Finn Mikaelson, the often-overlooked Original vampire, meets his definitive end in Season 3, Episode 20, titled “Do Not Go Gentle.” His death, a culmination of his unwavering desire for his family’s destruction and a strategic alliance against him, marked a significant turning point in the overarching Mikaelson saga.
Understanding Finn Mikaelson’s Role and Motivations
Finn, unlike his siblings, harbored a deep resentment towards his vampiric existence. This resentment stemmed from his centuries of imprisonment, often daggered by his own mother, Esther, to prevent him from interfering with her plans. More fundamentally, he believed vampirism was an abomination, a blight upon the natural order, and a source of his family’s constant internal strife. He yearned for death and actively sought ways to achieve it and drag his siblings down with him.
His dedication to his mother, particularly after her resurrection as a vampire, further fueled his actions. He saw her plan to eradicate vampires as the only path to redemption for his family, even if it meant their ultimate destruction. This loyalty, coupled with his inherent self-loathing, made him a complex and often misunderstood character. While villainous in his actions, he believed he was acting out of a distorted sense of love and righteousness. This internal conflict is crucial to understanding his final moments.
The Events Leading to Finn’s Death in “Do Not Go Gentle”
“Do Not Go Gentle” centered around Mystic Falls’ Decade Dance, a seemingly innocuous event that served as a backdrop for a carefully orchestrated plan to eliminate Finn. Elena Gilbert, Damon Salvatore, Stefan Salvatore, and Matt Donovan worked together, utilizing their knowledge of Finn’s connection to his sire line and the power of Esther’s white oak stake.
The plan hinged on using Finn’s own weakness against him: his unwavering loyalty to his mother’s anti-vampire crusade. Elena, under the guidance of Alaric Saltzman, used a resurrected Esther to lure Finn into a trap. They exploited his desire to kill Damon, knowing it would draw him closer to the white oak stake.
Ultimately, Matt Donovan, with his human resilience, was the one to drive the white oak stake into Finn’s heart. The immediate and devastating consequences rippled through the entire vampire line sired by Finn, including Sage, demonstrating the lethal efficacy of the plan and marking Finn’s permanent demise.
The Immediate Aftermath and Long-Term Consequences
Finn’s death had immediate and far-reaching consequences. The most immediate was the demise of every vampire he had ever turned, highlighting the profound impact of Original vampire deaths. This also meant the temporary end of Sage, Damon’s then-lover, creating a ripple effect of grief and vengeance.
Beyond the immediate casualties, Finn’s death shifted the power dynamics in Mystic Falls. With one Original vampire eliminated, the remaining members of the Mikaelson family became more vulnerable, forcing them to reconsider their strategies and alliances. It also paved the way for further conflict with Alaric Saltzman, who was rapidly transforming into a dangerous and highly effective vampire hunter.
FAQs: Delving Deeper into Finn Mikaelson’s Fate
H3: Why did Finn want to die?
Finn’s desire for death stemmed from his deep resentment towards his vampiric existence. He viewed it as a curse, a violation of the natural order, and a source of his family’s dysfunction. Centuries of being daggered and imprisoned by his mother only amplified his negativity and longing for peace.
H3: Was Finn a powerful Original vampire?
While an Original vampire, Finn wasn’t considered the most powerful. His lack of experience actively engaging in the vampire world, coupled with his self-loathing, arguably hindered his potential. His siblings often perceived him as weaker and less threatening than themselves.
H3: How was Finn able to be killed if he was an Original?
Original vampires are virtually indestructible by conventional means. However, they are vulnerable to white oak stakes derived from the original white oak tree that created them. This specific weakness was exploited to ultimately kill Finn.
H3: What impact did Finn’s death have on his siblings?
Finn’s death, while seemingly anticipated by some of his siblings, did have an impact. Klaus, in particular, showed a rare moment of vulnerability and grief, indicating a complex and perhaps reluctant familial bond. It also served as a stark reminder of their own mortality and the dangers they faced.
H3: Who was Finn’s sire line?
Finn’s sire line included all the vampires he had ever turned. The most notable member of his sire line at the time of his death was Sage, a powerful and ancient vampire who had a romantic relationship with Damon Salvatore.
H3: What was Esther’s role in Finn’s death?
Esther Mikaelson, Finn’s mother, played a crucial role in his death. While seemingly working with him to eradicate vampires, she was ultimately used as a pawn by Elena and Alaric to lure Finn into a trap. Her presence and supposed alliance with Finn were key to his downfall.
H3: Did Finn’s death affect the other Originals?
Indirectly, yes. Finn’s death demonstrated the very real threat to the Original vampires, forcing them to re-evaluate their strategies and alliances. It also highlighted the vulnerability of the entire sire line concept, as each Original’s death carried the potential to wipe out countless vampires.
H3: What was the significance of the Decade Dance in “Do Not Go Gentle”?
The Decade Dance served as a deceptively normal setting for a carefully orchestrated plan. It provided a place for the characters to gather, allowing Elena and her allies to manipulate events and ultimately lead Finn to his demise. The contrast between the joyous occasion and the deadly plot heightened the dramatic tension.
H3: Could Finn have been saved or resurrected?
Within the established rules of The Vampire Diaries universe, Finn’s death was permanent. While other characters were resurrected, the circumstances surrounding Finn’s demise, particularly the use of the white oak stake, implied a definitive and irreversible end.
H3: What was the fan reaction to Finn’s death?
Fan reaction to Finn’s death was mixed. Some viewers found him unlikeable due to his constant antagonism and unwavering loyalty to his mother’s destructive plans. Others felt sympathy for him, viewing him as a tragic figure who was manipulated and ultimately driven to extreme measures. His death was a turning point, paving the way for the focus to shift more on Klaus and his siblings’ complex relationships.
H3: Did Finn appear in The Originals?
Yes, Finn did appear in The Originals. While he was resurrected in The Vampire Diaries using a witch’s spell to inhabit Vincent Griffith’s body, his spirit eventually found its way to New Orleans, where he became a recurring character in The Originals.
H3: What ultimately motivated Finn’s actions throughout The Vampire Diaries?
Ultimately, Finn’s actions were driven by a deep-seated desire for peace, albeit a warped and misguided one. He believed that eliminating vampires, including himself and his siblings, was the only way to achieve true harmony and end the cycle of violence and destruction that had plagued his family for centuries. His loyalty to his mother, Esther, further fueled this desire, making him a tragic and ultimately self-destructive figure.