I think Daniel mirrored Louis and Claudia this episode - they’re all being backed into a trap without realising until it’s too late. Daniel, you in danger girl.
I’m convinced the Bacon triptych is about something … I don’t know what but it’s something. I would love for Lestat to show up as a buyer like hey guys … what’s up.
Edit for wording.
>I’m convinced the Bacon triptych is about something … I don’t know what but it’s something. I would love for Lestat to show up as a buyer like hey guys … what’s up.
I rewatched that just to figure out what's going on there, and we know the lawyer knows he's buying from "Mr Du Lac" and can see Armand too. He says the buyer "wants it for her husband", but also says "my clients", presumably meaning the couple.
It's interesting that Armand and Louis talk so much about the artist, since Bacon was gay himself. Bacon's lover, George Dyer, died by suicide after years of their relationship being borderline non-existent due to their respective issues, and by all accounts Bacon was haunted by his death (he discovered Dyer's body). His art completely changed after Dyer's death. The triptych we saw predated their relationship but revolutionised the British art scene and he later [painted a second version](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Version_of_Triptych_1944) in the 80s. Add in that Bacon was fascinated by the crucifixion and Lestat waltzed in with Christ on a crucifix, and it certainly *feels* like there's meant to be a connection. Apparently Bacon was interested in "secular, humanist" depictions of the crucifixion, too, thanks to his atheism.
All that in mind, it seems like Bacon is a rather perfect artist for Louis and Lestat to both be interested in. Louis himself takes up art after Lestat's apparent death to express himself, and Lestat uses religion in a similar way. He doesn't believe in any god, but he'll essentially propose to and marry Louis on the altar after slaughtering priests and he'll smash a crucifix in the face of believing vampires.
This is just what I've found from doing some googling, so I bow to any art nerds who are better informed than me. But I can really see why Louis and theoretically Lestat would both be drawn in by Bacon's work. And posing as a fake buyer to meet Louis would be *wonderfully* dramatic of Lestat.
I think the art is more about Armand than Louis. In the books, Armand is an art collector and an avid appreciator of iconography. I can definitely see him becoming fascinated by this work in particular, given its religious connections. They're both artists, but I feel as though Armand is the one more likely to be filling their home with significant works (including works by Marius!) as a commentary on theology and imagery.
But yes, agreed on everything else. I love the details in this show!
Just to pile on here, most of the art in the flat seems to be speaking to Louis’ story rather than Armand’s - the Basquiat in the living room is much more likely to be in reference to Louis’ African American identity (though the theme of that particular painting ‘Slave Auction’ may be relevant to Armand) and the drawing of the tree stump in the dining room is by a New Orleans based African American artist named Ron Bechet. I think it’s interesting considering that we are all assuming the flat belongs to Armand, especially compared to the Rue Royale house which was filled with art that seemed much more in line with Lestat’s tastes! Maybe pointing to the seemingly more balanced relationship L&A appear to have compared to L&L?
I will also add that I went a few times to the Bacon exhibition at the Royal Academy a year or two ago, and those paintings are incredibly powerful in person! - they definitely don’t leave you with a pleasant feeling and are not something many people would want to sit with in their living room everyday lol
I thought it was wild that they just have the Bacon pieces right there on the walls, they're so intense! Good catch with the other artworks - is there a list somewhere of all the pieces in the apartment?
I definitely think it's a balance of their interests, I can see Armand introducing Louis to some artists and Louis doing the same for Armand and the two of them picking out works together. Maybe they patronized some of the artists they liked to help them through the decades, I can see both of them deciding to use their money for something like that.
I haven’t seen a list but I bet someone’s made one - I recognised the Basquiat and reverse Google image searched the Bechet because I was curious!
& yes can so see Louis and Armand bonding over art curation, and maybe supporting young artists like Armand and Daniel did with the dancer in the Devil’s Minion.
Good point! I wonder why Louis is apparently the owner then. He took an interest in Lestat's books in season 1, so maybe Bacon's triptych is a similar example for his relationship with Armand? Or maybe it's Armand's attempt at tax evasion by putting his assets under Louis' name. They *are* multimillionaires, after all.
It is interesting considering Armand's desire for secrecy (using Louis' real name for instance), but it's clear he has some blind spots when it comes to Louis and understanding their vulnerabilities in the digital age. It's probably a little of both. It's convenient for him to act like Louis is running things while he stays in the background as the director of it all, like always.
great summary. also the movie "Love is the Devil" is a good biopic about Francis Bacon starring Derek Jacobi, with Daniel Craig as George Dyer.
Louis and Armand could easily have been friends with Bacon.
Given the episode's introducing the Talamasca, the buyer of the triptych could also be the organization. In the books they collect art related to vampires and other supernatural beings, and are known for finding any type of excuse to contact the beings for their investigations sake.
We already know Armand and Louis are under the Talamasca radar because of Raglan James eavesdropping on the interview through Daniel. So other Talamasca investigators might also be assigned to the case and be using other approach techniques. If the Great Conversion they keep talking about is coming, and I bet the second take of Louis interview is absolutely connected to the coming of the Great Conversion, Talamasca would surely be on it too.
they're doing just as good a job as the first season in keep book-readers intrigued. I liked the weaving of Armand and Lestat's history into things, as well as the Raglan James drop. though I hope that Interview somehow course-corrects the Talamasca from the nonsensical version they had in Mayfair Witches.
he didn't seem Lestat-y to me. I think they are combining Raglan and David Talbot into one character and right now he is just in Talamasca mode, and the body switching will happen in a later season. I hope he isn't Lestat right now, we already had a secret identity last season.
His whole demeanor *screamed* David Talbot to me. The clear intelligence, the easy confidence; every inch of his look. Never pushing, always *available*.
So I’m very new to this and I hope this isn’t annoying to recall lol, but who is raglan James and David Talbot? I get they’re apart of the talamasca but I guess I’m also a little lost on what that group is too. Like are they also mythical people? And where does lestat fit in here
ok... as long as you are okay with a ton of book spoilers for the 4th book :)
the Talamasca is an organization that researches the occult and keeps tabs on vampires and witches. they appear in both the vampire and witch books. David Talbot is/was the head of the organization. he is an elderly guy and pops up in maybe the third book, and ends up a sort of friend/lover of Lestat.
in the 4th book, The Tale of the Body Thief, we are introduced to Raglan James. James is a disgruntled former Talamasca employee who was kicked out for being sketchy. he tracks down Lestat and offers him to switch bodies for a day, using some ritual he uncovered, and ends up running away in Lestat's body. hijinks ensue and in the end David Talbot ends up in a much younger man's body and then turned into a vampire by Lestat.
my suggestion (and others in other threads) is that maybe they are going to not include David Talbot and instead divide his role across Raglan James and Daniel, but having Raglan play the "Talamasca contact" role for a season or two before stealing Lestat's body later on. and then Daniel may be the one who ends up in a younger body and turned into a vampire.
The Body Thief shenanigans are so goddamn funny and stupid and genuinely my favorite part of the Talamasca arc so I will be *tickled pink* if any of it is even mildly referenced here.
Thank you for this breakdown! I was wondering if they’re going to turn Daniel because I’m like even though he’ll have vampire powers he’s still so much older
After watching this episode only one thought won't leave my mind. Dear god Claudia is going to end up dying in that body box with the rats eating her slowly while she's still alive...now that's an even more gruesome death than she got in the books like wow. That is DARK.
I was thinking the same thing. I feel so sorry for Claudia. All she ever wanted is to be accepted. She finally accepted into the coven, and finally had the chance to go on stage. Only to find out she would be playing the part of the baby. It's like they are mocking her.
Do the coven vampires actually like Claudia, or are they just mocking her? Do they know that she is lying about her maker?
I think she will get the surrogate, and that’s why they’ll kill her. The new play seems tailored to torture her, and I think she’ll have a break and turn the tailor.
They show Louis and Claudia biting Madeline in one of the trailers and I'm pretty sure there are three people on stage in those clips from the trial. I hope she's not going in that rat box, but damn you maybe onto something with that.
Now on a Tuesday this is the body box and THAT'S the rat box..(with Claudia in it??)...on Wednesdays, that's the body box, this is the rat box. Back and forth back and forth!!
I'm kind of hoping that the whole Armand sequence, with all its ridiculous flair, gets picked up by Daniel as what it is once we get to the ending -- specifically, I can see him calling out "Yeah, you wanted to take the boyfriend of the guy who rejected you and broke apart your coven and you killed their daughter out of jealousy too".
Loved this episode. Something I know about the series is to not trust the narrator. So, I'm not surprised about how Armand portrays Lestat.
Don't think the quote: "Took a mortal lover" means that Lestat met Nicki after turning a vampire. They just said that because it was probably the first time they've learned about that.
Agreed. I definitely think we should question Armand's details about Lestat. I saw a note somewhere about how Armand had him playing Harlequin, a clown role, when in reality he could have been playing anything, since we (and Daniel and Louis) only have Armand's word to go on.
Yes, and Armand don't give much detail, but he said something that is probably true... He let Lestat destroy his cult, the same way he will let Santiago took over the coven and let Claudia die (this show how manipulative he is). If the series make Daniel notice this pattern, this could be an interesting to destroy Armand's credibility.
(Also, I have a crazy theory that Louis knows or at least suspect more than we believe he does. Also, my feeling is that showLouis resents Armand too).
Absolutely. I think he also set up Claudia with the dress and the new role in the coven, knowing it will break her, as he "predicted" to Louis, which will allow him to get rid of her and claim Louis for himself (or dispose of him, as he said). He's always playing two or three steps ahead, setting himself up with contingencies just in case his primary plan fails.
Unfortunately he'll end up being undone by love because he thinks he's a ruthless vampire, but really, deep down, he's a hurt child who just wants someone to love him back.
The dress makes a lot of sense! Armand is the leader, after all.
Yes, Armand just wants to be loved back and not be a second option. Counting to see what happens in ep 5.
I definitely think Armand's lying or exaggerating many things. Louis as well tbh. I don't for a second believe Lestat slaughtered his fellow actors. He adored them in the books but I can see Armand doing it. It will be revealed that Lestat was never as bad as both Louis and especially Armand portray him to be. Biggest red flag for me is that Claudia who previously said she'd never be anyone's slave, is happily acting like a slave to the coven, and Louis is just smiling along. BS. Don't buy it.
Armand really worked hard to present Lestat as heartless. Lestat never seemed to present any true caring for others in the story he told, reinforcing Louis' anger at Lestat. I remain confident that the writers will show us that this is not the real Lestat, they know that he's the heart of Anne Rice's story.
While Lestat is self-involved, he's also incredibly caring and aware of the others around him. I'm dying to see them clear his name for S3.
I’m seeing the Armand Daniel connection. Armand apologizing and telling Daniel all this without Louis even there. I’m sure it’s a trap, but it’s still cute
I assumed that when Armand has the shutters come down on their bedroom it also turns the whole room into a "coffin" for their purposes. These modern vampires always finding loopholes.
Lestat had shutters like that too. But I guess these are more modern darkening curtains
Interesting that even in Paris Louis was sleeping like on the couch while Claudia was in a pink coffin
I think it's interesting how much Armand's story builds up Lestat as being 100% selfish and fickle, likely on purpose, because I imagine that's a narrative Armand is deliberately feeding into -- which I imagine also will feed into the idea later on that, hey, the horrible tragedy that happens later is totally on Lestat and definitely not Armand.
Or on Louis, for continuing to date Armand for several decades! It's allllll Lestat's fault, and Lestat is definitely NOT locked up in the basement already.
I was skeptical at the first kiss, but when Lestat told Armand that he loved him and wanted to bang in the box, I said this is some archive of our own wish fulfillment bullshit😂😂😂
It was such BLATANT bullshit to fit Armand’s narrative I was crying laughing.
Nicki using the g*psy slur to Armand, Nicki being a sad, unremarkable boy that Lestat didn’t really care about, Lestat being into Armand so much he insists they bang in public, “oh no, after Lestat ruined my coven (but I wanted that of course) they all threw themselves into the fire, all on their own”, Gabrielle not even existing 😭
Gabrielle!! That's such a beautiful point: she is exactly a person he would rather have never existed. Leaving her out entirely is peak fanfiction from Armand. :)
Exactly. Like Nicki looked so PLAIN in Armand's version and I'm like.... my dude. Look at Joseph Potter. I bet any money the moment it's Lestat's version it's going to be a glow up for him.
