It is kind of funny how Daniel is in the sushi restaurant genuinely being like "I just want to get out alive from this situation" and then the second he's back in the penthouse, he's "WHAT'S UP ARMAND YOU LITTLE BITCH, I HATE YOUR TACKY FACE"
Oh yeah, and honestly that line is even more hilarious having seen The Mayfair Witches and the Talamasca's complete inability to keep Ciprien or Rowen safe from fuckery for even half an episode.
But it is true tho, Armand and Louis could massacre hundreds of talamasca agents. There is literally no one that could save Daniel except daniel himself.
Oh no it’s 100% accurate, it’s just funny after an entire season of Mayfair Witches providing so much evidence of how bad they are at the thing they’re trying to do
Yeah. Daniel's will to live seems to have strengthened as of late, but Raglan was like: "Yeah, you're probably dead meat, but let's think about your book." Lol.
That cafe scene with the four of them made me so sad: Claudia grinning from ear to ear, so happy to have found her companion heart; Louis smiling and cracking jokes, still Daddy Lou; Madeline telling Armand that Louis loves him. Armand's affectionate kiss on Louis' cheek.
And then BAM. Armand's betrayal becomes apparent with the arrival of Santiago.
Ugh. Heartbreaking.
I was watching that scene thinking it was too sweet and then Armand got up from the table and my heart dropped. I can't believe we have to wait another week, it's going to drive me mad.
Yes. They were happy, Louis even acknowledged that he does love Armand(even if he did say it himself) and C & M weren’t even staying in the city anymore. I fully believe Armand had something to do with the setup and it’s killing me.
I know he admitted it but I don't believe Louis loves Armand. He's just in the honeymoon phase of a rebound and thinks he does.
I think they just had Louis say it so that it would make the ultimate outcome more terrible in the face of Armand's betrayal.
I feel very strongly about Armand in this show (I love him), but I don't believe he was ever a love of Louis'. An intense lust or infatuation maybe.
Am I the only one not seeing the happiness on Louis in this scene? He was putting on a smiling face, but his eyes were completely empty. He looked crushed and dead inside, especially considering in a previous scene he had a breakdown over Madeleine turning and self-harmed.
Louis is extremely codependent. He doesn’t know how to or is incapable of being happy on his own. That’s why he is only happy when those he surrounds himself with are also happy. Even then there are those broken parts of him that are forever left longing to feel that happiness innately, of his own volition
One thing that is stuck in my mind is when Armand briefly talks about how he could have fought them all and maybe they would kill him. But I personally don't buy that at all simply because what was shown in a previous episode. We did see that he is powerful enough to freeze a room full of people + all the coven members. If he can do that he sure can beat them alone too.
I absolutely agree. He could have chosen to wipe them out. The only thing I can imagine stopping him is Lestat had already shown up, and he wasn’t confident he could handle him and the others together. I don’t believe Armand’s recollection of easily overpowering Lestat.
armand was a 300+ vampire at the time he met lestat, I absolutely believe he overpowered him. you might be onto something tho about the arrival of lestat being the wrench in things.. nothing like an exsituationship popping up and throwing you off your game
Endgame is always going to be Louis. Armand is constantly several steps ahead of everyone and manipulating everyone into thinking they’ve making choices for themselves. In the end, they’re all making choices that benefit him. Calculating cost and choosing the best path.
I was truthfully like, "Wtaf?!" The last Paris recollections were all dreamy and lovey-dovey, lying on library tables and staring up at the ceiling and now this?! Louis was soooo much harder and meaner in this episode. But it got me thinking about how much of their recollections are colored by their present moods. In the present day, Louis and Daniel are furious about what happened in SF. How much of that rage is coming out in Louis's retelling of what happened in Paris?
Layers upon layers upon layers...
I got that vibe too! I was like, wow, Louis' attitude in Paris seems a little harsher than in previous episodes; particularly with Armand, yes. I wondered briefly if this was a choice to match the tone of Paris with the simmering tension in Dubai, but thinking of it as their present emotional states actually coloring their memories is a wonderful idea.
I just put this in the early post so I thought maybe I should add it to this discussion instead:
I teared up seeing Claudine as Madeleine sees her… and also the scene in the cafe
I haven’t read the book yet (or watched the movie) so it’s all new to me. I was so surprised to see the reveal at the end.
I can’t wait for next weeks episode
The bit with Claudia through Madeleine's eyes was gorgeous- even with all the tragedy coming, at least we know that there WAS someone in the world who loved Claudia truly.
I also wanna add mad props to the actress who plays Madeline. Who is doing a lot with very little. She has had maybe 25 minutes of time on screen. I am just so captivated by her. I totally buy how she could be seduced by Claudia do a degree.
It’s honestly so tragic that seemingly all vampires are made in horrible situations.
I mean they make a point to say she has been given a choice here something Claudia wasn’t.
But how much is the choice here. Like the only choice she has is she says yes. Or the troupe will kill her for letting a human know your are a vampire of course she doesn’t know that but Claudia and Louis doo.
Not to mention this is an orphan, black sheep woman. Who is about to be double raped while she knows no one will come fo her rescue.
Like Louis she is a really vulnerable person. Honestly they could have been good friends I feel. It felt like from the short time we have she could really see Louis
This. I often wondered if Madeleine wasn't a black sheep, and was a normal human being not ostracised by the society that she lived in, would she still wanna be a forever companion to Claudia?
When people are alone and fall in love, you can never be sure whether it's out of true love or it's a desperate way out of their loneliness.
I mean she did say it to Armand, that she was lonely.
LESTAT LESTAT LESTAT LESTAT. I am so freaking excited and yet so heartbroken. This show is everything. I say this every week but I can't express that enough. I can't remember ever being so riveted...
Oh, and fuck Armand. I don't do cowardice, it's revolting
If I were Louis I don’t think I would ever forgive Armand for this. Damn right Armand better still be repenting.
Also do these damn vampires never read each others minds?
Every time Armand mentioned Louis forgiving him in previous episodes I just rolled my eyes because there’s no reason he should.
And you’re so right, for them all to be mind readers they sure don’t use their gifts often when they have issues with other vampires. If I was surrounded by vampires who’d already shown that they don’t like me I’d never be out of their heads.
But they \*can\* close their minds to each other. One of the things that Armand says to Louis (when the coven invites them out to their first hunt) is that Claudia is very good at it and Louis needs to get better. (Claudia was already learning to block Louis out of her mind back when she first met Charlie.) Everybody's laying this at Armand's door, but Louis is the one with the "loose head" (as Claudia calls it) and Claudia's the one who kept her diaries -- including the book with Lestat's last words in his own blood! At least 4-5 of those vampires are as old as Armand, so even if they're not the strongest, they know what they're doing. With Santiago directing them, they could have easily gotten everything they wanted without Armand.
I too believe that he had something to do with this, but if I’m just going by the show at the moment, the cowardice is what’s shown right now I still don’t believe that Louis asked him to erase memories either.
exactly!!! we’ve been shown countless times how Armand is hard pressed for following coven rules and tradition, and he resented claudia for who she was and what she represented.. like there was no way he was gonna let all of this slide without some form of punishment. and we’ve seen the power that armand holds so to watch him play the perpetual victim “woe is me, I had no choice” role is funny.
it’s sad because he really ruined his chance of getting the one thing he wanted, real love. they all need to heal this is crazy.. and yet i’m living for it!!!!!!
Right? Like what even is the deal with Sam Reid Lestat. I could watch that 1 second clip of him walking in profile and jettisoning his coat a million times.
Armand manipulating Louis in Dubai, trying to make him feel sorry for him, and Daniel just sitting across from Armand, shaking his head like "What a bunch of BULLSHIT."
I just need Daniel to slap Louis in the face and tell him to stand up. That Armand deserves none of your sympathy and you should leave him.
And before anyone says it yeah Louis isn’t some perfect partner but I’m sorry that betrayal is so sick.
First of all, Daniel narrating anything is such a treat. He’s so captivating on even nothing, you really understand his history with writing and how he got where he was.
But I absolutely love that, and grumpy as he is and as annoyed as he is that his life is on the line, he absolutely gets swept up in the drama and can’t keep his mouth shut. Like he knows Armand or Louis could just snap and kill him, and he’s like “what’s more important, my life? Or calling out this bullshit? Maybe I’ll just—nope, I’m calling it out. Buuuuuullllshiiiiit.”
i have no idea what armand says is true or false. he just always feels so sincere. i blame his eyes.
lestats here to get his revenge. reminds me of what dreamstat said in ep1 about him coming back when louis is happy (the scene before around the table was so sweet 😢).
I think that's what makes Assad's casting so genius. Both Book Armand and TV show Armand give off these angelic, innocent, melancholy facades, all the while being the biggest liars and deceivers in the room.
His eyes made it so distracting to stay objective. I love and hate him for it. But it’s so brilliant. I’d like for them to keep it somewhat ambiguous because it makes for a great ongoing discussion. If you just tell the viewer point blank, there’s nothing left to discuss.
So I'm not the only one who suspects he made up the "you asked me to erase your mind" right? cuz that's the quickest way to cover your own ass if you're in his shoes
I'm kind of charmed by Daniel's weird-but-petty alliance with Talamasca Agent Real Rashid, where they're petty sniping each other but also covered for each other with the whole restaurant business.
That said: what DOES Armand suspect is happening? He asks if they talked to anyone in the restaurant but seems to think that remembering San Francisco happened on its own. So does he suspect Talamasca are snooping around, or is it something else he's worried about?
Feel like Armand knows about Rashid anyway, their reactions should be enough to confirm but it's on character for him to just fucking around with them because he can.
Real Rashid was giving me death flags with how involved he was in this episode, will be surprised if he makes it until the end of the season.
I’m so curious about Lestat. I’m sure he’s mad at Louis a little bit but he can’t let him die
Armand and Louis were hilarious this episode- all that fake closeness gone. I loved the imagery of them sitting several feet apart instead of on top of one another. Also Armand apologizing to Daniel was interesting. It sorta seemed sincere but why do it?
Apologies make one seem vulnerable by nature. He's just being manipulative again as much as possible without doing too much. Maybe Daniel isn't buying it but Armand knows it'll affect Louis.
I see what you mean. He was being manipulative before with the whole “woe is me, I didn’t want you to think badly of me” routine. Daniel is a journalist. He’s interviewed war criminals. If a bloody coup or horrible crime is part of the story that’s part of the story.
I LOVE Daniel’s “I didn’t forgive you” energy. I know he told Raglan he wanted to come out alive but he’s also not going to grovel to Armand.
They've made Madeleine such a great character so quickly (Roxane Duran, amazing), and her and Claudia's relationship is so beautiful -- it's clear that it's romantic, but they feel like they have all the time in the world to go there, and I'm genuinely so much sadder than I anticipated that they won't get it.
The fact she was humiliated by being dragged from her house and shaved for the mere crime of having sex for food and comfort during a war.
What makes this worse for me is this is Claudia first attempt at romance in decades. She is two sexual experience one with the first boy whoever showed her kindness and interest which ended in his accidental death and the second being continuous rape for a week.
And now she finds a kindred sprit. A fellow orphaned loner. Who actually sees her and wants her. Oh I’m so sick.
I really need to know what Lestat says in the trail because even if Armand just facilitated this and isn’t the main instigator he is so guilty and needs to get his.
Interestingly enough, when she first said she had an affair with a German soldier, I wondered that she still had all her hair. They actually did do that to women who slept with German soldiers.
Jacob saying "That penthouse in Dubai is a bit of a prison, and I think Louis and Daniel throughout the years have been like sort of kept things for Armand."
Years. Things. Plural on both.
I’m just gonna say not for a second so I believe Armand that Louis asked for his memory to be erased.
