The Originals (2017) – Season 4 Episode 1:
Gather Up The Killers


Watch The Originals Season 4 Episode 1 (March 17, 2017) – "Gather Up The Killers" online

Now Streaming:

Secure Verified

The Originals Season 4 Episode 1 (March 17, 2017) – "Gather Up The Killers"

A spin-off from The Vampire Diaries and set in New Orleans, The Originals centers on the Mikaelson siblings, otherwise known as the world's original vampires: Klaus, Elijah, and Rebekah. Now Klaus must take down his protégé, Marcel, who is now in charge of New Orleans, in order to re-take his city, as he originally built New Orleans. Klaus departed from the city after being chased down by his father Mikael, while it was being constructed and Marcel took charge. As Klaus has returned after many years, his ego has provoked him to become the king of the city. "Every King needs an heir" says Klaus, accepting the unborn child. The child is a first to be born to a hybrid and a werewolf.

Episode 1 of The Originals Season 4, titled "Gather Up The Killers", which premiered on March 17, 2017, delivers a thoughtfully crafted installment that delves deeper into character development, narrative complexity, and thematic resonance. This episode skillfully balances plot progression with emotional insight, allowing viewers to witness both the internal and external challenges faced by the central figures. Through deliberate storytelling choices, it exemplifies the series’ commitment to intelligent, immersive, and compelling serialized drama.

The opening sequences immediately establish tone and atmosphere, drawing audiences into the episode’s unique emotional landscape. Cinematic techniques, including careful framing, nuanced lighting, and deliberate pacing, enhance the storytelling while highlighting key character moments. Subtle performances by the cast convey layered emotions, revealing personal struggles, internal conflicts, and motivations that underpin each decision. The introduction sets up narrative tension without relying on overt exposition, demonstrating a mature and refined approach to storytelling.

As the story progresses, new challenges test relationships, alliances, and individual beliefs. Characters confront moral dilemmas that force them to reassess priorities, question loyalties, and confront personal weaknesses. The episode’s structure allows each scene to breathe, giving audiences time to absorb both the visual cues and the underlying emotional context. Themes such as trust, accountability, resilience, and personal growth are interwoven seamlessly with plot development, ensuring that character-driven moments resonate as much as the overarching story. Even in moments of high tension, the writing maintains accessibility, allowing viewers to engage without losing sight of the narrative’s emotional stakes.

Midway through the episode, the narrative tension escalates through conflict, revelation, and intrigue. Carefully constructed sequences create suspense while emphasizing character agency. Dialogues and interactions are charged with significance, often revealing hidden aspects of relationships or foreshadowing future developments. Visual storytelling, from subtle gestures to carefully orchestrated camera angles, reinforces the emotional weight of pivotal moments. The creative team demonstrates a keen understanding of narrative rhythm, balancing moments of quiet reflection with scenes of heightened drama, ensuring that the audience remains both engaged and emotionally invested.

Toward the climax, the episode delivers revelations that reshape prior assumptions and add depth to the ongoing arc. Plot twists are grounded in established character behavior, making them feel earned rather than contrived. The resolution of conflicts within the episode emphasizes emotional truth over spectacle, allowing viewers to appreciate the consequences of each character’s choices. By focusing on authentic character responses and meaningful outcomes, the episode achieves both suspense and satisfaction. Every narrative thread introduced contributes to the larger story universe, reinforcing continuity and thematic cohesion throughout the season.

From a technical perspective, the episode exemplifies excellence in production design, cinematography, and sound. The visual palette conveys mood, subtext, and thematic resonance, while the score subtly accentuates key emotional beats. Directional choices, including the use of silence, pacing, and framing, serve to underscore narrative priorities and heighten engagement. The episode’s careful attention to visual storytelling ensures that each scene is purposeful, whether depicting moments of tension, intimacy, or revelation. These production elements, combined with nuanced performances and precise writing, elevate the episode to a level that rewards attentive viewing.

Character arcs remain central to the episode’s success. Protagonists are confronted with situations that challenge assumptions, reveal vulnerabilities, and provide opportunities for growth. Supporting characters are given substantive roles, adding texture, depth, and unpredictability to the story. The interplay between ensemble members highlights complex relationships, power dynamics, and emotional stakes. Viewers witness how individual decisions ripple through the narrative, affecting broader plotlines and themes. This careful layering of character-driven content reinforces the series’ reputation for sophisticated storytelling and makes each episode feel both self-contained and integrally connected to the larger narrative arc.

For fans and newcomers alike, Episode 1 serves as a microcosm of the series’ larger narrative ambitions. It combines intelligent plotting, emotional resonance, and technical artistry, providing an engaging, multi-dimensional viewing experience. Whether observing moments of quiet introspection or dramatic confrontations, audiences are encouraged to reflect on the thematic undercurrents and character motivations at play. The episode exemplifies the series’ ability to marry accessibility with narrative sophistication, maintaining entertainment value while fostering deeper appreciation for its craft.

In conclusion, The Originals Season 4 Episode 1, “Gather Up The Killers,” stands as a compelling example of contemporary serialized storytelling. With its intricate narrative structure, rich character development, and aesthetic precision, the episode reinforces the series’ identity as a benchmark in modern television. It demonstrates the power of deliberate, thoughtful storytelling to captivate, challenge, and inspire audiences, leaving a lasting impression that encourages continued engagement and discussion. For those following the series, this episode not only advances the overarching plot but also enriches the emotional and thematic texture of the show, offering an experience that is both memorable and meaningful.

The Originals Season 4 Episode 1 - Gather Up The Killers (2017)
7.8/10 from 14 votes
Title The Originals
Genre Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Drama, Mystery
Air Date2017-03-17
Season4
Episode1
Overview A spin-off from The Vampire Diaries and set in New Orleans, The Originals centers on the Mikaelson siblings, otherwise known as the world's original vampires: Klaus, Elijah, and Rebekah. Now Klaus must take down his protégé, Marcel, who is now in charge of New Orleans, in order to re-take his city, as he originally built New Orleans. Klaus departed from the city after being chased down by his father Mikael, while it was being constructed and Marcel took charge. As Klaus has returned after many years, his ego has provoked him to become the king of the city. "Every King needs an heir" says Klaus, accepting the unborn child. The child is a first to be born to a hybrid and a werewolf.
Stars
  • Joseph Morgan (Klaus Mikaelson)
  • Daniel Gillies (Elijah Mikaelson)
  • Phoebe Tonkin (Hayley Marshall)
  • Charles Michael Davis (Marcel Gerard)
  • Riley Voelkel (Freya Mikaelson)
  • Yusuf Gatewood (Vincent Griffith)
  • Summer Fontana (Hope Mikaelson)


10448 Online Now