Lol you are all brutal and hilarious. I find myself so focused on the spectacle of it all that I forget we really can't take anything these vampires are saying seriously.
Same here, fam. I'm reading these comments like 'wait, we're **not** supposed to be believing any of these flashbacks?' I read most of the vampire and witch series many, many moons ago, and don't remember all the ins and outs of the characters and relationships anymore, so I've been taking it all at face value, aside from the scenes they blatantly show us are meant to be deceptive. I've never been a very nuanced TV/movie viewer, though, so there's that.
What also made me go “Bullshit!” Was when they killed all the human performers on stage. As if Lestat would allow that!
But also, you make a solid point. Lestat clearly spoke fondly and with an air of lost love when he talked about Nicky in season 1, does Louis believe Lestat was lying about that?
**With Nicki WATCHING and WEEPING while playing the violin!**
I actually started laughing at the shot of Nicki FURIOUSLY VIOLINING while glaring at them both. That takes skill, and it's also fucking hilarious.
armand is no longer the boticelli angel. it’s nicki now. my pookie serves in every scene, and armand is just angry nicki clocked his raggedy ass on those paris streets
I was not at all surprised at his wattpad version of events, but oh how gloriously hilarious it was!
I can’t wait for the show to explore just how messy and unhinged Armand is
In almost every moment of every scene, his eyes are a *void*. A bleak, empty void. And then he'll start on a new narrative and the animation returns for a moment, but once he stops -- emptiness.
I am so absolutely delighted that they're really leaning into that.
That was the beauty of their relationship for me, personally. It was so entertaining how this chaotic gremlin was so down bad for Lestat, while Lestat was having non of it.
Journalism wise Daniel is definitely actually getting a lot out of having both Armand and Louis there. The way they place off each other is interesting
Louis acting like a father talking to his daughter’s drama teacher. So when they’re happy they’re fine to go back to father-daughter instead of brother-sister
In the books Armand is much more of a kid and one of the ways they show it is a scene in QOTD where Armand puts weird stuff in blenders because he thinks it's hilarious. He also likes to do things like put rats in the microwave and watch the same movie over and over. It kind of serves two purposes. It quietly does a lot of the lift in establishing that IWTV and TVL really were very biased accounts. It also drives home the idea that vampires are stuck at whatever developmental stage they were in when they were turned. The show kept the idea that while vampires who were turned as teenagers are not as doomed as immortal children, they have serious issues with impulse control and emotional regulation - they just borrowed elements of Armand and gave them to Claudia to balance out aging her up.
I always loved these scenes so much. How fun would it be to get to see a flashback of this nature? Where Armand is taught how to use a computer...only now to never be without his tablet.
I liked the reversal of the invite into the home: Lestat invited Louis into his home for their first time, and Louis invited Armand into his home for their first time.
Well that was even more blatantly Armand's Lesmand fanfiction than I thought. I am not surprised that Armand is trying to sell the idea that Lestat just abandoned them, but the extremely made up love triangle with Armand and Nicki has me more convinced that eventually we will get a very different version of the Antoinette storyline. The parallels with Lestat-Armand-Nicki were blatant and yet everything about the second was such obviously made up bullshit that it makes the first look even more questionable.
Armand already setting up the idea that the coven is going to turn against him I see. Poor, poor Armand. Gotta lay the ground work for the idea that he "couldn't prevent it." And, yet, the law says the coven master is the only one who has the power to kill another vampire.
Oh, Louis. Interesting that he seems to believe the Armand version of Lestat's backstory in the present. I wonder if he always did or if this is since the 70s. I still think at some point there were some clear changes in what he "knew" and what he now "knows."
The tidbits we got through Dreamstat were very interesting. Louis clearly feels guilty about any attempts to "move on," but we also found out Louis considers Lestat being deserving of his death to be "debatable" also Dreamstat cutting in with the assertion that Claudia did help kill him...also that Louis feels guilt over never having clearly expressed his love to Lestat.
About the park scene, Louis biting and then beating that man to death imagining it is Lestat. Louis fears that is the only way he knows how to love. He fears his own violence even or especially against someone he cares about. His guilt is clear, but some of the rest I think we will need to stick a pin in and see how it plays out.
I feel like when Armand said "I love you" it was sincere and Lestat would have said "Yes, I know", it's really apparent on his face. It was done sarcastically, but Lestat did come in bearing a literal cross, being their savoir and Armand was longing for it for over 50 years, meaning his prayers were answered.
Funny little set design thing is that while they're in the box seats, an angel is on Lestat's side
I think Armand falling for Lestat from afar, kidnapping Nicki, and then Lestat showing up with the cross are the only parts that were "true."
The messed up part about the whole Lestat reciprocating the way Armand shows him doing is that in the book reality, and probably the one of the show too, Armand messed with his mind and bit him against his will and Lestat fights him off. After that, Lestat really can't bring himself to show Armand anything but pity for a very long time.
pity is correct, what i find interesting is after the reformation Armand said Lestat was already tired of the role of Death after 100 nights, which is barely three and half months. so it's a minimum of 4 months to a couple years- which isn't a long time in a vampire's life for Armand to say "I love you". Louis said "and a week later Lestat was gone" so in the short ass time that was, Armand was still holding that grudge? really pitiable.
I am not sure any of that happened at all. Lestat didn't want anything to do with the vampire theater at all in the book. He found the act distasteful. Armand actually spent less time with him too and was still holding the grudge 100 years later because Lestat didn't want to be his companion.
with Daniel's prying, it's going to be interesting if/when the lies are uncovered, Louis is an angry man and having been fed lies for over 70 years is not going to sit well. with Louis saying "and then Lestat left a week later", he must know the lie intimately and if he learns the truth, he's gonna lash out.
Hallustat also starts to give Louis a warning about “18th century Armand.” This means Louis subconsciously knows Armand is dangerous or isn’t to be trusted.
It’s like why is Louis so hesitant to even hang out with the coven? Yes he wants to do his photography and jazz, but it seems like maybe he’s remembering Lestat’s warnings too
Yes, I think he said something that alluded to Lestat’s words haunting him or sticking with him. The same seems to be happening with Claudia since she referenced Lestat’s warning about vampires.
The character is based on Antoine from the books, and the relationship with Lestat and Antoine and how Louis viewed it was quite different from the storyline with Antoinette in the show.
I’m currently in the middle of reading TVL. I’m at the part where Lestat and Gabrielle leave Paris. Is Armand leaving crucial parts of Lestat’s story out on purpose or does he simply not know everything that happened? For example, Nicki seems to hate Lestat in the books because he disappeared and ghosted him basically after becoming a vampire (even if it was only to seemingly protect him?)
The farther I get into the book the crazier Armand seems to be so it could be plausible that he is leaving out things to make Lestat look like the bad guy.
Also, I’m thinking that maybe they’re leaving things out because if season three happens, that’s basically gonna be TVL and how Lestat remembers things( which is more than likely the truer version of events anyways)
The discrepancy in events genuinely confuses me because there’s so many sides of the story that are being told.
I also don’t understand Armand’s angle.
Reading the books has made me more confused.
It's fairly simple. In the context of the show, everyone has an agenda and wants to make Lestat look bad. Lestat is the only one who tells the truth. I think that's ridiculous because of how vain Lestat is, but that's the reality of the universe the show takes place in. Armand is going to be revealed as a lying or misrepresenting the facts just like Louis is because only Lestat's version of events is true. Until Lestat speaks for himself, assume it's all fabrication.
Yup. Vain he might be, but I distinctly remember a book sequence or two in which he essentially said "LOL yes, I was an asshole, but I wasn't a *fuckin'* asshole". He was great at copping to shady shit when defending himself against accusations of committing actual *atrocities*.
This series is all about perspectives, but they have made some changes for the show. I like the metaphorical burning of the satanic coven a lot more than the literal killing of them in the books. In the post show this week, the showrunner said it’s important to remember *who* is telling the story, when talking about Armand’s memory.
Armand also seems to be an actual ancient in the show, which makes sense because we don’t meet a lot of other ancients until much later. I may be reading too much into that, but he doesn’t seem to be just shy of 100 like he would have been when he came to Paris.
From the data it looks like the Talamasca at least think Armand is about the same age he always was, they just changed his origin city to Delhi. Armand is basically a vampire nepo baby because he was turned by Marius who was an elder who himself was turned by a superancient - and it's likely that Marius had been drinking directly from Enkil and Akasha for centuries by the time he turned Armand.
Isn’t Lestat considerably stronger than Armand, which he quickly realizes in the books? I haven’t read TVL for a few years, but I recall Armand attacking Lestat to no avail during their first meeting.
I’m assuming this version of events (according to Armand) is almost entirely fabricated…
Lestat has a history of getting juiced by the blood of ancients. He doesn’t seem to have met Marius at this point, so he wouldn’t have had his first drink from Akasha.
The timelines seem to be a bit skewed, and I’d wager Armand is being rewritten as much older since we won’t meet anyone nearly as old as Marius for quite some time.
Edit: it’s been forever since I read the books, but I think Magnus was also juiced by ancient blood
This show has some of the best casting ever. Where the actors differ from the books, it’s always to add depth to the character.
I cannot wait to see where this show goes.
* Daniel’s list - he’s worried about his family… about their safety
* Raglan James is so confusing. I don't know what to make of it...He seemed so David Talbot-esque... so will David be mixed between Raglan and Daniel? Or will he appear too? And if he is a character drawn from other characters, will he have Raglan’s malice… because it certainly wasn’t evident in this episode…. In TTOTBT there is a clear aura of bad intent with Raglan and I didn’t feel that here
* I thought the children of darkness set up was really effective. Assad as Armand in this era was so great - jaded, depressed, hopeless. In fact, I thought Assad was brilliant in the whole episode
* Harlequin Lestat was so beautiful, and so elegant for an (Auguste!) clown! But there as also a layer of triteness to the character and to Lestat’s view of acting it seemed that unnerved me. Armand told it like Lestat was naturally charming, but acted only as he liked the attention. That’s NOT Lestat’s motivation. And the comic nature of the character slightly undermined for me even Armand’s response to Lestat. And I loved Armand’s covetous desirous looks to Lestat…. But you don’t need Lestat as a Harlequin displaying his bum, as if to Armand to make your point…. Though I enjoyed that at least they made it clear Lestat refused Armand (even if only at first from Armand’s telling…)
* It’s the episode Lestat has so far been in the most, yet is also the first episode where no scene with him in made me cry... (Bad times in my life currently, admittedly)
* I loved the use of French, but I found it frustrating how little of the French was subtitled. I want to know what people are saying! I was not lucky enough to ever have been taught even a word of French in school so I have literally zero clue. Like, *he whispers in French*... WHAT do they whisper?! That is NOT ENOUGH INFORMATION FOR ME!!!! Can anyone help with the French text that wasn’t translated at all?
* Although the bit in the theatre, I suppose having Lestat perform in French as Harlequin, but the mind-conversation take place in English made that clear… but I want to know the French text too!
* I feel very weird and sad about Lestat meeting Nicolas when he's already a vampire (I know this is only Armand's telling, but I feel this fact will surely remain, due to Joseph's Nicki not looking like he could be the same age as Lestat… I suppose it is possible Lestat could still meet Nicolas as a mortal, but I don’t see any way Lestat can meet Nicki back in his home town) - I can only see it hugely lessening Nicolas' impact... but I guess maybe they want that for TV..? My expectations shift for TVL there though as I thought they’d go big with the Nicolas and Louis parallels to add to the poignancy of those two relationships. Instead, the parallel that was made by Armand was that both Nicolas and Claudia were not built for immortality….?
