The Originals - Recap: The Trial of Rebekah Mikaelson
By the end of this week’s episode of The Originals, I was sincerely choked up. Did we really just say goodbye to one of the show’s key players? No! It cannot be! Not...
To kick off the recap of Episode 16, it’s important to note that this was an episode that was heavily grounded in acting. It will make sense when you read how the show concluded its hour this week, but if you’re a fan and you’re reading because you missed the episode, find a way to watch it. It’ll be worth your while.
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Klaus, white oak stake in hand, was ready to murder his sister in cold blood at the close of last week’s episode, but under some influence, both physical and emotional, from Elijah, a trial of sorts took place from within the spellbound walls of the cemetery. Episode 16 took place in part in flashbacks to the human days of the Original family, to a time when Mikael ruled over his blood and bastard with an iron fist. The first scene of the episode was actually a very distant look back into the past to a night when a very young Rebekah cowered in fear as a ferocious thunderstorm crackled outside of her family’s dwelling. It was none other than a baby Klaus who offered her comfort in the form of a whittled toy knight, a statue he actually made for his abusive father. Mikael was always especially cruel to Klaus, even before discovering the truth regarding his biological father, whereas he was more so strict with Klaus’ siblings. Later, Elijah recalled a memory of teaching Klaus to fire a bow in order to add another hunter to the mix. When a very young Klaus missed his deer target, he was subsequently physically punished by Mikael and made to feel like nothing but a burden of another mouth to feed.
The scenes in which Mikael tormented little Klaus were, indeed, difficult to watch transpire; however, by the time Rebekah decided she’d had enough of hiding among the mausoleums of the cemetery and brazenly showed her face to her brothers, the flashback sequences featured the siblings as adults made to cope with their father’s continued barrage of brutality. Elijah again recalled a memory. This time, he drew up images of their father whipping Klaus so barbarically that he simply thought his brother would die. It was Rebekah who drew a sword and called her father off, subjecting herself to his wrath instead. This, of course, wasn’t enough to satiate Klaus’ hunger for vengeance in the present. Elijah’s best means of defending his sister was to sell her decision to call Mikael to New Orleans as a move to drive her brother from town rather than to see Klaus killed. Klaus refused to believe that, needless to say. Though, yet another jump back in time revealed an even bigger attempt by Rebekah to protect Niklaus, with whom she’d always had a special bond. This time, Rebekah drew a knife and cautiously neared her slumbering father with the intention of eliminating their problem for good. Elijah intervened in the nick of time, though this was a decision he claimed to regret somewhat in the present.
As Klaus’ temper continued to dwindle and flare back and forth, Rebekah was constantly running in and out of the picture here. Elijah, on the other hand, did his best to constantly thwart Klaus’ attempts at murdering her, even eventually managing to swipe the stake from Klaus’ clenched fist. Elijah, beyond a shadow of a doubt, would never kill a family member, but he sure as hell would see Klaus suffer on the receiving end of Tunde's blade if it meant keeping Rebekah safe until the spell was broken. In the end, however, Klaus got the upper hand once again, sneakily stabbing Elijah with Tunde’s knife and rendering him unconscious and trapped in unspeakable pain.
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Meanwhile, Marcel enlisted Cami’s help in bringing Davina back to the world of the living. Of course, Davina was physically brought back to life during the episode prior. This week, though, she struggled with the memories of the other side. Her young friends spent their days deceased in the beyond learning from their ancient mentors and garnering praise from their ancestors. Davina, on the other hand, was shunned for the crimes she’d committed against her fellow witches. Her days were spent in cold darkness until whispers from her ancestors promised horrible punishments if she should ever choose to betray her kind again. Cami attempted to convince her to choose to drop the sadness, using her own story of losing her brother as an example. Davina, however, clearly needed more than a pep talk. I mean, Cami even suggested having her institutionalized and put on antidepressants. Resurrection is tough, I think.
Marcel juggled dealing with Davina’s depression and attempting to rescue Rebekah from certain death during Episode 16. Eventually, he found himself in a face-to-face conversation with Genevieve, who’s taken control of the coven of The Cauldron in the French Quarter. In an attempt to negotiate peace, Marcel offered the witches amnesty in exchange for help removing the spell on the cemetery. Genevieve noted that this was a nice start but requested Davina as well. Marcel, under the impression that the witches would welcome Davina back as a revered member of their community, agreed, realizing that Davina needs a family she can trust at least somewhat. Davina thinks these witches hate her guts, though, and I’m going to have to agree. I guess this is where Davina’s storyline will take her as this show heads towards the finale and into Season 2. Genevieve, for what it’s worth, has nothing personal against Davina; however, isn’t anyone upset that her life is leaving one teenage witch dead? How is that given a pass?
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With Rebekah all to himself, Klaus pressured her for the truth, screaming at her with an enraged fury to admit to wanting him dead. Over and over again he berated her for the truth, eventually pushing her to the breaking point. This is where things got truly interesting. Upon hearing his sister admit that just a tiny part of her probably did want Mikael to kill Klaus the night he burned the French Quarter to the ground, Klaus was devastated. The white oak stake switched hands several times during the Original siblings' stay in the cemetery, but it ended up in Rebekah’s gut here. Klaus was in a state of sincere despair rather than pure anger. Rebekah awoke around nightfall and the two had a very nice heart-to-heart conversation in which Rebekah gave a truly stirring speech about how they all were ruined by Mikael, damaged beyond repair. They are the “definition of cursed.” Elijah cares for everyone but himself for all eternity. Klaus is burdened with paranoia and rage for all eternity. Rebekah, she admitted, is crippled by the fear of abandonment, again, for all eternity. In the end, Klaus did that which he felt was right. Together, their damage is irreparable. Apart, perhaps Rebekah can live. He gave her the option to leave, granting her freedom in exchange for the rights to his city, New Orleans. Rebekah walked as a free woman and began to say her goodbyes to her loved ones in New Orleans.
First, she bid Elijah adieu in the basement of the ruins of their plantation home. Next, she journeyed to the bayou to wish Hayley (Phoebe Tonkin) luck dealing with Klaus and to leave some loving words behind for her future niece. (By the way, I'm sure this scene was especially hard to film. Claire Holt and Phoebe Tonkin are very close friends.) Lastly, Rebekah had a moment with Marcel. Marcel had returned home ready to face Klaus, though it was Elijah who arrived to take back control of the compound that was once the Mikaelson’s. Marcel was exiled from the French Quarter, just as Rebekah essentially was prior. He loves his city too much, however, and he plans on fighting to the end. Klaus, all by his lonesome, opened a box and held the wooden toy knight he'd once used to comfort his sister during a storm.
To close the Recap of Episode 16 of The Originals, Rebekah hopped in her convertible and rode off of her television screens, perhaps forever. If this is how Rebekah is going to go out, then I’m okay with it. The show will struggle a bit without its female lead, but I personally want some of these Vampire Diaries characters to start having happy endings. These series can’t go on forever. If Rebekah presumably gets to go off and find love and happiness, then good riddance! No! Come back!
What did you think of Season 1 Episode 16 of The Originals, “Farewell to Storyville”? Do you expect to see Claire Holt ever returning as Rebekah? Was that a fond farewell to you? How will Davina cope with her newfound depression? Will Marcel work his way back into Klaus’ good graces? How long before Father Kieran (Todd Stashwick) snaps?
Thanks for reading my Recap and Review of Season 1 Episode 16 of The Originals, “Farewell to Storyville”!
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