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The Worst Episodes of The Originals

Every episode of The Originals ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of The Originals!

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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 Worst Episode
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    The Originals Season 5 Episode 2 - One Wrong Turn On Bourbon
    6.9/10(1221 votes)

    #1 - One Wrong Turn On Bourbon

    S5:E2

    When a mysterious disappearance brings Klaus back to New Orleans, Hope looks forward to the prospect of seeing her father again. However, when the dark magic that had been keeping them apart begins to manifest in dangerous ways across the city, Vincent turns to Ivy for guidance about what it may mean. Elsewhere, Marcel returns to New Orleans amidst increased tensions between the supernatural factions, while Freya makes a decision about her future with Keelin. Finally, Roman’s surprise visit to the Mikaelson compound forces Hope to reveal some dark truths about her family.

    Director:Carol Banker
    Writer:Carina Adly MacKenzie

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  2. The Originals Season 1 Episode 2 - House of the Rising Son
    7.1/10(2427 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 2 Episode 7 - Chasing The Devil's Tail
    7.4/10(1458 votes)

    #3 - Chasing The Devil's Tail

    S2:E7

    Going after everything Esther loves. Klaus and Hayley seek an antidote for Elijah in the bayou assisted by Marcel and Josh. Kaleb takes Davina to an old hangout.

    Director:Jesse Warn
    Writers:Carina Adly MacKenzie, Christopher Hollier

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  4. The Originals Season 5 Episode 4 - Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
    7.4/10(1118 votes)

    #4 - Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

    S5:E4

    Frustrated by the lack of progress made in the search for Hayley, Klaus turns up the heat by taking hostages from each of the three New Orleans supernatural factions. Freya goes to Mystic Falls to check on Hope, who has been sent back to the Salvatore School. Vincent seeks guidance from Ivy after learning that Klaus’ erratic behavior is escalating.

    Director:Michael Grossman
    Writers:Beau DeMayo, Kyle Arrington

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  5. The Originals Season 1 Episode 1 - Always and Forever
    7.5/10(3009 votes)

    #5 - 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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  6. The Originals Season 1 Episode 17 - Moon Over Bourbon Street
    7.5/10(1612 votes)

    #6 - 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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  7. The Originals Season 2 Episode 3 - Every Mother's Son
    7.5/10(1487 votes)

    #7 - Every Mother's Son

    S2:E3

    After Klaus and Elijah receive a cryptic invitation to dinner from their mother, they get ready to expect the worst.

    Director:Dermott Downs
    Writer:Christopher Hollier

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  8. The Originals Season 5 Episode 1 - Where You Left Your Heart
    7.5/10(1623 votes)

    #8 - Where You Left Your Heart

    S5:E1

    Desperate to see her father Klaus after seven years, Hope resorts to drastic measures to bring her father back to New Orleans. Hayley attempts to minimize the fallout from Hope’s actions, but not before news of what she’s done ripples through the city. Meanwhile, Freya’s guilt over not being able to reunite her family gets in the way of her happiness with Keelin, while Rebekah struggles with her inability to fully commit to Marcel. Finally, struggling without Elijah by his side, Klaus’ murderous rampage throughout Europe leads to an unexpected encounter with Caroline Forbes.

    Director:Lance Anderson
    Writer:Marguerite MacIntyre

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  9. The Originals Season 2 Episode 9 - The Map of Moments
    7.6/10(1589 votes)

    #9 - 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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  10. The Originals Season 3 Episode 13 - Heart Shaped Box
    7.6/10(1123 votes)

    #10 - Heart Shaped Box

    S3:E13

    Determined to make her ultimate move against the Mikaelson brothers, Aurora uses Freya as bait to lure Klaus and Elijah into a dangerous trap. Meanwhile, after being recruited by The Strix's powerful coven of witches to perform a spell that could save the lives of her closest friends, Davina finds a way to conjure up Kol, the only person who may know the key ingredient to completing the spell. Finally, Hayley is forced to make a heartbreaking sacrifice.

    Director:Chris Grismer
    Writers:Michelle Paradise, Christopher Hollier

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  11. The Originals Season 4 Episode 5 - I Hear You Knocking
    7.6/10(1067 votes)

    #11 - I Hear You Knocking

    S4:E5

    After being marked by The Hollow’s dark magic, both Klaus and Marcel experience the symptoms of a malevolent haunting, forcing the two adversaries on a violent collision course. Meanwhile, Hayley and Elijah head out to speak with Mary after Hayley uncovers a mysterious link between the dark magic and her former wolf pack. Finally, as an exhausted Freya risks her own life to cure Klaus’ infection, a guilt-ridden Keelin must decide whether to honor her hypocratic oath and help Freya – or flee the Mikaelson’s forever.