* To expand on that - The Witches Place… if Lestat and Nicolas didn’t know each other as children what happens with that SUCH IMPORTANT element… perhaps Lestat will have been married for a while in his hometown in the TV show or something and there’ll be another character to get some of Nicki’s story… but it takes poignancy away from Nicolas and away from Louis in my opinion. It also takes poignancy away from the wolf killer red cape which Lestat is wearing. But Nicki is Lestat's first true love, the first person he converses with who he feels understands him and Lestat is snatched away from their shared bed in their shared abode by Magnus.... if Lestat doesn't meet Nicolas till he is 34 and already a vampire, that is SO different… in many more ways than I have included here...
* But I liked Joseph as Nicki, and joy of joy, the snippets of violin playing were convincing enough for me. I was really worried about it, but nothing bothered me, albeit they obviously were very brief.
Yes, I meant that Armand says that Lestat (as a vampire) "took a mortal lover", implying Vampire-Lestat met mortal-Nicki and started a relationship. That's very different to the books! And of course we don't know when Lestat moved to Paris. Did he move there at 19 like in the books and he was there for 15 years before being made a vampire rather than a matter of months? Or did he move there only recently on the show? Who knows. It seems unlikely that Nicki's story can be in the books though, where they're basically the same age, but Nicki is absolutely more worldly, with more life experience than Lestat as a mortal... and that they knew each other as children, then meet again at 19 and Nicki becomes Lestat's first love.... I can't see a way that can be the case....
Well, since we have to work with assumptions here...by the time Armand senses Lestat, he's a full blown celebrity with the theater. That probably means he's been acting there for a while, long before he became a vampire, just like the book says. From that, it can be gathered that the story of Nicky can remain intact, from childhood friends, reconnecting and the like. Armand's comment of him taking a mortal lover is not inaccurate. It's semantics. Armand obviously doesn't know the full story of him and Nicki and doesn't care. All he sees is a vampire disrespecting their coven's rituals and beliefs and his needing to get him under control or use him for what he needed. Which eventually he did.
I kind of love the utter pettiness of Armand reducing Nicki to a footnote. "There was this other guy with him, a mortal or something, who cares, he doesn't matter."
Right! It was pretty obvious from Lestat's reaction that Nicki meant a lot to him...I mean he literally broke into the coven space, smashed Jesus and yanked Nicki the fuck out of there. And then 2 minutes later, Lestat's like..."read yo damn sheet music". LOL. Like okay, Armand. Just stop it.
I feel a lot better about the whole Nicki thing now! I think initially, I panicked about it! But now I have calmed down. Perhaps I was even believing too much of Armand’s tales!!?! 😇😅
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I felt the same way about the "whispers in French". But we're seeing Armand's point of view so he would have no idea what Lestat whispered to Nicky. We may find out what he whispered later.
Maybe! Maybe something he’ll do will result in his expulsion from the Talamasca…?! Although I’d be surprised if we got a body thief season myself. More likely they may just use body thievery some other way… another character reveal? Another plot? (As long as it isn’t putting Daniel in someone else’s body! I want Eric-as-a-vampire!!!!!!!)
Omg I am so curious to see where they go with Ragland James! It could be Lestat! I’m wondering if they’re going to combine David Talbot’s character with Daniel’s and this is going to be the catalyst for it.
Armand telling his version of events which to be honest is probably how he saw things. And not how they really were.
While in the interviews, Lestat just cracks up laughing at his version like this:
[Lestat Laugh](https://x.com/InMyVampireEra/status/1794641235883561013)
I'm still processing...so much to think about in this episode! But what I will say now is that I do think Claudia is realizing that Lestat was not completely wrong regarding how dangerous vampires are...and it's not about Bruce. Her taking the Laws made that pretty apparent when she actually heard them Particularly about the age of vampire making and the no death to vampires. I realize also that Claudia's arrogance is really her downfall. She really thinks that she's smarter than everyone in the room. No sweetie...you're not. Her belief that her cover story was going to be enough to fool a room full of vamps forever was...unrealistic. Those vamps knew from the moment they walked into the room they were lying about "Bruce". Santiago definitely knew at the same time Armand did. Louis didn't even have to have a full blown melt down to reveal that lie.
I'm not sure if her refusal to see the ridiculous holes in her story is arrogance. As the ep went on, it became clear that she was deeply affected by Bruce, and is running away from what happened to her. She has been fighting to find a place to feel safe ever since. She thinks the Theatre is it, and she's desperate to be a part of what she perceives to be a place that will accept and protect her.
Yea I second this. It seems to come from a place of desperation and trauma rather than arrogance. If anything she knows that hubris isn't a good trait to have cos Lestat was undone because of it.
I sometimes have mixed feelings about Claudia, but I felt terrible for her in this ep. She so desperately wants to belong and to not be the backup/second choice, that she walked right into the coven with all of this hope, when they're using her. It really is cruel to create a child vampire.
It's funny and sad that as much as Claudia is frustrated by Louis, she behaves as if all adults/the other vampires are like him in that she can manipulate/lie as she pleases, not seeming to realize how much her "power" over Louis is because Louis loves her/lets her have power. Louis has kind of given Claudia a false sense of her abilities. Even Lestat--until the very end--indulged Claudia to extended degrees because of Louis.
Claudia may be old in human years, but her arrogance remains childlike in the ways kids think they're smarter but don't realize they just don't have the life experience and brain development of adults.
Claudia's costume was outright cruel, and of course they wait until after the Laws and she's officially a member of the coven. Now Claudia's trapped. I wonder if the Madeleine story will play out on the show as Claudia's attempt to escape as she realizes Louis and Lestat's warnings have validity.
It's ironic that even as Louis breaks the rules/refuses to join the coven/does his own thing, he's "safer" than Claudia is because of Armand. Louis is always safer than her not only because he's an adult, but because he's the one the vampires with power truly desire and will protect (first Lestat and then Armand).
To your last point, this is 100% true and something Claudia deeply resents. She will never find love because of her child body so she will never have the power of seduction and influence in the way that Louis does. This is why the Madeline relationship is important because being that she is mentally an eternal child she will need an eternal mother. The coven was never the answer. Neither were Louis and Lestat because they’re already soulmates.
Agree. As much as I love Louis, his love for Claudia is still selfish in some ways because he is always the safe one. Even when he and Claudia were plotting Lestat's death, Lestat was never going to kill Louis while he planned to replace Claudia with Antoinette. Armand was supposed to kill Louis but defies the coven and is going to choose Louis over them. Everyone chooses Louis and no one choose Claudia. Claudia just wants someone for her, and the coven is not it (too bad it takes too late for her to realize this).
I don't believe Lestat planned on replacing Antoinette with Claudia that was more Claudia's belief that reality. If Lestat really wanted to Antoinette he would have made her long ago. Instead he strung her a long for years as she continued to get older and only finally turned her to spy on on Louis and Claudia. I don't think he cared for Antoinette the way she wished she did. Hell, Claudia acted more jealous of their tryst then even Louis did.
I agree. If you notice Claudia referenced Lestat twice:
“We had an incinerator” and referencing Lestat’s claim about dangerous vampires.
Claudia’s realizing that the grass was not greener in Paris and Lestat as insufferable as he was and despite his threats, was protecting her as well as keeping her living in comfort and luxury. These vampires have less respect for her than Lestat did and Louis has shown time and time again that he can’t protect her. By the time Claudia realizes she’s endangered it’ll be too late.
And yes, Claudia overestimated her abilities. She was able to leverage to Lestat’s inability to read her mind and his vulnerability and weakness for Louis against him to manipulate him. She doesn’t have that kind of leverage with the coven and Louis is a terrible liar
But Claudia‘s overestimations were already insinuated in season one where she incorrectly deduces that Lestat killed his maker
*“We had an incinerator”*
I caught that! And I said...."oooooooooo"...you slipped up, Claudia! I have a feeling that will happen again. And yes...definitely no respect for either of them. And Claudia is so blinded by her desire to connect that she can't see the danger lurking. And even after seeing the type of vampire Bruce was. I'm surprised that she's not on guard 24/7. She's acting the opposite of what I've expected. smh.
I think her trauma has moved her to be more motivated to seek “the good vampires” (even though in reality there are none). Like maybe if she finds a vampire she can connect with, the trauma she went through will have been worth it. If she comes up empty, then it was all for nothing.
It's so sad (the tragedy of Claudia) because it's what Armand says to Louis, she cannot be a vampire for long because even though she's 60 something she still has the brain of a 14 year old and maybe that's why she thinks she's going to outsmart everyone
Her body is static. Her mind matures, but it's warped from being underdeveloped when she was made and by her lived experiences. In the book, it's even more blatant since she was only five when she was made. She didn't know anything other than being a vampire. Outside of Louis' influence, there wasn't much humanity in her at all.
Honestly both are not developing theoretically. At 14 her brain would only be partially developed, she would have a very limited prefrontal cortex which essentially helps make rationale decisions and understand actions. That's why teenagers can be perceived as so risk inclined. it's not that they lack information, but rather they literally cannot process the information and effects like a fully matured adult brain.
So Claudia has taken in like 60+ years of violence and trauma in a partially developed brain stage. Eventually all the information will overhwhelm her/ it's likely she will break due to just not understanding WHY her plans and thoughts go array. This is also why child therapists are different in skill then adult therapists for instance.
Teenagers always will do dumb risky things but they learn from it as their brain develops. She will never be able to do this, it just resets again and again.
I remember Bailey explaining it during one of the podcasts and you make so much sense. I just assumed she would learn from the experience at some point. I cannot imagine the hell I would be in if my brain just keep resetting. I would go catatonic!
In the movie, they kind of hit on this in a pretty blatant way when Claudia cuts her hair and it just grows back right away. She can never change. So even when she "learns" from her mistakes she can't really because her brain can't actually mature. She will never grow out of feeling like she knows better or more than others and never have full impulse control.
These Vampires are not in favor of freedom at all. Louis, Lestat, and Claudia all value their freedom but these dudes are talking about curfews and shit lol. They're basically Vampire fascists.
Gosh. I love this series so much. Was touching to see Nicki however skewed by Armand’s POV. Will lose it if and when Gabrielle shows up. One of my fave characters. Can’t wait for Marius as well.
Talamasca appearance was a pleasant surprise. So so so curious about the current state of Lestat. This whole episode I kept wondering if I was seeing Dreamstat, Realstat or Switchstat lol.
I love how they are interweaving components across the novels.
Just watched episode 2. I am going to enjoy disliking Armand this season. Daniel playing that soap opera theme song was the chef’s kiss!! Santiago did not disappoint from the promos. Whoever that actor is, he is superb!! He’s going to be fun to watch!! The overall feel of the episode changed the second Lestat came onscreen to read his letter to Louis. It changed the entire vibe of the episode! The chemistry between those two is just off the charts! Armand and Louis ganging up on Daniel about Alice…WHOA!! Louis thinks/sees himself as a somewhat morally good vampire. That scene proved otherwise. I did like the ending scene where Armand and Louis are talking while the Theater of Vampires coven are feasting inside that palatial home. I can’t wait to watch episode 3!
I have never liked the Theatres des Vampire period in the book, nor in the movie, but it's only bearable watching it now because they cast Ben Daniels as Santiago. He's a very charismatic English actor and was great in The Exorcist series. If you haven't seen that, I highly recommend it. He's got a main role there as Father Marcus, one of the two main exorcists.
Edit: typo
Anna Rice *consistently bans fanfiction written about her books*
Armand *writes the most saccarine Lestat/Armand fanfiction while being a character in the show*.
The ending confused me a bit. What exactly made Armand change his mind about killing Louis? If he was always planning to spare him, why did he make Louis think he would kill him?
Armand fell in love and realize that he couldn’t go through with it. Louis made him weak. Louis realized this was his only chance to save both himself and Claudia and invited Armand to his bed.
There was so much information in this episode, I'm still trying to decipher some things but it was definitely my favorite ep so far, I loved seeing Armand and Lestat "tales", it was funny in a way...
how is this show so good? seriously, i kinda don't get it, but it really is fascinatingly good
and how can this be translated over to the mayfair show?
OKAYY I just watched the episode!! It's very interesting the route the writers are taking by sprinkling in information/hints. I love it but I'm also inching towards being on the fence about it? Everything is being heavily relied on that the series gets picked up for a season three. But then again the Mayfair Witches series is getting picked up for a s2 so there's still hope!
