Rebekah Mikaelson, the Original vampire known for her fierce loyalty and equally fierce temper, doesn’t experience a true, lasting death in The Vampire Diaries. However, she does face what appears to be her demise in Season 5, Episode 11, “500 Years of Solitude,” when Elena Gilbert (controlled by Katherine Pierce) injects her with a modified form of the Hunter’s Curse, sending her body into rapid aging and shutting down her immortality.
The Illusion of Death: Rebekah’s “Demise” in Season 5
Rebekah’s storyline throughout The Vampire Diaries is a compelling exploration of her yearning for normalcy and a human life. This desire becomes central to the events leading up to her apparent death. In “500 Years of Solitude,” the cunning Katherine Pierce, using Elena’s body, manipulates events to force Rebekah into a vulnerable position.
The Hunter’s Curse Modification
The Hunter’s Curse, typically affecting vampire hunters, is modified by Katherine using Werewolf venom and a Traveler spell. This combination is potent enough to target an Original vampire, circumventing their usual immortality. The injection forces Rebekah to experience rapid aging, simulating the effects of mortality. The visual representation is startling: her skin wrinkles, her hair greys, and her strength diminishes rapidly.
The Motivations Behind the Attack
Katherine’s attack on Rebekah wasn’t purely malicious. While she certainly held a grudge, her primary motivation was self-preservation. With the Travelers’ plot to eradicate magic growing more imminent, Katherine sought a way to leverage the chaos. By seemingly killing Rebekah, she hoped to destabilize the Original family and potentially use their power for her own benefit. The attack also served as a distraction, allowing her to pursue her own agenda without Rebekah’s interference.
Klaus’s Reaction and the Rescue
Klaus Mikaelson, known for his explosive temper and deep (though often complicated) affection for his siblings, is predictably enraged by Rebekah’s condition. Initially, he’s filled with a murderous rage aimed at Katherine. However, he quickly realizes that the only way to save Rebekah is to transfer her consciousness into the body of a human. This leads to the crucial decision of giving Rebekah the chance at a normal, mortal life, the very thing she had always desired.
The Transition to Humanity: A Temporary “Death”
While Rebekah’s body is essentially dying, her consciousness is not. She is given a choice: remain an immortal vampire in her rapidly decaying body or be transferred into a human body. She chooses humanity, believing it’s the only path to true happiness and love. This is where the “death” aspect comes into play. Her vampire body is no longer functional, and her immortal essence is transferred, effectively marking the end of Rebekah Mikaelson, the Original vampire, in that form.
The Traveler Spell and Possession
The process involves a Traveler spell, facilitated by the witch Liv Parker. The spell effectively extracts Rebekah’s consciousness from her vampire body and transfers it into the body of a willing human participant, April Young, a character previously seen in the series. This transfer marks a significant shift in Rebekah’s journey.
Temporary Possession and its Implications
The possession of April Young’s body is only temporary. Rebekah ultimately needs to find a permanent host. However, the act of inhabiting a human body allows her to experience the fragility and limitations of mortality firsthand, reinforcing her desire for a permanent human life. The possession also highlights the ethical complexities of the Travelers’ magic and the potential for misuse.
The Promise of a Cure
Klaus, despite his initial anger, ultimately supports Rebekah’s decision. He promises her that if and when a cure for vampirism becomes available, he will find her and give her the opportunity to take it, ensuring she can live out her days as a human. This promise underscores the complex bond between the Mikaelson siblings and Klaus’s capacity for genuine love, even amidst his often-violent tendencies.
The Continued Story: Rebekah’s Journey Beyond “Death”
While Rebekah’s vampire form appears to die in Season 5, Episode 11, her story is far from over. This event simply marks a transition in her journey. The episode is a turning point, setting the stage for her arc in The Originals and beyond.
Transition to The Originals
Rebekah’s storyline continues in the spin-off series The Originals. The decision to “kill” her off (in a sense) in The Vampire Diaries allows her character to evolve and explore new storylines in a fresh setting. Her desire for a family and a normal life becomes even more central to her character arc in The Originals.
