When To Watch The Originals During Vampire Diaries

Okay, let's talk vampires. Not the sparkly kind. We're diving into the delicious drama of The Vampire Diaries and its equally compelling spin-off, The Originals.

But here's the thing: figuring out when to watch The Originals during your Vampire Diaries binge can feel like navigating a mystical maze. Everyone has an opinion.

The Chronological Conundrum

Some folks are strict timeline followers. They believe in watching everything in exact order. This means hopping back and forth between shows like a vampire at a blood bank. Exhausting!

I respect the dedication. But honestly? I'm too lazy for that. Plus, spoilers are lurking everywhere online.

My Wildly Unpopular (But Superior) Method

Here's my hot take: Finish The Vampire Diaries before even thinking about The Originals. Gasp!

I know, I know. People will say you miss crucial backstory. They'll argue you won't understand Klaus Mikaelson's motivations.

But trust me on this. Let The Vampire Diaries be its own complete saga first.

Think of it like this: The Vampire Diaries is the main course. The Originals? That's the rich, decadent dessert. You wouldn't eat dessert halfway through dinner, would you?

Why Delaying is Divine

The Originals is fantastic. But its impact is amplified when you already know the Salvatore brothers. You've lived with Elena's choices. You understand the stakes.

Seeing Klaus, Elijah, and Rebekah in Mystic Falls first gives their story weight. You’ve seen them as antagonists.

Then, bam! You get their whole origin story. You understand their vulnerabilities. It's a richer, more satisfying experience.

The Spoiler Situation

Let’s be real: spoilers are everywhere. Watching The Originals concurrently with The Vampire Diaries makes avoiding them near impossible.

Finish TVD, THEN dive into the messy Mikaelson family drama. Protect yourself from accidental reveals!

Embrace the Binge

Once you finish The Vampire Diaries, you can launch into The Originals with reckless abandon. No more pausing. No more switching back and forth.

Pure, unadulterated New Orleans vampire goodness. It’s a magical experience.

Consider the Emotional Rollercoaster

The Vampire Diaries is an emotional rollercoaster. The Originals? It's like that same rollercoaster, but on fire. And in New Orleans. With more angst.

Give yourself time to process the feels of The Vampire Diaries before jumping into another intense storyline. You need a breather!

So, that's my controversial advice. Finish The Vampire Diaries first. Then, and only then, unleash the Mikaelsons. You won't regret it. Unless you hate fantastic television. Then... maybe?

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to re-watch both shows (in my preferred order, obviously). Happy binging!