While I enjoyed seeing Elijah's POV, I thought that narratively, this version didn't hang together very well. It was harder to follow the story for someone watching for the first time - and that's important, for a pilot episode. Marcel's role in particular was pretty confusing.

a year ago in show-time Elijah tried to kill Klaus but now they’re going to add Klaus greeting Elijah’s offer of nearly unconditional love and support with a dagger to the heart

This felt real to me. Klaus does not forgive, nor forget, so quickly or easily.