Hayley and Elijah may very well be over. 

That was one of the main takeaways from The Originals Season 4 Episode 12 when it was revealed Hayley did not want to be near her former love. 

Below, TV Fanatics Mandy Treccia, Amanda Steinmetz and Justin Carreiro, discuss Freya's decision, the end of an era and what the show is doing with Hope. 

Is there hope for Hayley and Elijah?

Mandy: I think there's always hope for fictional love as long as the series remains on the air. Hayley's pushing Elijah away to set a better example for Hope. That's not the same thing as breaking up because she doesn't love him anymore. I think they'll find their way back to each other, eventually.

Amanda: I agree with Mandy. As long as the characters and the series is alive, there is always hope. Hayley is just in a place where she's trying to reconcile how she can love someone who's done such horrible things.

And I think by extension, she's trying to reconcile what that says about her and the things she's done. Hayley needs to figure out the best way to protect Hope. Her relationship with Elijah has to come second.

Justin: I agree with Mandy and Amanda. As long as The Originals is still airing and both are on the show together, there's always a chance these two could end up together. It's when one of them leaves that we need to worry if this ship will be over.

Was Freya right to put Keelin to sleep?

Mandy: It's never right to take away someone else's choice. That being said, I understood why Freya did what she did. She wanted to protect her and keep her safe. But if Keelin had been angry enough to end things, I think that would have been justified. 

Amanda: I mean, no. It's completely not okay what Freya did. But people don't always do the right thing, and Freya thought she knew what was best for Keelin.

Justin: No, she shouldn't have done it. She took away Keelin's choice and forced this on her.

What's your take on "Always and Forever" coming to an end?

Mandy: I rolled my eyes. Because we all know how television works and once The Originals Season 5 kicks off, they'll suddenly find a magical loophole that will allow them to see each other again. It's a tragic story on paper, but it carries less weight when there won't be consequences.

Amanda: No clue, but I doubt "Always and Forever" would remain dead for long. 

Justin: This theme will come back, possibly in The Originals' final season. The point of the show is that it is based on the strength of this family. It doesn't seem like it would be over and done with.

Did you think Vincent was going to die?

Mandy: He's been absent for so many weeks that I forgot he was part of this story. But no, I didn't expect him to die. Mainly because they need a powerful witch outside of the Mikaelson family to act as an antagonist to them.

Amanda: The thought didn't cross my mind. I would be really surprised if the writers killed Vincent. He's too rich of a character to get rid of.

Justin: Yes and no. Death never seems like an absolute or shocking twist on a show like The Originals (and by extension, The Vampire Diaries). He's been one of my top predictions for someone to bite it this year.

Does Marcel have feelings for Rebekah?

Mandy: I believe he'll always love her, but their relationship doesn't work, and they both know it. Rebekah's always been the type to want what she can't have. She had no problem skipping town with Kol, but now seeing Marcel with someone else hurts her. I don't care about Sofya, but Marcel's making the right choice for himself.

Amanda: Marcel will always have feelings for Rebekah, but they can't seem to ever make a relationship work. Maybe in another 200 years, they can actually be together. 

Justin: They'll always have lingering feelings for each other and history, but they don't work together. The connection is there, and it'll resurface at different moments. However, it seems like they understand that they're just not meant to be together.

How do you feel about the news that the show is casting for a teenage version for Hope?

Mandy: I'm skeptical. For one thing, I love Summer Fontana. She's doing such a great job as Hope. It's a bummer to know we're only getting one season with her. I also don't love the idea of The Originals centering on Hope's teenage problems, which is where I'm guessing they're heading.

Amanda: I'm not too excited. I don't necessarily want another time jump, and I don't want there to be some mystical explanation why she's aged, à la "Angel" with Connor. I have no desire to watch a grown-up Hope standing alongside her ageless parents just yet.

Justin: Really? I'm not excited for this. We've spent so many seasons with pregnant Hope, baby Hope and now toddler Hope. She's doing well as a toddler, and I like the actress portraying her. We don't need to rush this again with a time jump into the future.

What is your prediction for the season finale?

Mandy: The Originals' season finales are always their best episodes each season, so I'm expecting it to be fantastic. I love when the Mikaelson family comes together for the common cause, along with their reluctant allies Vincent and Marcel.

I'm curious if someone will die. I'm also hoping they give us a clue as to how the family will go their separate ways. I imagine Klaus and Hayley will take Hope to Mystic Falls. I want to see who, if anyone, gets to stay in New Orleans. 

Amanda: The Hollow will be destroyed, but Hope will be altered or changed in some way. I think Klaus and Hayley will send her to Mystic Falls to go to Alaric and Caroline's school.

This show is no stranger to character deaths, so I won't be surprised if someone we care about dies.

Justin: Someone (or two) will definitely die in the season finale. I think it's going to be a big enough death that one of the main cast will be the one to go.

And I think the group will go there separate ways for a while, which will cause the time jump when the show comes back for next season.

Over to you, The Originals fanatics. What did you think of the episode?

Remember you can watch The Originals online right here via TV Fanatic. Get caught up now!

Note: The Originals Season 4 concludes on Friday.

Paul Dailly was an Associate Editor for TV Fanatic.Follow him on X.