Ashes to Ashes

 is the twenty-second episode of the second season of  and the forty-fourth episode of the series.

Summary
EVERYTHING WE LOVE, WE TURN TO ASH — With time running out, Klaus’ ultimate plan to protect baby Hope at all costs continues to take shape. As tensions between the siblings come to a head, Cami reveals a vital piece of information that causes Elijah and Rebekah to reconsider their plan of attack against Dahlia. Davina finds herself one step closer to fulfilling the promise she made to Kol, while Freya is forced to take drastic measures to protect herself against Dahlia. Elsewhere, Marcel has to put aside his fury at Klaus in order to protect himself and everyone in their sire line. Meanwhile, Vincent finds himself torn between the prospects of a magic-free life away from New Orleans and a personal obligation to protect Davina. Finally, with their risky plan in place, the Mikaelson siblings prepare for the fight of their lives.

Main Cast

 * Joseph Morgan as Niklaus Mikaelson
 * Daniel Gillies as Elijah Mikaelson
 * Phoebe Tonkin as Hayley Marshall-Kenner
 * Charles Michael Davis as Marcel Gerard
 * Leah Pipes as Camille O'Connell
 * Danielle Campbell as Davina Claire
 * Yusuf Gatewood as Vincent Griffith

Special Guest Star

 * Claire Holt as Rebekah Mikaelson

Recurring Cast

 * Alice Evans as Esther Mikaelson
 * Riley Voelkel as Freya Mikaelson
 * Claudia Black as Dahlia
 * Maisie Richardson-Sellers as Rebekah Mikaelson
 * Hayley McCarthy as young Esther
 * Kristin Erickson as young Dahlia
 * Nishi Munshi as Gia (Corpse)

