22 Episodes
Short on time? Here's the essentials:
The Original vampire family, led by the volatile hybrid Klaus Mikaelson and his noble brother Elijah Mikaelson, faces a dire prophecy foretelling their destruction. Their lives are intertwined with Hayley Marshall, a werewolf hybrid and mother of Klaus's daughter, Hope; Marcel Gerard, a powerful vampire and former protégé of Klaus; and Cami O'Connell, a human therapist who often advises Klaus. This season, ancient vampires from their past emerge, threatening the very existence of the Mikaelson sire lines.
The central conflict ignites with the arrival of Lucien Castle, Aurora de Martel, and Tristan de Martel, the first vampires sired by Klaus, Rebekah, and Elijah, respectively. They bring with them a prophecy of the Mikaelsons' downfall and manipulate events to destroy them. Lucien, obsessed with power, seeks to become an "upgraded" Original, a being even more formidable than the Mikaelsons. He orchestrates attacks, leading to the brutal death of Jackson, Hayley's husband. Cami, a human, becomes deeply entangled and is tragically bitten by Lucien, leading to her death. Davina Claire, a powerful young witch, attempts to break the sire lines but is ultimately consumed by the ancestors, resulting in her death.
Lucien successfully transforms into an upgraded Original, becoming nearly invincible and killing Finn Mikaelson. In a shocking twist, Marcel, consumed by grief and a desire for power, drinks the same serum, becoming an upgraded Original vampire himself. He then defeats the Mikaelsons, stabbing Klaus with a magical blade. To save her family, Freya Mikaelson, their powerful witch sister, links the Mikaelson siblings' lives to Klaus's, putting them all into a magical sleep. Hayley departs with the unconscious Mikaelsons and Hope, seeking a cure to save them all.
Season 3 of The Originals covers episodes 1-22. Here's everything that happened:
Season 3, Episode 1: For the Next Millennium - Months after Dahlia's defeat, Klaus and Elijah remain estranged. A mysterious vampire named Lucien arrives, warning of a threat to the Mikaelson sire lines. Hayley struggles with her wolf curse, while Davina faces challenges as the witches' Regent. The episode concludes with the Mikaelsons facing a new threat from Lucien, who reveals he is their first sire, and a serial killer is loose in the French Quarter, setting a dark tone for the season.
Season 3, Episode 2: You Hung the Moon - Elijah and Jackson search for Hayley, who is being held by Davina. Davina uses Hayley to help control Dahlia's powers, leading to Hayley killing a witch. Meanwhile, Cami investigates a series of murders, suspecting Lucien. Lucien is revealed to be behind the attacks on the wolves, and Freya foresees a prophecy of doom for the Mikaelson siblings. The episode concludes with Hayley and Jackson moving across the street from Klaus, seeking a more stable life for Hope.
Season 3, Episode 3: I'll See You in Hell or New Orleans - Klaus and Elijah investigate Lucien's motives, uncovering his past with Aurora and Tristan in 1002 A.D.. Meanwhile, Aya presents Marcel with an offer, and Hayley seeks an unconventional coping mechanism. Lucien bites Cami, and Aurora drinks a formula to become an Enhanced being before being put into a sleeping spell. The episode concludes with Aurora being placed in a sleeping spell, and Klaus and Elijah agreeing to work together, though not forgive each other.
Season 3, Episode 4: A Walk on the Wild Side - Elijah and Hayley attend a gala hosted by The Strix, an ancient vampire society, where Marcel is offered membership. Meanwhile, Klaus and Lucien seek a seer named Alexis, who predicts Klaus's death but is then poisoned and dies herself. Marcel proves his worth to The Strix by defeating an opponent, despite being bitten by a werewolf. The episode concludes with Elijah and Hayley discussing their family's future.
Season 3, Episode 5: The Axeman's Letter - Klaus receives a letter from his past lover, Aurora, leading him to confront her. Flashbacks reveal Elijah compelled Aurora to hate Klaus, a secret that deeply wounds Klaus. Meanwhile, Cami and Vincent investigate Lucien's involvement in the city's serial murders, and Davina, with Hayley's help, breaks the curse on the wolves. The episode concludes with Elijah seemingly giving up on his brother, declaring war if necessary.
Season 3, Episode 6: Beautiful Mistake - Elijah and Freya race to protect Rebekah from the Strix's plan to use a weapon called the "serratura" against the Mikaelsons. Klaus interrogates Aurora, who reveals the weapon's purpose and that she's secured Rebekah's original body. Meanwhile, Hayley and Marcel encounter a Strix member, and Cami is forced to make a difficult choice to save Detective Kinney. Rebekah's original body is secured by Aurora, and Shen Min immolates himself to avoid revealing more about the weapon.
Season 3, Episode 7: Out of the Easy - Klaus and Elijah host a tense Thanksgiving dinner with Aurora, Tristan, and Lucien to negotiate a truce. Aurora reveals Rebekah is at the bottom of the ocean, leading to a violent confrontation. Tristan's neck is broken by Klaus, and Cami is trapped by a vengeful Aurora, ending the episode with the siblings facing dire consequences.
Season 3, Episode 8: The Other Girl in New Orleans - Klaus follows Aurora's dangerous clues to save Cami, while Elijah, Freya, and Hayley torture Tristan for Rebekah's location. Marcel plays a double game, appearing to betray Elijah but secretly aiding him and Freya. Freya successfully summons Finn, and Klaus obtains Rebekah's coordinates from Aurora, but spares her life for now. The episode concludes with the Mikaelsons closer to finding Rebekah.
