Absolutely LOVED Santiago when he got rattled by Lestat upstaging him. How dare there be someone more dramatically cunty than he!?
And Louis dragging poor mortal Claudia across the carpet was an amazing shot. So morbidly campy
Maybe I'm reading too much into it but the look lestat gives when claudia says she's gonna kill them all in the afterlife, was like a proud father to me.
The episode as a whole was magnificent... Everyone did a fine job, but obviously the original band had the most emotion to convey this episode and all three of them just nailed it.
Lestat likes when either Louis or Claudia show ruthlessness tbh. He even seemed a bit impressed by her plan to kill him
Did Louis actually kill Antoinette? I don’t remember that.
I took it as that as well. Her proudly admitting he was her father instead of constantly rejecting him to favor Louis. He looked heartbroken but proud as if to signal he finally received her acknowledgment but at her demise. It still said a lot of Claudia that she understood Lestat needed to hear that understanding from her otherwise he'd never live it down.
*"I now know all your faces. If there is an afterlife, I'm going to come back and fucking kill all of you. And if there isnt an afterlife... I'm still gonna find a way."*
How can you be not proud if you are Lestat?
Man, that episode belonged to Sam and Delainey. They fucking killed it.
>look lestat gives when claudia says she's gonna kill them all in the afterlife, was like a proud father to me.
I agree with this. He was so proud of her fierceness.
It's a mark of how good the character development this season has been that it was just as believable as the original take of that scene for me. Ever since Louis started focusing on honesty, the way he has behaved in the flashbacks in each of the episodes has shifted- especially the last two of them. This Louis fits in some ways. The big exception is of course the dialogue, since it doesn't sound like any version of Louis. It's a caricature to some degree, but with a certain truth despite that.
I am starting to wrap my head around the fact that of all the vampires we've met, Louis might be the most terrifying one... and that's saying something.
But when/if he gets over all his issues... or utterly falls prey to them all, he's going to be the absolute menace.
I really dig the fact they made Louis an unstable and terrifying monster in this adaptation. It just feels so right for some reason. Jacob is pulling out all the stops to make us both love and feel scared of Louis at the same time.
Like damn, he’s more concerning than Armand, lol
One thing that show Claudia and book Nicky have in common is that neither of them escaped their human fate. Claudia was meant to die when the town was set on fire, and Nicky’s hands were chopped off because he wouldn’t stop playing the violin. Both situations involved Armand.
I also noticed that for for Lestat in the books, Claudia’s yellow dress serves the same purpose as Nicky’s violin.
The change to Claudia holding Madeline was heartbreaking. I love that Claudia had the last word, I hope she comes back next season to haunt everyone's ass.
"I could not prevent it." I rolled my eyes so hard, they nearly fell out of my brain.
I'm so hyped for this! I always thought the ambiguity of Claudia's ghost in Merrick kinda lame. The "not totally sure it was really her" vibe from the book wasn't my favorite use of her ghost. I like the idea of ghost Claudia maybe having more of a role in Lestat and Louies redemption later on in the series, more than she was in the books.
To be honest I think he's lonely and very broken and also feels he still needs punishment. So his mind is capable of some real creative thinking to keep things as he thinks they should be.
Claudia was the best this episode, and someone finally chose and prioritized her. She really was screwed by everyone (except Madeleine), but I am glad she went out like a boss.
I also like how they made it clear Lestat wasn't quite right... the lost train of thoughts and the dazed expressions. Subtle but effective clues he's being controlled to some degree. I don't fully buy his version of events, or rather I don't buy those are Lestat's version of events. I think he gave us the script (mostly - he can't help himself sometimes). I think the truth is somewhere between this version and Louis's version. Curious to see what we get when Lestat actually narrates.
Daniel's reactions are me at this point. Armand is full of it. I really hope Louis is brain fried due to the memory wipes, or there's something else going on, because he can't honestly believe Armand's version of the story.
I love most of the changes the show has made, but I'm getting a little concerned about how they will justify Louis staying with Armand given the events in the show. In the books, the relationship dynamics and events are different enough/more ambiguous from Louis's perspective initially that I can buy Louis staying with Armand for a while, but they are already broken up by the interview, which is another huge difference from the TV show.
TV Louis has seen Armand freeze an entire room and knows how powerful he is. Yet Sam alone can keep him a prisoner? Armand conveniently only had enough energy to sway the audience for Louis? Who is supposed to buy this? Again, unless Louis is brain fried or there's something else here we will learn in the next episode. I realize he is depressed and lonely, but Armand is so visible and obvious in the show.
