Blu-ray Review: The Originals: The Complete Second Season

The Originals Season 2 Blu-ray and DVD sets have been out for over a week now, and again, it’s an example of how the show is one of those TV gems that hasn’t always been checked out by the audience that it deserves. Here’s our review of the set.

The Episodes: All 22 episodes of The Originals Season 2 are on this set. While the first season was about the wars between the factions (vampires vs. witches vs. werewolves), this season is a lot more about family. More Mikaelsons come out of the woodwork, people deal with their mommy and daddy issues, and others – like Hayley – find new familial bonds of their own. Baby Hope re-enters the Originals world which creates new dangers, and the Vampire Diaries spin-off really comes into its own as it firmly establishes its own identity outside of the Vampire Diaries. (With that said, a character – or someone who looks a lot like a beloved Vampire Diaries character – is seen.)

Yes, Klaus remains ridiculous and over the top, and you can’t help but love him for that. But the new characters, or new actors playing familiar ones, really expand the universe, leading to a very interesting second year. (P.S.: Has anyone casted Daniel Sharman on something new yet?)

The episodes look fantastic in high definition. And no, Michael Narducci, I still haven’t forgiven you for killing [SPOILER].

The Extras: “Always and Forever” explores the Originals family bonds and is very well put together. I also enjoyed “The Awakening” – a tie-in series of shorts featuring Kol in his original body (Nathaniel Buzolic). The “Come Visit Georgia” PSA is silly and not really worth the time, with no offense meant to anyone who worked on it. There are deleted scenes, a gag reel, and a Comic-Con panel video as well. Lots of good stuff.

Is It Worth It? If you’re not going to pick it up on Blu-ray or DVD, you really should find a way to see this season somewhere else, whether it’s legal streaming, the CW site, or something like that. With The Originals following TVD on Thursdays this Fall, it’s worthwhile to be caught up. It’s not just a silly vampire show, for sure. Check it out.

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