Legacies is the third entry in The Vampire Diaries Universe.
Yes, it's still super weird what the powers that be have named this universe, but here we are.
With seven episodes of Legacies Season 1 in the can, it's time to take a look back at what has worked for the show, and what needs some work.
Have a look below, and be sure to return for a full rundown of Legacies Season 1 Episode 8 after it airs January 24.
Remember you can watch Legacies online right here via TV Fanatic.
1.
The Monster of the Week Format - Works
Many fans of The Vampire Diaries and The Originals worried that this new format would be a dud. However, the new creatures have actually been interesting and given most of the new characters time to shine.
2.
Caroline Forbes Being Away from the Action - Doesn't Work
Candice King is not part of the cast of Legacies Season 1 and is well away from her children and the school she helped build from the ground up. Even though we know she's trying to find a way to stop the twins merging, it was silly to think that she wouldn't return home for them turning 16. It would have worked better if Caroline at least sent them a video message.
3.
Posie - Needs Work
Penelope and Josie have chemistry for days, so it's not hard to imagine that they will be one of the show's most popular couples. However, Penelope randomly disappears from the narrative and pops back up. Give Lulu Antariksa that series regular contract and it will fix this.
4.
Handon - Works
Landon and Hope have the potential to be a great couple. They have both had messed up things happen to them over the years. That's not the only thing they've got in common. They started the season as a disposable couple, but when the mythology kicked in, it became clear, they could be so much more.
5.
Lizzie - Needs Work
It's blatantly obvious Lizzie is supposed to be like a pre-vampire Caroline, and that makes sense. For every good thing Lizzie does, she follows it up with some downright questionable things. Fans are split down the middle with her. There's no middle ground. She needs further fleshed out before it's too late.
6.
Cameos from the Previous Shows - Needs Work
The beauty of Legacies is that some characters from the previous shows can stop by. Matt's appearances have made sense, but would it hurt to give fans a little look at what's going on for him away from the job? Jeremy's return was a bit of a waste because we didn't learn much. Jo's return, however, was excellent and gave her daughters and ex-lover a gift that should never have been possible. More returns like Jo's please!
7.
Penelope's Sass - Works
Penelope has an answer for everything. She's manipulative and knows what to do to get what she wants. More than anything, she's witty and has a way with words any teenager could only dream of. Did we mention that Lulu Antariksa needs to be a series regular already?
8.
Professor Saltzman - Needs Work
Alaric has had his fair share of flaws from as far back as The Vampire Diaries Season 1. He needs to start keeping his daughters in the loop about things. The girls finding out things on a need-to-know basis while Hope has the keys to the kingdom is problematic. In addition, him telling the kids to lose the football game earlier in the season sucked. How are these kids supposed to feel good when they're being told to imply they are lesser beings?
9.
Hope's Quest for Answers - Works
Hope's father sacrificed himself to save her life. Her uncle also did, but Hope doesn't mention that much. The biggest question plaguing Hope's mind centers on whether her father found happiness. It's a natural thought. Many found Hope's actions with the Necromancer selfish, but in reality, she was entitled to get some answers.
10.
The Honor Council - Works
Giving the students a voice was a great idea. If it's going to give us heartbreaking scenes like Landon being voted out of the school, then we need a lot more decisions from the students.
11.
The Brotherly Bond - Works
Landon and Rafael are foster brothers and will stop at nothing to keep each other safe. It's very reminiscent of Stefan and Damon, and we need a lot more of that in the second half of the season.
12.
Alaric's Revenge - Works
Alaric deciding it was time to take down this new villain after Jo died all over again, was perfect. Taking out his rage on the Necromancer highlighted that the Professor is following a new path on the second half of the season.
13.
The Mystery of Landon Kirby - Works
Landon is the perfect character to center the overarching mystery on. We know he's not human because he can't be compelled, but we don't know what being he is. In addition, the mystery about his mother and her ties to Malivore is making this show a worthy addition to the universe.