    Director:Chris Grismer
    Writer:Kyle Arrington

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  12. The Originals Season 4 Episode 11 - A Spirit Here That Won't Be Broken
    7.6/10(962 votes)

    #12 - A Spirit Here That Won't Be Broken

    S4:E11

    When its discovered that The Hollow is using a magical totem to fuel her power, Freya enlists Rebekah and Klaus’ help to locate and destroy it. Elsewhere, an ultimatum by The Hollow puts Kol at odds with his own siblings, while an unexpected run-in forces Marcel and Rebekah to confront the growing tension between them. Finally, The Hollow’s plan for Hayley leaves her in the fight of her life.

    Director:Hanelle M. Culpepper
    Writers:Carina Adly MacKenzie, Michael Russo

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  13. The Originals Season 1 Episode 3 - Tangled Up in Blue
    7.7/10(2250 votes)

    #13 - 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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  14. The Originals Season 1 Episode 7 - Bloodletting
    7.7/10(1985 votes)

    #14 - 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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  15. The Originals Season 1 Episode 9 - Reigning Pain in New Orleans
    7.7/10(1838 votes)

    #15 - 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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  16. The Originals Season 1 Episode 18 - The Big Uneasy
    7.7/10(1576 votes)

    #16 - 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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  17. The Originals Season 1 Episode 19 - An Unblinking Death
    7.7/10(1578 votes)

    #17 - 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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  18. The Originals Season 1 Episode 20 - A Closer Walk with Thee
    7.7/10(1635 votes)

    #18 - 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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  19. The Originals Season 2 Episode 6 - Wheel Inside the Wheel
    7.7/10(1536 votes)

    #19 - Wheel Inside the Wheel

    S2:E6

    Cami teams up with Marcel and Gia after she becomes suspicious of her faculty advisor Vincent. Lastly, in a surprising turn of events, Klaus comes face-to-face with a visitor from his past.

    Director:Matthew Hastings
    Writers:Michael Russo, Michael Narducci

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  20. The Originals Season 3 Episode 4 - A Walk on the Wild Side
    7.7/10(1257 votes)

    #20 - A Walk on the Wild Side

    S3:E4

    In order to uncover what his old acquaintance Tristan is really up to in New Orleans, Elijah considers attending a gala thrown by a mysterious group of ancient vampires known as The Strix, while Hayley invites herself to attend with him. There, Marcel is approached with an enticing offer made by a mysterious woman named Aya, but he quickly realizes that things are not always what they seem. Elsewhere, when a vital component of Lucien's plan goes missing, he and Klaus form a tentative alliance in order to find it.

    Director:Matthew Hastings
    Writers:Ashley Lyle, Bart Nickerson

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  21. The Originals Season 4 Episode 3 - Haunter of Ruins
    7.7/10(1216 votes)

    #21 - Haunter of Ruins

    S4:E3

    After five long years apart, Klaus attempts to reconnect with his daughter, Hope. Even as father and daughter bond, the rest of the family is still in turmoil. Elijah mediates a conflict between Hayley and Freya to determine the best way to protect the family. Meanwhile, in New Orleans, Vincent tells Marcel terrible secrets about his ex -wife, Eva Sinclair, even as they begin their search for a mysterious witch who plans to sacrifice a group of innocent children – including Hope Mikaelson.

    Director:Jeffrey G. Hunt
    Writers:Carina Adly MacKenzie, Declan de Barra

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  22. The Originals Season 1 Episode 8 - The River in Reverse
    7.8/10(2197 votes)

    #22 - 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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  23. The Originals Season 1 Episode 21 - The Battle of New Orleans
    7.8/10(2312 votes)

    #23 - 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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  24. The Originals Season 2 Episode 1 - Rebirth
    7.8/10(1899 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 8 - The Brothers That Care Forgot
    7.8/10(1429 votes)

    #25 - The Brothers That Care Forgot

    S2:E8

    Rebekah is on the run with baby Hope.

    Director:Michael A. Allowitz
    Writers:Michelle Paradise, Charlie Charbonneau

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Worst Episodes Summary

"One Wrong Turn On Bourbon" is the worst rated episode of "The Originals". It scored 6.9/10 based on 1221 votes. Directed by Carol Banker and written by Carina Adly MacKenzie, it aired on 4/25/2018. This episode scored 0.2 points lower than the second lowest rated, "House of the Rising Son".