The Pursuit of Humanity
Throughout The Originals, Rebekah consistently strives for humanity. She takes numerous risks and makes sacrifices to achieve her goal. Her journey highlights the complexities of immortality and the enduring human desire for connection, love, and the simple joys of a mortal life. Ultimately, she achieves her goal of becoming human.
Legacies and Beyond
Even after The Originals concludes, Rebekah’s legacy lives on. Her influence is felt in the subsequent series, Legacies, as her actions and decisions continue to impact the supernatural world. Her enduring quest for love and family resonates with audiences, solidifying her status as a compelling and complex character within the Vampire Diaries universe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Rebekah Mikaelson
1. Does Rebekah Mikaelson ever truly die in the TVD universe?
No, Rebekah Mikaelson never truly experiences a permanent death. While her vampire body is temporarily incapacitated in The Vampire Diaries, her consciousness is transferred to a human body. Ultimately, she finds a way to become human in The Originals, achieving a more permanent form of mortality but avoiding actual death.
2. Why did Katherine Pierce attack Rebekah?
Katherine attacked Rebekah primarily for self-preservation and to sow chaos amongst the Original family. She wanted to destabilize them, using their power for her own gains and diverting their attention while she pursued her personal agenda amidst the impending Traveler threat.
3. What is the Hunter’s Curse, and how was it modified?
The Hunter’s Curse is a magical ailment that normally affects vampire hunters, driving them mad with the desire to kill vampires. Katherine modified it using werewolf venom and a Traveler spell to target Rebekah’s Original vampire physiology, causing rapid aging and the breakdown of her immortal state.
4. Who helped Katherine modify the Hunter’s Curse?
While Katherine spearheaded the plan, the Travelers played a crucial role in providing the necessary magic to modify the Hunter’s Curse and make it effective against an Original vampire. Liv Parker specifically performed the transfer spell.
5. What body does Rebekah initially inhabit after her “death”?
After her vampire body is compromised, Rebekah’s consciousness is temporarily transferred into the body of April Young, a human character previously seen in The Vampire Diaries.
6. What happens to Rebekah after she inhabits April Young’s body?
Rebekah realizes that the possession is unsustainable and she ultimately searches for a more permanent solution. The experience reinforces her desire for a truly human existence and sets her on a path to finding a permanent cure for vampirism in The Originals.
7. Does Klaus help Rebekah after the attack?
Despite his initial rage, Klaus ultimately helps Rebekah. He supports her decision to pursue a human life and promises to find her and provide her with a cure for vampirism if one becomes available.
8. How does Rebekah eventually become human?
In The Originals, Rebekah receives the cure for vampirism from Marcel Gerard. He held onto it, knowing it was something Rebekah desired deeply. This allows her to finally achieve her long-sought goal of becoming human and living a mortal life.
9. What role does Marcel play in Rebekah’s life?
Marcel has a complex and significant role in Rebekah’s life. He is both a romantic interest and a source of conflict. His actions and decisions often impact Rebekah’s trajectory, and their relationship is a recurring theme throughout The Originals. Ultimately, his willingness to give her the cure proves his deep affection for her.
10. Is Rebekah in Legacies?
While Rebekah doesn’t appear as a regular character in Legacies, her presence is felt through mentions and references to her past actions and her family’s legacy. She is part of the larger history of the supernatural world that Legacies explores.
11. What is Rebekah’s relationship with her siblings?
Rebekah’s relationship with her siblings, particularly Klaus and Elijah, is complex and central to her character arc. They share a deep bond of loyalty and love, but their relationships are also fraught with conflict, betrayal, and power struggles. This dynamic drives much of the narrative in both The Vampire Diaries and The Originals.
12. What is the significance of Rebekah’s desire for a human life?
Rebekah’s yearning for a human life is a recurring theme that underscores her desire for normalcy, love, and family. It highlights the emotional toll of immortality and the human longing for connection and a sense of belonging. Her quest for humanity is a defining characteristic that resonates with audiences and makes her a compelling and relatable character.