Season 3, Episode 9: Savior - Rebekah returns, cursed and a ripper, forcing Elijah to dagger her to fulfill part of a prophecy. Klaus saves Detective Kinney from suicide, leading to a romantic moment with Cami. However, the episode ends on a cliffhanger with Klaus waking to find Cami dead, her throat slit.
Season 3, Episode 10: A Ghost Along the Mississippi - Following a horrific plan, Klaus declares war on Aurora and Tristan. Jackson is brutally murdered by Tristan, who rips his heart out. Cami, compelled by Aurora to drink vampire blood and slit her own throat, awakens in transition, but ultimately chooses not to feed, facing death with dignity. Hayley vows revenge for Jackson's death.
Season 3, Episode 11: Wild at Heart - Elijah reluctantly partners with Aya to find a weapon that can kill an Original, while Davina is tempted with a spell to resurrect Kol. Cami struggles with her new vampire existence, and Hayley grieves Jackson's death. Ariane, the Strix's seer, is killed by Elijah, and Cami steals the toy horse that Klaus made for Rebekah, revealed to be the weapon that can kill an Original. The episode concludes with the Mikaelsons facing this new threat.
Season 3, Episode 12: Dead Angels - Cami, seeking protection, steals a powerful White Oak weapon. This leads to Klaus confronting an unlikely foe, while Elijah's power play within The Strix results in Marcel becoming the new leader. Aurora, seeking freedom, kills the witch Madison who served her. The episode concludes with Klaus's life in danger, and Marcel consolidating his power in New Orleans.
Season 3, Episode 13: Heart-Shaped Box - Aurora uses Freya as bait, leading Klaus and Elijah into a trap. Davina attempts to break the sire lines by conjuring Kol, discovering that an unsired vampire's heart is needed. Elijah is shot by Aurora, and Hayley is forced into a heartbreaking sacrifice to provide Jackson's heart for the spell.
Season 3, Episode 14: A Streetcar Named Desire - Klaus and Elijah are trapped in a magical realm within Tristan's mind, facing psychological torment. Freya, with help from Marcel, Hayley, and Stefan, works to free them. Davina successfully performs a risky spell to break the sire lines, resurrecting Kol in the process. Ultimately, Aya is killed by Hayley, and Aurora is sealed away in a brick tomb.
Season 3, Episode 15: An Old Friend Calls - Klaus learns of Cortez's arrival, an old vampire seeking revenge. Hayley grapples with Jackson's death by targeting Strix members. Kol is resurrected as an Original vampire, and Finn Mikaelson also returns, leaving their fates uncertain. Klaus and Hayley depart New Orleans with Hope.
Season 3, Episode 16: Alone with Everybody - Amidst rumors of the last white oak bullet, dangerous foes descend upon New Orleans. Davina traps Finn in his vampire body, leading to a confrontation with Kol. Klaus and Hayley seek refuge with her former pack and uncover unsettling news. Ultimately, Elijah entrusts the white oak bullet to Freya for safekeeping, and Finn, despairing, chooses to end his suffering.
Season 3, Episode 17: Behind the Black Horizon - Freya is kidnapped by Lucien, who intends to use her to become an upgraded Original vampire. Elijah and Finn travel to Mystic Falls to rescue her, encountering Matt Donovan. Lucien successfully drinks the serum, becoming a more powerful being, and fatally bites Finn. Klaus and Hayley investigate Lucien's plans, while Kol's behavior becomes concerning. The episode concludes with Finn's death and Lucien's transformation.
Season 3, Episode 18: The Devil Comes Here and Sighs - Klaus is kidnapped by Lucien and Aurora, who have allied to seek revenge. Elijah and Freya confront Lucien, while Hayley and Cami orchestrate a rescue. Aurora bites Cami, turning her into a vampire, and Kol's erratic behavior escalates due to ancestor interference. The episode concludes with Klaus rescued, but Cami's life is now in danger.
Season 3, Episode 19: No More Heartbreaks - After being bitten by Lucien, Cami shares a final, loving moment with Klaus before succumbing to the venom. Davina attempts to dagger Kol at his own request, but the ancestors interfere, leading to Davina's death at Kol's hands. The episode concludes with Klaus promising to carry Cami's memory with him, ensuring her immortality.
Season 3, Episode 20: Where Nothing Stays Buried - Klaus confronts Lucien in the bayou, leading to Lucien's death at Klaus's hands. Freya uses Davina as a conduit to make Lucien vulnerable, resulting in Davina's permanent death as she's consumed by the ancestors. The episode concludes with Marcel vowing revenge and accepting a vial of the serum that made Lucien powerful.
Season 3, Episode 21: Give 'em Hell, Kid - Freya foresees a new enemy, while Vincent and Kol venture into the spirit world to sever the Ancestors' power. Klaus and Elijah confront Marcel, who, fueled by grief over Davina's death, drinks Lucien's serum, becoming an Original vampire. Elijah seemingly kills Marcel, but he later awakens, alive and transformed.
Season 3, Episode 22: The Bloody Crown - Klaus faces trial by Marcel for his past atrocities. Freya enacts a desperate spell, linking the Mikaelson siblings' lives to Klaus's, putting them all into a magical sleep to stave off death. Klaus is ultimately stabbed with Papa Tunde's blade by Marcel, leaving him in agonizing pain and alone. Hayley departs with the sleeping Mikaelsons and Hope, seeking a cure.
