The Originals Round Table: "The River in Reverse"

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What's one word to describe the scene where Klaus took out a legion of vampires before Rebekah and Marcel called an end to the bloodbath?

Epic. Epic is the word for that scene. We're still reeling from how amazing it was.

With just one more original episode of The Originals left before the series takes a long winter's nap, the battle for New Orleans might have been brought to a close on "The River In Reverse." Join the TV Fanatic Round Table, consisting of Matt Richenthal, Leigh Raines, Miranda Wicker, and Heather Vee from Vampire-Diaries.net as we dish out our thoughts on The Originals Season 1 Episode 8.

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While this one will probably be unanimous, what was your favorite scene and/or quote from The Originals Season 1 Episode 8?

Matt: The concluding exchange between Marcel and Klaus. The latter will never know true loyalty? True respect? True love? Marcel may have bowed down before his former friend, but he got a major leg up on Klaus by expertly pointing out his antagonist's flaws here.

Leigh: I'll vary it up for us: Beks storming in to Marcel's meeting, promptly snapping Tyler's neck and taking his seat. Because she runs shit, basically. 

Heather: The highlight was definitely watching Klaus go to town on Marcel's posse because sometimes you just want to watch a full-on brawl, and we so rarely get to see something this balls to the wall. Klaus talks a big, big game, but he's also a rare example of someone who can most definitely put his money where your mouth is. And the use of knives were a brutal, if futile, touch, I must say. Even though I knew they couldn't kill him, the sound effects alone made me cringe. It was just an exceptionally well done fight sequence all the way around.

Miranda: Okay, so it's not unanimous. I'm going with Klaus and Father Kieran discussing Cami. I've hated every minute of Klaus compelling Cami into insanity, and hearing that he's doing it because he's trying to protect her made it just a tiny bit more tolerable. A tiny bit.

The Originals Cast Picture

Better nursemaid: Hayley to Elijah or Damon to Rose?

Matt: Hayley to Elijah, clearly. Rose DIED, remember?!? Well done, Damon.

Leigh: Great question. As much as I'm into Hayley and Elijah and the fact that Elijah is walking sex and would hallucinate sex dreams...I think Damon was more tender with Rose and helping her. Then again she was on the bring of death so it was a little different. Both great. 

Heather: I agree with Leigh - the fact Rose was dying elevated that entire situation to a different level than what transpired between Hayley and Elijah. Also, Damon gave her the dream to die in, which was a powerfully compassionate thing to do. But you know - thank you, writers, for giving Elijah retro sex dreams. Elijah's suffering ended up being our fan service, so hats off there.

Miranda: Hayley and Elijah. I love the way that she's completely unphased by the fact that this hot, thousand year old vampire is having sex dreams that she can see and she just keeps on taking care of him. Plus it gave us more of Elijah's history and that's always a bonus.

What's your reaction to that fight scene?

Matt: Very well filmed. Very well played by Joseph Morgan. Very scary, cool stuff. But also a bit of a cop out: for weeks, The Originals has been playing out like an ever-changing game of chess, with various characters plotting and scheming in various ways. But then Klaus wins via sheer force. Seems rather simplistic and obvious. Why all the machinations if he could have just physically imposed his will all along?

Leigh: "Get the coin!" That scene was insane. I was scared for Rebekah and Marcel at one point. It was also sad in a way that Klaus is so damn hated...not saying he doesn't deserve it but it was nuts. 

Heather: I think I covered it above, but here's my plea for more Original fight scenes in general. Total bosses. All of them.

Miranda: That scene was AMAZING. Amazing. Klaus is a beast! It was one of those moments where you remember just how deadly and devastating a force Klaus can be because, as Matt pointed out, much of his time is dedicated to scheming. I think he didn't go straight for the jugulars when he first arrived in New Orleans because he wanted the loyalty that Marcel has which he now knows he'll never get.

If you're Josh, where are you right now?

Matt: Online. Looking up flights on Kayak to Iceland.

Leigh: Hitchhiking, maybe in the international terminal of some airport headed anywhere the hell out of New Orleans. Or maybe he's enjoying his last moments before Klaus finds him, in da club- his favorite place. 

Heather: In the club. Or maybe hiding out with Davina. A super-witch could be a very good friend for Josh to have right now, though I do wonder if he'll be able to talk his way out of this. It's not out of the question that he could play dumb. Hell, Marcel might even cover for him.

Miranda: Can vampires have plastic surgery? Because I'd be changing everything about myself and then calling up Katherine Pierce to learn all the tips and tricks she has to offer before she maybe kicks it.

Has Marcel really joined Team Klaus?

Matt: Of course not. He's joined Team I Better Save My Fellow Vampires While I Can and Come Up with a New Strategy While Pretending I Am Loyal To Klaus.

Leigh: He's at least feigning it for his survival. Marcel still had loyalty and relationships Klaus doesn't. Klaus has to compel or sire people for friendship. 

Heather: Absolutely not. No way. Marcel is going to rally. It may take time, but he's going to bite Klaus back in a big, big way. Let's not forget that Davina is still an essential element in all of this and I don't see her kowtowing to Klaus willingly. 

Miranda: Part of me really says no way, but then part of me thinks that he might've actually submitted. Joseph Morgan and Charles Michael Davis both teased in their set visit interviews that the battle for New Orleans would come to a head sooner rather than later and then the storylines would change a bit. So maybe he's just Team Klaus for now and we'll get back to their feud once they settle this thing with the witches.

Cami's going full Memento. What happens when she figures all of this out?

Matt: Blah. I don't know… or, unfortunately, care right now. I look forward to the writers proving me wrong, but the back-and-forth compelling of Cami has made her less of a character so far and more of a Klaus play thing.

Leigh: She really impresses me that Cami. I think she's going to lose her mind a bit but figure it all out. When she does there will be hell to pay. 

Heather: I think when all is said and done and she knows everything that Cami will become a big player in the Quarter. She is force to be reckoned with, so being armed with knowledge will only enhance that. 

Miranda: I really, really love Cami and her resolve. I would love to see her pull a Buffy and go after the vampires.

Miranda Wicker was a Staff Writer for TV Fanatic. She retired in 2017. Follow her on Twitter.

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The Originals Season 1 Episode 8 Quotes

Rebekah: Perhaps I'm concerned that if I voice my opinion about what you did to Elijah, I will end up on the wrong side of your toxic hybrid teeth.
Klaus: Poppycock! I would never bite you...you know my preferred method of punishment for your indiscretions is the dagger.
Rebekah: There is something fundamentally wrong with you.

Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. I am a liar, a betrayer. I have conspired against my own blood and I doubt even your God could save me.

The Originals Season 1 Episode 8 Music

  Song Artist
Lonesome Road Junior Kimbrough iTunes
Gamblin' Man Banzai Republic iTunes
Song Out Of The Blue Prides