Nothing can ever just be simple when it comes to Legacies.
Malivore always has to rear its big and ugly head, even during a time that’s supposed to be equally as terrifying as it is beautiful.
As the title of the episode revealed, we all knew that this day — the day that Hope Mikaelson becomes a tribrid — was coming.
Hope came to terms with it quicker than the other people in her life, which is honestly pretty shocking.
There is no one Hope cares about more than Landon, so the fact that she’s willingly making the decision to lose him in order to save everyone is selfless.
We knew Hope would make the right choice when backed into a corner, but it’s still shocking to see her so content with it.
And it’s further proof that despite being Klaus Mikaelson’s daughter, she leads with her heart and her compassions just like her mother Haley.
Alaric was adamant against having Hope transition, but it’s not because he didn’t think she was ready, it’s because he wasn’t.
Alaric has a heavy burden on his shoulders. In addition to The Merge that his twins are facing, he also has to sign off on Hope’s death. Hope is like a daughter to him, so none of this is easy for him.
Though, it’s better than the alternative, which is to have Hope go through it all alone.
Alaric may have wanted to avoid this, but he was just delaying the inevitable. The sooner he realized it, the better.
It’s fitting that Dorian was the one to talk some sense into the headmaster. In fact, I love how much of Hope’s transition is wrapped up in The Merge! How impressive was Dorian’s Merge planner?
That guy is ready for any and every possible outcome.
Okay, well, maybe he wasn’t ready for the whole situation that unfolded with Kaleb, but we’ll get to that in a minute.
Because for once, I just want to bask in the glory that was the beauty of this episode.
Legacies, The Vampire Diaries, The Originals — they all have this uncanny way of finding beauty in death.
In this case, Hope’s death was the start of something bigger than anyone has ever seen.
Hope’s existence sparked the whole premise of The Originals; she was the one thing everyone feared because she had the potential to become the most powerful being.
As a longtime fan, it’s really full-circle to see the series tapping into this “prophecy” so to speak so many years after.
Admittedly, Legacies lacks the melancholic nature of TVD, but tonight’s episode really struck the emotional moments that carried the original series.
Everything flowed so gracefully — from Hope’s final dinner with her found-family to the spell she did with Josie and Lizzie that emphasized the promise of new life to her intimate sendoff with none other than Freya Mikaelson.
Is it a bummer that none of the originals are actually able to be here? Yes. I know Claire Holt is set to reprise her role as Rebekah Mikaelson, so I won’t hold it against her, but it would’ve been nice to see some of the others come to support Hope. Marcel, where ya at, buddy?
Nevertheless, Freya’s presence was much-need and calming.
Legacies — “We All Knew This Day Was Coming” — Image Number: LGC319b_0510r — Pictured (L-R): Kaylee Bryant as Josie Saltzman, Matthew Davis as Alaric Saltzman, and Jenny Boyd as Lizzie Saltzman — Photo: Tom Griscom/The CW — © 2021 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
She’s one of the few tethers back to the original series, and it felt familial to hear stories of Klaus, Haley, and Elijah.
It’s a subtle reminder that Hope comes from greatness — a fact all too easy to forget with all the monster fighting that happens in this series.
The greatest part, however, is that Hope, even without her family, has never been alone.
She has a whole group of people who, as Josie pointed out, are ready to look death square in the face with her.
And that’s what was so beautiful about the moment. No matter how terrifying death might be, she was never going to be alone.
Klaus and Alaric never really saw eye-to-eye, but Ric took her in as one of his own. He trained her and raised her, so this is just as much a big moment for him as it is for everyone else.
And the grace of the scene was emphasized with Josie’s incredible speech to Finch about wanting someone who will fight for her.
It’s honestly awesome to see Josie stand up for herself and find her voice.
She started off as this meek character, but she’s really grown into an incredible young woman who isn’t going to apologize for not wanting to murder her sister or for the fact that the Merge is part of her story.
While it’s understandable that Finch is terrified of losing Josie, if she really loves her, she’ll be there no matter how difficult the situation is. Because that’s what people do for their loved ones.
They walk through fire for them.
Lord knows Josie has done that for her people time and time again. She deserves someone that will do it for her.
Back to Hope… even though you knew she was going to survive, it still felt eerie and heartbreaking to see her there see still and peaceful.
That peace was soon interrupted by Malivore because dude never gives up.
When Kaleb approached Malivore in order to make a deal, you knew it wasn’t going to end well.
I know he wants to save Cleo, but the poor girl is trying her hardest to help save Hope. She would’ve never wanted Kaleb to make a deal with the devil on her behalf.
Kaleb has never once misstepped, so I’m pretty bummed by his choice here. It’s not clear what deal he made with Malivore, but you know it won’t end well for him.
Of course, it’s also on everyone else at the school for leaving Hope unattended. Yes, she was with MG, but they are also very aware that Malivore is hellbent on destroying her.
As she lay there, she was defenseless, so it was the perfect time to attack. Why didn’t they beef up security.
And what is the plan for Hope now that she’s in transition.
On the flip side, Hope found herself trying to navigate death without any instructions. It didn’t help that the grim reaper on the other side couldn’t articulate what needed to be done.
Though, I will say, what a fitting episode to kick off Halloween weekend.
Other Thoughts
- It was nice to see Rafael again even if briefly. He was more understanding than half the people at the Salvatore School. And it’s really great to see him so at peace.
- Poor MG and Lizzie both carrying the weight of what happened to Ethan.
- Can the Merge be avoided by turning one of the twins into a vampire? Now, that’s a magical loophole we should probably explore sooner rather than later.
- How great is it that Kaleb called himself and MG “supernatural Maserati’s.”
- Was anyone else so bummed that Malivore tricked Cleo? I thought she surely got out of there successfully.
- Hope won’t actually go through with killing Landon and Cleo, I’m sure of it. If this show has taught me anything it’s that there is always another way.
When Hope eventually becomes the one and only tribrid, what will she be like?
What did you think of the episode?