Hope Mikaelson triggered her werewolf curse in the Season 4 finale, Episode 13, of Legacies, titled “Just Don’t Be Gone.” This pivotal moment occurred as a direct result of Landon Kirby’s demise at the hands of the Necromancer, finally activating all three sides of Hope’s tribrid nature: Witch, Vampire, and Werewolf.
The Trigger: A Loss Like No Other
Hope Mikaelson’s journey has been one defined by loss and sacrifice. Born a tribrid, the daughter of Klaus Mikaelson and Hayley Marshall, she carried the weight of powerful legacies and a destiny fraught with danger. While her witch and vampire abilities manifested earlier, the activation of her werewolf curse required a specific and traumatic event: taking a human life.
Hope had consciously avoided this fate for years, understanding the irreversible change it would bring. She fought tirelessly against the forces threatening her and her loved ones, often finding alternative solutions to lethal force. However, Landon’s death – a loss she felt deeply and intimately – shattered her resolve and triggered the dormant gene. The unbearable grief and rage overwhelmed her, leading to a primal scream and the unmistakable signs of the werewolf transformation taking hold. This moment marked a significant turning point in Hope’s story, forever altering her identity and the challenges she would face.
Understanding the Tribrid: Witch, Vampire, and Werewolf
Hope’s unique lineage grants her access to the powers of three distinct supernatural species, making her arguably the most powerful being in the Vampire Diaries universe.
Witch Power
Her witch heritage stems from her mother, Hayley Marshall, who, while not a witch herself, was descended from a long line of werewolves with witch ancestors. This dormant witch bloodline allowed Hope to inherit powerful magical abilities, evident from a young age. She possesses inherent magical abilities, able to cast spells, create illusions, and manipulate objects with her mind.
Vampire Power
Her vampire abilities originate from her father, Klaus Mikaelson, the Original Hybrid. Klaus was an Original Vampire, making Hope the only known tribrid to inherit this powerful lineage. Hope’s vampire side grants her superhuman strength, speed, agility, and accelerated healing.
Werewolf Power
The final piece of Hope’s identity, her werewolf side, comes directly from her mother. Activating this side granted her the typical werewolf attributes such as enhanced strength and speed, but also the ability to shapeshift into a wolf. The triggering event, the taking of a human life, was the key to unlocking this final piece of her power.
The Aftermath of Transformation
Following the activation of her werewolf curse, Hope underwent a significant transformation, both physically and emotionally. She had to confront the reality of what she had done and the consequences it held. This shift also forced her to grapple with the more primal and aggressive aspects of her werewolf nature, adding another layer of complexity to her already burdened existence. It’s important to remember that as a tribrid, her werewolf side is likely amplified by her other powers, making her transformation even more potent and potentially uncontrollable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to provide further clarity on Hope’s werewolf transformation and its implications:
1. What does it mean to “trigger” the werewolf gene?
To trigger the werewolf gene means to initiate the transformation process that permanently alters a human into a werewolf. This process requires taking a human life, thereby activating the latent genetic predisposition for lycanthropy. The act of killing unlocks the curse passed down through generations, forcing the individual to undergo a monthly transformation during the full moon and granting them enhanced abilities.
2. Why did it take so long for Hope to trigger her werewolf side?
Hope deliberately avoided taking a human life, knowing it would trigger her curse. She desperately wanted to maintain control and feared the consequences of embracing her werewolf nature. The immense guilt and the potential loss of control were significant deterrents. She explored other options and always tried to find non-lethal solutions, delaying the inevitable.
3. How does being a tribrid affect Hope’s werewolf transformation?
Being a tribrid significantly amplifies Hope’s werewolf transformation. Her werewolf abilities are intertwined with her vampire and witch powers, making her stronger and more powerful than an average werewolf. It also likely influences the nature and duration of her transformations, potentially giving her greater control but also making her more susceptible to volatile surges of power. Her unique genetics are unprecedented, so the exact effects are still unfolding.
4. Will Hope have to turn every full moon now?
Yes, as a triggered werewolf, Hope will experience mandatory transformations during each full moon. However, her unique tribrid nature may give her some degree of control over the process. This could mean experiencing less violent transformations, maintaining some level of consciousness, or potentially mitigating the effects of the transformation altogether. Only time will tell how her powers interact.
5. Does Hope have control over her werewolf transformations?
Initially, Hope had very little control. However, through training and the use of her magical abilities, she has demonstrated increasing control over her transformations. She can now initiate and suppress the transformation to some extent. Further developing her understanding of her abilities will be crucial for maintaining stability.
6. How does Hope’s werewolf side affect her personality?
Activating her werewolf side brought out a more primal and aggressive side to Hope’s personality. She becomes more prone to impulsive behavior and anger, reflecting the inherent ferocity of the werewolf nature. However, her strong will and inherent goodness allow her to manage these urges, preventing her from succumbing completely to her animalistic instincts.
7. Can Hope be killed now that she’s triggered her curse?
Killing Hope remains incredibly difficult. Her vampire and werewolf abilities grant her superhuman resilience and healing. While traditional werewolf weaknesses like silver may affect her, they will likely be mitigated by her vampire and witch powers. As a tribrid, she is arguably more difficult to kill than any other supernatural being.
8. Will Hope be able to create hybrids like her father, Klaus?
It’s highly unlikely that Hope will be able to create hybrids in the same way as her father. Klaus’s ability to create hybrids was a unique result of a specific and complex ritual involving the doppelganger’s blood. Hope doesn’t have access to that same formula. However, her unique tribrid status may grant her other unique abilities that are yet to be discovered.
9. What is the significance of Landon’s death in Hope’s transformation?
Landon’s death was the catalyst for Hope’s transformation because of the profound grief and pain it caused her. The love and connection she had with Landon were immense, and his loss triggered an overwhelming surge of emotion, pushing her past the breaking point and compelling her to take a life, thus activating her werewolf gene.
10. How does Hope’s magic interact with her werewolf abilities?
Hope’s magic significantly enhances her werewolf abilities. She can use magic to control her transformations, manage her rage, and amplify her physical strength and speed. The combination of her werewolf and witch powers makes her a formidable opponent. This synergistic interaction is what makes her a tribrid.
11. What are Hope’s main weaknesses now that she’s triggered her werewolf side?
Hope’s weaknesses remain similar to those of vampires and werewolves. She is susceptible to white oak ash and vervain. The enhanced silver weakness to werewolves would also be a weakness for Hope. While her unique status complicates these weaknesses, they should still be considered and respected.
12. What’s next for Hope after triggering her werewolf gene?
Hope faces a long road of self-discovery and control. She must learn to harness her newfound werewolf abilities while maintaining her moral compass and protecting her loved ones. The challenges ahead will test her strength and resolve, forcing her to confront the darkness within and ultimately define her legacy. Her journey will involve mastering all three sides of her identity to become the hero she is destined to be.