The Vampire Diaries Spinoff: An Original Debate

at .

It appears to really be happening: the backdoor pilot for a Vampire Diaries spinoff will air on April 25, with The CW preparing viewers for a series titled "The Originals," which would center around the adventures of Klaus in contemporary New Orleans and also feature Phoebe Tonkin's Hayley.

Is this a can't-miss idea? Or a desperate attempt by the network to milk one of its only hits dry?

Two TV Fanatic writers debate this very simple question below: Should there be a Vampire Diaries spinoff?

----------------------------------------

YES by Steve Marsi

Klaus is The Man. Most CW fare is not the show equivalent of The Man.

My argument could begin and end with those two simple, yet profound points. Yet in the interest of filling space, and persuasion, I shall elaborate briefly.

The drawbacks are obvious. Spinoffs are rarely as good as originals, and this is likely to be the case even if the new show is called The Originals. Also, why mess with a good thing and take away one of TVD's brightest stars?

Well, for starters, The Vampire Diaries Season 4 has been kind of a mess. Despite continued flashes of brilliance, it often feels too crowded in terms of characters. TVD alternately struggles to keep the dynamic Klaus involved and yet not so involved that he overwhelms the Big Three.

In short, he'd be better served as the lead of his own show. Hayley, meanwhile, is a smoldering werewolf who could be interesting, but is too extraneous for anyone to really care at this point. Therein lies the win-win potential.

In Joseph Morgan and Phoebe Tonkin, The Originals would start off with two proven all-stars, while helping TVD sharpen its focus. Add in appearances by Klaus' surviving siblings and you've got a "new" stable of beloved characters - with The Vampire Diaries' core cast intact.

What would they all do in New Orleans? Does it matter? The secondary, yet equally compelling (eh? eh?) reason this idea gets the green light from me: What else is the CW going to produce instead?

Think about it. Which would you rather watch next fall: The Originals Season 1 or 90210 Season 6? Hypothetical. Case. Closed.

Klaus at the Door

NO by Matt Richenthal

Too much of a good thing. That's the saying that comes to when I think of this spinoff.

Do I adore Joseph Morgan as Klaus? Yes. Do I giggle in delight every time he utters a "love" or refers to Stefan as the "Rippah?" Pretty much. But I'm actually of the opinion that Klaus should have been killed off to end The Vampire Diaries Season 3.

The (amazing) character has run his course. He goes back and forth now from sensitive artist to Mayor-murdering bad ass. He's a lost soul who, yes, ought to leave Mystic Falls behind. But I fear his anchoring of a new series for two key reasons:

  1. Julie Plec would executive produce both shows. It's hard to imagine this double task not diluting the original product, as many believe Grey's Anatomy suffered a drop in quality once Shonda Rhimes added Private Practice to her repertoire.
  2. The CW has said The Originals will be similar in tone to The Vampire Diaries. So... what would even be the point? It's just the same show, moved a few hundred miles south? I'd prefer something different entirely, with just a loose connection to TVD, as opposed to what sounds like an attempt by the network to copy what has already worked.

Naturally, I'm curious about the spinoff. I trust Plec and I love both Morgan and Tonkin. I'll most definitely give the show a shot, but as currently concocted, a show titled The Originals doesn't sound very original at all.

Where do you stand, TV Fanatics? Will you watch The Originals?

Show Comments
Tags: ,

Vampire Diaries Quotes

Oooh, you know I don't know. Every time we try and go on a date you get kidnapped, I get sent to a prison world, or your feelings get compelled away...

Damon

Damon: My new girlfriend. Andie Starr. Action News.
Alaric: It's not called Action News.
Damon: I know. I like just saying it.