My theories about why they made the sudden decision to kill her character? Honestly, I don’t know the answer to why, but after reading what the writers have planned for Season 4, I’ve come to the conclusion that they really don’t know what to do any more. I believe they are looking for a direction and possibly a way to re-engage fans they’ve lost. It’s possible Julie Plec was being genuine when she said she couldn’t find a storyline for Cami—I don’t think she knows what to do with any of the characters any more, even Klaus.

From everything I’ve read about Season 4, it seems like they’re recycling storylines they’ve used before. After Hayley rescues the family, Klaus is going to return angrier and darker (again). The Mikaelsons are going to be angry and out for revenge (again). There’s a new vampire villain (again). The season is going to focus on Hope (again). There’s going to be another threat to her safety, this time a mysterious illness that’s going to affect the children. And she will be the only one who can help Klaus find his lost humanity (again).

Could Cami have fitted into this scenario? Of course. As well as most of the other characters can, especially Josh—I rolled my eyes when I read he’s going to get a new love interest, a human this time (wow, what a great idea. How come the show has never thought about doing a vampire/human romance before…oh, wait…) 

And what is Vincent’s storyline going to be next season? Who knows. Marcel’s? He’s getting a love interest. Freya’s? Don’t worry, she gets a love interest too. They literally have nothing for most of these characters to do because the only character that really matters is Klaus.

I’ve said that I think Klaus will die by sacrificing himself for his daughter. I’m sure they’re gearing up for the show’s end despite all the talk about it going on after TVD, and perhaps Cami’s death was always part of the endplan. Even if it was, though, the timing and execution was so poor that I still think someone woke up one day and decided the character had to go ASAP. Perhaps the showrunners got wind of the fact that their next (and likely last) season will be shorter and so they thought they had to kill Cami now rather than later.

I can’t help but think there was a more cynical element to their decision too. It’s clear that they’ve used Cami’s departure as a way to continue to string along shippers and placate fans who complain that the show doesn’t focus on the family enough. Plec’s blatant fanbaiting started virtually the moment Cami died. Joseph Morgan has also been quick to downplay Klaus’ feelings for Cami and talk about moving forward (I just want him to stop talking about Cami altogether). There’s no doubt in my mind that they factored into their decision the hope that they could keep certain fans watching or lure them back if Cami and Klamille were out of the picture. The crossover may have convinced them this would be a good decision, but I think they miscalculated. It will remain to be seen next season if viewers come flooding back.

Like you, I feel hurt that Leah–who is clearly professional, dedicated and talented and a sweet person as well–was made to feel unimportant and unwanted. Even worse that it was done publicly. I can only imagine how it affected her self-esteem to know that she was unpopular with certain loud fans, to have her looks insulted constantly and then to be fired on the basis that her character was useless. I will never forgive Narducci and Plec for that.