Uncredited

 * Charlie/Blake as Hope Mikaelson

Trivia

 * This episode is the second season finale for.
 * In an interview with either Julie or Michael, it is said their hope is to get to a place by the end of the season where we have a new status quo and we begin to explore new storylines in season 3.
 * Things will get worse before they get better!" executive producer Michael Narducci warns. With Dahlia, the last remaining first-generation Mikaelson, in town, expect a deadly showdown. "Some people are going to not make it", Narducci says. "This was our Empire Strikes Back season and. At the end of it you will, I hope, be devastated, but you'll see that these people are not yet defeated". Adds Joseph Morgan; "There are moments which will really make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and we'll see our heroes really stand together (which is) inspiring. But there's also a very unexpected action from a character which turns the tide completely at the last moment". Hmm, could that tease be related to this nugget Morgan shared earlier in the season? "I was pitching an idea where, at the end of Season 2, Marcel comes out of left field and tries to take the city. All along he's been preparing these forces and we've been concentrating on our family and we never saw it coming".
 * "Just when it appears all is lost for the Mikaelsons, a desperate plan, a moment of trust, a final sacrifice and a surprising twist may give the family a final shot to save themselves - or damn them for all time".
 * What should fans brace themselves for, in regard to the coming finale? Narduccl; Nobody on our show has an easy go of it, for the rest of the season. The question is, will they be able to survive? Who is going to live, and who is going to die? Who is going to be changed forever? What relationships are going to be destroyed? What relationships may have a chance at being healed? Things are going to get worse before they get better, but there is a ray of hope. We’re shooting the finale right now and the dailies are coming in, and they are amazing. The performances are amazing. The fundamental thesis of this show is how we draw strength from the people who we are born with and who we choose to be our family. If there’s any hope for these people, it comes from that, and that is the story that we’re telling. So, I think that we will make that story manifest in the finale. Strength is drawn from the people that we love and who we are bound to by family.
 * We're very close to the finale. What can you tease about what's in store?The climax of the season is so great that it will have an effect on more than just the members of our cast and the characters on our show. It will be so big, and so great, that it will draw in - and draw the attention of - other entities who have vested interest in what happens to the Mikaelson family. We will be exploring that in season three.
 * An Original's Return: Stopping witch Dahlia from stealing baby Hope in the May 11th season finale may seem impossible but EP Julie Plec says Klaus & Co. do stand a chance after they "resurrect a secret weapon".
 * Expect a very different season 3. When asked about how the season 2 finale compares to the first season’s, Campbell said, "The drama’s heightened so much", adding, "The ending of this season is really exciting because it almost sets up next season to be a whole new show. I know that’s a really big statement, but it closes so many of those doors that have been left open from last season and from Vampire Diaries. And so next season, you’re really going to see this whole new twist. It’s going to be really exciting".
 * Is Freya the female Klaus? “I’ve noticed on social media some people have been describing [Freya] as a sort of female version of Klaus in some ways. And I wouldn’t disagree with that,” Morgan said. “I think there’s a lot of qualities that are similar there, and perhaps that’s why they have this instant mistrust of each other. I think that gets to him.”However, Rebekah’s current situation is going to force Klaus to trust his older sister. “Let’s just say it moves their relationship along,” Morgan said. “I don’t know if he’s more willing to trust her, or if he comes out of it feeling like, “No I was right about her.” But there’s movement there, and towards the end of the season as well.”
 * Losing Mikael on The Originals was awful, but I have a bad feeling that isn’t the last big death of the season. — MattWell, Matt, you are not wrong. When asked point blank if Mikael’s death was the last of season 2, Originals executive producer Michael Narducci replies, “No, not at all. Not even close, unfortunately.” And if you’re thinking that probably means more than one person you love is going to die before season’s end, you’d be right. “There are a few more deaths and they are just as heartbreaking and really, really sad,” Narducci says.
 * Freya and Klaus will confront their similarities. The similarities between these siblings don’t end at their hair color and their DNA. “Both of them were raised by people who were not their biological parent, and who maybe didn’t treat them the way you would want a parent to treat you in a loving and caring fashion. And that has resulted in both of them being very dangerous and lacking a certain base-level compassion,” Narducci said. “But both of them are smart enough to realize their similarities,” he continued. ”That is something we are going to explore for as long as Freya is a part of this show and a part of this family, and how can they possibly ever bridge that divide? There’s obviously a lot of work to be done if that’s ever even going to be a conversation
 * The showdown with Dahlia will lead to more loss. “Nobody on our show has an easy go of it for the rest of the season,” Narducci said. “The question is: Will they be able to survive? Who is going to live and who is going to die? Who is going to be changed forever? What relationships are going to be destroyed? What relationships may have a chance at being healed? I think that things are going to get worse before they get better.”One way they’re going to get worse? “There will be a showdown with Dahlia that will be definitive,” Narducci said. “And I think along the way, some people are going to not make it.”
 * Marcel will face some “impossible choices.” “Marcel has some very difficult scenes coming up, and he will have to decide what part he wants to play in all of this,” Narducci said. “We know that he has a rule about protecting kids and we know that he has a fierce loyalty to the Mikaelsons in general but especially to Rebekah, and some choices are going to have to be made for him that are what I would call impossible choices.”
 * The past few episodes have been pretty brutal in terms of character deaths. What pressure does that put on the writing staff for these final few episodes to either up the bloodshed or go on a completely different path?These deaths all have purpose, and it's this slow spiral as the family is falling apart. In this episode, Aiden's death absolutely forces everyone to question Klaus' ability to lead. Klaus takes responsibility. He claims, "So what if I did kill this guy?" even though he didn't. That in itself is such a reckless move, but with the intention of keeping the wolves from being completely loyal to him and Hope and Hayley so they cannot run. He's doing it with reason and with purpose, but ultimately it backfires on him by getting [him] daggered. Now the family will continue to spiral because they're without their brother, and they're facing Dahlia. Things are going to get worse. The rest of the season, any deaths, any huge moves, it will be with that same purpose until our family is pushed into a place where they have to find a way to defeat this villain by standing together.
 * Marcel (Charles Michael Davis) also seems to be on the outside at the moment and it looks like he might be having some problems soon. Will Davina be coming to his rescue?DANIELLE: Something does come up in the next couple of episodes and you might see more scenes with Davina and Marcel.
 * How much of what Elijah is realizing about his past will haunt him? Narducci: I think it was Esther's intention to really break him at his core and force him into a place where he has no choice but to admit that what he is as a vampire is evil, awful and wrong and the source of his misery and not something he can continue to endure. That's her perspective, and Elijah will have to face the facts of these various atrocities he's committed and has washed away by remaining clean... and having a moral code. He'll have to decide, "Can I continue to endure my existence as a vampire? Can I take my mother's ultimatum?" He may also find that choice complicated by the notion of, "If I were to take Esther's option, what would that do to my family? Would I betray them? Would I be leaving them vulnerable? If so, how can I think about myself when I need to do what's right for my family?" What she has done to Elijah is definitely going to have a big impact on him for the rest of the season.
 * So are we launching into a Klaus vs. Freya sibling war now?I think the question is: Will they be able to overcome their inherent distrust for each other? Freya is making an appeal to the siblings. The question the audience can ask is: Can we trust Freya? Is Freya in this truly to help the siblings or is she just in this to help herself? Klaus obviously doesn’t trust her, so now Freya is saying, “Fine. You don’t want to trust me, then I’m going to build my team to destroy Dahlia with Elijah and Rebekah and you can just be alone.” So the question to ask is: Will Klaus find that going it alone is a dangerous mission, that he might actually jeopardize his daughter’s safety by being a little bit stubborn? And for Freya: Can she actually defeat Dahlia if she doesn’t have Klaus on her side? And how are they going to work through their issues? It’s not what I would’ve expected. As a viewer of this show I think I would be surprised by how this all plays out. Hopefully it’ll be pretty exciting.
 * Possible spoilers
 * is put back into her original body. This episode marks her 70th appearance overall.
 * Esther is put back into her original witch body, after she was killed by Freya in Lenore's vampire body.
 * This is the second finale episode to feature Davina bringing someone back from the dead, specifically an Original this time as well.