Like how convient is that. Also on that note he sorta mocks Louis for being a perpetual victim but doesn’t he do the exact same thing all the time
Oh he has no choice to do all the shitty things he doesn’t. As if he isn’t one of the oldest most powerful vampires we have seen so far.
maybe but it seems a bit too obvious a twist. if he could erase anything why wouldn't he erase everything?
i cant see a satisfying conclusion to a story like that, just an "it was all a dream" type handwaive.
imo i think its more interesting to read it as armand having all this power but he doesn't know how to not harm people with it, just like how he didnt know how if he could turn madeline, and how he doesn't know how to say no to Louis.
- I’m loving this subtle fighting in the present. And whatever the fuck is dom Louis in the past. He really brought back pimp Louis
- Claudia getting herself a French White
- “Claudia de Lioncort”. Oof. Did Louis “No” mean don’t call her that? Or just back off her?
- That is the weirdest way I’ve ever seen anyone eat an apple
- Omg this coven is disintegrating
- Wow Armand really wasn’t reading anyone’s minds. Lots of personal problems I guess. But that explains how they’re not really reading Daniel’s minds all the time
- Louis and Armand have the oddest relationship ever. Who is maitre here after all
- So Louis made Lestat make Claudia, Claudia is making Louise make Madeline. I think Armand had a point with the “resent their maker” thing
- Uh oh Louis post- Claudia depression II
- Daniel doesn’t even have to interview these idiots anymore. It really is a soap opera
- Awwww he really is Daddy Lou. Frankly in the tradition of parents and children’s everywhere, I think it’s unrealistic for Claudia to think that Louis won’t be at least a little parental. Armand being dad’s new boyfriend who isn’t going to try to stepparent yet
- OMG what a betrayal
That apple scene was so weird lol. The acting in that scene was great though. You could feel her anxiety, especially right before he took it from her hand.
That was such a good scene! Yes I felt Madeleine's nervousness too, even though she was keeping it cool. You could sense how badly she wanted to prove herself worthy of being a vampire, and a little fear too. The world's most stressful job interview by a guy who could very easily kill you.
A connection I didn't make until now, Louis was a pimp and Armand was forced into sex work.
Armand has chosen a partner that will have a lot of the same behaviors as his abusers.
Okay need to gather my thoughts
Last episode felt like plummeting down the rollercoaster, answering the questions about the 1973 interview which had been sprinkled around since the start of S1.
Now it seems like this episode is the slowly rising part, letting all the pieces fall into place before we go down again, at least in ep 7 I believe. Ep 8 remains a mystery.
This is possibly uncharted territory, the first time in a long time where we don't have written proof, as Daniel remarks.
I don't believe, as Louis and Daniel clearly don't buy, that Armand was simply a victim of the coven's ploys or that his hand was completely forced without him being able to lift a finger to warn them or oppose the coven.
After all, we just saw what he was capable of just a few years later, we know he can put to sleep the entire coven with a command, he has the fire gift, etc. Why is he suddenly acting like he has no voice or agency? Even the part where he keeps his eyes on Santiago on stage while his minions go around asking questions felt weird. Santiago was of course the main opposing force, but it feels strange to think Armand didnt realize he had allies of his own.
One of my favorite scenes is the part where Armand talks to Madeleine about getting turned, though. It felt like he was sussing her out, trying to see her relationship to Claudia in a sense.
I think the point about not having Claudia’s diaries any more and just relying on Armand and Louis’ memories being so shaky is so true. Louis doesn’t know what he doesn’t know and Armand is slimy
When Louis was saying they would make Madeline’s turning sweet / romantic - wonder if he thought his was romantic or not
And it's soooo convenient that the only witness that Armand was asked by Louis to delete those memories is... Armand himself. Agh I hate having to wait another week now.
For a moment I thought he would do it, especially when he removed his coat (sidenote: give a raise to whoever decided to put him in that sweater because damn). But then he didn't, because why would he willingly create another that he cannot control/read the mind of?
* loved the little disagreement about what to do with the walls in Dubai. The contrast of this life-and-death mortal betrayal manifesting itself in what to do with the newly blank walls is sending me
* Louis becoming more dom to compensate for being such a sub with Lestat kills me. Like Jesus, what a thing to put an ex-prostitute lover through
* I freaking loved Madeleine :(( and HUGE props to the actress for DELIVERING, both in French and English
* This ep just proved to me that nothing can turn me off from Santiago. Ben Daniels takes my breath away with every single line
* It just blows my mind that just based on what we've seen in this ep, after Armand's betrayal and being revisited by Lestat, Louis *still* chooses to be with Armand until the present. Sure it's super dysfunctional by the 70s–Dubai (maybe almost as dysfunctional as Loustat) but Louis...like if something ain't working then why continue!!? (rhetorical, just airing frustrations lol)
" You're a manipulator Claudia De Lioncourt "you're forgetting about Louis De Lioncourt too Armand 😏 lots of talk about what's in the blood what you get from your maker, it was sweet that she didn't want Madeleine to have Lestat's blood too.
Y'all that ending , I don't know if I can wait a week . I think I might actually die. And I'm not ready for what's to come 😭😭
https://preview.redd.it/frdsm76hlw6d1.jpeg?width=900&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=82d532aeb4284f23e8389cae437b279943184f5e
at the end of the episode, armand reiterates that he was told to choose, and he made a choice, strongly implying that the coven outmaneuvered him, forcing him into a position where he had to choose louis or claudia, and obviously chose louis. so they made a deal where armand delivers all three of them on a silver platter, with the understanding that he'll whisk louis away and they'll never be bothered again. does anyone else feel like this is almost certainly not true?
in terms of raw power, none of the paris coven are a match for armand, even working together. on the surface, the show's implying that through careful conspiracy, they were able to get one over on him. but like, we get glimpses of their machinations, and none of them are really focused on subduing their leader. the new play was a cover so that they could basically play phoenix wright (or miles edgeworth, as it were) with lestat's murder. then in the montage about the "odd crimes," it all sounded like material preparation for the trial itself, like they were already assuming they could make it happen. i think the part about climbing up on the eiffel tower and chanting the same phrase was probably them attempting to contact lestat (maybe the phrase was even "come to us," lol.)
i think armand was the one to offer the deal to the coven, and i have a theory for when he came up with it: when louis is trying to convince him to turn madeline, and he asks armand to "imagine \[him\] without the burden of \[claudia\]." i'm sure that armand knew this was a manipulation tactic, knew that louis didn't see claudia as a burden, but the idea planted a seed in his head. imo, the primary thing that armand resents about louis is that, on top of louis' emotional distance and lack of commitment, louis so readily uses their master/slave dynamic to try to get armand to do things that are dangerous and/or triggering for him. armand says that the idea of turning someone disgusts him--i think it's safe to say that his aversion comes from deep-seated trauma having to do with marius. armand sees claudia as the reason why louis tries to manipulate him, why he disregards his safety, why he feels comfortable using not only THEIR master/slave sex stuff, but all the insanely traumatic history of child sex slavery that underpins it, to try to get what he wants. because he's incapable of blaming louis (psychologically needs to put louis on a pedestal), himself (doesn't see himself as a person/dodges accountability by taking on the role of the slave even when he has power over others), or lestat (i mean he probably does blame him, lestat's just not here lmao), he *needs to blame claudia,* or else his world will crumble.
thinking about how lost and devastated armand looked after the scene where louis tells him that he plans on turning madeline, i think he decides to go through with the plan after that conversation, even though louis doesn't push him into attending the event with an order. armand tells louis that turning madeline is a bad idea, that it'll paint a target on their backs, and that the idea of making a fledgling makes him sick. louis invites armand to watch the turning. it's especially heartbreaking because for louis, i genuinely believe that it's an act of love. for him, this is basically his daughter getting married. him asking armand to come is his way of inviting him into their family, and it's especially meaningful because the last wedding he attended was grace's. but armand sees it all as louis once again disregarding his safety and comfort, not being the benevolent master that armand has projected onto him, all because claudia comes first.
one of the things i find so fascinating about armand is that there's no telling how deep the lies go, but every lie has an element of truth to it. armand says that his hand in claudia's death was an act of cowardice. he says this to imply that had a passive role in it all, which i don't buy for a second. but i do think orchestrating her death was an act of cowardice. he was too much of a coward to try to love someone who had other people that he loved too. he was too much of a coward to see how he stacked up against the competition, so he had to clear out the whole field. sick!!! (i love him)
The white-hot, barely suppressed rage on Armand's face when Louis vetoes putting a David Hockney on the wall because it would make the place look like "a hotel lobby in Ferndale". These men fucking hate each other.
Louis swaggering and throwing around his weight being a dom daddy just to be betrayed by his lover. Armand played him like a fiddle.
I'm so excited for Lestats return. Wohoo
Armand is such a sneaky little bitch, even had me fooled. He has no gall that sneaky little bitch, but I love him though. Creepy little weirdo fangirling over Louis and Lestat
Do you think Armand was really down with the whole “yes maitre” thing with Louis? The “go lie face down in the coffin” almost amid art value discussion was a lot
In the beginning their disagreement on interior decorating was interesting. Before people were saying maybe Armand makes all the buying / selling art decisions - I don’t think that’s the case
I disagree with the takes that Armand is uncomfortable with it. It's unhealthy and really doesn't work for them in a long term, but it's consensual and you could see how eager Armand was to undress after Louis repeated himself. I think both of them found that hot.
Where the problem lies in my opinion is that Armand cannot understand the divide between kink and real relationship. After he refused to turn Madeleine (a sting, but Louis was ready to get over it), he gets asked to come and share that special, intimate moment with his companion. And instead of having a normal conversation about, he takes it as if Louis was going to force him. No "I will do it because I love you and it's important to you", just "I only would do it if it was part of BDSM scene". This was such a sad moment, but unfortunately, it proved to Louis that he really has no real power in the relationship if Armand graciously doesn't give it to him. And even then, it's conditional and temporary.
I saw the clip again and Armand did seem into it.
My issue with it was basically that the kink didn’t seem like just a fun extra thing. As you said they don’t seem to know the difference between kink and the rest of the relationship. I’d say the “Maitre” thing was only in the bedroom as Daniel said, but it sort of isn’t.
Overall I don’t think anyone needs to have the upper hand in a relationship. Claudia and Madeline are the healthiest couple and no one is in charge there.
I think Armand is down with it because it’s Louis way of showing his love. When Madeleine asked Louis why he doesn’t just tell Armand how much he loves him, Louis says he knows. He also said that it’s personal which I interpreted to mean that Louis holds back just showering Armand with what he wants because it’s Louis attempt to have power in the relationship. He knows he cannot overpower Armand in terms of vampiric power. And I felt that all of episode 4 was about that being a hesitation for Louis to become Armand’s companion.
Armand being dommed by someone he loves seems a lot like both a reaction to his childhood SAs, his relationship with his maker and his subconscious attwmpts to recover from them to me. It seems quite in character to what he could plausibly get into with Louis, and Louis would understand sexual trauma and its effects having been a pimp.
Just saw a tumblr thing about Claudia revealing herself to Madeline the way Lestat revealed himself to Louis . . I somehow missed that Louis didn’t know Lestat was a vampire before that. I’m sure he had some guesses, but they hadn’t had a conversation about it! And he agreed to that? Wow he was in a messed up state of mind
But Claudia came in to rescue Madeleine (and was very careful to clean up so no trouble would come back to her), whereas Lestat came to the church to destroy Louis's last refuge so he would have nowhere to turn but to him (Lestat). Maybe Lestat had the fantasy that he was "rescuing" Louis by cutting him off from a world where he was forced to hide behind a facade, but he didn't give Louis much choice in the matter. I think Claudia's relationship with Madeleine is much more even-keeled.
