The unexpected and significant impact of Klaus Mikaelson

Making a long-lasting impact on one show can be challenging to manage. Yet, Klaus Mikaelson has succeeded in creating an impact for three. The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, and Legacies have all been affected by Klaus somehow.

When the Original Hybrid was initially introduced as the Big Bad in Mystic Falls during The Vampire Diaries’ second season, it could not have been predicted exactly how influential and essential Klaus would become to The Vampire Diaries Universe. However, it would not be a franchise of shows without him.

Although Klaus is the antagonist of The Vampire Diaries, he becomes the protagonist of The Originals, a spin-off that places the Original Hyrbid front and center. Klaus effortlessly moves from Mystic Falls to New Orleans and continues his strides for power.

From villain to the protagonist, Klaus’ role shifts drastically, yet the narrative and storylines keep him perfectly in character. Klaus had always been a well-developed individual. However, transforming him into the main character allows Klaus room to grow in ways he never had previously.

The Original Hybrid’s role acts as opposition against the King of New Orleans, Marcel Gerard, as well as being the protector of his family, consisting of Elijah, Rebekah, Hayley, Freya, Kol, and Hope. Hayley being pregnant with miracle baby Hope places the Original Hybrid in a position he had never experienced. His desire to be worthy of being Hope’s father allows for new courses of action.

But, by the series finale of The Originals, it is also clear how Klaus’ impact will continue. His decision to sacrifice himself so that the Hollow will be destroyed and Hope can live results in Hope becoming an orphan. However, it also means that Hope is somehow connected to both of her parents’ deaths.

Hayley and Klaus each sacrificed themself for Hope, and it is an element she carries with her in Legacies. Confronting her father’s death during “Everything That Can Be Lost May Also Be Found” is one of the final triggers that brings back Hope’s humanity.

However, Klaus’ impact also affects Legacies in other ways. Before activating her vampire side, Hope admits to being worried that it will bring out qualities similar to her father’s worst traits. The Original Hybrid is referenced as being the Great Evil in the Salvatore School. His old enemy even comes back for revenge.

Although he is long gone, Aurora de Martel still seeks retribution for how he had treated Aurora and her brother, Tristan. Aurora can not get her revenge on Klaus, so she goes after his daughter instead. Hope is forced to deal with Aurora as the vampire remains a recurring presence in Legacies.

However, Hope also struggles with what it means to be her father’s daughter. Without her humanity, Hope considers her more violent tendencies to be more similar to her father. However, Hope’s humanity believes that the emotional version of herself is more closely associated with what it means to be Klaus Mikaelson’s daughter.

His impact can also be seen in how the Mikaelson family discusses him during their return. His desire to protect his family and his love for them is what his siblings remember as they try to appeal to Hope’s humanity.

The Vampire Diaries and The Originals showed different sides to Klaus. However, his relationship with Caroline is a common thread between the two shows. Although they had been through so much, Caroline states that she never saw Klaus as the villain in her story. Instead, although she acknowledged the bad, Caroline also saw the good in Klaus that not many others got the opportunity to witness.

Between Hope and her family’s view of Klaus, and Alaric’s history with him, Legacies has created a mixed picture of the Original Hybrid. Of course, he had his good and bad qualities just like anyone else. However, he actively tried to protect his family in the final years of his life.

Klaus Mikaelson has come out of The Vampire Diaries Universe as one of the most influential and significant characters. Whether he is viewed as a villain, anti-hero, or redeemed person, the Original Hybrid’s effect on the franchise can not be ignored. He is an essential part of each series, whether physically present or not.

While this may not have been the impact the character had initially meant to make when he first appeared, it still ended up being one of the most essential factors in expanding the universe. He was a vital part of allowing it to be as filled with as many stories as it did.

The Mikaelson family became one of the most ingrained elements in the overall universe, and that is due to the effect of the Original Hybrid himself, Klaus Mikaelson.