The Originals: The Complete Third Season

This spin-off from the long-running CW series The Vampire Diaries continues the saga of the Mikaelson clan of ancient vampires—the original undead—whose return to New Orleans after being expelled years ago sets off a struggle for control. Brothers Klaus (Joseph Morgan) and Elijah (Daniel Gillies) remain the dominant figures, but their siblings Finn (Casper Zafer), Freya (Riley Voelkel), Kol (Nathaniel Buzolic), and Rebekah (Claire Holt) also have roles in the complicated narrative dance of alliances, betrayals, and deaths (which are not always permanent), as does Hayley Marshall (Phoebe Tonkin), a werewolf with whom Klaus has a hybrid daughter—plus there's a bewildering assortment of other vampires, werewolves, hybrids, and witches. Dangerous figures from the family's past periodically show up to cause trouble, most notably the mysterious Lucien (Andrew Lees), while Marcel (Charles Michael Davis), a former protégé of Klaus who had ruled the city in the Mikaelsons' absence, serves as a sometimes friend and sometimes foe. Although the show has attracted a devoted following, the overall gloomy tone and lack of humor—coupled with unsympathetic characters—makes this a watch for fans only. Presenting all 22 episodes from the 2015-16 third season, extras include deleted scenes, a Q&A panel at the 2016 San Diego Comic-Con, a set tour, and a gag reel. A strong optional purchase. (F. Swietek)