I think Daniel was being a compassionate listener.
Louis had made it clear he wanted to get this out and Daniel just needed to sit back and pay attention. He can follow-up (and snark) later.
I really, really need Daniel and Lestat interacting. Hopefully next week.
Yeah, I got the vibe that Daniel was just trying to be respectful to Louis, but once he finishes telling his story I think Daniel's gonna come for Armand like he did for Louis at the end of season 1
Great point. I was frustrated when Daniel didn't call Armand on his bullshit, but I think he could tell this was a traumatic memory for Louis and just became the empathetic listener instead. Here's to hoping the shit hits the fan next episode
Armand sitting there with his wide, ol' saucer eyes acting like he was so helpless during the whole trial made me want to kick something across the room.
I love the hint that Armand had something more to do with Nicki’s death that he has previously admitted to (as we know from TVL). Lestat saying he had “a little help from others” while looking straight at Armand… oooh season 3 is going to be so good.
Also noticed that Lestat was VERY out of it when Claudia and Madeleine were being put to death. Right before, he’s spaced out, rocking on his feet. That, with him being fed most his lines and the preview of him in a dungeon… I think the show is gonna follow the TVL route with Lestat and the circumstances surrounding this trial.
Claudia fuckin owned that shit at the end. Given what they are and what they can do, I'd be completely worried this little demon child might claw her way back from death.
How deeply does Armand have his claws in Louis's brain and on the reset button of his memories for their relationship to have survived Claudia's death???
How deeply does Louis long for love that he convinced himself to believe Armand when he said "I couldn't prevent it..."
Is he clinging to the relationship because he can't accept that he chose the same breed of monster as a second time to give his heart to?
I'd love to hear your takes on how their relationship made it to present day
I think Armand will "help" Louis take down the coven and that's why they will get together. The preview for next episode gives the vibe that Louis will go into some kind of killing spree (not just the fire at theatre).
Louis probably blames Lestat more than Armand, so he doesn't ever want to see him again (well at least until the 70s).
And some mind control probably (not to make him love Armand or anything but something to muddle the waters of what's real) but that might have come after. Like there's some memory wiping or smt going on, there's no way they brought this up just for Armand to say "you asked for it" and for the whole thing to end there.
Great question! This episode and S0205 really drove home what a tragic, dysfunctional, messy relationship Loumand has. The history between these two… ooh chile tres tragic! I was wondering the same thing and here are my thoughts as of know.
0. I think Louis has to accept and make peace with the fact that he is the same breed of monster as the lovers he chooses. I don’t think he can let go until then.
1. Louis probably recognizes that he behaved similarly to Armand in how things went down with Lestat. He could have prevented a lot of things in that relationship and it’s demise… if anyone can understand having mixed emotions and not doing anything at the wrong time, it’s Louis.
2. Armand saves Louis’s life, at least twice that we see (in the show) - in Paris & San Fran
3. TRAUMA BOND
4. The devil you know is better than the devil you don’t. What hope does Louis have of anyone else being a better alternative?
5. Armand knows all of Louis’s shittiness and still chooses to stay. Being known and seen at some of your lowest moments… there is an intimacy there that defies logic and rationale.
6. “Amadeo had a gift…” 😏
And it occurred to me this morning that Armand is the last person Louis knows who knew Claudia. Might be hard to give up the only person who understands the pain you’re in.
Poor Armand couldn't fight the coven neither before the trial, nor during... there was simply too many of them! And Sam with the scythe was blocking his exit!
There's no way Louis, 400 years younger and without any ancient blood in him, would stand a chance against them.
Really, Armand? Really? 🤔
The clothing felt off for sure. You could argue the pin stripes are akin to prison stripes, but to me I think the bigger tell is that the suit itself didn’t fit him as well as we usually see. He was put together, but not effortlessly meticulous, like someone else dressed him. It also just felt a little too out of era like they slapped a 1920s suit on him.
In the books, Armand says something along the lines of "find something worthy for our lost lord to wear" It's probably Santiago's suit or something that he put on for the trial.
Vampires, especially the more powerful ones, can regenerate rather quickly after being tortured. Armand definitely broke his spirit by starving and physically hurting him so he could be an easy target during the trial. Lestat seemed relatively fine but he was actually mentally scarred and exhausted. He probably fought hard to be able to have that small moments of independence.