I don’t understand why Daniel did not question Raglan James when he said to him “You fear Armand….you should fear the other one”. After what happened with Daniel remembering what Armand did to him in 73? Just seems odd to me.
Every time Daniel triggers Louis and he attacks Daniel - physically or mentally - or comes close to it, Armand has intervened or mitigated.
Raglan has made a point from the information he has. As much as Louis stopped Armand from killing Daniel in anger/jealousy let's not forget that Louis was also in the act of killing Daniel before Armand intervened. Or that Armand backed down from killing Daniel because he chose to acquiesce to Louis sparing him.
It’s about feelings. If Madeline could feel Louis’s feelings. Then why couldn’t Louis and Claudia feel Lestat’s?
Though from the trailer, Louis is saying, “He’s coming. He’s coming.”
I wonder if distance plays a part?
Honestly my first thought is that she just as the gift of telling emotions of others like an empath.
It seems to me and I could be wrong that certain vampires have more proficiency than others at certain things.
Claudia seemingly can block her mind better that Louis despite being younger.
Santiago has not only really long range telepathy but also can compel people into actions from a long distant which I assume the female vampire can’t do since they didn’t even though they are in the same row.
I think they just haven’t learned. Your guess is as good as mine. But I do know one thing for sure she was signaling the FUCK out of Louis. RED FLAG RED FLAG RED FLAG!
Or maybe it was the coldness or intensity Armand gave off.
Yes I think so too, they also already have evidence that laws have been broken without him as a witness. Really hoping he comes through for Louis and Claudia somehow
I have so many questions after this episode
Lestat in the 40s?? Why was Louis surprised to hear he was still out there in the 70s? Is that why he didn’t want to talk to him? Can he really forgive him if he’s part of the trial? And how can he forgive armand??
The Paris coven never makes complete sense to me like how can they blame Claudia and Louis for things that happened before they signed up with the coven, also Louis killing someone in the park and being around humans isn’t against the rules, they killed a whole mansion full of people and I doubt cleaned that up? It’s just all about control with vampires lol
Madeleine and Claudia :/ we barely knew you. But I also think it’s interesting that in season 1 they had a plot point about how no one would want to be with claudia because she’s in a young body but they’re not exploring that here, like if they character was still 12 I don’t think this romance would be possible.
I’m so excited and scared for the last two episodes!
Well, I'd argue it's mostly about jealousy and feeling disrespected by Louis prancing about and doing what he wants while they have to follow rules. Him getting to drop in on the theatre and Armand letting him live despite not joining the coven must sting. It's certainly unfair because they wouldn't have been able to make that choice. So it makes sense they're looking for anything they can to tear Louis down. Also, Lestat's painting is hanging on the wall in the theatre - he's not a stranger. I think they might not have batted an eye had they found out Louis and Claudia killed some random vampire. And I definitely think they do clean up after themselves. I don't think they could keep going if they regularly left mansions full of blood and corpses behind.
You're right about the hypocrisy. Santiago pointed out a few episodes ago that his maker was entombed for a relatively minor crime. I think everyone in coven was kept on a very short leash and resented Louis and Claudia for basically being allowed to do as they please. Attempting to kill Lestat was the last straw.
The way I understood it, the coven considers Paris their territory, which means no unaffiliated vampires in the area. But you could probably visit Paris for a short while as a vampire without joining the coven or being killed. Just taking up permanent residence and refusing to join is not accepted. But that's just how I interpret it, I don't think it was explicitly mentioned what their rules are.
from the point of view of members of Paris Coven , if Claudia and Louis had attempt to kill their sire then lied to the Paris Coven, it is possible one day that Claudia and Louis could betray and harm member of the Paris Coven . Paris Coven 's response were not without a cause .
Regarding Claudia’s age and appearance. Claudia said in episode 4 the war made her stunted. So I think from Madeline perspective she is a stunted young woman not a child
It's so good...
Armand's endgame has always been Louis. He will do anything to ensure that he has Louis at the end of it all. Nothing else matters. He'll start off subtle, but if he's not getting his way... he ramps up the manipulation intensity. Louis thinks he has gained some kind of hold in Paris and can persuade Armand. But what Louis doesn't get is that Armand has been orchestrating everything since Louis got to Paris. Louis thinks that he gave Armand the idea to make Santiago think he could be Maitre. Armand could already see the coven heading in that direction and it wasn't a concern because he could easily stop it if he wanted to. Armand doesn't have just one plan, he has many. Armand has, what, 400 years on Louis? He knows all the cheat codes!
Louis is playing chess with Armand like Claudia was with Lestat.
When Madeline asked Louis why he doesn't tell Armand how much he loves him, Louis says "that's personal." Louis knows that Armand loves him so much more... he's holding back to have his own power.
As someone who carries cuttings of their favorite plants from place to place when things fall apart... this episode really has me feeling some feelings.
* There is a painting of a magnolia above Armand's desk in the theater.
* Armand brings a cutting from his magnolia tree when he moves in to Louis' apartment.
* The tree for Louis in Dubai is a magnolia.
* General magnolia lore: its bark can be used as a sleep aid (rest), it traditionally represents endurance (a testament to our companionship, it's endurance).
I can't with this show. Its so nuanced.
Oh, when I think of magnolias, I imagine the big white flowers and waxy leaves. I didn't realize there was a pink variety! I had thought that was a sakura tree given the rock garden.
Armand saying "our home" took me all the way out. That man really lives in his own version of events and nothing anyone says or does will convince him otherwise.
Armand: "It was love"
Louis: "You got lazy"
Only being familiar with the movie, I’ve been dreading this moment for Claudia/Madeline. I had hoped, that as a series, they could afford them their own episode - just being enchanted with one another, exploring Europe.
Perhaps further explore Louis’ feelings as Madeline’s maker (we got a glimpse at the cafe). It would help deepen our understanding of the tragedy befalling Louis.
But alas, the comeuppance comes quickly just as it did for young Kirsten Dunst. On the whole, this is such a lovely adaptation, and a true work of art. I enjoy falling under the spell of this dark fairytale every Saturday at midnight.
And another Thought
Daniel saying that he liked the cocktails Armand made as Rashid more than Rashid's
You can't flirt your way out of a dangerous situation twice, buddy
Or maybe you can?
Aha!
See, this is why I love and hate having one episode per week. It lets you discuss and find out details that you wouldn't even notice while binging.
Downside is you have to wait a week lol
I'm only about 20 minutes in so I don't want to read this whole thread to see if it's been brought up but how is this episode not named "A weird white lady I met by happenstance"?
I'm rewatching this on TV and noticed Louis really psyching himself up to bite Madeline. It feels like a parallel to a gay man psyching himself up to have sex with a woman.
Also, Louis is so dramatic letting his blood spill on the floor when he knows Armand will be coming home.
This episode honestly just breaks my heart and it’s like another seven days just to break my heart once again I literally almost cried I’m not even a person that cries like 💔😭 best show I ever seen hands down Two More Episodes to go 💔💔💔
Armand insisting that the idea of making a vampire RePuLsEs HiM has me all the more convinced we're getting a vampire Daniel by the end of the season. I feel like they're underlining it a lot (and honestly have been since Season One).
Louis really thinks Armand wasn't in on it from the beginning? The coven's rules are literally from Armand, no? And Armand already showed a willingness to throw Lestat's "murder" in Claudia's face. Plus, if it happened as Armand said, I'm sure we would've actually seen it on-screen.
Ahhh this episode!!!! The writing is pitch perfect.
* Love Real Rashid. That is all. The way his voice and delivery changes after he comes back from the bathroom. He’s a such a smartass to Daniel. “…Perhaps he should’ve thrown the tapes away when he found them in his mailbox.”
* Louis being so pissy when they’re talking about redecorating.
* Raglan talking his career ambitions, “I think, if I could *swap bodies* with you, I’d be running the order by now.”
* Louis reminding Armand that he told advised Armand to “Indulge the buffoon. Feed his own ego back to him and smother mutiny with praise,” as a way to deal with the Coven. The look on Armand’s face when Louis said that was giving, “Louis, I’ve been doing this with you the whole damn time.“ Later, Armand complimenting Daniel on his sharp mind. Hahaha
* Armand talking about being oblivious to the coup back in Paris while Louis & Daniel are doing the same in the present in Dubai/Palm Jumeirah. Armand knows in both cases. Ever the Theater Director. “In retrospect, the buffoon was in the audience...” He makes it seem like he’s being self-effacing but he’s talking about Louis and Daniel.
* Daniel skeptically questioning Armand about why he didn’t read the Covens’ minds. Armand asking Rashid about what happened at the sushi place. Then Daniel immediately lying to Armand about what happened at the sushi place. Buffoonery!!! Louis asking Armand why he’s asking about what happened at the sushi place? Buffoonery!!!
* Armand calling Claudia out for being a manipulator (The pot calling the kettle, hahahaha). He saw through it but Louis did not.
* Love how the staging of this interview session looks like couples therapy.
* Armand saying he’s never made a vampire and being so adamant about never making one. “The idea repulsed me, repulses me.” Never say never.
* “When the fuck is Guido arriving on the stage?” “Guido is hope, there is no hope.” And then later, the preview of Lestat coming on stage during the Trial.
* Are the unsolved crimes committed by Lestat? Is this meant to hint at his arrival in Paris???
* Armand acting and letting everyone think he’s weak and losing control.
Each episode is so consistent and yet better than the ones before.
I’m so glad i can be a full out Armand hater. He betrayed Louis and Claudia. And yes Lestat is at the trial, BUT LESTAT WOULD NEVER DO THIS TO LOUIS AND CLAUDIA, he would never betray them for the coven, he would’ve slaughtered the entire coven if it meant Claudia had a companion and he and Louis were together.
Honestly even Armand could’ve killed the entire coven, and the 4 of them move on with life. I hate Armand officially. And now i will rewatch 5, knowing what he did, and revel in the scalping Louis gave him calling him BEIGE AND BORING AND A COUCH LINT PICKER BECAUSE YOU LET THE COVEN KILL HIS FIRSTBORN JUST TO END UP NOT EVEN BEING IN THE COVEN ANYMORE AND BE THE BORINGEST MOST BEIGE BOYFRIEND EVER.
Louis really gagged Armand in that scene, and it was wholeheartedly deserved! Armand is one nasty piece of work but trust LouisNation is gonna get our lick back sooner rather than later!
(I keep replying to your comments sorry)
I saw Louis using Daniel more often, Mr. Molloy comes more from Armand I think
Maybe as a distancing mechanic?
Wait I'm a little confused--I got the impression that Louis pre-s1e7 in the Dubai timeline thought Lestat was really dead, and Daniel helped him realize he wasn't. But then Lestat shows up here and presumably meets Louis next episode, so Louis would know he survived the attempted murder in New Orleans? Can someone please help me square this lol
>helped him realize he wasn't.
More than helped him realize, Daniel simply called him out on the fact he basically saved Lestat. So Louis wasn't necessary thinking Lestat was dead, he simply didn't want to fess up he helped him survive.
See... what these boys don't realize is that if you're sitting around plotting co-op mind fuckery, you need to get on the couch in front of a camera and state your name, age, and consent in case shit starts to seem a little dubious down the road. And you gotta have a safe word for when it gets bad... no, \*rest\* doesn't count.
Thinking back to Lestat’s letter to Louis, we’re supposed to believe now that Lestat would want revenge for his death to this extent even though he said to not seek vengeance? Louis even imagined him saying that it was a perfect betrayal. Obviously that his husband and daughter killed him themselves might change things, but maybe that this is so contradictory to what he said in the letter is a big hint that something’s not quite right with him.
When we do see him this episode, like many noticed it’s through smoke and mirrors and the way he delays his response and in monotone stood out.
