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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!

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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 1 - Always and Forever
    7.4/10(2982 votes)

    #1 - Always and Forever

    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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  2. The Originals Season 1 Episode 2 - House of the Rising Son
    7.1/10(2410 votes)

    #2 - House of the Rising Son

    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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  3. The Originals Season 1 Episode 3 - Tangled Up in Blue
    7.7/10(2234 votes)

    #3 - Tangled Up in Blue

    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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  4. The Originals Season 1 Episode 4 - Girl in New Orleans
    7.9/10(2130 votes)

    #4 - Girl in New Orleans

    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:Michelle Paradise, Michael Narducci

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  5. The Originals Season 1 Episode 5 - Sinners and Saints
    8.1/10(2094 votes)

    #5 - Sinners and Saints

    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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  6. The Originals Season 1 Episode 6 - Fruit of the Poisoned Tree
    8.1/10(2049 votes)

    #6 - Fruit of the Poisoned Tree

    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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  7. The Originals Season 1 Episode 7 - Bloodletting
    7.7/10(1970 votes)

    #7 - Bloodletting

    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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  8. The Originals Season 1 Episode 8 - The River in Reverse
    7.8/10(2184 votes)

    #8 - 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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  9. The Originals Season 1 Episode 9 - Reigning Pain in New Orleans
    7.7/10(1824 votes)

    #9 - Reigning Pain in New Orleans

    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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  10. The Originals Season 1 Episode 10 - The Casket Girls
    7.9/10(1827 votes)

    #10 - The Casket Girls

    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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  11. The Originals Season 1 Episode 11 - Après Moi, Le Déluge
    7.9/10(1908 votes)

    #11 - 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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  12. The Originals Season 1 Episode 12 - Dance Back from the Grave
    8.1/10(1739 votes)

    #12 - Dance Back from the Grave

    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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  13. The Originals Season 1 Episode 13 - Crescent City
    8.0/10(1793 votes)

    #13 - Crescent City

    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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  14. The Originals Season 1 Episode 14 - Long Way Back from Hell
    8.2/10(1822 votes)

    #14 - 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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  15. The Originals Season 1 Episode 15 - Le Grand Guignol
    8.3/10(1803 votes)

    #15 - 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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  16. The Originals Season 1 Episode 16 - Farewell to Storyville
    8.2/10(2137 votes)

    #16 - 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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  17. The Originals Season 1 Episode 17 - Moon Over Bourbon Street
    7.5/10(1596 votes)

    #17 - Moon Over Bourbon Street

    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:Michelle Paradise, Christopher Hollier

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  18. The Originals Season 1 Episode 18 - The Big Uneasy
    7.7/10(1561 votes)

    #18 - The Big Uneasy

    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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  19. The Originals Season 1 Episode 19 - An Unblinking Death
    8.1/10(1562 votes)

    #19 - An Unblinking Death

    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 20 - A Closer Walk with Thee
    8.1/10(1618 votes)

    #20 - A Closer Walk with Thee

    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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  21. The Originals Season 1 Episode 21 - The Battle of New Orleans
    8.2/10(2290 votes)

    #21 - 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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  22. The Originals Season 1 Episode 22 - From a Cradle to a Grave
    8.3/10(3539 votes)

    #22 - 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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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Always and Forever" is the best rated episode of "The Originals" season 1. It scored 7.4/10 based on 2982 votes. Directed by Chris Grismer and written by Michael Narducci, Julie Plec, it aired on 10/3/2013. This episode is rated 0.3 points higher than the second-best, "House of the Rising Son".