I like how as soon as Lestat got on he started quipping about Roland Garros and the croque madama . . . it did not look like that was in the script based on Santiago's instructions. Not even an important off-script, Loustat just didn't want to follow the boring script.
Armand was telling the story during that part. If his goal is for Louis to hate Lestat, Armand going to tell a story that extracts any sign affection or care that Lestat might have shown to Claudia at the end. I hope the show revisits from a different POV.
Ahh yes I haven’t read the book/s enough to remember little things like that. I suppose there is still time for some Lestat and dress interaction though, that or perhaps their last glance as she died was maybe meant to portray what the book was getting at with him and the dress?
I think one big tell that something's 'off' with the trial's script is that Lestat basically goes "Yup, I just immediately went underground when Nicki died and nothing else happened between then and me leaving for Louisiana".
Which conveniently leaves out all the parts of The Vampire Lestat that Armand wouldn't have been present for. (Also: Gabrielle existing, period, which is very funny since Armand hates her.)
I was howling when Lestat said, “the Great Laws forbid it” and “Because I knew the wisdom of the Great Laws”. I was like, okay, who is buying that our Brat Prince gave one fuck about the Great Laws?! 🤣
That and Lestat had stubble… When I saw it, I was shocked. “What is Lestat doing with stubble?!? And it’s not even cute stubble?” And wearing all black. That’s when I knew something was all the way off with Lestat.
You were a newly made vampire in Paris, Nicki died, you went to ground, you went to New Orleans, Louis slit your throat, you went to ground, you went to Paris, here we are.
Yet, you name dropped Those Who Must Be Kept in New Orleans. When did you have time to meet them?
Book Amadeo knew Marius went to Those That Must Be Kept, though he didn't know what they were.
Show Lestat could have just heard the phrase from show Armand, their identity could still be a mystery to him... but then, where'd you get that Cloud Gift, bud?
ok so. in the book armand was the one keeping lestat in the dungeon. do you think the same happened in the show? it seems like santiago has a much bigger role in the show
also claudia singing she doesn’t like windows … so grim
I gotta say the CG effects were remarkable. It really tore my heart in two with with Claudia singing as she was wasting away to dust all while clutching what was left of Madeleine.
That scene was just so dramatically superb. I knew it was coming but I was still dumbstruck.
Not to defend Lestat too much because he has many faults but the way he keeps getting beaten, killed, tortured and dominated. He must be in a very dark place right now.
Yeah, I know some people are calling it Lestat's POV but it's objectively not. This is Louis' memory of what Lestat said at the trial which is unreliable for a few reasons: the fact that this is a scripted sham trial, the fact that Louis' memory is all over the place - he's misremembering things due to trauma, and finally because we have confirmation now that Armand has altered Louis’ memory in the past.
plus everything that happens from when Louis is taken downstairs is from Armand’s POV, and I don’t trust a word that beautiful bastard says. the idea that it’s actually worse than what we’ve seen (as it is in the books) is … 😬
Y’all, I know it’s been said a million and one times, but Sam is incredible. He just IS Lestat and it came out so well in this episode. Knowing Lestat’s history, all his talk of loneliness was just heartbreaking… I must have cried 10 times in this episode. Truly, Bravo!
I do like that this version of the story justified why Madeleine got killed along with Claudia -- Madeleine getting executed with Claudia has always been an odd note, but this adaptation has laid out the coven structure and rules well enough that it ultimately made sense.
We also know that an opposing version must have happened with Santiago, because we know his maker got killed (and that Santiago must have chosen to leave him to his fate to join the coven). Which is also an interesting character note for him -- as awful as he is, did he ever actually WANT to be in the coven?
The thing about this that I really loved was how you see Madeleine's arc. We know that every choice she's made up until this point in her life has been in an attempt for self-preservation and here she breaks that trend for the first and last time. Finally, someone chose Claudia for herself, and from someone who in theory had every reason not to. It's really moving.
This is hands down one of the best adaptations of all time. The book itself was incredible, but they’ve managed to truly elevate it. The finale is going to be bonkers.
This was thrilling, beautiful, and absolutely insane! I love how they addressed Lestat dropping Louis, and how they recapped their entire relationship. I also love all the development given to Madeline this season, including this episode, where it makes sense she has no idea what's going on, since she never even met Lestat and Antoinette. The courtroom theatre openly addressing her innocence and giving her some agency was a huge improvement over the book/film. And even though she was labelled a selfish traitor, a collaborationist, she did not forsake Claudia to save herself and sign on to joining the coven of these ghouls. The real Lestat can be quite worse off then Louis saw/remembered him being in these scenes. And it looks like Armand is going to come clean next week about his bullshit lies here, I can't wait for that! This is so much better than Anne Rice's plan to let the movie stand on it's own and begin the tv series with TVL.