Armand being the one who had the tree?? Ah I don't even know what to say!!
Claudia and Madeline!! 'She's a weird white lady I met by happenstance.' 🫠 they would have been the envy of every vampire out there. Truly unmatched.
Louis and Claudia sharing a cigarette scene- it hurts to see him putting up walls bc he's hurt by her leaving (keep having that stoker quote float in my head with regards to them, 'you were supposed to love me'). But I admire Claudia for being able to not engage with it like you can see she's hurt but she found somebody worthy to be her companion.
Armand and Louis really had something...I mean it could have been something even if they were always doomed in a sense... Anyways gotta mention how tenderly Armand heals Louis wrist vs how he treated him last episode bc it's distressing.
The next episode already has me sick with anxiety.
my brain is so broken because man i want armand DEAD but i see lestat and start kicking my legs like a schoolgirl....
watching the iwtv movie as a kid and being traumatized by madeline and claudia has built a shell around my heart. i can't get attached to them, having seen their fates at the age of kirsten dunst in that scene. i can only be giddy for the return of monsieur lioncourt.
With all of my chest FUCK Armand and FUCK Lestat too. I don’t care about the details, however ~mitigating~, which I expect we’ll get into next week with a title like ”I could not prevent it”. I don’t know maybe I’m just assuming, but it feels like both Armand and Lestat will be going into the trial with the attitude that as long as Louis survives it’s okay which is so fucking insane to me. They KNOW how much Louis loves Claudia, to the point that both of them see her as an obstacle and rival for Louis’ love and yet! Do they think Louis will still stick around, want either of them after this?! Just participating in/allowing the trial is a betrayal of biblical proportions independent of the outcome.
Sick to my stomach. Fuck these vampires.
Also convinced that whatever Louis remembers from the trial it’s not the truth.
Reminds me of Lestat turning to Claudia after beating the hell out of Louis and saying "It was NEVER you."
It seems it doesn't matter what either Lestat or Armand do to Louis, as long as they keep him in the end.
The fact that when Claudia first left Louis fell into a multi year deep depression really shows the extent of their connection.
I love Lestat as a character in part because of the performance but his treatment of both of them is so unforgivable to me.
> The fact that when Claudia first left Louis fell into a multi year deep depression really shows the extent of their connection.
>
This part especially! Louis is at base-level already depressed, losing Claudia will have him actively suicidal (actually he's already told us as much, "As long as you walk this earth I won't taste the fire") which Lestat definitely knows and Armand should know, and if not he for sure finds out.
How do you proclaim to love someone that much and still treat them so badly??
Also to add to your comment not only did Armand betray louis like this. He allowed them to be all get beat. Louis seemingly worst of all
What a great way to win Louis love buddy. Beat his daughter and her companion his first fledgling
WHAT IN THE ACTUAL F !!!! That's how they leave us? That's how they end Episode 6 ?!?!?! I knew it!!!! Since the beginning, I've been suspicious of Armand. I don't like him. Episode 5&6 have proven why I don't. I don't trust him, don't like him, and feel he is hiding waaaaaay more than we can all imagine. I feel like he has "edited" a lot of Louis memories. San Francisco wasn't the only time.
I've had my suspicions ever since Daniel brought the theater fire up. It was episode 3 or 4. I can't remember, and time hasn't allowed me to look today. Study both of their reactions. Armand is upset and angry. Louis is straight up confused. Before she threw the remote at my head (I can remember that, but not which episode. Go figure), I joked to my sister "It's like every Husband/ Father ever. What is this Very Important Thing that I'm totally hearing about for the very first time?"
But after the following episodes, it's not so funny now. Louis says, as they're getting up from the table (I think to talk to that art lawyer?), ending the session, "What fire?". He can't remember the Very Important Fire that *he probably set*. That's concerning. Did he ask Armand to *Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind*, did Armand do it anyway, out of love for his be grieved new lover, or did he do it out of control?
The sound I made when the camera panned down to Lestat was something akin to a bat or owl. I have never been so unprepared for a showdown since Hannibal was on the air
I just finished it and am trying to understand why Armand betrayed Louis and Claudia.
We saw him time-freeze most of the coven in a previous episode, he could kill them all if they really wanted.
But he also doesn’t seem to particularly like leading the Paris coven, so keeping control doesn’t make much sense to me either.
Dude I just got why they had Madeline eating an apple when I saw this poster. These writers are so dang clever.
https://preview.redd.it/ovw9cat3q17d1.jpeg?width=1638&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=73adca23ab3f9ddda1336bd892f3f7ed4df7dcd4
Louis saying get in the coffin and Armand started throwing them clothes
This episode was so, so good. I honestly can’t tell if Armand is completely lying or not. Louis came off very domineering and more “Lestat” like and Armand is so insecure in Paris, but he’s also so incredibly manipulative to keep from being abandoned.
I would kill for Claudia & Madeleine to see the world together.
And just LESTAT
I can’t believe that scene was in Armand’s office, in front of everybody. And dynamic or not, Armand allows it? That can’t help either of their standing with the coven
A bit of a slower ep compared to the last 2 weeks, but some things that really blew me away:
- the parallels between Louis turning Madeleine as a gift / act of love for Claudia, and Lestat turning Claudia out of love for Louis — and how both those moments eventually lead to their suffering. Claudia and Louis’ relationship is the reason things with Lestat fall apart and they try to murder him. Likewise, Claudia and Madeleine’s relationship is what leads to the upcoming tragedy for Louis.
- they definitely dedicated time in this ep to show how Louis has found some footing or self-worth through art dealing. Compared to the previous ep where Louis is pissed off by that French guy saying he doesn’t have the skills to be ~the artiste~, we see in this ep he’s honing in his skills with selling art (in Paris) + in present day, he’s mastered it.
This is brilliantly paired with further confirmation of Armand being a master manipulator and manuevering behind the scenes!!! Photography is for Louis (in Paris) something to call his own probably because he sees how Lestat and Armand have become masters of their own trade, like music and theatre. And as much as you realise in the Dubai scenes that Louis has finally made it, he’s got a hang of this, you also realise how many steps ahead Armand has always been at orchestrating scenes and feeding lines and creating theatre by controlling Louis’ life.
Random observations:
Et tu, biege pillow?
Armand could have frozen the coven at the cafe and allowed the four (or just Claudia and Madeline) of them to get away- if Claudia and Madeline had booked it out of the country, the Paris based coven would likely not have followed. That's not cowardice, Armand, that’s betrayal!
If Lestat’s heart was really into just getting revenge/justice on Claudia and Luis, he would have come after them sooner- since he can feel his fledglings the way Luis does Madeline. I think Lestat was playing the long game where he knew that Louis and Claudia would eventually implode as companions and then Louis would come back to him of his own free will, not fighting thier bond anymore.
Dang dominant Louis is very sexy- lol
Madeline's transition was beautiful and touching
Rashid called it- if Daniel was so worried about staying alive he could have ignored/destroyed the tapes as soon as he received them. Rashid: “Cry me a river, Daniel”
Lestat getting an invite to Paris from the coven- possibly even from Armand, likely forced his hand (as much as one can force Lestat to do anything - maybe Armand convinced him that the only way to save Louis from the coven was to show up and give a version of events that places most of the blame on Claudia).
I loved the snark in the modern day interview - “Did I forget something, my love”? - but I knew Armand was going to say Louis asked for his memories to be erased. Daniels not buying it but how can Louis be sure he didn't? I am not so sure that if my partner had the power to remove memories of the most excruciating pain I had ever been through at my lowest emotional depths that I wouldn't ask them to.
Wouldn't Lestat also be in trouble for creating Claudia, a child vampire? Maybe the coven will say he got his punishment for that when she tried to kill him.
On some fundamental level, I feel like this is all Lestats fault, if he had been a better vampire master to his fledglings, none of this would have happened. That's enough reason for me to explain why Louis hasn't gone back Lestat, the resentment, and why Lestat goes back to waiting for Louis to come around.
Luis and Armand talking about the empty wall feels like the death knell of thier relationship.
I have this really crazy theory. But god forbid it comes true I don’t want to post it here and it happens. But if you wanna talk theories message me!
But I have a feeling this whole trial with TDV is going to be really FUCKED UP. And not like the Kirsten Dunst scene in IWTV. But like daaaaaaaark.
"Lestat would never hurt Louis"? What was dragging him along with his fingers in his throat, then dropping him from 1000 feet and shattering every bone in his body? Lestat would gladly hurt Louis in order to teach him a lesson. The only reason he won't is because he can't get away with it (again) without Louis leaving him for good (again).
Also even ignoring the physical harm. He actively cheated on him with someone when he knew it upset him. He kept a mistress for years.
He treated their daughter poorly which also hurts Louis.
Book Spoilers thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/InterviewVampire/s/RHbAFadgH1
It is kind of funny how Daniel is in the sushi restaurant genuinely being like "I just want to get out alive from this situation" and then the second he's back in the penthouse, he's "WHAT'S UP ARMAND YOU LITTLE BITCH, I HATE YOUR TACKY FACE"
Every aspect of the sushi restaurant was comedy gold and refreshing. especially the bit about talamasca being unable to protect him.
Oh yeah, and honestly that line is even more hilarious having seen The Mayfair Witches and the Talamasca's complete inability to keep Ciprien or Rowen safe from fuckery for even half an episode.
But it is true tho, Armand and Louis could massacre hundreds of talamasca agents. There is literally no one that could save Daniel except daniel himself.
Oh no it’s 100% accurate, it’s just funny after an entire season of Mayfair Witches providing so much evidence of how bad they are at the thing they’re trying to do
Yeah. Daniel's will to live seems to have strengthened as of late, but Raglan was like: "Yeah, you're probably dead meat, but let's think about your book." Lol.
Did y’all notice that Rashid totally dropped his edamame and still chewed it? Totally cracked me up and took me out of the scene.
That was HILARIOUS. Just use your fingers Real Rashid, using chopsticks for individual edamame is not gonna work for you my guy
That cafe scene with the four of them made me so sad: Claudia grinning from ear to ear, so happy to have found her companion heart; Louis smiling and cracking jokes, still Daddy Lou; Madeline telling Armand that Louis loves him. Armand's affectionate kiss on Louis' cheek. And then BAM. Armand's betrayal becomes apparent with the arrival of Santiago. Ugh. Heartbreaking.
I was watching that scene thinking it was too sweet and then Armand got up from the table and my heart dropped. I can't believe we have to wait another week, it's going to drive me mad.
Damnit, Armand! That was exactly what you wanted to hear, and now it's too late!
He's such an idiot. He could've had it all. Ugh he broke my heart
They could have made a loose coven of 4. Louis would have been happy, Claudia would have been happy
Yes. They were happy, Louis even acknowledged that he does love Armand(even if he did say it himself) and C & M weren’t even staying in the city anymore. I fully believe Armand had something to do with the setup and it’s killing me.
He definitely did!
Yeah there's a reason we weren't shown the "bloodless coup"
Oh, he did. He had everything to do with it.
I know he admitted it but I don't believe Louis loves Armand. He's just in the honeymoon phase of a rebound and thinks he does. I think they just had Louis say it so that it would make the ultimate outcome more terrible in the face of Armand's betrayal. I feel very strongly about Armand in this show (I love him), but I don't believe he was ever a love of Louis'. An intense lust or infatuation maybe.
Tbf, they'd be on the run. But at least no betrayal. I could beat him with a stick tbh
I think the coven could have been less pissed about it if they weren’t right in front of their faces
She finally looked happy, and I am so angry and heartbroken for her
Both she and Louis were so happy in that scene with their significant others. Fucking Armand...