 * Reference: http://www.ew.com/article/2015/05/05/originals-boss-explains-klaus-decision-talks-claire-holts-return
 * Reference: http://vampirediaries.alloyentertainment.com/daniel-gillies-the-originals-exclusive-50515/#5
 * Reference:http://www.ew.com/article/2015/05/07/originals-daniel-gillies-previews-Shakespearean-apocalypse
 * With Rebekah (Claire Holt) returning, could we ever see all seven Mikaelsons in one scene.Narducci: Before the season is over, that's definitely a possibility.
 * Can anyone truly have a happy ending, on this show?NARDUCCI: This is a show about vampires, and vampires are immortal. In order to understand the gift of immortality and the drag of being immortal, you have to juxtapose that with the story of mortals whose life spans are all too finite. That’s one of the reasons there’s so much death in a vampire show. You love someone, and then they are gone. These characters have a big struggle coming up, but there is absolutely reason to believe that not only their family bonds, but some of their romantic bonds will bear the beautiful moments that we want from those romances.
 * According to Julie Plec, either TVD or The Originals might have a major time jump.
 * http://www.ew.com/article/2015/05/08/claire-holt-previews-unexpected-ending-originals-finale
 * http://www.tvguide.com/news/originals-finale-spoilers-klaus-dahlia/?rss=keywords
 * Because of what Klaus did to Gia and Hayley. Elijah punched Klaus in the face. And told him he's not sticking by him anymore.
 * When Esther and Dahlia die together. They hold each other. Even though they hated each other for centuries. They forgave each other just minutes before they were killed by Klaus.
 * Marcel lights Gia's body on fire. While Elijah takes her violin.

Continuity

 * This is the second season finale to feature, , , , , , , , and Hope, and the first to feature Freya and Dahlia.

Behind the Scenes

 * Claire Holt returns as Rebekah Mikaelson in this episode.
 * Alice Evans returns as Esther.

Cultural References

 * "Ashes to Ashes" was the name of a British science fiction and police procedural drama television series, as a sequel to "Life on Mars".
 * "Ashes to Ashes" is a song by David Bowie released in 1980 as a cut from the "Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)" album.
 * "Ashes to Ashes" is a British action movie released in 1999.

Quotes
Extended Promo


 * Rebekah: "I suppose it's a family trait."


 * Rebekah: "Everything we love, we turn to ash."


 * Klaus (to Elijah): "Brother."
 * Elijah (to Klaus): "We're beyond redemption."


 * Klaus: "Why not?"


 * Klaus: "We still have a sister to save and an aunty to send to hell."
 * Dahlia: "Welcome. To your end."

Clip #1


 * Davina (to Rebekah): "You are all liars. I'm gonna bring back the only one of you who has ever meant anything."

Clip #2


 * Vincent (to Davina): "Earth magic. Ah. Who taught you this?"


 * Davina (to Vincent): "Closest thing I had to a teacher: the guy I'm bringing back."


 * Vincent: "Now when you became Regent our ancestors gave you a one-time-only access to their power. Now are you sure you want to use that on Kol Mikaelson?"


 * Davina: "I've already made up my mind. The spell's almost done, I just use the power of the spirits to turn dirt and ash into flesh and bone. Though maybe I should have worn an apron."


 * Vincent: "Look, Davina Claire, you want my advice? As someone who has just been put through the Mikaelson meatgrinder, be careful."


 * Davina: "Kol's not like his brothers; they all turn on each other."


 * Vincent: "I against my brother, my brother and I against the infidel."


 * Davina: "What does that mean?"


 * Vincent: "It means that families fight. But when push comes to shove, you can always trust a Mikaelson to back another Mikaelson. So, you watch your back."

Clip #3


 * Elijah (to Camille): "So now that you have healed, what do you mean Niklaus had a plan? We had a plan! A plan he has mercilessly destroyed!"


 * Camille: "Your plan wouldn't have worked, Elijah! When Klaus got into my head, he said your plan would fail. So he had to enact one of his own."


 * Elijah: "And what might that be?"


 * Camille: "He has to get her to link to him."


 * Dahlia:

Inside Clip


 * Camille (to Elijah): "This! All of this. It's a trick!"


 * Elijah: "You've lost your mind."


 * Camille: "He told me her secret. "I know how we can kill Dahlia."


 * Elijah (to Camille): "What do you mean Niklaus had a plan? We had a plan!"


 * Marcel (to Rebekah): "He compelled me to hurt you because he knows what you mean to me."


 * Dahlia (to Klaus): "I will only need a single drop of her blood, and then, her power shall be mine also."


 * Camille (to Elijah): "All I know is that Klaus will do whatever he has to do--"


 * Elijah: "Klaus will do whatever he has to do for Klaus!"


 * Elijah (to Klaus): "Now we have fought together for centuries and once again to break your enemy you broke your family!"

Clip #4
 * Marcel (To Rebekah): "It can't end this way! This is not how you die!"
 * Marcel (To Rebekah): "It can't end this way! This is not how you die!"

Pictures

 * -|Promotional=