While previous seasons of this CW spin-off from The Vampire Diaries have been 22 episodes long, this 2017 fourth season has been shortened to 13—a forewarning that the fifth season will be the last. A sense of tiredness has overtaken the saga of the Mikaelson clan of bloodsuckers—headed up by family patriarch Klaus (Joseph Morgan)—who returned to New Orleans after a long absence and battled foes old and new, while also facing internal dissension over the hybrid vampire-werewolf child of Klaus and Hayley (Phoebe Tonkin). This season jumps half a decade ahead of the last one, which closed with the clan apparently doomed to endless slumber by their enemies. Naturally, they awake, only to have to deal with two issues: continued resistance from Klaus's erstwhile protégé Marcel (Charles Michael Davis) who now controls the city, and a fearsome new threat called The Hollow that feeds on the sacrifice of children. Old enemies will have to join forces in order to defeat this monstrous entity, with numerous subplots, counterplots, reversals, and sacrifices along the way. Extras include a behind-the-scenes featurette, a 2016 Comic-Con panel, deleted scenes, and a gag reel. A strong optional purchase. (F. Swietek)
The Originals: The Complete Fourth Season
Warner, 547 min., not rated, DVD: 5 discs, $24.99; Blu-ray: 3 discs, $39.99 November 27, 2017
The Originals: The Complete Fourth Season
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