Wow. Lestat looked so magnificent during his stage-play with that make-up and hair and those costumes. He is just gorgeous. I am so happy we finally had an episode which heavily featured him. Only reason to watch this show.
Holy shit, Armand Professor X’ed the entire street. I wonder how old he’s supposed to be in the show. Making him a true ancient makes a lot of sense considering how relatively unimportant the other ancients are until much later.
Also, Lestat invented serving cunt. We have no choice but to Stan.
Okay, so that was crazy. I think we can all agree that was batshit crazy.
So first thing’s first, I fully buy into the idea that Armand has never hurt Louis. Mainly due to what happened this episode and the sheer disadvantage a relationship with Louis put Armand into. It became alarmingly clear that the thing that will cause everything to implode by the end of this season is the power struggle between Armand and Santiago. So I think the truth of whatever is going on the present is a lot more muddy than originally thought with the current theories.
Some of the things I noticed going on in their shadow war is that Santiago is fully using Claudia as a way to target Louis so as to put pressure on Armand. He has almost kind of already supplanted the coven most likely due to their distaste in Armand’s leadership prior to Lestat’s reformation. The only reason Santiago hasn’t gained full control is because Armand is so powerful. Like, HE CAN CONTROL FIRE! Could he do that in the books? I don’t know but Armand is so much more powerful than I originally thought.
Did I expect vampire politics this episode? No, but I sure as shit enjoyed every second of it. It brought me right into Vampire The Masquerade in how this was all shaking out. I’m extremely excited to see what goes down.
Also, my new theory on how Claudia will died is that the coven will break her psychologically and get her to commit suicide. That role they gave her was bait, and she has taken it hook, line and sinker without clueing into the truth of things.
Edit; Also, I think Armand and Louis are hiding Enkil and Akasha. Maybe Armand has taken the role of Marius too in the show adaptation. Like, those groans are so definitely from them. There is absolutely no way it isn’t.
Yes, in the later books, Armand is quite the pyromaniac \^\^;
Also Marius is name dropped in the files on Daniel's computer so I'm sure we'll still see him!
Lol! I’ve had a running joke with my husband for a while now that this is actually Marius’ apartment and they are house sitting TWMBK while he’s on vacation. 😆 This is why they have to do the interview now, see, because Marius only got that Airbnb in Tahiti for two weeks. 😂 Then when the art sale came up we were cracking up, “And they’re selling his shit while he’s out of town!” 🤣🤣🤣🤣
So I’ve been wondering if Armand is being turned into an actual ancient as a way to get the lore into the show much earlier than it otherwise would have, and this episode really has me convinced.
Armand did not strike me as a relatively young vampire when he was tasked with the satanic coven. He seemed to be already old and weary. The way he carries himself in the flashbacks seems like a vampire considering either a long sleep or giving up.
So I’m definitely with you on the “there’s something much deeper going on in the present”
As for Claudia, I think she’ll be responsible for her own death, but it’ll be for the same reasons as book. They’re clearly tormenting her, and I think between losing her close relationship with Louis and infantilized she’ll have a lapse in judgment or psychotic break and turn the dress maker (potentially as revenge for making her the childish clothes she’s going to be forced to wear forever.)
I'm still rooting for Loustat, but DAMN do I love all these scenes with Armand and Louis. They have a great chemistry between them, and you can really see Armand struggling internally with his duties to the coven and his newfound love and desire for Louis.
Assad and Jacob were absolutely top-notch in their performances this episode.
This episode is a lot more set up compared to episode 2, which surprised me. It looks like Santiago isn't a loyal attack dog after all and was just biding his time for an opening. In this ep, Armand's influence over the coven seems to be waning the longer he keeps giving preferential treatment to Louis. Since Armand positioned himself as a distant leader ruling with an iron fist, Santiago can sway the coven on the ground level, e.g. when he talks to Claudia 1-on-1.
Speaking of Claudia, I'm actually so fucking upset at how she was treated this ep. First Armand talks down to her in front of Louis AND LOUIS DID NOTHING??? Then she can't look at any of her colleagues while talking to them??? After she was finally accepted in the coven, THEY FUCKING GAVE HER A CHILD'S DRESS AND SAID HER ROLE FOR THE NEXT 50 YEARS IS A CHILD???? OH, THE WHOLE COVEN IS GOING INTO MY BURN BOOK.
Also Louis and Armand are so fucking romantic together. I truly believe that they yearn for each other, however there is trauma, coven politics, the blond demon, and other circumstances impeding their romance. Genuinely, I think if Louis and Armand met when they were more self-assured and healthier people, their love would blossom even further. We know their story ends badly, but it was just a wrong time, wrong place thing.
The Armand and Daniel scene at the start was so UGH (affectionate). Armand being uncharacteristically nervous around Daniel when Louis isn't around. THE BLENDER MENTION OMG??? He's also much softer to Daniel when they're alone together, UGH I LOVE THEM.
Of course I cannot avoid the elephant in the room. RAGLAN JAMES. If you look at the names of the files he sent Daniel, there are files about Armand's past and original name. IF RJ IS FUCKING M\*RIUS, IM GOING TO BURN HIM MYSELF. HOW DARE GIVES INFO OF ARMAND'S PAST TO DANIEL WITHOUT HIS FUCKING CONSENT. HASN'T ARMAND SUFFERED ENOUGH?
Just curious...why would you be that upset about Claudia's being hazed into the coven? She's trying to get initiated and therefore has to take on the role of the pledge. Armand is the leader of the coven and his telling her to get her act together in regards to being on time isn't shocking. It would actually look worse for her if Louis DID say anything. And she surely wouldn't have appreciated it. And let's be real. Claudia IS a child vampire. The coven doesn't owe her anything...particularly since they know she's lying to them. And that she is actually not even supposed to be existing right now...at least according to the coven rules.
Yearn for each other? Did we watch the same show? Louis is yearning for Lestat to the point that any time he’s alone with Armand he sees him. In the end Louis basically slept with Armand to keep him from killing him and Claudia. Very romantic. With that being said this was a great episode. My favorite this season.
I was really taken aback by the chemistry Jacob and Assad had this episode. Despite how fucked up both Armand and Louis are, I have no doubt after this episode that Armand had truly fallen in love with Louis and had chosen protecting him over his obligations to the coven.
Claudia after yearning to join the coven all this time, and then learning at the end of episode what they want her to do for the next fifty years:
https://64.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m63kooWDUT1rrbciso1_500.gif
Did I just become Team Louis and Armand?! They've done such an excellent job building their relationship this season. I didn't think it was possible after seeing the Lestat relationship.
When is ____
Today
\- Cell phone, google, ____
\- SAN FRANCISCO, ________ ,
Mary’s *(after San Francisco, below indecipherable)*
\- Playboy magazine
\- Alice, They’ll come for
and Kate next use Lenore *(Lenora?)*
Lestat *(below Lenore(a), above CLAUDIA!)*
\- as a doorstop | CLAUDIA!
\-MARY’S CAB. COKE BET_ ____
THIS TIME I WONT SAVE YOUR LIFE
*cont'd after meeting Raglan*
MI6? AEGIS? BLACK UB_ ?
HACKED YOUR LAPTOP!!
___
Does "Lenore" refer to Poe's Lenore?
Just a "couple" of thoughts:
* While episode 2 felt like a filler, this was a full, good episode again! So much stuff happened!
* I really hope that Raglan being there doesn't mean that they'll omit David! :( At least it doesn't look like Raglan is Daniel's researcher, so there's still hope at least.
* "I could give you the names of four others who have and they're all dead, or undead." - did I forget anyone who's tried that in the books? There were the scientists of course but anyone else, like a journalist?
* The blender reference and Daniel just ignoring it! xD
* The fire!!!
* Armand talking about Louis: "He'll awaken when the sun sleeps" - does that mean that they aren't able to wake up until sunset once they are asleep? (That would be great!)
* Did they use a double for Sam when Lestat and the others are killing the original actors?
* I wonder if the paintings are connected to the Night Island show. Come on AMC, tell us something about that one!
* Lestat's song cracked me up. xD
* When Claudia and Louis go to coffin and Louis tells her that he "wouldn't miss it for the world", is that blood on the left (our right) side of his neck?
* It's great that they're using a couple of season 1's songs again, e.g. the plotting music really fit Santiago's and Armand's conversation nicely.
* "Puncture wounds on neck, chest and shoulder blade" - same as Lestat during their make-up sex?
* These vampires are affected by hayfever?!
* Blood sharing is really personal in the books but for some reason I don't mind it in the show, it's all about blood for them anyway, so why not. Small amounts aren't going to give anyone new powers either (hopefully). But:
* I don't like that time power. It would be one thing if they were able to just freeze people, that could be simply mind control but freezing even clothing that easily? It now feels like they're giving them way too many powers way too quickly. The Cloud Gift is one thing, Lestat could have gained that naturally, just with Akasha's blood and being a little bit older in season 1 but this? How much time did he and Armand spend blood-fucking that he gained that power too?
* No Rolin again. :/
Link to "Show Only" thread ----> [HERE](https://redd.it/1d0vnca)
I think Daniel mirrored Louis and Claudia this episode - they’re all being backed into a trap without realising until it’s too late. Daniel, you in danger girl. I’m convinced the Bacon triptych is about something … I don’t know what but it’s something. I would love for Lestat to show up as a buyer like hey guys … what’s up. Edit for wording.
>I’m convinced the Bacon triptych is about something … I don’t know what but it’s something. I would love for Lestat to show up as a buyer like hey guys … what’s up. I rewatched that just to figure out what's going on there, and we know the lawyer knows he's buying from "Mr Du Lac" and can see Armand too. He says the buyer "wants it for her husband", but also says "my clients", presumably meaning the couple. It's interesting that Armand and Louis talk so much about the artist, since Bacon was gay himself. Bacon's lover, George Dyer, died by suicide after years of their relationship being borderline non-existent due to their respective issues, and by all accounts Bacon was haunted by his death (he discovered Dyer's body). His art completely changed after Dyer's death. The triptych we saw predated their relationship but revolutionised the British art scene and he later [painted a second version](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Version_of_Triptych_1944) in the 80s. Add in that Bacon was fascinated by the crucifixion and Lestat waltzed in with Christ on a crucifix, and it certainly *feels* like there's meant to be a connection. Apparently Bacon was interested in "secular, humanist" depictions of the crucifixion, too, thanks to his atheism. All that in mind, it seems like Bacon is a rather perfect artist for Louis and Lestat to both be interested in. Louis himself takes up art after Lestat's apparent death to express himself, and Lestat uses religion in a similar way. He doesn't believe in any god, but he'll essentially propose to and marry Louis on the altar after slaughtering priests and he'll smash a crucifix in the face of believing vampires. This is just what I've found from doing some googling, so I bow to any art nerds who are better informed than me. But I can really see why Louis and theoretically Lestat would both be drawn in by Bacon's work. And posing as a fake buyer to meet Louis would be *wonderfully* dramatic of Lestat.
I think the art is more about Armand than Louis. In the books, Armand is an art collector and an avid appreciator of iconography. I can definitely see him becoming fascinated by this work in particular, given its religious connections. They're both artists, but I feel as though Armand is the one more likely to be filling their home with significant works (including works by Marius!) as a commentary on theology and imagery. But yes, agreed on everything else. I love the details in this show!
Just to pile on here, most of the art in the flat seems to be speaking to Louis’ story rather than Armand’s - the Basquiat in the living room is much more likely to be in reference to Louis’ African American identity (though the theme of that particular painting ‘Slave Auction’ may be relevant to Armand) and the drawing of the tree stump in the dining room is by a New Orleans based African American artist named Ron Bechet. I think it’s interesting considering that we are all assuming the flat belongs to Armand, especially compared to the Rue Royale house which was filled with art that seemed much more in line with Lestat’s tastes! Maybe pointing to the seemingly more balanced relationship L&A appear to have compared to L&L? I will also add that I went a few times to the Bacon exhibition at the Royal Academy a year or two ago, and those paintings are incredibly powerful in person! - they definitely don’t leave you with a pleasant feeling and are not something many people would want to sit with in their living room everyday lol
I thought it was wild that they just have the Bacon pieces right there on the walls, they're so intense! Good catch with the other artworks - is there a list somewhere of all the pieces in the apartment? I definitely think it's a balance of their interests, I can see Armand introducing Louis to some artists and Louis doing the same for Armand and the two of them picking out works together. Maybe they patronized some of the artists they liked to help them through the decades, I can see both of them deciding to use their money for something like that.
