On Oct 25, 2018, the CW premiered “Legacies,” a spinoff of former CW shows “The Vampire Diaries” and “The Originals.”
The first episode opens with friends Rafael (Peyton ‘Alex’ Smith) and Langdon (Aria Shahghasemi) arriving at a church, hoping to understand why Rafael has been feeling so weird as of late. Moments into their arrival, Langdon exits the church and goes to sit on the front steps; with Langdon gone, a priest begins an exorcism on Rafael, believing him to be possessed. As it so happens, it is a full moon, and with the perfect timing of television shows, the exorcism seems to bring Rafael’s wolf to the surface.
“Legacies” premiered on the CW, Thursday, Oct. 25. It is the spinoff of now-concluded television shows “The Vampire Diaries” and “The Originals.” @cwlegacies
Upon getting tips of a possible new werewolf, Alaric Saltzman (Matthew Davis) and Hope Mikaelson (Danielle Rose Russell) comes driving up to the church just in time to stop newly transformed werewolf Rafael from harming the priest. At the same time, Hope and Langdon end up reuniting, having known each other during the events of “The Originals.” Hope and Alaric then decide to bring both boys back with them to the Salvatore Boarding School for the Young and Gifted, a school established at the end of “The Vampire Diaries” for the supernaturally gifted.
Rafael and Langdon soon learn all about the supernatural world; Rafael finds a home with other werewolves, and Langdon begins his fight to remain in Hope’s life especially after he learns that he may also be a supernatural being. He ends up going behind everyone’s backs by stealing something important, then disappearing after he was supposed to be compelled to forget the supernatural;
Zach Roerig (who portrays Matt Donovan), Danielle Rose Russell (who portrays Hope Mikaelson), and Matthew Davis (who portrays Alaric Saltzman) all reprise their original roles from “The Vampire Diaries” and “The Originals.” @cwlegacies
Hope had such high hopes for Landgon too. After the devastating events of “The Originals,” Hope only wants for life to be somewhat normal again, and to get close to someone without losing them in return.
Overall, “Legacies” was very reminiscent of predecessors “The Vampire Diaries” and “The Originals.” All three shows share creator Julie Plec, who is known not only for the three shows mentioned but for “Containment” and “The Tomorrow People” as well. “Legacies'” title card even had the signature red ribbon wrapped around the show’s title that fans of the previous shows would recognize and understand just what world the show is set in.
“Legacies” revolves around Hope Mikaelson (Danielle Rose Russell) as she returns to the Salvatore School in Mystic Falls after the devastating results what happened to her in New Orleans (events that can be watched in “The Originals”). @cwlegacies
“Legacies'” first episode is also very similar to its parent shows in having a first episode that introduces many characters at once, but somehow making it interesting enough that the audience wants to know more about the characters. Show watchers see that Langdon is somehow linked to the supernatural world, but not how. We learn that the twins born in “The Vampire Diaries,” who are now fellow students with Hope, Josie (portrayed by Kaylee Bryant) and Lizzie (portrayed by Jenny Boyd) Saltzman each have troubles of their own in life either physically or mentally.
The characters are also similar to figures from the previous shows which makes it easy to root for them as they remind watchers of the last show’s characters. There was a popular character that seemed to be power-hungry, characters trying to figure out how they fit in the world and some adults trying to guide characters in specific directions as well.
Alaric Saltzman (Matthew Davis) helps Hope Mikaelson (Danielle Rose Russell) grow stronger to protect herself and others after everything that happened to her in New Orleans (events which can be seen in “The Originals”). @cwlegacies
There were also similar themes and elements that made the show a good continuation of the previous two. The major supernatural element was continued beautifully with the same effects as to how the vampire’s fangs come out, and bones breaking when a werewolf shifts. There was also a family element that seems to be a reoccurring theme with the stories from this world.
Furthermore, watchers of the parent shows get hooked as the first episode doesn’t even begin to answer all the questions about what happened to beloved characters after the events of “The Originals.”
But was another spinoff necessary? Many believed that the endings to “The Vampire Diaries” and “The Originals” were great enough that anything else would tarnish what the previous shows had accomplished. However, only time will tell, as only the first episode has aired. For fans of the previous shows, “Legacies” looks like a promising addition to the world of “The Vampire Diaries” and “The Originals.”
Overall 4 out of 5 paws.