Am I the only one not seeing the happiness on Louis in this scene? He was putting on a smiling face, but his eyes were completely empty. He looked crushed and dead inside, especially considering in a previous scene he had a breakdown over Madeleine turning and self-harmed.
I think Louis is happy when those he loves are happy. He's elated at how smiley and excited Claudia is, but obviously devastated that he's losing her.
Louis is extremely codependent. He doesn’t know how to or is incapable of being happy on his own. That’s why he is only happy when those he surrounds himself with are also happy. Even then there are those broken parts of him that are forever left longing to feel that happiness innately, of his own volition
One thing that is stuck in my mind is when Armand briefly talks about how he could have fought them all and maybe they would kill him. But I personally don't buy that at all simply because what was shown in a previous episode. We did see that he is powerful enough to freeze a room full of people + all the coven members. If he can do that he sure can beat them alone too.
Armand is playing the victim, still trying to manipulate Louis to feel sorry for him. Daniel doesn't buy it for a second.
> Daniel doesn't buy it for a second. Which is why I like him.
I absolutely agree. He could have chosen to wipe them out. The only thing I can imagine stopping him is Lestat had already shown up, and he wasn’t confident he could handle him and the others together. I don’t believe Armand’s recollection of easily overpowering Lestat.
armand was a 300+ vampire at the time he met lestat, I absolutely believe he overpowered him. you might be onto something tho about the arrival of lestat being the wrench in things.. nothing like an exsituationship popping up and throwing you off your game
Endgame is always going to be Louis. Armand is constantly several steps ahead of everyone and manipulating everyone into thinking they’ve making choices for themselves. In the end, they’re all making choices that benefit him. Calculating cost and choosing the best path.
Exactly freeze is op can’t fight that
My reaction when Louis ordered Armand to take off his clothes 
I was truthfully like, "Wtaf?!" The last Paris recollections were all dreamy and lovey-dovey, lying on library tables and staring up at the ceiling and now this?! Louis was soooo much harder and meaner in this episode. But it got me thinking about how much of their recollections are colored by their present moods. In the present day, Louis and Daniel are furious about what happened in SF. How much of that rage is coming out in Louis's retelling of what happened in Paris? Layers upon layers upon layers...
I got that vibe too! I was like, wow, Louis' attitude in Paris seems a little harsher than in previous episodes; particularly with Armand, yes. I wondered briefly if this was a choice to match the tone of Paris with the simmering tension in Dubai, but thinking of it as their present emotional states actually coloring their memories is a wonderful idea.
I wouldn't need to be asked twice.
*nods* and then throw in a "yes daddy" 😩
I just put this in the early post so I thought maybe I should add it to this discussion instead: I teared up seeing Claudine as Madeleine sees her… and also the scene in the cafe I haven’t read the book yet (or watched the movie) so it’s all new to me. I was so surprised to see the reveal at the end. I can’t wait for next weeks episode
I really, really loved Madeline in this episode. I kind of wish she had had more scenes with Louis, her maker.
I want to see what Lestat saw when he changed Louis!
The bit with Claudia through Madeleine's eyes was gorgeous- even with all the tragedy coming, at least we know that there WAS someone in the world who loved Claudia truly.
I am trying to comfort myself by saying at least Claudia and Madeline got a little time together-yet it makes Armand's betrayal even more brutal
I also wanna add mad props to the actress who plays Madeline. Who is doing a lot with very little. She has had maybe 25 minutes of time on screen. I am just so captivated by her. I totally buy how she could be seduced by Claudia do a degree. It’s honestly so tragic that seemingly all vampires are made in horrible situations. I mean they make a point to say she has been given a choice here something Claudia wasn’t. But how much is the choice here. Like the only choice she has is she says yes. Or the troupe will kill her for letting a human know your are a vampire of course she doesn’t know that but Claudia and Louis doo. Not to mention this is an orphan, black sheep woman. Who is about to be double raped while she knows no one will come fo her rescue. Like Louis she is a really vulnerable person. Honestly they could have been good friends I feel. It felt like from the short time we have she could really see Louis
This. I often wondered if Madeleine wasn't a black sheep, and was a normal human being not ostracised by the society that she lived in, would she still wanna be a forever companion to Claudia? When people are alone and fall in love, you can never be sure whether it's out of true love or it's a desperate way out of their loneliness. I mean she did say it to Armand, that she was lonely.
LESTAT LESTAT LESTAT LESTAT. I am so freaking excited and yet so heartbroken. This show is everything. I say this every week but I can't express that enough. I can't remember ever being so riveted... Oh, and fuck Armand. I don't do cowardice, it's revolting
Yes this, that kiss on Louis's cheek was basically the kiss of death! There is no making up for your cowardice Armand!
If I were Louis I don’t think I would ever forgive Armand for this. Damn right Armand better still be repenting. Also do these damn vampires never read each others minds?
Every time Armand mentioned Louis forgiving him in previous episodes I just rolled my eyes because there’s no reason he should. And you’re so right, for them all to be mind readers they sure don’t use their gifts often when they have issues with other vampires. If I was surrounded by vampires who’d already shown that they don’t like me I’d never be out of their heads.
But they \*can\* close their minds to each other. One of the things that Armand says to Louis (when the coven invites them out to their first hunt) is that Claudia is very good at it and Louis needs to get better. (Claudia was already learning to block Louis out of her mind back when she first met Charlie.) Everybody's laying this at Armand's door, but Louis is the one with the "loose head" (as Claudia calls it) and Claudia's the one who kept her diaries -- including the book with Lestat's last words in his own blood! At least 4-5 of those vampires are as old as Armand, so even if they're not the strongest, they know what they're doing. With Santiago directing them, they could have easily gotten everything they wanted without Armand.
The kiss of Judas! My first thought of this scene was, et tu, Brute? Such an awful betrayal!
When they were all sitting around the table I was thinking this is their Last Supper. That whole scene was heartbreaking.
He wasn't a coward. I believe he allowed it. Look what he did in that restaurant when Louis grabbed Santiagos tongue. Armands full of shit
I too believe that he had something to do with this, but if I’m just going by the show at the moment, the cowardice is what’s shown right now I still don’t believe that Louis asked him to erase memories either.
I don't believe anything he says now.
exactly!!! we’ve been shown countless times how Armand is hard pressed for following coven rules and tradition, and he resented claudia for who she was and what she represented.. like there was no way he was gonna let all of this slide without some form of punishment. and we’ve seen the power that armand holds so to watch him play the perpetual victim “woe is me, I had no choice” role is funny. it’s sad because he really ruined his chance of getting the one thing he wanted, real love. they all need to heal this is crazy.. and yet i’m living for it!!!!!!
Lestat’s strut on the cat walk above the stage in the preview was everything. He is art 🖼️ 
He really did the walk. The jacket was gone half way. I was in awe..🤣
Right? Like what even is the deal with Sam Reid Lestat. I could watch that 1 second clip of him walking in profile and jettisoning his coat a million times.
Armand manipulating Louis in Dubai, trying to make him feel sorry for him, and Daniel just sitting across from Armand, shaking his head like "What a bunch of BULLSHIT."
I just need Daniel to slap Louis in the face and tell him to stand up. That Armand deserves none of your sympathy and you should leave him. And before anyone says it yeah Louis isn’t some perfect partner but I’m sorry that betrayal is so sick.
https://i.redd.it/465ggb0zdy6d1.gif daniel to louis
Definitely but Armand could kill them both anytime he wants
First of all, Daniel narrating anything is such a treat. He’s so captivating on even nothing, you really understand his history with writing and how he got where he was. But I absolutely love that, and grumpy as he is and as annoyed as he is that his life is on the line, he absolutely gets swept up in the drama and can’t keep his mouth shut. Like he knows Armand or Louis could just snap and kill him, and he’s like “what’s more important, my life? Or calling out this bullshit? Maybe I’ll just—nope, I’m calling it out. Buuuuuullllshiiiiit.”
i have no idea what armand says is true or false. he just always feels so sincere. i blame his eyes. lestats here to get his revenge. reminds me of what dreamstat said in ep1 about him coming back when louis is happy (the scene before around the table was so sweet 😢).
I think that's what makes Assad's casting so genius. Both Book Armand and TV show Armand give off these angelic, innocent, melancholy facades, all the while being the biggest liars and deceivers in the room.
His eyes made it so distracting to stay objective. I love and hate him for it. But it’s so brilliant. I’d like for them to keep it somewhat ambiguous because it makes for a great ongoing discussion. If you just tell the viewer point blank, there’s nothing left to discuss.
So I'm not the only one who suspects he made up the "you asked me to erase your mind" right? cuz that's the quickest way to cover your own ass if you're in his shoes
I hope they don't leave things ambiguous. https://i.redd.it/cwbu7n2l2y6d1.gif
I'm kind of charmed by Daniel's weird-but-petty alliance with Talamasca Agent Real Rashid, where they're petty sniping each other but also covered for each other with the whole restaurant business. That said: what DOES Armand suspect is happening? He asks if they talked to anyone in the restaurant but seems to think that remembering San Francisco happened on its own. So does he suspect Talamasca are snooping around, or is it something else he's worried about?
Also what a weird thing to tell the guy who is interviewing you he can’t talk to someone. Guest or hostage?
Feel like Armand knows about Rashid anyway, their reactions should be enough to confirm but it's on character for him to just fucking around with them because he can. Real Rashid was giving me death flags with how involved he was in this episode, will be surprised if he makes it until the end of the season.
https://i.redd.it/8lqd646c2w6d1.gif Claudeleine was perfect. 💛
I totally cried, ngl. 😭
So fuckin heartbreaking 😢
I’m so curious about Lestat. I’m sure he’s mad at Louis a little bit but he can’t let him die Armand and Louis were hilarious this episode- all that fake closeness gone. I loved the imagery of them sitting several feet apart instead of on top of one another. Also Armand apologizing to Daniel was interesting. It sorta seemed sincere but why do it?
Apologies make one seem vulnerable by nature. He's just being manipulative again as much as possible without doing too much. Maybe Daniel isn't buying it but Armand knows it'll affect Louis.
I see what you mean. He was being manipulative before with the whole “woe is me, I didn’t want you to think badly of me” routine. Daniel is a journalist. He’s interviewed war criminals. If a bloody coup or horrible crime is part of the story that’s part of the story. I LOVE Daniel’s “I didn’t forgive you” energy. I know he told Raglan he wanted to come out alive but he’s also not going to grovel to Armand.
They've made Madeleine such a great character so quickly (Roxane Duran, amazing), and her and Claudia's relationship is so beautiful -- it's clear that it's romantic, but they feel like they have all the time in the world to go there, and I'm genuinely so much sadder than I anticipated that they won't get it.
The fact she was humiliated by being dragged from her house and shaved for the mere crime of having sex for food and comfort during a war. What makes this worse for me is this is Claudia first attempt at romance in decades. She is two sexual experience one with the first boy whoever showed her kindness and interest which ended in his accidental death and the second being continuous rape for a week. And now she finds a kindred sprit. A fellow orphaned loner. Who actually sees her and wants her. Oh I’m so sick. I really need to know what Lestat says in the trail because even if Armand just facilitated this and isn’t the main instigator he is so guilty and needs to get his.
Interestingly enough, when she first said she had an affair with a German soldier, I wondered that she still had all her hair. They actually did do that to women who slept with German soldiers.
Jacob saying "That penthouse in Dubai is a bit of a prison, and I think Louis and Daniel throughout the years have been like sort of kept things for Armand." Years. Things. Plural on both.