I haven’t seen a list but I bet someone’s made one - I recognised the Basquiat and reverse Google image searched the Bechet because I was curious! & yes can so see Louis and Armand bonding over art curation, and maybe supporting young artists like Armand and Daniel did with the dancer in the Devil’s Minion.
Good point! I wonder why Louis is apparently the owner then. He took an interest in Lestat's books in season 1, so maybe Bacon's triptych is a similar example for his relationship with Armand? Or maybe it's Armand's attempt at tax evasion by putting his assets under Louis' name. They *are* multimillionaires, after all.
It is interesting considering Armand's desire for secrecy (using Louis' real name for instance), but it's clear he has some blind spots when it comes to Louis and understanding their vulnerabilities in the digital age. It's probably a little of both. It's convenient for him to act like Louis is running things while he stays in the background as the director of it all, like always.
I had totally forgotten about Armand collecting iconography!
I love how this show captures and builds on Anne's writing. It's truly prestige tv.
great summary. also the movie "Love is the Devil" is a good biopic about Francis Bacon starring Derek Jacobi, with Daniel Craig as George Dyer. Louis and Armand could easily have been friends with Bacon.
wow!! I’m saving this comment for later, I love this idea
Given the episode's introducing the Talamasca, the buyer of the triptych could also be the organization. In the books they collect art related to vampires and other supernatural beings, and are known for finding any type of excuse to contact the beings for their investigations sake. We already know Armand and Louis are under the Talamasca radar because of Raglan James eavesdropping on the interview through Daniel. So other Talamasca investigators might also be assigned to the case and be using other approach techniques. If the Great Conversion they keep talking about is coming, and I bet the second take of Louis interview is absolutely connected to the coming of the Great Conversion, Talamasca would surely be on it too.
The mention the buyer being a woman wanting it for her husband -- is it Pandora, maybe?
You think Daniel is in danger? Why come?
they're doing just as good a job as the first season in keep book-readers intrigued. I liked the weaving of Armand and Lestat's history into things, as well as the Raglan James drop. though I hope that Interview somehow course-corrects the Talamasca from the nonsensical version they had in Mayfair Witches.
Is there any word on the Mayfair Witches production? They have a lot to fix.
S2 got greenlit, and despite my spamming of their social media posts there has been no mention of replacing the showrunner
No idea what you spammed but I support it lol. I absolutely loved the books and that first ep was so painful.
I want to say it's a shame, but technically the show has better ratings than IWTV, so I guess that it's just not for us. Somebody likes it.
Raglan James is really the guy with the glasses talking to Daniel? Is Lestat already in his body? I got a little lost on this.
he didn't seem Lestat-y to me. I think they are combining Raglan and David Talbot into one character and right now he is just in Talamasca mode, and the body switching will happen in a later season. I hope he isn't Lestat right now, we already had a secret identity last season.
His whole demeanor *screamed* David Talbot to me. The clear intelligence, the easy confidence; every inch of his look. Never pushing, always *available*.
So I’m very new to this and I hope this isn’t annoying to recall lol, but who is raglan James and David Talbot? I get they’re apart of the talamasca but I guess I’m also a little lost on what that group is too. Like are they also mythical people? And where does lestat fit in here
ok... as long as you are okay with a ton of book spoilers for the 4th book :) the Talamasca is an organization that researches the occult and keeps tabs on vampires and witches. they appear in both the vampire and witch books. David Talbot is/was the head of the organization. he is an elderly guy and pops up in maybe the third book, and ends up a sort of friend/lover of Lestat. in the 4th book, The Tale of the Body Thief, we are introduced to Raglan James. James is a disgruntled former Talamasca employee who was kicked out for being sketchy. he tracks down Lestat and offers him to switch bodies for a day, using some ritual he uncovered, and ends up running away in Lestat's body. hijinks ensue and in the end David Talbot ends up in a much younger man's body and then turned into a vampire by Lestat. my suggestion (and others in other threads) is that maybe they are going to not include David Talbot and instead divide his role across Raglan James and Daniel, but having Raglan play the "Talamasca contact" role for a season or two before stealing Lestat's body later on. and then Daniel may be the one who ends up in a younger body and turned into a vampire.
The Body Thief shenanigans are so goddamn funny and stupid and genuinely my favorite part of the Talamasca arc so I will be *tickled pink* if any of it is even mildly referenced here.
Thank you for this breakdown! I was wondering if they’re going to turn Daniel because I’m like even though he’ll have vampire powers he’s still so much older
no prob. ya.... but it would be sad to lose Eric Bogosian!
After watching this episode only one thought won't leave my mind. Dear god Claudia is going to end up dying in that body box with the rats eating her slowly while she's still alive...now that's an even more gruesome death than she got in the books like wow. That is DARK.
I was thinking the same thing. I feel so sorry for Claudia. All she ever wanted is to be accepted. She finally accepted into the coven, and finally had the chance to go on stage. Only to find out she would be playing the part of the baby. It's like they are mocking her. Do the coven vampires actually like Claudia, or are they just mocking her? Do they know that she is lying about her maker?
Santiago is absolutely tormenting her. He’s jealous of the attention she’s getting and he loathes Louis.
they can all read minds and Armand probably told them before they even met her anyway
Chekov's rat pit
Thought the same thing. And without a surrogate mother possibly is even more gruesome especially after hearing how Bruce tortured her. Poor kid/lady.
I think she will get the surrogate, and that’s why they’ll kill her. The new play seems tailored to torture her, and I think she’ll have a break and turn the tailor.
They show Louis and Claudia biting Madeline in one of the trailers and I'm pretty sure there are three people on stage in those clips from the trial. I hope she's not going in that rat box, but damn you maybe onto something with that.
Now on a Tuesday this is the body box and THAT'S the rat box..(with Claudia in it??)...on Wednesdays, that's the body box, this is the rat box. Back and forth back and forth!!
Well, fuck. Now I can't unthink that.
Would that create a bunch of vampire rats?
I'm kind of hoping that the whole Armand sequence, with all its ridiculous flair, gets picked up by Daniel as what it is once we get to the ending -- specifically, I can see him calling out "Yeah, you wanted to take the boyfriend of the guy who rejected you and broke apart your coven and you killed their daughter out of jealousy too".
We know it's coming! It's what Daniel does best!
Loved this episode. Something I know about the series is to not trust the narrator. So, I'm not surprised about how Armand portrays Lestat. Don't think the quote: "Took a mortal lover" means that Lestat met Nicki after turning a vampire. They just said that because it was probably the first time they've learned about that.
Agreed. I definitely think we should question Armand's details about Lestat. I saw a note somewhere about how Armand had him playing Harlequin, a clown role, when in reality he could have been playing anything, since we (and Daniel and Louis) only have Armand's word to go on.
Yes, and Armand don't give much detail, but he said something that is probably true... He let Lestat destroy his cult, the same way he will let Santiago took over the coven and let Claudia die (this show how manipulative he is). If the series make Daniel notice this pattern, this could be an interesting to destroy Armand's credibility. (Also, I have a crazy theory that Louis knows or at least suspect more than we believe he does. Also, my feeling is that showLouis resents Armand too).
Absolutely. I think he also set up Claudia with the dress and the new role in the coven, knowing it will break her, as he "predicted" to Louis, which will allow him to get rid of her and claim Louis for himself (or dispose of him, as he said). He's always playing two or three steps ahead, setting himself up with contingencies just in case his primary plan fails. Unfortunately he'll end up being undone by love because he thinks he's a ruthless vampire, but really, deep down, he's a hurt child who just wants someone to love him back.
The dress makes a lot of sense! Armand is the leader, after all. Yes, Armand just wants to be loved back and not be a second option. Counting to see what happens in ep 5.
I definitely think Armand's lying or exaggerating many things. Louis as well tbh. I don't for a second believe Lestat slaughtered his fellow actors. He adored them in the books but I can see Armand doing it. It will be revealed that Lestat was never as bad as both Louis and especially Armand portray him to be. Biggest red flag for me is that Claudia who previously said she'd never be anyone's slave, is happily acting like a slave to the coven, and Louis is just smiling along. BS. Don't buy it.
Armand really worked hard to present Lestat as heartless. Lestat never seemed to present any true caring for others in the story he told, reinforcing Louis' anger at Lestat. I remain confident that the writers will show us that this is not the real Lestat, they know that he's the heart of Anne Rice's story. While Lestat is self-involved, he's also incredibly caring and aware of the others around him. I'm dying to see them clear his name for S3.
Me too. Not worried about Lestat's portrayal, because we just see his after Louis interview. So, can't wait to see TVL and QotD on TV.
I’m seeing the Armand Daniel connection. Armand apologizing and telling Daniel all this without Louis even there. I’m sure it’s a trap, but it’s still cute
So cute that Louis sleeps all tucked in bed. And in bed not in a coffin
I assumed that when Armand has the shutters come down on their bedroom it also turns the whole room into a "coffin" for their purposes. These modern vampires always finding loopholes.
Lestat had shutters like that too. But I guess these are more modern darkening curtains Interesting that even in Paris Louis was sleeping like on the couch while Claudia was in a pink coffin
I think it's interesting how much Armand's story builds up Lestat as being 100% selfish and fickle, likely on purpose, because I imagine that's a narrative Armand is deliberately feeding into -- which I imagine also will feed into the idea later on that, hey, the horrible tragedy that happens later is totally on Lestat and definitely not Armand. Or on Louis, for continuing to date Armand for several decades! It's allllll Lestat's fault, and Lestat is definitely NOT locked up in the basement already.
The way I cackled at Armand’s fanfiction of his relationship with Lestat
I was skeptical at the first kiss, but when Lestat told Armand that he loved him and wanted to bang in the box, I said this is some archive of our own wish fulfillment bullshit😂😂😂
armand is a wattpad girlie, ao3 is too high quality for armand’s self inserts
😂😂😂😂😂😂 fanfiction.net headass storytelling😂😂😂
That was freaky as hell for no reason, and there’s no way Lestat would’ve ever wanted that with Armand, LMAO!
Lying on your dick at 500 years old. Embarrassing🤣🤣
With Nicki WATCHING and WEEPING while playing the violin! It's such a great way to show Armand is not being truthful without actually saying it.
It was such BLATANT bullshit to fit Armand’s narrative I was crying laughing. Nicki using the g*psy slur to Armand, Nicki being a sad, unremarkable boy that Lestat didn’t really care about, Lestat being into Armand so much he insists they bang in public, “oh no, after Lestat ruined my coven (but I wanted that of course) they all threw themselves into the fire, all on their own”, Gabrielle not even existing 😭
Gabrielle!! That's such a beautiful point: she is exactly a person he would rather have never existed. Leaving her out entirely is peak fanfiction from Armand. :)
Exactly. Like Nicki looked so PLAIN in Armand's version and I'm like.... my dude. Look at Joseph Potter. I bet any money the moment it's Lestat's version it's going to be a glow up for him.
Lol you are all brutal and hilarious. I find myself so focused on the spectacle of it all that I forget we really can't take anything these vampires are saying seriously.
Same here, fam. I'm reading these comments like 'wait, we're **not** supposed to be believing any of these flashbacks?' I read most of the vampire and witch series many, many moons ago, and don't remember all the ins and outs of the characters and relationships anymore, so I've been taking it all at face value, aside from the scenes they blatantly show us are meant to be deceptive. I've never been a very nuanced TV/movie viewer, though, so there's that.
ikr? Lestat would never have done that to Nicky! It's already been established in season 1 how much he loved Nicky. That fanfic never happened!
