The Originals: The Complete First Season

This spin-off from The Vampire Diaries follows the “original vampires”—cruel vamp/werewolf hybrid Klaus Mikaelson (Joseph Morgan) and his purebred brother and sister, Elijah (Daniel Gillies) and Rebekah (Claire Holt)—as they return to New Orleans to investigate a plot against Klaus. A century ago, the trio were exiled from the French Quarter, which their family built and once ruled, and Klaus's former protégé Marcel (Charles Michael Davis) now controls the underworld with his pack, terrorizing witches and werewolves alike. “My family and I have done some terrible things,” Klaus admits in one episode, which is something of an understatement. Darker than its parent show, this new horror melodrama is like the original Dallas with fangs and black magic: siblings and friends forever double-crossing one another for power. The wild card is Hayley (Phoebe Tonkin), a werewolf pregnant with Klaus's child; supposedly, the blood of this baby can make any vampire or werewolf far more powerful. Yet another series featuring gorgeous young adults with supernatural abilities and loads of violence and blood, The Originals' appeal is likely limited to youthful fans of gothic soap opera. Compiling all 22 episodes from the 2013–14 first season, extras include a pilot episode commentary, behind-the-scenes featurettes, and panel discussions from 2013 Comic-Con and 2014 PaleyFest. Optional. (S. Axmaker)