10 spoilers :
1. If you're worried that you are four seasons behind and need to play catch up before watching "The Originals," we can assure you that you won't be lost if you have yet to see a single episode of "The Vampire Diaries" (wait, you people actually exist?). There is heavy exposition in the opening scene to introduce the Mikaelsons and their history for new viewers. Fear not, "Vampire Diaries" virgins, you'll be all caught up in just a few short, bloody minutes.
2. For those fans who can't get enough of Elijah, this is an episode you'll want to watch over and over and over again. And for "TVD"/"The Originals" newbies, get ready to meet your new favorite character -- a vampire who can remain polite and full of old-school manners and sophistication, even after massacring a whole crew of men.
3. Since the episode was completely re-shot to tell Elijah's story of how and why he returns to New Orleans, we get a better look at just how different he is from his younger brother Klaus when it comes to handling situations. Whereas Klaus just uses violence and murder to get what he wants no matter the consequences, Elijah works the crowd, and tries to find a compromise through negotiation. It's much more strategic and clever, and yields much better results.
4. For "TVD"/"The Originals" newbies, though you can start watching the premiere with no prior knowledge of the universe, we do recommend watching the backdoor pilot that aired as a "Vampire Diaries" episode in April. "The Originals" premiere skips over a few key scenes of that episode to allow for other, important, new scenes to take place.
5. These new scenes include a longer, more in depth look at what Klaus had to go through after his first kill as a vampire back in the day, a.k.a. when he awakened his werewolf side and his father learned Klaus wasn't his child. Hello, Sebastian Roche! We've missed you (RIP Mikael Mikaelson).
6. Rebekah won't arrive in New Orleans until episode 2, but she is in the premiere. Watching Elijah work so desperately to convince her that Klaus needs their help paints you a pretty great picture of these siblings' relationships.
7. Speaking of siblings, Klaus and Elijah's relationship as brothers gives a whole new meaning to sibling rivalry, particularly in one, action-packed scene.
8. We will come to learn more about Marcel's secret weapon against the witches in New Orleans, and what is revealed in just one, short scene in the premiere will surprise you ... and raise a ton of questions.
9. Camille, the human psychology grad student, only has a quick cameo in this version of the premiere, but she piques Elijah's interest with her swift and accurate analysis of Klaus.
10. That. Ending. Whoa. You definitely do not want to miss the last 30 seconds.
"The Originals" premieres Thursday, Oct. 3 at 9 p.m. ET before moving to its permanent time slot on Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 8 p.m. ET on The CW.
who's sticking with tvd?
officially renewed for season 2 