What also made me go “Bullshit!” Was when they killed all the human performers on stage. As if Lestat would allow that! But also, you make a solid point. Lestat clearly spoke fondly and with an air of lost love when he talked about Nicky in season 1, does Louis believe Lestat was lying about that?
Nicki's angry violin playing while looking like the little brother Todd from Wedding Crashers had me crying laughing so hard
**With Nicki WATCHING and WEEPING while playing the violin!** I actually started laughing at the shot of Nicki FURIOUSLY VIOLINING while glaring at them both. That takes skill, and it's also fucking hilarious.
armand is no longer the boticelli angel. it’s nicki now. my pookie serves in every scene, and armand is just angry nicki clocked his raggedy ass on those paris streets
i am mid way right now and i am laughing so much. this lying ass bitch!
This gif is so perfect here on so many levels. Thank you.
the scene in the theater box had me dying laughing, the audacity of Armand to lie on Lestat like that 🤣
the audacity is crazy. some people are eating it up and i'm like "girl you've got a STORM coming!"
I’m just thinking of that Aretha meme “lies, lies, and more lies, lies *on top of lies*”
I was waiting on some epic BS after that "47 years longer than he was with Lestat" shot. Armand is a mess!
I was not at all surprised at his wattpad version of events, but oh how gloriously hilarious it was! I can’t wait for the show to explore just how messy and unhinged Armand is
In almost every moment of every scene, his eyes are a *void*. A bleak, empty void. And then he'll start on a new narrative and the animation returns for a moment, but once he stops -- emptiness. I am so absolutely delighted that they're really leaning into that.
"I let Lestat destroy my cult, he said thing that I had felt for centuries but, my followers would not believe them from my lips" Sure, Jan.
Cackled too hard
They had no chemistry. I'm not sure if they acted it that on purpose or if they just don't.
in the book i dont think he ever got Lestat, i think he wanted to and Lestat kept rejecting him.
That was the beauty of their relationship for me, personally. It was so entertaining how this chaotic gremlin was so down bad for Lestat, while Lestat was having non of it.
Journalism wise Daniel is definitely actually getting a lot out of having both Armand and Louis there. The way they place off each other is interesting
Lestat is such a natural on stage
Louis acting like a father talking to his daughter’s drama teacher. So when they’re happy they’re fine to go back to father-daughter instead of brother-sister
blender mention https://i.redd.it/ecqx8aymyt2d1.gif
Ahh could you explain🫠 sorry I wanna get it!
In the books Armand is much more of a kid and one of the ways they show it is a scene in QOTD where Armand puts weird stuff in blenders because he thinks it's hilarious. He also likes to do things like put rats in the microwave and watch the same movie over and over. It kind of serves two purposes. It quietly does a lot of the lift in establishing that IWTV and TVL really were very biased accounts. It also drives home the idea that vampires are stuck at whatever developmental stage they were in when they were turned. The show kept the idea that while vampires who were turned as teenagers are not as doomed as immortal children, they have serious issues with impulse control and emotional regulation - they just borrowed elements of Armand and gave them to Claudia to balance out aging her up.
I always loved these scenes so much. How fun would it be to get to see a flashback of this nature? Where Armand is taught how to use a computer...only now to never be without his tablet.
Oh that’s so interesting! Thanks
I just got to the scene of Lestat at the piano and just need to comment how blown away I am by this episode.
So they really bonding over “we are both Lestat’s ex’s”
It's like they both want that ex back and it's their lowkey toxic bond
I liked the reversal of the invite into the home: Lestat invited Louis into his home for their first time, and Louis invited Armand into his home for their first time.
And Lestat never invited Armand to his home for sexy time :((
Well that was even more blatantly Armand's Lesmand fanfiction than I thought. I am not surprised that Armand is trying to sell the idea that Lestat just abandoned them, but the extremely made up love triangle with Armand and Nicki has me more convinced that eventually we will get a very different version of the Antoinette storyline. The parallels with Lestat-Armand-Nicki were blatant and yet everything about the second was such obviously made up bullshit that it makes the first look even more questionable. Armand already setting up the idea that the coven is going to turn against him I see. Poor, poor Armand. Gotta lay the ground work for the idea that he "couldn't prevent it." And, yet, the law says the coven master is the only one who has the power to kill another vampire. Oh, Louis. Interesting that he seems to believe the Armand version of Lestat's backstory in the present. I wonder if he always did or if this is since the 70s. I still think at some point there were some clear changes in what he "knew" and what he now "knows." The tidbits we got through Dreamstat were very interesting. Louis clearly feels guilty about any attempts to "move on," but we also found out Louis considers Lestat being deserving of his death to be "debatable" also Dreamstat cutting in with the assertion that Claudia did help kill him...also that Louis feels guilt over never having clearly expressed his love to Lestat. About the park scene, Louis biting and then beating that man to death imagining it is Lestat. Louis fears that is the only way he knows how to love. He fears his own violence even or especially against someone he cares about. His guilt is clear, but some of the rest I think we will need to stick a pin in and see how it plays out.
I feel like when Armand said "I love you" it was sincere and Lestat would have said "Yes, I know", it's really apparent on his face. It was done sarcastically, but Lestat did come in bearing a literal cross, being their savoir and Armand was longing for it for over 50 years, meaning his prayers were answered. Funny little set design thing is that while they're in the box seats, an angel is on Lestat's side
I think Armand falling for Lestat from afar, kidnapping Nicki, and then Lestat showing up with the cross are the only parts that were "true." The messed up part about the whole Lestat reciprocating the way Armand shows him doing is that in the book reality, and probably the one of the show too, Armand messed with his mind and bit him against his will and Lestat fights him off. After that, Lestat really can't bring himself to show Armand anything but pity for a very long time.
pity is correct, what i find interesting is after the reformation Armand said Lestat was already tired of the role of Death after 100 nights, which is barely three and half months. so it's a minimum of 4 months to a couple years- which isn't a long time in a vampire's life for Armand to say "I love you". Louis said "and a week later Lestat was gone" so in the short ass time that was, Armand was still holding that grudge? really pitiable.
I am not sure any of that happened at all. Lestat didn't want anything to do with the vampire theater at all in the book. He found the act distasteful. Armand actually spent less time with him too and was still holding the grudge 100 years later because Lestat didn't want to be his companion.
with Daniel's prying, it's going to be interesting if/when the lies are uncovered, Louis is an angry man and having been fed lies for over 70 years is not going to sit well. with Louis saying "and then Lestat left a week later", he must know the lie intimately and if he learns the truth, he's gonna lash out.
Hallustat also starts to give Louis a warning about “18th century Armand.” This means Louis subconsciously knows Armand is dangerous or isn’t to be trusted.
It’s like why is Louis so hesitant to even hang out with the coven? Yes he wants to do his photography and jazz, but it seems like maybe he’s remembering Lestat’s warnings too
Yes, I think he said something that alluded to Lestat’s words haunting him or sticking with him. The same seems to be happening with Claudia since she referenced Lestat’s warning about vampires.
How do you mean with Antoinette? I didn’t think she was in the books
The character is based on Antoine from the books, and the relationship with Lestat and Antoine and how Louis viewed it was quite different from the storyline with Antoinette in the show.
Ohhh thanks. I didn’t even realize because he came off so differently when reading as compared to the lady in the show
I’m currently in the middle of reading TVL. I’m at the part where Lestat and Gabrielle leave Paris. Is Armand leaving crucial parts of Lestat’s story out on purpose or does he simply not know everything that happened? For example, Nicki seems to hate Lestat in the books because he disappeared and ghosted him basically after becoming a vampire (even if it was only to seemingly protect him?) The farther I get into the book the crazier Armand seems to be so it could be plausible that he is leaving out things to make Lestat look like the bad guy. Also, I’m thinking that maybe they’re leaving things out because if season three happens, that’s basically gonna be TVL and how Lestat remembers things( which is more than likely the truer version of events anyways) The discrepancy in events genuinely confuses me because there’s so many sides of the story that are being told. I also don’t understand Armand’s angle. Reading the books has made me more confused.
It's fairly simple. In the context of the show, everyone has an agenda and wants to make Lestat look bad. Lestat is the only one who tells the truth. I think that's ridiculous because of how vain Lestat is, but that's the reality of the universe the show takes place in. Armand is going to be revealed as a lying or misrepresenting the facts just like Louis is because only Lestat's version of events is true. Until Lestat speaks for himself, assume it's all fabrication.
Yup. Vain he might be, but I distinctly remember a book sequence or two in which he essentially said "LOL yes, I was an asshole, but I wasn't a *fuckin'* asshole". He was great at copping to shady shit when defending himself against accusations of committing actual *atrocities*.
This series is all about perspectives, but they have made some changes for the show. I like the metaphorical burning of the satanic coven a lot more than the literal killing of them in the books. In the post show this week, the showrunner said it’s important to remember *who* is telling the story, when talking about Armand’s memory. Armand also seems to be an actual ancient in the show, which makes sense because we don’t meet a lot of other ancients until much later. I may be reading too much into that, but he doesn’t seem to be just shy of 100 like he would have been when he came to Paris.
From the data it looks like the Talamasca at least think Armand is about the same age he always was, they just changed his origin city to Delhi. Armand is basically a vampire nepo baby because he was turned by Marius who was an elder who himself was turned by a superancient - and it's likely that Marius had been drinking directly from Enkil and Akasha for centuries by the time he turned Armand.
Vampire nepo baby lmao
So did anyone else jump and shout when Armand mentioned blenders?
Isn’t Lestat considerably stronger than Armand, which he quickly realizes in the books? I haven’t read TVL for a few years, but I recall Armand attacking Lestat to no avail during their first meeting. I’m assuming this version of events (according to Armand) is almost entirely fabricated…
Must be fabricated. I’m reading TVL now and yes Armand attacks and quickly gets his ass and whole life handed to him by Lestat
Because he was the first to be sired by Marius, no? Which was forbidden due to how potent the blood would be… am I remembering correctly? Lol
Yes you’re remembering exactly~ Magnus though made Lestat
I’ve just ordered the TVC trilogy off Amazon, I can’t wait to sink my teeth back into this series
Lestat has a history of getting juiced by the blood of ancients. He doesn’t seem to have met Marius at this point, so he wouldn’t have had his first drink from Akasha. The timelines seem to be a bit skewed, and I’d wager Armand is being rewritten as much older since we won’t meet anyone nearly as old as Marius for quite some time. Edit: it’s been forever since I read the books, but I think Magnus was also juiced by ancient blood
I feel like Santiago's sire is somebody we know. Like why drop that tidbit there? Maybe I'm reading too much into it.
oh god, what if it’s bruce?!?
This occurred to me too. In which case, hey, at least Bruce is dead. But then also, who made Bruce if he's so powerful?
I had that same thought!! But according to Santiago he's dead, and last time we saw him, he was pretty (un)alive in America.
This season is some of the best tv i've seen in years.
I read somewhere that Louis just likes there to be a community so he can refuse to join them ...which is exactly what happened this episode.
This show has some of the best casting ever. Where the actors differ from the books, it’s always to add depth to the character. I cannot wait to see where this show goes.
i hate Armand and Claudia, but they are great actors, theyre just unlikable.