Him saying Daniel was also a kept thing throughout the years 👀
I’m just gonna say not for a second so I believe Armand that Louis asked for his memory to be erased. Like how convient is that. Also on that note he sorta mocks Louis for being a perpetual victim but doesn’t he do the exact same thing all the time Oh he has no choice to do all the shitty things he doesn’t. As if he isn’t one of the oldest most powerful vampires we have seen so far.
maybe but it seems a bit too obvious a twist. if he could erase anything why wouldn't he erase everything? i cant see a satisfying conclusion to a story like that, just an "it was all a dream" type handwaive. imo i think its more interesting to read it as armand having all this power but he doesn't know how to not harm people with it, just like how he didnt know how if he could turn madeline, and how he doesn't know how to say no to Louis.
Louis is doing his best Lestat impression in Paris and just like Lestat he got betrayed lol
So maybe the control freak thing doesn’t work
Or it works for decades because Armand is so controlling he will edit big fights you have to preserve the relationship
- I’m loving this subtle fighting in the present. And whatever the fuck is dom Louis in the past. He really brought back pimp Louis - Claudia getting herself a French White - “Claudia de Lioncort”. Oof. Did Louis “No” mean don’t call her that? Or just back off her? - That is the weirdest way I’ve ever seen anyone eat an apple - Omg this coven is disintegrating - Wow Armand really wasn’t reading anyone’s minds. Lots of personal problems I guess. But that explains how they’re not really reading Daniel’s minds all the time - Louis and Armand have the oddest relationship ever. Who is maitre here after all - So Louis made Lestat make Claudia, Claudia is making Louise make Madeline. I think Armand had a point with the “resent their maker” thing - Uh oh Louis post- Claudia depression II - Daniel doesn’t even have to interview these idiots anymore. It really is a soap opera - Awwww he really is Daddy Lou. Frankly in the tradition of parents and children’s everywhere, I think it’s unrealistic for Claudia to think that Louis won’t be at least a little parental. Armand being dad’s new boyfriend who isn’t going to try to stepparent yet - OMG what a betrayal
That apple scene was so weird lol. The acting in that scene was great though. You could feel her anxiety, especially right before he took it from her hand.
That was such a good scene! Yes I felt Madeleine's nervousness too, even though she was keeping it cool. You could sense how badly she wanted to prove herself worthy of being a vampire, and a little fear too. The world's most stressful job interview by a guy who could very easily kill you.
Love it. Interview with the (potential) Vampire!
That was the weirdest apple eating I've ever seen. Just cut it into slices already! The scene itself was great, but I found the apple distracting.
Daniel is just sitting back and recording lol the story writes itself And omg, she really got a French white, help
A connection I didn't make until now, Louis was a pimp and Armand was forced into sex work. Armand has chosen a partner that will have a lot of the same behaviors as his abusers.
It's an illusion of power. Armand is ALWAYS in control. It's the same illusion he gives to the coven, too.
Okay need to gather my thoughts Last episode felt like plummeting down the rollercoaster, answering the questions about the 1973 interview which had been sprinkled around since the start of S1. Now it seems like this episode is the slowly rising part, letting all the pieces fall into place before we go down again, at least in ep 7 I believe. Ep 8 remains a mystery. This is possibly uncharted territory, the first time in a long time where we don't have written proof, as Daniel remarks. I don't believe, as Louis and Daniel clearly don't buy, that Armand was simply a victim of the coven's ploys or that his hand was completely forced without him being able to lift a finger to warn them or oppose the coven. After all, we just saw what he was capable of just a few years later, we know he can put to sleep the entire coven with a command, he has the fire gift, etc. Why is he suddenly acting like he has no voice or agency? Even the part where he keeps his eyes on Santiago on stage while his minions go around asking questions felt weird. Santiago was of course the main opposing force, but it feels strange to think Armand didnt realize he had allies of his own. One of my favorite scenes is the part where Armand talks to Madeleine about getting turned, though. It felt like he was sussing her out, trying to see her relationship to Claudia in a sense.
I think the point about not having Claudia’s diaries any more and just relying on Armand and Louis’ memories being so shaky is so true. Louis doesn’t know what he doesn’t know and Armand is slimy When Louis was saying they would make Madeline’s turning sweet / romantic - wonder if he thought his was romantic or not
And it's soooo convenient that the only witness that Armand was asked by Louis to delete those memories is... Armand himself. Agh I hate having to wait another week now. For a moment I thought he would do it, especially when he removed his coat (sidenote: give a raise to whoever decided to put him in that sweater because damn). But then he didn't, because why would he willingly create another that he cannot control/read the mind of?
* loved the little disagreement about what to do with the walls in Dubai. The contrast of this life-and-death mortal betrayal manifesting itself in what to do with the newly blank walls is sending me * Louis becoming more dom to compensate for being such a sub with Lestat kills me. Like Jesus, what a thing to put an ex-prostitute lover through * I freaking loved Madeleine :(( and HUGE props to the actress for DELIVERING, both in French and English * This ep just proved to me that nothing can turn me off from Santiago. Ben Daniels takes my breath away with every single line * It just blows my mind that just based on what we've seen in this ep, after Armand's betrayal and being revisited by Lestat, Louis *still* chooses to be with Armand until the present. Sure it's super dysfunctional by the 70s–Dubai (maybe almost as dysfunctional as Loustat) but Louis...like if something ain't working then why continue!!? (rhetorical, just airing frustrations lol)
" You're a manipulator Claudia De Lioncourt "you're forgetting about Louis De Lioncourt too Armand 😏 lots of talk about what's in the blood what you get from your maker, it was sweet that she didn't want Madeleine to have Lestat's blood too. Y'all that ending , I don't know if I can wait a week . I think I might actually die. And I'm not ready for what's to come 😭😭 https://preview.redd.it/frdsm76hlw6d1.jpeg?width=900&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=82d532aeb4284f23e8389cae437b279943184f5e
at the end of the episode, armand reiterates that he was told to choose, and he made a choice, strongly implying that the coven outmaneuvered him, forcing him into a position where he had to choose louis or claudia, and obviously chose louis. so they made a deal where armand delivers all three of them on a silver platter, with the understanding that he'll whisk louis away and they'll never be bothered again. does anyone else feel like this is almost certainly not true? in terms of raw power, none of the paris coven are a match for armand, even working together. on the surface, the show's implying that through careful conspiracy, they were able to get one over on him. but like, we get glimpses of their machinations, and none of them are really focused on subduing their leader. the new play was a cover so that they could basically play phoenix wright (or miles edgeworth, as it were) with lestat's murder. then in the montage about the "odd crimes," it all sounded like material preparation for the trial itself, like they were already assuming they could make it happen. i think the part about climbing up on the eiffel tower and chanting the same phrase was probably them attempting to contact lestat (maybe the phrase was even "come to us," lol.) i think armand was the one to offer the deal to the coven, and i have a theory for when he came up with it: when louis is trying to convince him to turn madeline, and he asks armand to "imagine \[him\] without the burden of \[claudia\]." i'm sure that armand knew this was a manipulation tactic, knew that louis didn't see claudia as a burden, but the idea planted a seed in his head. imo, the primary thing that armand resents about louis is that, on top of louis' emotional distance and lack of commitment, louis so readily uses their master/slave dynamic to try to get armand to do things that are dangerous and/or triggering for him. armand says that the idea of turning someone disgusts him--i think it's safe to say that his aversion comes from deep-seated trauma having to do with marius. armand sees claudia as the reason why louis tries to manipulate him, why he disregards his safety, why he feels comfortable using not only THEIR master/slave sex stuff, but all the insanely traumatic history of child sex slavery that underpins it, to try to get what he wants. because he's incapable of blaming louis (psychologically needs to put louis on a pedestal), himself (doesn't see himself as a person/dodges accountability by taking on the role of the slave even when he has power over others), or lestat (i mean he probably does blame him, lestat's just not here lmao), he *needs to blame claudia,* or else his world will crumble. thinking about how lost and devastated armand looked after the scene where louis tells him that he plans on turning madeline, i think he decides to go through with the plan after that conversation, even though louis doesn't push him into attending the event with an order. armand tells louis that turning madeline is a bad idea, that it'll paint a target on their backs, and that the idea of making a fledgling makes him sick. louis invites armand to watch the turning. it's especially heartbreaking because for louis, i genuinely believe that it's an act of love. for him, this is basically his daughter getting married. him asking armand to come is his way of inviting him into their family, and it's especially meaningful because the last wedding he attended was grace's. but armand sees it all as louis once again disregarding his safety and comfort, not being the benevolent master that armand has projected onto him, all because claudia comes first. one of the things i find so fascinating about armand is that there's no telling how deep the lies go, but every lie has an element of truth to it. armand says that his hand in claudia's death was an act of cowardice. he says this to imply that had a passive role in it all, which i don't buy for a second. but i do think orchestrating her death was an act of cowardice. he was too much of a coward to try to love someone who had other people that he loved too. he was too much of a coward to see how he stacked up against the competition, so he had to clear out the whole field. sick!!! (i love him)
It’s really kind of amusing that Daniel is the closest to a therapist these two will probably ever get.
I truly knew madeleine was a monster when she started eating an apple with a spoon.
Yeah. Of course she isn't worried about losing human food.... she eats it wrong.
Truly psychotic behavior
The white-hot, barely suppressed rage on Armand's face when Louis vetoes putting a David Hockney on the wall because it would make the place look like "a hotel lobby in Ferndale". These men fucking hate each other.
🤣
Louis swaggering and throwing around his weight being a dom daddy just to be betrayed by his lover. Armand played him like a fiddle. I'm so excited for Lestats return. Wohoo
Armand did exactly what Louis suggested. He just did it to Louis instead of Santiago
Because Armand's goal is to destroy the coven from within. Claudia and Madeline are just collateral damage.
Armand is such a sneaky little bitch, even had me fooled. He has no gall that sneaky little bitch, but I love him though. Creepy little weirdo fangirling over Louis and Lestat
Do you think Armand was really down with the whole “yes maitre” thing with Louis? The “go lie face down in the coffin” almost amid art value discussion was a lot In the beginning their disagreement on interior decorating was interesting. Before people were saying maybe Armand makes all the buying / selling art decisions - I don’t think that’s the case
I disagree with the takes that Armand is uncomfortable with it. It's unhealthy and really doesn't work for them in a long term, but it's consensual and you could see how eager Armand was to undress after Louis repeated himself. I think both of them found that hot. Where the problem lies in my opinion is that Armand cannot understand the divide between kink and real relationship. After he refused to turn Madeleine (a sting, but Louis was ready to get over it), he gets asked to come and share that special, intimate moment with his companion. And instead of having a normal conversation about, he takes it as if Louis was going to force him. No "I will do it because I love you and it's important to you", just "I only would do it if it was part of BDSM scene". This was such a sad moment, but unfortunately, it proved to Louis that he really has no real power in the relationship if Armand graciously doesn't give it to him. And even then, it's conditional and temporary.
I saw the clip again and Armand did seem into it. My issue with it was basically that the kink didn’t seem like just a fun extra thing. As you said they don’t seem to know the difference between kink and the rest of the relationship. I’d say the “Maitre” thing was only in the bedroom as Daniel said, but it sort of isn’t. Overall I don’t think anyone needs to have the upper hand in a relationship. Claudia and Madeline are the healthiest couple and no one is in charge there.
I think Armand is down with it because it’s Louis way of showing his love. When Madeleine asked Louis why he doesn’t just tell Armand how much he loves him, Louis says he knows. He also said that it’s personal which I interpreted to mean that Louis holds back just showering Armand with what he wants because it’s Louis attempt to have power in the relationship. He knows he cannot overpower Armand in terms of vampiric power. And I felt that all of episode 4 was about that being a hesitation for Louis to become Armand’s companion.
Armand being dommed by someone he loves seems a lot like both a reaction to his childhood SAs, his relationship with his maker and his subconscious attwmpts to recover from them to me. It seems quite in character to what he could plausibly get into with Louis, and Louis would understand sexual trauma and its effects having been a pimp.
