moi, Le Déluge
    8.9/10(1969 votes)

    #16 - Après Moi, Le Déluge

    S1:E11

    Davina becomes violently ill and the repercussions affect the entire French Quarter. Sophie delivers some startling information about the harvest festival and presents a drastic plan to save Davina. Hayley, racked with guilt, confesses to Elijah about her role in Sophie's plan.

    Director:Leslie Libman
    Writers:Marguerite MacIntyre, Diane Ademu-John

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  17. The Originals Season 2 Episode 9 - The Map of Moments
    8.9/10(1621 votes)

    #17 - The Map of Moments

    S2:E9

    Rebekah persuades Klaus and Elijah to take part in a family tradition from their childhood.

    Director:Leslie Libman
    Writers:Julie Plec, Marguerite MacIntyre

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  18. The Originals Season 3 Episode 10 - A Ghost Along the Mississippi
    8.9/10(1334 votes)

    #18 - A Ghost Along the Mississippi

    S3:E10

    In the aftermath of a horrific plan that left Cami dead, Klaus declares war on Aurora and Tristan. Elsewhere, Vincent, who has resumed his role as Regent to the New Orleans witches, is forced to use his magic against his will, while Hayley and Jackson ind themselves pawns in Tristan’s twisted game. Finally, after learning that Tristan is in possession of a powerful weapon that could take their family down once and for all, Klaus, Elijah and Freya enact a risky plan that leads to a tense showdown with The Strix.

    Director:Michael Grossman
    Writer:Declan de Barra

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  19. The Originals Season 3 Episode 21 - Give 'Em Hell Kid
    8.9/10(1356 votes)

    #19 - Give 'Em Hell Kid

    S3:E21

    After receiving new visions of the looming prophecy, Freya uncovers that her family is on a collision course with a dangerous new enemy. Meanwhile, with the help of Detective Kinney, Vincent and Kol travel to the ancestral world to put a stop to the witches and take back their city once and for all. Elsewhere, Klaus and Elijah confront Marcel after a heartbreaking plan gone wrong has sent him spiraling.

    Director:Jeffrey G. Hunt
    Writers:Ashley Lyle, Bart Nickerson

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  20. The Originals Season 4 Episode 1 - Gather Up The Killers
    8.9/10(1855 votes)

    #20 - Gather Up The Killers

    S4:E1

    On the fifth anniversary of Klaus’ defeat, Marcel is king of the city and welcomes the un-sired vampires to New Orleans, only to find they pose an unexpected threat to his rule, leading him to seek counsel from an unlikely source. Meanwhile, as Hayley closes in on the cure that will allow her to revive Elijah and the slumbering Mikaelsons, she faces a final task that will force her to make a ruthless decision.

    Director:Lance Anderson
    Writers:Michael Russo, Michael Narducci

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  21. The Originals Season 1 Episode 8 - The River in Reverse
    8.8/10(2240 votes)

    #21 - The River in Reverse

    S1:E8

    In the war between Klaus and Marcel, Rebecca stands against her own brother Klaus. The chemistry between Elijah and Hayley gets stronger. Klaus accuses his siblings of distrust and betrayal.

    Director:Jesse Warn
    Writers:Declan de Barra, Julie Plec

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  22. The Originals Season 1 Episode 14 - Long Way Back from Hell
    8.8/10(1875 votes)

    #22 - Long Way Back from Hell

    S1:E14

    In 1919, Rebekah worked in a sanatorium. She finds herself back there and locked up as a witch who is seeking revenge plans to reveal her darkest secrets. Elijah makes a decision that puts the others in further danger.

    Director:Matthew Hastings
    Writers:Ashley Lyle, Bart Nickerson

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  23. The Originals Season 1 Episode 15 - Le Grand Guignol
    8.8/10(1858 votes)

    #23 - Le Grand Guignol

    S1:E15

    Rebekah and Marcel have been trying to keep a secret from Klaus which may come to the light as we flashback to 1919. Elijah and Monique bond. Hayley takes Sabine hostage to try and get information on reversing the curse on her clan.

    Director:Chris Grismer
    Writers:Declan de Barra, Diane Ademu-John

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  24. The Originals Season 2 Episode 1 - Rebirth
    8.8/10(1932 votes)

    #24 - Rebirth

    S2:E1

    Hayley struggles with her powers. Marcel sides with Klaus and gets revenge over the wolves. Esther is busy plotting her own plans. Everyone wants control over the city.

    Director:Lance Anderson
    Writers:Julie Plec, Marguerite MacIntyre

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  25. The Originals Season 2 Episode 5 - Red Door
    8.8/10(1587 votes)

    #25 - Red Door

    S2:E5

    In order to show Elijah that her plan is what's best for him, Esther forces him to relive a time long ago when he loved a young woman named Tatia.

    Director:Michael Robison
    Writers:Declan de Barra, Diane Ademu-John

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Best Episodes Summary

"From a Cradle to a Grave" is the best rated episode of "The Originals". It scored 9.5/10 based on 3644 votes. Directed by Matthew Hastings and written by Diane Ademu-John, it aired on 5/13/2014. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "The Bloody Crown".