Talamascaaaaaaa
* Daniel’s list - he’s worried about his family… about their safety * Raglan James is so confusing. I don't know what to make of it...He seemed so David Talbot-esque... so will David be mixed between Raglan and Daniel? Or will he appear too? And if he is a character drawn from other characters, will he have Raglan’s malice… because it certainly wasn’t evident in this episode…. In TTOTBT there is a clear aura of bad intent with Raglan and I didn’t feel that here * I thought the children of darkness set up was really effective. Assad as Armand in this era was so great - jaded, depressed, hopeless. In fact, I thought Assad was brilliant in the whole episode * Harlequin Lestat was so beautiful, and so elegant for an (Auguste!) clown! But there as also a layer of triteness to the character and to Lestat’s view of acting it seemed that unnerved me. Armand told it like Lestat was naturally charming, but acted only as he liked the attention. That’s NOT Lestat’s motivation. And the comic nature of the character slightly undermined for me even Armand’s response to Lestat. And I loved Armand’s covetous desirous looks to Lestat…. But you don’t need Lestat as a Harlequin displaying his bum, as if to Armand to make your point…. Though I enjoyed that at least they made it clear Lestat refused Armand (even if only at first from Armand’s telling…) * It’s the episode Lestat has so far been in the most, yet is also the first episode where no scene with him in made me cry... (Bad times in my life currently, admittedly) * I loved the use of French, but I found it frustrating how little of the French was subtitled. I want to know what people are saying! I was not lucky enough to ever have been taught even a word of French in school so I have literally zero clue. Like, *he whispers in French*... WHAT do they whisper?! That is NOT ENOUGH INFORMATION FOR ME!!!! Can anyone help with the French text that wasn’t translated at all? * Although the bit in the theatre, I suppose having Lestat perform in French as Harlequin, but the mind-conversation take place in English made that clear… but I want to know the French text too! * I feel very weird and sad about Lestat meeting Nicolas when he's already a vampire (I know this is only Armand's telling, but I feel this fact will surely remain, due to Joseph's Nicki not looking like he could be the same age as Lestat… I suppose it is possible Lestat could still meet Nicolas as a mortal, but I don’t see any way Lestat can meet Nicki back in his home town) - I can only see it hugely lessening Nicolas' impact... but I guess maybe they want that for TV..? My expectations shift for TVL there though as I thought they’d go big with the Nicolas and Louis parallels to add to the poignancy of those two relationships. Instead, the parallel that was made by Armand was that both Nicolas and Claudia were not built for immortality….? * To expand on that - The Witches Place… if Lestat and Nicolas didn’t know each other as children what happens with that SUCH IMPORTANT element… perhaps Lestat will have been married for a while in his hometown in the TV show or something and there’ll be another character to get some of Nicki’s story… but it takes poignancy away from Nicolas and away from Louis in my opinion. It also takes poignancy away from the wolf killer red cape which Lestat is wearing. But Nicki is Lestat's first true love, the first person he converses with who he feels understands him and Lestat is snatched away from their shared bed in their shared abode by Magnus.... if Lestat doesn't meet Nicolas till he is 34 and already a vampire, that is SO different… in many more ways than I have included here... * But I liked Joseph as Nicki, and joy of joy, the snippets of violin playing were convincing enough for me. I was really worried about it, but nothing bothered me, albeit they obviously were very brief.
Nicki was a mortal in the beginning but after Armand kidnapped him Lestat turned him. That’s why Armand asked Lestat if Nicki knew about Vampires.
Yes, I meant that Armand says that Lestat (as a vampire) "took a mortal lover", implying Vampire-Lestat met mortal-Nicki and started a relationship. That's very different to the books! And of course we don't know when Lestat moved to Paris. Did he move there at 19 like in the books and he was there for 15 years before being made a vampire rather than a matter of months? Or did he move there only recently on the show? Who knows. It seems unlikely that Nicki's story can be in the books though, where they're basically the same age, but Nicki is absolutely more worldly, with more life experience than Lestat as a mortal... and that they knew each other as children, then meet again at 19 and Nicki becomes Lestat's first love.... I can't see a way that can be the case....
Well, since we have to work with assumptions here...by the time Armand senses Lestat, he's a full blown celebrity with the theater. That probably means he's been acting there for a while, long before he became a vampire, just like the book says. From that, it can be gathered that the story of Nicky can remain intact, from childhood friends, reconnecting and the like. Armand's comment of him taking a mortal lover is not inaccurate. It's semantics. Armand obviously doesn't know the full story of him and Nicki and doesn't care. All he sees is a vampire disrespecting their coven's rituals and beliefs and his needing to get him under control or use him for what he needed. Which eventually he did.
I kind of love the utter pettiness of Armand reducing Nicki to a footnote. "There was this other guy with him, a mortal or something, who cares, he doesn't matter."
Right! It was pretty obvious from Lestat's reaction that Nicki meant a lot to him...I mean he literally broke into the coven space, smashed Jesus and yanked Nicki the fuck out of there. And then 2 minutes later, Lestat's like..."read yo damn sheet music". LOL. Like okay, Armand. Just stop it.
Armand is so messy, I live for it.
I feel a lot better about the whole Nicki thing now! I think initially, I panicked about it! But now I have calmed down. Perhaps I was even believing too much of Armand’s tales!!?! 😇😅
>[Comment](https://www.reddit.com/r/InterviewVampire/comments/1d0vncl/comment/l5q0sn9/) by[u/AutoModerator](https://www.reddit.com/user/AutoModerator/) from discussion in[InterviewVampire](https://www.reddit.com/r/InterviewVampire/) I felt the same way about the "whispers in French". But we're seeing Armand's point of view so he would have no idea what Lestat whispered to Nicky. We may find out what he whispered later.
I think this version of Raglan is probably being introduced 2 seasons before the body thief plot occurs, so maybe he isn't embittered yet.
Maybe! Maybe something he’ll do will result in his expulsion from the Talamasca…?! Although I’d be surprised if we got a body thief season myself. More likely they may just use body thievery some other way… another character reveal? Another plot? (As long as it isn’t putting Daniel in someone else’s body! I want Eric-as-a-vampire!!!!!!!)
Omg I am so curious to see where they go with Ragland James! It could be Lestat! I’m wondering if they’re going to combine David Talbot’s character with Daniel’s and this is going to be the catalyst for it.
Armand telling his version of events which to be honest is probably how he saw things. And not how they really were. While in the interviews, Lestat just cracks up laughing at his version like this: [Lestat Laugh](https://x.com/InMyVampireEra/status/1794641235883561013)
I'm still processing...so much to think about in this episode! But what I will say now is that I do think Claudia is realizing that Lestat was not completely wrong regarding how dangerous vampires are...and it's not about Bruce. Her taking the Laws made that pretty apparent when she actually heard them Particularly about the age of vampire making and the no death to vampires. I realize also that Claudia's arrogance is really her downfall. She really thinks that she's smarter than everyone in the room. No sweetie...you're not. Her belief that her cover story was going to be enough to fool a room full of vamps forever was...unrealistic. Those vamps knew from the moment they walked into the room they were lying about "Bruce". Santiago definitely knew at the same time Armand did. Louis didn't even have to have a full blown melt down to reveal that lie.
I'm not sure if her refusal to see the ridiculous holes in her story is arrogance. As the ep went on, it became clear that she was deeply affected by Bruce, and is running away from what happened to her. She has been fighting to find a place to feel safe ever since. She thinks the Theatre is it, and she's desperate to be a part of what she perceives to be a place that will accept and protect her.
Yea I second this. It seems to come from a place of desperation and trauma rather than arrogance. If anything she knows that hubris isn't a good trait to have cos Lestat was undone because of it.
I sometimes have mixed feelings about Claudia, but I felt terrible for her in this ep. She so desperately wants to belong and to not be the backup/second choice, that she walked right into the coven with all of this hope, when they're using her. It really is cruel to create a child vampire. It's funny and sad that as much as Claudia is frustrated by Louis, she behaves as if all adults/the other vampires are like him in that she can manipulate/lie as she pleases, not seeming to realize how much her "power" over Louis is because Louis loves her/lets her have power. Louis has kind of given Claudia a false sense of her abilities. Even Lestat--until the very end--indulged Claudia to extended degrees because of Louis. Claudia may be old in human years, but her arrogance remains childlike in the ways kids think they're smarter but don't realize they just don't have the life experience and brain development of adults. Claudia's costume was outright cruel, and of course they wait until after the Laws and she's officially a member of the coven. Now Claudia's trapped. I wonder if the Madeleine story will play out on the show as Claudia's attempt to escape as she realizes Louis and Lestat's warnings have validity. It's ironic that even as Louis breaks the rules/refuses to join the coven/does his own thing, he's "safer" than Claudia is because of Armand. Louis is always safer than her not only because he's an adult, but because he's the one the vampires with power truly desire and will protect (first Lestat and then Armand).
To your last point, this is 100% true and something Claudia deeply resents. She will never find love because of her child body so she will never have the power of seduction and influence in the way that Louis does. This is why the Madeline relationship is important because being that she is mentally an eternal child she will need an eternal mother. The coven was never the answer. Neither were Louis and Lestat because they’re already soulmates.
Agree. As much as I love Louis, his love for Claudia is still selfish in some ways because he is always the safe one. Even when he and Claudia were plotting Lestat's death, Lestat was never going to kill Louis while he planned to replace Claudia with Antoinette. Armand was supposed to kill Louis but defies the coven and is going to choose Louis over them. Everyone chooses Louis and no one choose Claudia. Claudia just wants someone for her, and the coven is not it (too bad it takes too late for her to realize this).
I don't believe Lestat planned on replacing Antoinette with Claudia that was more Claudia's belief that reality. If Lestat really wanted to Antoinette he would have made her long ago. Instead he strung her a long for years as she continued to get older and only finally turned her to spy on on Louis and Claudia. I don't think he cared for Antoinette the way she wished she did. Hell, Claudia acted more jealous of their tryst then even Louis did.
Also because he's a dude? The vamp sphere still appears to be very much a man's world...
I agree. If you notice Claudia referenced Lestat twice: “We had an incinerator” and referencing Lestat’s claim about dangerous vampires. Claudia’s realizing that the grass was not greener in Paris and Lestat as insufferable as he was and despite his threats, was protecting her as well as keeping her living in comfort and luxury. These vampires have less respect for her than Lestat did and Louis has shown time and time again that he can’t protect her. By the time Claudia realizes she’s endangered it’ll be too late. And yes, Claudia overestimated her abilities. She was able to leverage to Lestat’s inability to read her mind and his vulnerability and weakness for Louis against him to manipulate him. She doesn’t have that kind of leverage with the coven and Louis is a terrible liar But Claudia‘s overestimations were already insinuated in season one where she incorrectly deduces that Lestat killed his maker
*“We had an incinerator”* I caught that! And I said...."oooooooooo"...you slipped up, Claudia! I have a feeling that will happen again. And yes...definitely no respect for either of them. And Claudia is so blinded by her desire to connect that she can't see the danger lurking. And even after seeing the type of vampire Bruce was. I'm surprised that she's not on guard 24/7. She's acting the opposite of what I've expected. smh.
I think her trauma has moved her to be more motivated to seek “the good vampires” (even though in reality there are none). Like maybe if she finds a vampire she can connect with, the trauma she went through will have been worth it. If she comes up empty, then it was all for nothing.
Agh, and being "vampires on the road" and having an incinerator isn't well linked. Poor kid.
Bingo
It's so sad (the tragedy of Claudia) because it's what Armand says to Louis, she cannot be a vampire for long because even though she's 60 something she still has the brain of a 14 year old and maybe that's why she thinks she's going to outsmart everyone
This part always confused me. Is it her brain maturing and her body not anymore or the other way around?
Her body is static. Her mind matures, but it's warped from being underdeveloped when she was made and by her lived experiences. In the book, it's even more blatant since she was only five when she was made. She didn't know anything other than being a vampire. Outside of Louis' influence, there wasn't much humanity in her at all.
Honestly both are not developing theoretically. At 14 her brain would only be partially developed, she would have a very limited prefrontal cortex which essentially helps make rationale decisions and understand actions. That's why teenagers can be perceived as so risk inclined. it's not that they lack information, but rather they literally cannot process the information and effects like a fully matured adult brain. So Claudia has taken in like 60+ years of violence and trauma in a partially developed brain stage. Eventually all the information will overhwhelm her/ it's likely she will break due to just not understanding WHY her plans and thoughts go array. This is also why child therapists are different in skill then adult therapists for instance. Teenagers always will do dumb risky things but they learn from it as their brain develops. She will never be able to do this, it just resets again and again.
I remember Bailey explaining it during one of the podcasts and you make so much sense. I just assumed she would learn from the experience at some point. I cannot imagine the hell I would be in if my brain just keep resetting. I would go catatonic!
In the movie, they kind of hit on this in a pretty blatant way when Claudia cuts her hair and it just grows back right away. She can never change. So even when she "learns" from her mistakes she can't really because her brain can't actually mature. She will never grow out of feeling like she knows better or more than others and never have full impulse control.