Just saw a tumblr thing about Claudia revealing herself to Madeline the way Lestat revealed himself to Louis . . I somehow missed that Louis didn’t know Lestat was a vampire before that. I’m sure he had some guesses, but they hadn’t had a conversation about it! And he agreed to that? Wow he was in a messed up state of mind
damn, they’re really leaning into the “like father like daughter” theme
But Claudia came in to rescue Madeleine (and was very careful to clean up so no trouble would come back to her), whereas Lestat came to the church to destroy Louis's last refuge so he would have nowhere to turn but to him (Lestat). Maybe Lestat had the fantasy that he was "rescuing" Louis by cutting him off from a world where he was forced to hide behind a facade, but he didn't give Louis much choice in the matter. I think Claudia's relationship with Madeleine is much more even-keeled.
I don’t understand why Daniel did not question Raglan James when he said to him “You fear Armand….you should fear the other one”. After what happened with Daniel remembering what Armand did to him in 73? Just seems odd to me.
Maybe Daniel will find out by opening the “Paramour” folder that Raglan sent him. Pictures of Daniel & Armand together? One can hope 😉
I think Raglan James is saying he should fear Louis more simply because Louis is mentally unstable and completely unpredictable at this point.
Not enough time before rashid showed up.
Every time Daniel triggers Louis and he attacks Daniel - physically or mentally - or comes close to it, Armand has intervened or mitigated. Raglan has made a point from the information he has. As much as Louis stopped Armand from killing Daniel in anger/jealousy let's not forget that Louis was also in the act of killing Daniel before Armand intervened. Or that Armand backed down from killing Daniel because he chose to acquiesce to Louis sparing him.
It’s about feelings. If Madeline could feel Louis’s feelings. Then why couldn’t Louis and Claudia feel Lestat’s? Though from the trailer, Louis is saying, “He’s coming. He’s coming.” I wonder if distance plays a part?
Honestly my first thought is that she just as the gift of telling emotions of others like an empath. It seems to me and I could be wrong that certain vampires have more proficiency than others at certain things. Claudia seemingly can block her mind better that Louis despite being younger. Santiago has not only really long range telepathy but also can compel people into actions from a long distant which I assume the female vampire can’t do since they didn’t even though they are in the same row.
Great point. A natural empathy.
I think they just haven’t learned. Your guess is as good as mine. But I do know one thing for sure she was signaling the FUCK out of Louis. RED FLAG RED FLAG RED FLAG! Or maybe it was the coldness or intensity Armand gave off.
Why is lestat part of the trial if he’s literally the one that broke the rule of making a child vampire? Shouldn’t he also be tried for that sin?
Yes I think so too, they also already have evidence that laws have been broken without him as a witness. Really hoping he comes through for Louis and Claudia somehow
 Me when I saw Lestat at the end. I literally squealed
I have so many questions after this episode Lestat in the 40s?? Why was Louis surprised to hear he was still out there in the 70s? Is that why he didn’t want to talk to him? Can he really forgive him if he’s part of the trial? And how can he forgive armand?? The Paris coven never makes complete sense to me like how can they blame Claudia and Louis for things that happened before they signed up with the coven, also Louis killing someone in the park and being around humans isn’t against the rules, they killed a whole mansion full of people and I doubt cleaned that up? It’s just all about control with vampires lol Madeleine and Claudia :/ we barely knew you. But I also think it’s interesting that in season 1 they had a plot point about how no one would want to be with claudia because she’s in a young body but they’re not exploring that here, like if they character was still 12 I don’t think this romance would be possible. I’m so excited and scared for the last two episodes!
Well, I'd argue it's mostly about jealousy and feeling disrespected by Louis prancing about and doing what he wants while they have to follow rules. Him getting to drop in on the theatre and Armand letting him live despite not joining the coven must sting. It's certainly unfair because they wouldn't have been able to make that choice. So it makes sense they're looking for anything they can to tear Louis down. Also, Lestat's painting is hanging on the wall in the theatre - he's not a stranger. I think they might not have batted an eye had they found out Louis and Claudia killed some random vampire. And I definitely think they do clean up after themselves. I don't think they could keep going if they regularly left mansions full of blood and corpses behind.
You're right about the hypocrisy. Santiago pointed out a few episodes ago that his maker was entombed for a relatively minor crime. I think everyone in coven was kept on a very short leash and resented Louis and Claudia for basically being allowed to do as they please. Attempting to kill Lestat was the last straw.
True but I feel like it’s still not a rule that a vampire has to join the coven? Idk but I’d be annoyed if I was a vampire by all the vagueness haha
The way I understood it, the coven considers Paris their territory, which means no unaffiliated vampires in the area. But you could probably visit Paris for a short while as a vampire without joining the coven or being killed. Just taking up permanent residence and refusing to join is not accepted. But that's just how I interpret it, I don't think it was explicitly mentioned what their rules are.
from the point of view of members of Paris Coven , if Claudia and Louis had attempt to kill their sire then lied to the Paris Coven, it is possible one day that Claudia and Louis could betray and harm member of the Paris Coven . Paris Coven 's response were not without a cause .
Regarding Claudia’s age and appearance. Claudia said in episode 4 the war made her stunted. So I think from Madeline perspective she is a stunted young woman not a child
It's so good... Armand's endgame has always been Louis. He will do anything to ensure that he has Louis at the end of it all. Nothing else matters. He'll start off subtle, but if he's not getting his way... he ramps up the manipulation intensity. Louis thinks he has gained some kind of hold in Paris and can persuade Armand. But what Louis doesn't get is that Armand has been orchestrating everything since Louis got to Paris. Louis thinks that he gave Armand the idea to make Santiago think he could be Maitre. Armand could already see the coven heading in that direction and it wasn't a concern because he could easily stop it if he wanted to. Armand doesn't have just one plan, he has many. Armand has, what, 400 years on Louis? He knows all the cheat codes! Louis is playing chess with Armand like Claudia was with Lestat. When Madeline asked Louis why he doesn't tell Armand how much he loves him, Louis says "that's personal." Louis knows that Armand loves him so much more... he's holding back to have his own power.
As someone who carries cuttings of their favorite plants from place to place when things fall apart... this episode really has me feeling some feelings. * There is a painting of a magnolia above Armand's desk in the theater. * Armand brings a cutting from his magnolia tree when he moves in to Louis' apartment. * The tree for Louis in Dubai is a magnolia. * General magnolia lore: its bark can be used as a sleep aid (rest), it traditionally represents endurance (a testament to our companionship, it's endurance). I can't with this show. Its so nuanced.
Oh, when I think of magnolias, I imagine the big white flowers and waxy leaves. I didn't realize there was a pink variety! I had thought that was a sakura tree given the rock garden.
ANOTHER OBJECT TO BUFF. MY POINT MADE. 💅
Armand saying "our home" took me all the way out. That man really lives in his own version of events and nothing anyone says or does will convince him otherwise. Armand: "It was love" Louis: "You got lazy"
Its also the romantic reader/viewers take vs the "cynical" one.
Only being familiar with the movie, I’ve been dreading this moment for Claudia/Madeline. I had hoped, that as a series, they could afford them their own episode - just being enchanted with one another, exploring Europe. Perhaps further explore Louis’ feelings as Madeline’s maker (we got a glimpse at the cafe). It would help deepen our understanding of the tragedy befalling Louis. But alas, the comeuppance comes quickly just as it did for young Kirsten Dunst. On the whole, this is such a lovely adaptation, and a true work of art. I enjoy falling under the spell of this dark fairytale every Saturday at midnight.
And another Thought Daniel saying that he liked the cocktails Armand made as Rashid more than Rashid's You can't flirt your way out of a dangerous situation twice, buddy Or maybe you can?
This is referencing what Louis said: “Indulge the buffoon. Feed him his own ego back to him and smother mutiny with praise.” Daniel is petty as hell.
Aha! See, this is why I love and hate having one episode per week. It lets you discuss and find out details that you wouldn't even notice while binging. Downside is you have to wait a week lol
I kind of read it as him taking a dig at Armand by reminding him that he’d been serving him a while ago. It’s my favorite Daniel line so far.
They should have named this episode "Waiting for Guido."
- Not armand with the teary sighs and the music kicking in and Daniel just not having it lmao
Daniel's constant cynical bitchiness gives me life
I'm only about 20 minutes in so I don't want to read this whole thread to see if it's been brought up but how is this episode not named "A weird white lady I met by happenstance"?
Honestly Claudia couldn’t have described their relationship better imo
She should have said "I met my own French white".
I'm rewatching this on TV and noticed Louis really psyching himself up to bite Madeline. It feels like a parallel to a gay man psyching himself up to have sex with a woman. Also, Louis is so dramatic letting his blood spill on the floor when he knows Armand will be coming home.
This episode honestly just breaks my heart and it’s like another seven days just to break my heart once again I literally almost cried I’m not even a person that cries like 💔😭 best show I ever seen hands down Two More Episodes to go 💔💔💔
Armand insisting that the idea of making a vampire RePuLsEs HiM has me all the more convinced we're getting a vampire Daniel by the end of the season. I feel like they're underlining it a lot (and honestly have been since Season One).
This episode was incredible. Heartbreaking. I am so psyched for Lestat next week.
Me thinks next week is either gonna put me in an early grave or on a grippy sock vacation.
Louis really thinks Armand wasn't in on it from the beginning? The coven's rules are literally from Armand, no? And Armand already showed a willingness to throw Lestat's "murder" in Claudia's face. Plus, if it happened as Armand said, I'm sure we would've actually seen it on-screen.
Ahhh this episode!!!! The writing is pitch perfect. * Love Real Rashid. That is all. The way his voice and delivery changes after he comes back from the bathroom. He’s a such a smartass to Daniel. “…Perhaps he should’ve thrown the tapes away when he found them in his mailbox.” * Louis being so pissy when they’re talking about redecorating. * Raglan talking his career ambitions, “I think, if I could *swap bodies* with you, I’d be running the order by now.” * Louis reminding Armand that he told advised Armand to “Indulge the buffoon. Feed his own ego back to him and smother mutiny with praise,” as a way to deal with the Coven. The look on Armand’s face when Louis said that was giving, “Louis, I’ve been doing this with you the whole damn time.“ Later, Armand complimenting Daniel on his sharp mind. Hahaha * Armand talking about being oblivious to the coup back in Paris while Louis & Daniel are doing the same in the present in Dubai/Palm Jumeirah. Armand knows in both cases. Ever the Theater Director. “In retrospect, the buffoon was in the audience...” He makes it seem like he’s being self-effacing but he’s talking about Louis and Daniel. * Daniel skeptically questioning Armand about why he didn’t read the Covens’ minds. Armand asking Rashid about what happened at the sushi place. Then Daniel immediately lying to Armand about what happened at the sushi place. Buffoonery!!! Louis asking Armand why he’s asking about what happened at the sushi place? Buffoonery!!! * Armand calling Claudia out for being a manipulator (The pot calling the kettle, hahahaha). He saw through it but Louis did not. * Love how the staging of this interview session looks like couples therapy. * Armand saying he’s never made a vampire and being so adamant about never making one. “The idea repulsed me, repulses me.” Never say never. * “When the fuck is Guido arriving on the stage?” “Guido is hope, there is no hope.” And then later, the preview of Lestat coming on stage during the Trial. * Are the unsolved crimes committed by Lestat? Is this meant to hint at his arrival in Paris??? * Armand acting and letting everyone think he’s weak and losing control. Each episode is so consistent and yet better than the ones before.
