22 Episodes
Short on time? Here's the essentials:
This season of "The Originals" centers on the Mikaelson family, led by the powerful hybrid Klaus, who seeks to protect his daughter, Hope, and maintain control in New Orleans. His siblings, Elijah, a noble Original vampire, and Rebekah, an Original vampire struggling with her identity, are also key players. Their primary goal is to survive and protect their family from ancient threats and internal strife.
The core conflict ignites with the return of their manipulative mother, Esther, who possesses various bodies and seeks to turn her Original children back into vulnerable witches. This leads to a brutal season where family ties are tested, and alliances shift. Key turning points include Esther's apparent death, Mikael's near-fatal attack on Klaus, and Finn's apparent demise. The season culminates in a desperate battle against the immensely powerful witch Dahlia, who seeks to claim Hope.
In the end, Hayley is cursed to remain a wolf, and Rebekah returns to her original body. Klaus and Elijah ultimately defeat Dahlia and Esther, but not without significant sacrifices. The season concludes with Klaus holding Hope, determined to protect her, while his family faces an uncertain future.
Season 2 of The Originals covers episodes 1-22. Here's everything that happened:
Season 2, Episode 1: Rebirth - Klaus plots revenge against the werewolves who threaten his family's existence, while Hayley struggles with her new hybrid status and the loss of her daughter. Francesca is brutally killed by Hayley, and it's revealed that Esther, Klaus's mother, has returned and is possessing Cassie's body. The episode concludes with the Mikaelsons regrouping, aware of the new threats and the return of family members.
Season 2, Episode 2: Alive and Kicking - Klaus and Hayley embark on a witch-killing spree to assert their leadership, while Elijah works with Marcel to locate the White Oak Stake. Davina possesses the only weapon that can kill an Original. Klaus discovers Cassie is actually his mother, Esther, who has returned in a new body. Esther and Finn, possessing new bodies, begin enacting their plan to destroy their children. The episode concludes with Elijah and Klaus realizing their parents are back.
Season 2, Episode 3: Every Mother's Son - Esther, possessing Cassie, invites Klaus and Elijah to dinner, revealing her plan to turn her children back into witches. Flashbacks detail Klaus's childhood and Esther's complex motivations, including a necklace meant to weaken him. Esther ultimately possesses the witch Lenore, and despite her offers of a new life, Klaus and Elijah reject her attempts to "heal" their family. The episode concludes with Esther escaping, leaving the Mikaelsons to face their mother's manipulative agenda.
Season 2, Episode 4: Live and Let Die - Davina takes Mikael to her cabin, while Hayley and Elijah work to save kidnapped teens targeted by Finn. Klaus confronts Mikael, using Papa Tunde's blade, but Mikael escapes Klaus's car. Meanwhile, Esther captures Elijah, intending to "purify" him. The episode concludes with Elijah chained and Esther's ominous intentions revealed.
Season 2, Episode 5: Red Door - Esther forces Elijah to relive his past with Tatia, revealing he killed her in a bloodlust-fueled rage, not Esther. Mikael takes Cami hostage to lure Klaus, leading to a confrontation where Mikael nearly stakes Klaus, but Davina and Kol disrupt the spell on the White Oak Stake, allowing Klaus to survive. The episode concludes with Elijah still chained and tormented by Esther's illusions, despite Hayley's brief intervention.
Season 2, Episode 6: Wheel Inside the Wheel - Esther reveals secrets from Klaus' past, including the existence of his biological father, Ansel. Hayley attempts to rescue Oliver, who is ultimately killed by Finn. Klaus confronts Ansel, who reveals he's been watching Klaus for centuries. Esther offers Klaus a chance to become a werewolf again, which he refuses, and is then released by Esther along with Elijah.
Season 2, Episode 7: Chasing the Devil's Tail - Klaus seeks an antidote for Elijah, who is trapped in a magical nightmare, and encounters his resurrected father, Ansel. Hayley, Marcel, and Cami plot to capture Finn. Davina and Kol grow closer as they explore a tomb containing dark objects. Klaus ultimately kills his father, Ansel, and uses the antidote to wake Elijah. Finn is captured, and Kol is also taken into custody by Hayley and Marcel.
Season 2, Episode 8: The Brothers That Care Forgot - Rebekah goes on the run when Esther discovers her location. Klaus attempts to turn his brothers, Finn and Kol, against their mother, but Elijah loses control and attacks Finn. Meanwhile, Hayley and Jackson find a ritual to free the werewolf pack, and Davina delves into dark magic. The episode concludes with Rebekah realizing Elijah has massacred a diner's patrons.
Season 2, Episode 9: The Map of Moments - The Mikaelsons reunite with Hope, and Hayley agrees to marry Jackson to save her wolves. Rebekah attempts to stop Esther's plan to transfer into Cami's body, but Esther is ultimately defeated and turned into a vampire. In a shocking twist, Rebekah is trapped in an alternate witch prison dimension, seemingly unable to return.
Season 2, Episode 10: Gonna Set Your Flag on Fire - Finn traps vampires and werewolves in the compound, forcing them into a violent frenzy. Rebekah, trapped in an asylum, discovers Freya is alive. Meanwhile, Hayley accepts Jackson's marriage proposal, solidifying a pack alliance. The episode concludes with Klaus realizing Kol's betrayal and Rebekah's continued imprisonment.