These Vampires are not in favor of freedom at all. Louis, Lestat, and Claudia all value their freedom but these dudes are talking about curfews and shit lol. They're basically Vampire fascists.
Gosh. I love this series so much. Was touching to see Nicki however skewed by Armand’s POV. Will lose it if and when Gabrielle shows up. One of my fave characters. Can’t wait for Marius as well. Talamasca appearance was a pleasant surprise. So so so curious about the current state of Lestat. This whole episode I kept wondering if I was seeing Dreamstat, Realstat or Switchstat lol. I love how they are interweaving components across the novels.
God this show is so good
Armie is such a bad liar it's hilarious!!!!!
Just watched episode 2. I am going to enjoy disliking Armand this season. Daniel playing that soap opera theme song was the chef’s kiss!! Santiago did not disappoint from the promos. Whoever that actor is, he is superb!! He’s going to be fun to watch!! The overall feel of the episode changed the second Lestat came onscreen to read his letter to Louis. It changed the entire vibe of the episode! The chemistry between those two is just off the charts! Armand and Louis ganging up on Daniel about Alice…WHOA!! Louis thinks/sees himself as a somewhat morally good vampire. That scene proved otherwise. I did like the ending scene where Armand and Louis are talking while the Theater of Vampires coven are feasting inside that palatial home. I can’t wait to watch episode 3!
I have never liked the Theatres des Vampire period in the book, nor in the movie, but it's only bearable watching it now because they cast Ben Daniels as Santiago. He's a very charismatic English actor and was great in The Exorcist series. If you haven't seen that, I highly recommend it. He's got a main role there as Father Marcus, one of the two main exorcists. Edit: typo
Anna Rice *consistently bans fanfiction written about her books* Armand *writes the most saccarine Lestat/Armand fanfiction while being a character in the show*.
The ending confused me a bit. What exactly made Armand change his mind about killing Louis? If he was always planning to spare him, why did he make Louis think he would kill him?
Armand fell in love and realize that he couldn’t go through with it. Louis made him weak. Louis realized this was his only chance to save both himself and Claudia and invited Armand to his bed.
There was so much information in this episode, I'm still trying to decipher some things but it was definitely my favorite ep so far, I loved seeing Armand and Lestat "tales", it was funny in a way...
how is this show so good? seriously, i kinda don't get it, but it really is fascinatingly good and how can this be translated over to the mayfair show?
OKAYY I just watched the episode!! It's very interesting the route the writers are taking by sprinkling in information/hints. I love it but I'm also inching towards being on the fence about it? Everything is being heavily relied on that the series gets picked up for a season three. But then again the Mayfair Witches series is getting picked up for a s2 so there's still hope!
Wow. Lestat looked so magnificent during his stage-play with that make-up and hair and those costumes. He is just gorgeous. I am so happy we finally had an episode which heavily featured him. Only reason to watch this show.
Lestat’s Harlequin scenes were one of those moments where you wish Ann was alive to see it. I thought the whole time: THIS is Lestat. Bravo Sam Reid
Holy shit, Armand Professor X’ed the entire street. I wonder how old he’s supposed to be in the show. Making him a true ancient makes a lot of sense considering how relatively unimportant the other ancients are until much later. Also, Lestat invented serving cunt. We have no choice but to Stan.
Okay, so that was crazy. I think we can all agree that was batshit crazy. So first thing’s first, I fully buy into the idea that Armand has never hurt Louis. Mainly due to what happened this episode and the sheer disadvantage a relationship with Louis put Armand into. It became alarmingly clear that the thing that will cause everything to implode by the end of this season is the power struggle between Armand and Santiago. So I think the truth of whatever is going on the present is a lot more muddy than originally thought with the current theories. Some of the things I noticed going on in their shadow war is that Santiago is fully using Claudia as a way to target Louis so as to put pressure on Armand. He has almost kind of already supplanted the coven most likely due to their distaste in Armand’s leadership prior to Lestat’s reformation. The only reason Santiago hasn’t gained full control is because Armand is so powerful. Like, HE CAN CONTROL FIRE! Could he do that in the books? I don’t know but Armand is so much more powerful than I originally thought. Did I expect vampire politics this episode? No, but I sure as shit enjoyed every second of it. It brought me right into Vampire The Masquerade in how this was all shaking out. I’m extremely excited to see what goes down. Also, my new theory on how Claudia will died is that the coven will break her psychologically and get her to commit suicide. That role they gave her was bait, and she has taken it hook, line and sinker without clueing into the truth of things. Edit; Also, I think Armand and Louis are hiding Enkil and Akasha. Maybe Armand has taken the role of Marius too in the show adaptation. Like, those groans are so definitely from them. There is absolutely no way it isn’t.
Yes, in the later books, Armand is quite the pyromaniac \^\^; Also Marius is name dropped in the files on Daniel's computer so I'm sure we'll still see him!
If they are staying true to the source material, Claudia is not going to kill herself.
Yeah since Daniel found a picture of the theatre on fire I assume her death leading up to it will remain similar.
I hope they are just babysitting Those Who Must Be Kept for a weekend, we need Marius :(
Lol! I’ve had a running joke with my husband for a while now that this is actually Marius’ apartment and they are house sitting TWMBK while he’s on vacation. 😆 This is why they have to do the interview now, see, because Marius only got that Airbnb in Tahiti for two weeks. 😂 Then when the art sale came up we were cracking up, “And they’re selling his shit while he’s out of town!” 🤣🤣🤣🤣
So I’ve been wondering if Armand is being turned into an actual ancient as a way to get the lore into the show much earlier than it otherwise would have, and this episode really has me convinced. Armand did not strike me as a relatively young vampire when he was tasked with the satanic coven. He seemed to be already old and weary. The way he carries himself in the flashbacks seems like a vampire considering either a long sleep or giving up. So I’m definitely with you on the “there’s something much deeper going on in the present” As for Claudia, I think she’ll be responsible for her own death, but it’ll be for the same reasons as book. They’re clearly tormenting her, and I think between losing her close relationship with Louis and infantilized she’ll have a lapse in judgment or psychotic break and turn the dress maker (potentially as revenge for making her the childish clothes she’s going to be forced to wear forever.)
I'm still rooting for Loustat, but DAMN do I love all these scenes with Armand and Louis. They have a great chemistry between them, and you can really see Armand struggling internally with his duties to the coven and his newfound love and desire for Louis. Assad and Jacob were absolutely top-notch in their performances this episode.
This episode is a lot more set up compared to episode 2, which surprised me. It looks like Santiago isn't a loyal attack dog after all and was just biding his time for an opening. In this ep, Armand's influence over the coven seems to be waning the longer he keeps giving preferential treatment to Louis. Since Armand positioned himself as a distant leader ruling with an iron fist, Santiago can sway the coven on the ground level, e.g. when he talks to Claudia 1-on-1. Speaking of Claudia, I'm actually so fucking upset at how she was treated this ep. First Armand talks down to her in front of Louis AND LOUIS DID NOTHING??? Then she can't look at any of her colleagues while talking to them??? After she was finally accepted in the coven, THEY FUCKING GAVE HER A CHILD'S DRESS AND SAID HER ROLE FOR THE NEXT 50 YEARS IS A CHILD???? OH, THE WHOLE COVEN IS GOING INTO MY BURN BOOK. Also Louis and Armand are so fucking romantic together. I truly believe that they yearn for each other, however there is trauma, coven politics, the blond demon, and other circumstances impeding their romance. Genuinely, I think if Louis and Armand met when they were more self-assured and healthier people, their love would blossom even further. We know their story ends badly, but it was just a wrong time, wrong place thing. The Armand and Daniel scene at the start was so UGH (affectionate). Armand being uncharacteristically nervous around Daniel when Louis isn't around. THE BLENDER MENTION OMG??? He's also much softer to Daniel when they're alone together, UGH I LOVE THEM. Of course I cannot avoid the elephant in the room. RAGLAN JAMES. If you look at the names of the files he sent Daniel, there are files about Armand's past and original name. IF RJ IS FUCKING M\*RIUS, IM GOING TO BURN HIM MYSELF. HOW DARE GIVES INFO OF ARMAND'S PAST TO DANIEL WITHOUT HIS FUCKING CONSENT. HASN'T ARMAND SUFFERED ENOUGH?
A lot of that was not unusual for theater and/or coven hazing. Armand even acknowledges that a second later
Just curious...why would you be that upset about Claudia's being hazed into the coven? She's trying to get initiated and therefore has to take on the role of the pledge. Armand is the leader of the coven and his telling her to get her act together in regards to being on time isn't shocking. It would actually look worse for her if Louis DID say anything. And she surely wouldn't have appreciated it. And let's be real. Claudia IS a child vampire. The coven doesn't owe her anything...particularly since they know she's lying to them. And that she is actually not even supposed to be existing right now...at least according to the coven rules.
Yearn for each other? Did we watch the same show? Louis is yearning for Lestat to the point that any time he’s alone with Armand he sees him. In the end Louis basically slept with Armand to keep him from killing him and Claudia. Very romantic. With that being said this was a great episode. My favorite this season.
BLENDERS!!!
I was really taken aback by the chemistry Jacob and Assad had this episode. Despite how fucked up both Armand and Louis are, I have no doubt after this episode that Armand had truly fallen in love with Louis and had chosen protecting him over his obligations to the coven.
Claudia after yearning to join the coven all this time, and then learning at the end of episode what they want her to do for the next fifty years: https://64.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m63kooWDUT1rrbciso1_500.gif
Did I just become Team Louis and Armand?! They've done such an excellent job building their relationship this season. I didn't think it was possible after seeing the Lestat relationship.
Just wondering if anyone got what Daniel was writing at the restaurant?? I tried pause & read it but the handwriting was so messy! Just Curious?
When is ____ Today \- Cell phone, google, ____ \- SAN FRANCISCO, ________ , Mary’s *(after San Francisco, below indecipherable)* \- Playboy magazine \- Alice, They’ll come for and Kate next use Lenore *(Lenora?)* Lestat *(below Lenore(a), above CLAUDIA!)* \- as a doorstop | CLAUDIA! \-MARY’S CAB. COKE BET_ ____ THIS TIME I WONT SAVE YOUR LIFE *cont'd after meeting Raglan* MI6? AEGIS? BLACK UB_ ? HACKED YOUR LAPTOP!! ___ Does "Lenore" refer to Poe's Lenore?
Just a "couple" of thoughts: * While episode 2 felt like a filler, this was a full, good episode again! So much stuff happened! * I really hope that Raglan being there doesn't mean that they'll omit David! :( At least it doesn't look like Raglan is Daniel's researcher, so there's still hope at least. * "I could give you the names of four others who have and they're all dead, or undead." - did I forget anyone who's tried that in the books? There were the scientists of course but anyone else, like a journalist? * The blender reference and Daniel just ignoring it! xD * The fire!!! * Armand talking about Louis: "He'll awaken when the sun sleeps" - does that mean that they aren't able to wake up until sunset once they are asleep? (That would be great!) * Did they use a double for Sam when Lestat and the others are killing the original actors? * I wonder if the paintings are connected to the Night Island show. Come on AMC, tell us something about that one! * Lestat's song cracked me up. xD * When Claudia and Louis go to coffin and Louis tells her that he "wouldn't miss it for the world", is that blood on the left (our right) side of his neck? * It's great that they're using a couple of season 1's songs again, e.g. the plotting music really fit Santiago's and Armand's conversation nicely. * "Puncture wounds on neck, chest and shoulder blade" - same as Lestat during their make-up sex? * These vampires are affected by hayfever?! * Blood sharing is really personal in the books but for some reason I don't mind it in the show, it's all about blood for them anyway, so why not. Small amounts aren't going to give anyone new powers either (hopefully). But: * I don't like that time power. It would be one thing if they were able to just freeze people, that could be simply mind control but freezing even clothing that easily? It now feels like they're giving them way too many powers way too quickly. The Cloud Gift is one thing, Lestat could have gained that naturally, just with Akasha's blood and being a little bit older in season 1 but this? How much time did he and Armand spend blood-fucking that he gained that power too? * No Rolin again. :/
Claudia: "We had an incinerator..." Irish vamp: "That's very *German*..."