The CW, the network that spawned such cult hits as The Vampire Diaries, Supernatural, and Arrow, struck gold again this season with two of their freshman series. Diaries’ spinoff, The Originals, and sci-fi thriller The Tomorrow People have both premiered to strong ratings and favorable reactions from fans.
Bottom: The Tomorrow People stars Aaron Yoo, Peyton List, Robbie Amell, and Luke Mitchell (Photo courtesy of Just Jared Jr.)
The Originals follows villain-turned-leading man Niklaus Mikaelson and his pursuit to reclaim all that his ancient family once owned in the French Quarter of New Orleans. He and his siblings, the first vampires in creation, once ruled the Quarter. Joseph Morgan, Daniel Gillies, and Claire Holt star as the “originals”—Niklaus, Elijah, and Rebekah, respectively. One complication: the Quarter’s new “king” is Niklaus’ vampire progeny Marcel. Niklaus also happens to have fathered a child with Hayley, a werewolf who is unwelcome in the Quarter. All of this tension leads to jaw-dropping action, clever dialogue, and deeply tortured characters whom the audience can’t help but root for. The first three episodes have shocked, thrilled, and thoroughly entertained me. This show could be the anchor to which the CW ties its future successful shows.
The Tomorrow People tells the story of Stephen Jameson (Robbie Amell, cousin of Arrow‘s Stephen Amell), a member of a superior species threatened by a top-secret branch of the government that wishes to exterminate them. Dubbed the “tomorrow people,” these super humans are forced to defend themselves in a world in which that they don’t belong. While they have their powers, the 3 T’s (teleportation, telepathy, and telekinesis), the tomorrow people remain almost defenseless, as one major clause of their existence is their inability to kill. How can they save their species when they can’t even kill those that threaten it? This fight for survival results in countless action sequences, dramatic decision-making, and satisfying moments of vindication. The episodes that have aired so far have definitely left me and other fans waiting for more.
You can catch The Originals every Tuesday at 8 PM EST on the CW and The Tomorrow People every Amellsday—I mean, Wednesday—at 9 PM EST on the CW.