I’m so glad i can be a full out Armand hater. He betrayed Louis and Claudia. And yes Lestat is at the trial, BUT LESTAT WOULD NEVER DO THIS TO LOUIS AND CLAUDIA, he would never betray them for the coven, he would’ve slaughtered the entire coven if it meant Claudia had a companion and he and Louis were together. Honestly even Armand could’ve killed the entire coven, and the 4 of them move on with life. I hate Armand officially. And now i will rewatch 5, knowing what he did, and revel in the scalping Louis gave him calling him BEIGE AND BORING AND A COUCH LINT PICKER BECAUSE YOU LET THE COVEN KILL HIS FIRSTBORN JUST TO END UP NOT EVEN BEING IN THE COVEN ANYMORE AND BE THE BORINGEST MOST BEIGE BOYFRIEND EVER.
Louis really gagged Armand in that scene, and it was wholeheartedly deserved! Armand is one nasty piece of work but trust LouisNation is gonna get our lick back sooner rather than later!
Why do we think Louis and Armand keep calling Daniel “Daniel Molloy” or “Mr. Molloy”? It’s not like there’s another Daniel around to confuse him with
(I keep replying to your comments sorry) I saw Louis using Daniel more often, Mr. Molloy comes more from Armand I think Maybe as a distancing mechanic?
Ha I love the convo! Yeah I guess Louis says Daniel or Daniel Molloy. It seems to come from a place of fondness from him at least
Wait I'm a little confused--I got the impression that Louis pre-s1e7 in the Dubai timeline thought Lestat was really dead, and Daniel helped him realize he wasn't. But then Lestat shows up here and presumably meets Louis next episode, so Louis would know he survived the attempted murder in New Orleans? Can someone please help me square this lol
>helped him realize he wasn't. More than helped him realize, Daniel simply called him out on the fact he basically saved Lestat. So Louis wasn't necessary thinking Lestat was dead, he simply didn't want to fess up he helped him survive.
I think we're starting to see the cracks of decades of mind fuckery.
See... what these boys don't realize is that if you're sitting around plotting co-op mind fuckery, you need to get on the couch in front of a camera and state your name, age, and consent in case shit starts to seem a little dubious down the road. And you gotta have a safe word for when it gets bad... no, \*rest\* doesn't count.
Thinking back to Lestat’s letter to Louis, we’re supposed to believe now that Lestat would want revenge for his death to this extent even though he said to not seek vengeance? Louis even imagined him saying that it was a perfect betrayal. Obviously that his husband and daughter killed him themselves might change things, but maybe that this is so contradictory to what he said in the letter is a big hint that something’s not quite right with him. When we do see him this episode, like many noticed it’s through smoke and mirrors and the way he delays his response and in monotone stood out.
Armand being the one who had the tree?? Ah I don't even know what to say!! Claudia and Madeline!! 'She's a weird white lady I met by happenstance.' 🫠 they would have been the envy of every vampire out there. Truly unmatched. Louis and Claudia sharing a cigarette scene- it hurts to see him putting up walls bc he's hurt by her leaving (keep having that stoker quote float in my head with regards to them, 'you were supposed to love me'). But I admire Claudia for being able to not engage with it like you can see she's hurt but she found somebody worthy to be her companion. Armand and Louis really had something...I mean it could have been something even if they were always doomed in a sense... Anyways gotta mention how tenderly Armand heals Louis wrist vs how he treated him last episode bc it's distressing. The next episode already has me sick with anxiety.
Ohhh I didn't get that the tree in their penthouse now is probably from that cutting
 Lestat is back bitches!!!
my brain is so broken because man i want armand DEAD but i see lestat and start kicking my legs like a schoolgirl.... watching the iwtv movie as a kid and being traumatized by madeline and claudia has built a shell around my heart. i can't get attached to them, having seen their fates at the age of kirsten dunst in that scene. i can only be giddy for the return of monsieur lioncourt.
Aaaaaah the tiny little scenes with Lestat are already sooooo good. You can feel his rage and hurt. Also, he has NO right to be so beautiful!!!
With all of my chest FUCK Armand and FUCK Lestat too. I don’t care about the details, however ~mitigating~, which I expect we’ll get into next week with a title like ”I could not prevent it”. I don’t know maybe I’m just assuming, but it feels like both Armand and Lestat will be going into the trial with the attitude that as long as Louis survives it’s okay which is so fucking insane to me. They KNOW how much Louis loves Claudia, to the point that both of them see her as an obstacle and rival for Louis’ love and yet! Do they think Louis will still stick around, want either of them after this?! Just participating in/allowing the trial is a betrayal of biblical proportions independent of the outcome. Sick to my stomach. Fuck these vampires. Also convinced that whatever Louis remembers from the trial it’s not the truth.
Reminds me of Lestat turning to Claudia after beating the hell out of Louis and saying "It was NEVER you." It seems it doesn't matter what either Lestat or Armand do to Louis, as long as they keep him in the end.
The fact that when Claudia first left Louis fell into a multi year deep depression really shows the extent of their connection. I love Lestat as a character in part because of the performance but his treatment of both of them is so unforgivable to me.
> The fact that when Claudia first left Louis fell into a multi year deep depression really shows the extent of their connection. > This part especially! Louis is at base-level already depressed, losing Claudia will have him actively suicidal (actually he's already told us as much, "As long as you walk this earth I won't taste the fire") which Lestat definitely knows and Armand should know, and if not he for sure finds out. How do you proclaim to love someone that much and still treat them so badly??
Also to add to your comment not only did Armand betray louis like this. He allowed them to be all get beat. Louis seemingly worst of all What a great way to win Louis love buddy. Beat his daughter and her companion his first fledgling
WHAT IN THE ACTUAL F !!!! That's how they leave us? That's how they end Episode 6 ?!?!?! I knew it!!!! Since the beginning, I've been suspicious of Armand. I don't like him. Episode 5&6 have proven why I don't. I don't trust him, don't like him, and feel he is hiding waaaaaay more than we can all imagine. I feel like he has "edited" a lot of Louis memories. San Francisco wasn't the only time.
I've had my suspicions ever since Daniel brought the theater fire up. It was episode 3 or 4. I can't remember, and time hasn't allowed me to look today. Study both of their reactions. Armand is upset and angry. Louis is straight up confused. Before she threw the remote at my head (I can remember that, but not which episode. Go figure), I joked to my sister "It's like every Husband/ Father ever. What is this Very Important Thing that I'm totally hearing about for the very first time?" But after the following episodes, it's not so funny now. Louis says, as they're getting up from the table (I think to talk to that art lawyer?), ending the session, "What fire?". He can't remember the Very Important Fire that *he probably set*. That's concerning. Did he ask Armand to *Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind*, did Armand do it anyway, out of love for his be grieved new lover, or did he do it out of control?
The sound I made when the camera panned down to Lestat was something akin to a bat or owl. I have never been so unprepared for a showdown since Hannibal was on the air
I just finished it and am trying to understand why Armand betrayed Louis and Claudia. We saw him time-freeze most of the coven in a previous episode, he could kill them all if they really wanted. But he also doesn’t seem to particularly like leading the Paris coven, so keeping control doesn’t make much sense to me either.
I think he was jealous of Claudia and Madeline especially after having the conversation with Madeline.
Dude I just got why they had Madeline eating an apple when I saw this poster. These writers are so dang clever. https://preview.redd.it/ovw9cat3q17d1.jpeg?width=1638&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=73adca23ab3f9ddda1336bd892f3f7ed4df7dcd4
Louis saying get in the coffin and Armand started throwing them clothes This episode was so, so good. I honestly can’t tell if Armand is completely lying or not. Louis came off very domineering and more “Lestat” like and Armand is so insecure in Paris, but he’s also so incredibly manipulative to keep from being abandoned. I would kill for Claudia & Madeleine to see the world together. And just LESTAT
I can’t believe that scene was in Armand’s office, in front of everybody. And dynamic or not, Armand allows it? That can’t help either of their standing with the coven
A bit of a slower ep compared to the last 2 weeks, but some things that really blew me away: - the parallels between Louis turning Madeleine as a gift / act of love for Claudia, and Lestat turning Claudia out of love for Louis — and how both those moments eventually lead to their suffering. Claudia and Louis’ relationship is the reason things with Lestat fall apart and they try to murder him. Likewise, Claudia and Madeleine’s relationship is what leads to the upcoming tragedy for Louis. - they definitely dedicated time in this ep to show how Louis has found some footing or self-worth through art dealing. Compared to the previous ep where Louis is pissed off by that French guy saying he doesn’t have the skills to be ~the artiste~, we see in this ep he’s honing in his skills with selling art (in Paris) + in present day, he’s mastered it. This is brilliantly paired with further confirmation of Armand being a master manipulator and manuevering behind the scenes!!! Photography is for Louis (in Paris) something to call his own probably because he sees how Lestat and Armand have become masters of their own trade, like music and theatre. And as much as you realise in the Dubai scenes that Louis has finally made it, he’s got a hang of this, you also realise how many steps ahead Armand has always been at orchestrating scenes and feeding lines and creating theatre by controlling Louis’ life.
Why did Rashid lie for Daniel?
Maybe he's working with the Talamasca. Raglan seemed cool with him.
Random observations: Et tu, biege pillow? Armand could have frozen the coven at the cafe and allowed the four (or just Claudia and Madeline) of them to get away- if Claudia and Madeline had booked it out of the country, the Paris based coven would likely not have followed. That's not cowardice, Armand, that’s betrayal! If Lestat’s heart was really into just getting revenge/justice on Claudia and Luis, he would have come after them sooner- since he can feel his fledglings the way Luis does Madeline. I think Lestat was playing the long game where he knew that Louis and Claudia would eventually implode as companions and then Louis would come back to him of his own free will, not fighting thier bond anymore. Dang dominant Louis is very sexy- lol Madeline's transition was beautiful and touching Rashid called it- if Daniel was so worried about staying alive he could have ignored/destroyed the tapes as soon as he received them. Rashid: “Cry me a river, Daniel” Lestat getting an invite to Paris from the coven- possibly even from Armand, likely forced his hand (as much as one can force Lestat to do anything - maybe Armand convinced him that the only way to save Louis from the coven was to show up and give a version of events that places most of the blame on Claudia). I loved the snark in the modern day interview - “Did I forget something, my love”? - but I knew Armand was going to say Louis asked for his memories to be erased. Daniels not buying it but how can Louis be sure he didn't? I am not so sure that if my partner had the power to remove memories of the most excruciating pain I had ever been through at my lowest emotional depths that I wouldn't ask them to. Wouldn't Lestat also be in trouble for creating Claudia, a child vampire? Maybe the coven will say he got his punishment for that when she tried to kill him. On some fundamental level, I feel like this is all Lestats fault, if he had been a better vampire master to his fledglings, none of this would have happened. That's enough reason for me to explain why Louis hasn't gone back Lestat, the resentment, and why Lestat goes back to waiting for Louis to come around. Luis and Armand talking about the empty wall feels like the death knell of thier relationship.
> Et tu, beige pillow? Thanks. Always wanted Dr Pepper in my nose. Feels great. 😆
I have this really crazy theory. But god forbid it comes true I don’t want to post it here and it happens. But if you wanna talk theories message me! But I have a feeling this whole trial with TDV is going to be really FUCKED UP. And not like the Kirsten Dunst scene in IWTV. But like daaaaaaaark.
[удалено]
"Lestat would never hurt Louis"? What was dragging him along with his fingers in his throat, then dropping him from 1000 feet and shattering every bone in his body? Lestat would gladly hurt Louis in order to teach him a lesson. The only reason he won't is because he can't get away with it (again) without Louis leaving him for good (again).
Also even ignoring the physical harm. He actively cheated on him with someone when he knew it upset him. He kept a mistress for years. He treated their daughter poorly which also hurts Louis.