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The Best Episodes of The Originals Season 1

Every episode of The Originals Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Originals Season 1!

Binge this in 15h 46m•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
    The Originals Season 1 Episode 22 - From a Cradle to a Grave
    9.5/10(3665 votes)

    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 1 Episode 21 - The Battle of New Orleans
    9.3/10(2396 votes)

    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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  3. The Originals Season 1 Episode 16 - Farewell to Storyville
    9.0/10(2241 votes)

    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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  4. The Originals Season 1 Episode 11 - Après Moi, Le Déluge
    8.9/10(1988 votes)

    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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  5. The Originals Season 1 Episode 8 - The River in Reverse
    8.8/10(2261 votes)

    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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  6. The Originals Season 1 Episode 14 - Long Way Back from Hell
    8.8/10(1894 votes)

    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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  7. The Originals Season 1 Episode 15 - Le Grand Guignol
    8.8/10(1877 votes)

    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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  8. The Originals Season 1 Episode 5 - Sinners and Saints
    8.7/10(2175 votes)

    S1:E5

    Klaus becomes angry over recent events involving the safety of his unborn baby and demands answers from Sophie. Meanwhile, gruesome remains are discovered in the bayou; and Davina reveals some shocking information about the witches.

    Director:Chris Grismer
    Writers:Julie Plec, Marguerite MacIntyre

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  9. The Originals Season 1 Episode 6 - Fruit of the Poisoned Tree
    8.7/10(2128 votes)

    S1:E6

    Klaus goes to extreme measures to protect Hayley and their unborn baby when he learns Hayley's life is being threatened. Meanwhile, Cami turns to Father Kieran for guidance. Marcel seeks advice from an old friend. Davina tries to control her magic.

    Director:Michael A. Allowitz
    Writers:Diane Ademu-John, Charlie Charbonneau

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  10. The Originals Season 1 Episode 13 - Crescent City
    8.7/10(1866 votes)

    S1:E13

    Marcel and Rebekah fret over whether secrets hidden for nearly a century are about to be exposed. Father Kieran deals with a witch from his past. Hayley and her werewolf clan enjoy a party. Sophie discovers something shocking at the cemetery. Klaus takes some dangerous measures that will affect everybody.

    Director:Chris Grismer
    Writers:Michael Narducci, Julie Plec

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  11. The Originals Season 1 Episode 20 - A Closer Walk with Thee
    8.7/10(1712 votes)

    S1:E20

    A surprising enemy is confronted by Hayley. Klaus has some nightmares about his father and is forced to examine his own relationship with his adoptive son.

    Director:Sylvain White
    Writers:Carina Adly MacKenzie, Julie Plec

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  12. The Originals Season 1 Episode 3 - Tangled Up in Blue
    8.6/10(2321 votes)

    S1:E3

    Betrayal at the masquerade ball? Klaus and Rebekah come together to attempt to unravel Marcel's empire from within, in spite of Elijah's concerns. They enlist help from Sophie.

    Director:Chris Grismer
    Writers:Ashley Lyle, Bart Nickerson

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  13. The Originals Season 1 Episode 2 - House of the Rising Son
    8.5/10(2505 votes)

    S1:E2

    Rebekah arrives in New Orleans at her brother Elijah's insistence, but, concerned that Klaus is up to no good, she seeks help from a reluctant Sophie. Marcel enlists Davina's help.

    Director:Brad Turner
    Writers:Declan de Barra, Diane Ademu-John

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  14. The Originals Season 1 Episode 4 - Girl in New Orleans
    8.5/10(2211 votes)

    S1:E4

    Determined Rebekah is on a mission to get to the bottom of a recent strange encounter involving Elijah. Davina convinces Marcel to let her attend an annual street music festival.

    Director:Jesse Warn
    Writers:Michael Narducci, Michelle Paradise

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  15. The Originals Season 1 Episode 7 - Bloodletting
    8.5/10(2053 votes)

    S1:E7

    Hayley goes missing after someone from her past makes a startling revelation. Klaus has a dangerous encounter with an unexpected visitor. Davina makes a surprising connection. Marcel makes Rebekah an enticing offer that leaves her torn.

    Director:Jeffrey G. Hunt
    Writers:Michael Russo, Michael Narducci

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  16. The Originals Season 1 Episode 10 - The Casket Girls
    8.5/10(1903 votes)

    S1:E10

    Locals prepare to celebrate the annual Casket Girls Festival in the French Quarter. Davina tries to free Cami from Klaus's mind compulsion. Hayley is forced to make a difficult decision after she receives an unexpected phone call.

    Director:Jesse Warn
    Writers:Michelle Paradise, Charlie Charbonneau

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  17. The Originals Season 1 Episode 12 - Dance Back from the Grave
    8.5/10(1816 votes)

    S1:E12

    Tension between Marcel and Klaus results in Marcel refusing to help Klaus with a gruesome discovery in the Cauldron. Rebekah revisits her past when she finds the remnants of a sacrifice by the docks - the work of a dangerous warlock she has come across before. Klaus battles, but his opponent has an unfair advantage.

    Director:Rob Hardy
    Writers:Michael Russo, Michael Narducci

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  18. The Originals Season 1 Episode 9 - Reigning Pain in New Orleans
    8.4/10(1897 votes)

    S1:E9

    Klaus tries to get adapted to his new duties as he became the king of the city. He offers Marcel a compromise and he fixes his relationship with his siblings. Davina feels betrayed by Marcel. She finally finds an ally, Cami.

    Director:Joshua Butler
    Writers:Ashley Lyle, Bart Nickerson

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  19. The Originals Season 1 Episode 19 - An Unblinking Death
    8.4/10(1653 votes)

    S1:E19

    Kieran lashes out unexpectedly after Cami's good intentions don't get her what she expected. Elijah and Klaus can't agree on how to handle the Crescent Wolves. Elijah visits the bayou were he is witness to a explosion that see's hatred between the communities intensify. Hayley learns about her family from Marcel.

    Director:Kellie Cyrus
    Writers:Ashley Lyle, Bart Nickerson

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  20. The Originals Season 1 Episode 1 - Always and Forever
    8.2/10(3123 votes)

    S1:E1

    Klaus returns to the French Quarter of New Orleans, a place where he helped build centuries ago. Now he sees that it has been taken over by his former protege Marcel. Camille, a psychology student, doesn't believe in supernatural beings. However, she finds herself drawn to Klaus. Meanwhile, Hayley and Elijah wait to see what Klaus will do next.

    Director:Chris Grismer
    Writers:Michael Narducci, Julie Plec

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  21. The Originals Season 1 Episode 17 - Moon Over Bourbon Street
    8.2/10(1688 votes)

    S1:E17

    Elijah is taking control of the quarter and receives a surprising offer, and they know how to throw a party.

    Director:Michael Robison
    Writers:Christopher Hollier, Michelle Paradise

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  22. The Originals Season 1 Episode 18 - The Big Uneasy
    8.2/10(1653 votes)

    S1:E18

    Genevieve asks Elijah to allow her coven to publicly celebrate a traditional feast day, where members of the community offer the witches gifts in return for blessings. Meanwhile, Elijah makes plans to restore his home to its former glory; and Klaus sends Cary, a werewolf from his own line, to find a missing piece of family history.

    Director:Leslie Libman
    Writers:Michael Russo, Marguerite MacIntyre

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"From a Cradle to a Grave" is the best rated episode of "The Originals" season 1. It scored 9.5/10 based on 3665 votes. Directed by Matthew Hastings and written by Diane Ademu-John, it aired on 5/13/2014. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "The Battle of New Orleans".