Season 2, Episode 11: Brotherhood of the Damned - Finn traps Klaus and Elijah in a magical illusion, seeking Klaus's deepest secret. Marcel, suffering from a werewolf bite, hallucinates his WWI experiences where he turned his soldiers into vampires. Hayley flees a pre-marital ritual requiring full disclosure. The episode concludes with Klaus forgiving Elijah for Tatia's death, and Marcel rallying his vampire "brotherhood" to survive.
Season 2, Episode 12: Sanctuary - Rebekah befriends a mysterious new witch in the asylum, who is revealed to be Freya. Hayley struggles to reveal her secrets to Jackson, who confesses his grandfather murdered her parents. Finn curses Kol to die within three days, and Klaus learns that Hope is still alive. The episode concludes with Freya freeing herself and Rebekah from the asylum, warning their brothers to behave.
Season 2, Episode 13: The Devil is Damned - Finn, aided by his newly reunited sister Freya, intensifies his search for Hope. Elijah battles Finn, ultimately sacrificing himself by blowing up the house they are in. Kol and Rebekah work together to overload Finn with magic, leading to his apparent death. The episode concludes with Cami discovering Hope's latent magical abilities as Elijah's survival remains uncertain.
Season 2, Episode 14: I Love You, Goodbye - Hayley and Jackson's unification ritual succeeds, making them super-wolves. Elijah confesses his love for Hayley, but she marries Jackson anyway. Kol dies after Finn is resurrected by Freya. Freya warns that Dahlia is coming for Hope. The episode concludes with Hayley and Jackson moving into the compound, while Elijah decides to move out.
Season 2, Episode 15: They All Asked for You - Rebekah discovers the body she inhabits, Eva Sinclair, is a child murderer who resurfaces at night. Freya successfully awakens Mikael and absorbs Finn into her necklace, offering Klaus and Elijah a deal. Elijah makes a deal with Josephine LaRue to return Vincent in exchange for protection for Rebekah. The episode concludes with Eva Sinclair's murderous alter ego taking control of Rebekah's body, and Hayley and Jackson consummating their marriage, only to be interrupted by a waking Hope.
Season 2, Episode 16: Save My Soul - Klaus invites Freya for brunch to gauge her loyalty, while Rebekah struggles with Eva Sinclair's body attempting to regain control. Freya reveals Dahlia cursed her lover and child to death, leading Freya to attempt suicide, only to discover her immortality. Davina is abducted by Eva, and the episode concludes with Dahlia's music box ominously playing near baby Hope.
Season 2, Episode 17: Exquisite Corpse - Eva Sinclair regains control of her body, trapping Rebekah within. Klaus, desperate to save his sister, reluctantly teams up with Freya. Meanwhile, Hayley and Elijah investigate Eva's past, and Marcel seeks Vincent's help to stop her. The episode concludes with Eva seemingly defeated, but Vincent siding with her, revealing her plan to use Hope's power.
Season 2, Episode 18: Night Has a Thousand Eyes - Dahlia demonstrates her immense power by taking over Jackson's body and later confronting Klaus and Mikael. Freya attempts to protect her siblings, while Elijah and Marcel establish a safe house. Ultimately, Klaus is forced to kill his father, Mikael, to stop Dahlia's immediate threat. The episode concludes with Dahlia remaining a formidable enemy, having proven her ability to manipulate and overpower others.
Season 2, Episode 19: When the Levee Breaks - Dahlia gives Klaus and Hayley a deadline to hand over Hope. Hayley and Jackson devise a plan to mask Hope's magic, enlisting Aiden's help. Freya issues an ultimatum to Rebekah and Elijah. Dahlia brutally murders Aiden, framing Klaus. In the episode's climax, Elijah, Rebekah, and Freya stake Klaus, leaving him desiccated.
Season 2, Episode 20: City Beneath the Sea - Dahlia reveals her past to Klaus, convincing him they are similar and that he should join her. Hayley decides to leave New Orleans with Hope to live among the wolves, believing it's the only way to protect her daughter. Klaus, feeling betrayed by his siblings, ultimately sides with Dahlia, agreeing to help her take Hope. The episode concludes with Klaus pulling the dagger from his chest, free and ready to align with Dahlia against his family.
Season 2, Episode 21: Fire with Fire - Klaus, betrayed by his family, feigns allegiance with Dahlia to enact his own revenge. Freya attempts to trap Dahlia, but Gia is tragically killed by Klaus to solidify his deception. Hayley and Jackson decide to flee with Hope, and Davina is made regent of the witch covens. The episode concludes with Klaus's plan in motion, leaving his family in disarray.
Season 2, Episode 22: Ashes to Ashes - Dahlia and Esther are killed by Elijah and Klaus, respectively, after Esther sacrifices herself to save her children. Davina is tricked into resurrecting Esther instead of Kol. Hayley is cursed to remain a wolf indefinitely, and Rebekah returns to her original body, choosing to seek out Kol. The season concludes with Klaus holding his daughter, Hope, vowing that their story is not over.