It’s so frustrating. The app is awful, they don’t promote their shows and their other content is just not worth keeping it outside of the show. They need to just partner with a better streaming service.
I absolutely love how the writers gave us Claudia’s fighting spirit right to her very last moments.
We don’t get to see this in book one and if there’s anything in later books that have additional context showing this side of Claudia in the trial, I have yet to get to those in my reading. Happy to hear about it from folks who have gotten further along in the books.
A lot of great moments from many characters in this episode, but Claudia’s fight was what rose above all and lingers on me post-watch.
The coven trying to silence her with their collective powers and she continued to resist. The way she protected Madeleine as they met their end vs in the movie, it was the other way around.
I figured that Santiago was trying to silence Madeleine till the verdict and/or get Madeleine to turn against Claudia when given the choice to join the coven. What do you think of this and Madeleine still choosing Claudia in the end?
Claudia telling the audience that she’ll find a way to come back and kill them all, afterlife or not. Absolute queen mode!
The way she stared at Lestat up until her physical being was gone.
Claudia. You are a fighter. I love you, I miss you. If we don’t ever see you again, Delainey Hayles. Bailey Bass. Thank you for bringing such strength and depth to Claudia.
Lestat swaying with his face blank at the end of the trial is such an AMAZING detail and little nod to the torture from the books. I really hope they at least touch this in the finale!!
Anyways I need awards for everyone. This has been an amazing adaptation. They’ve changed things but really kept that essence from the books. Even though I knew the outcome of the trial I was on the edge of my seat the entire time
poor daniel. hes going to clock armands bs in an instant. how does he carefully broach that subject, given that history has shown louis cannot protect him from armand? "hey, do you mind if louis and i chat alone for a minute? thanks, i love how you're so understanding and respectful of mine and louis' boundaries." but seriously, enter lestat??? daniel starts talking a little too much sense and things get tense between our trio and lestat shows up to save louis (and daniel!).
I agree. I am afraid AF for Daniel. I'm very afraid.
It's not above Armand to do the worst. I am both crestfallen and flabbergasted.
I want to cry.
Yet you know what makes me most alarmed? That I still love Armand. I think he's fascinating. I want Daniel to run for the hills, just disappear back into his world. Take advantage of the fact that Louis made Armand promise to not eat Daniel. Yet part of me would understand why he'd fall if Armand took to stalking him as revenge, if Armand didn't look or was as randomly elegant as he was, would I be saying the same? Probably not, which is why I feel guilty.
Wow, what an episode. I saw comments saying it dragged a bit, and indeed, nothing that we haven’t known of, just a slightly new angle, but I think it had emotional purposes, to peak in a state from where everything else goes down in the finale.
And aybe some vampires can conjure fire or stop time, but when Lestat enters and when they have this unspoken, wordless gaze-dialogue with Louis, everything is kilovolts. I was genuinely surprised Lestat participated in the trial like that but by and by many things became suspiciously clear (or clearly suspicious)
What a performance. Actors’ and characters’. It felt uneasy with Santiago and Lestat sharing a stage, it’s not wide or deep enough to contain them both (Lestat even had to wander in the audience). I’m happy Claudia found a true companionship and respect in Madeleine; I like this version much more than the book
I really really love this show. Through it I like books even more, and I get to understand different facets of characters better. I hope it continues with a TVL season, but if for some reason not, it is already such a solid adaptation. Finally I trust the writers and the team enough to believe that the finale will be as good as the season and no one will fuck up anything
As a child learning about the Salem witch trials, I often imagined that if accused, I'd threaten to haunt the spectators and their descendants if they decided to hang me. Witnessing Claudia do that to the crowd was deeply satisfying.
I cried. I knew it was coming for the last two seasons and I cried. But not because she died. But because of the way she died. Shielding Madeline with her own body, and singing defiantly in the faces of her executioners.
God damn what an incredible way to reveal lestats side of the story and reframe him in those events.
Louise is terrifying when he get emotional... and performed so well in this show.
This has gotten me thinking a lot about Lestat and Claudia’s relationship in general. Do you think that necklace he gives her as a birthday present once “from a marquis I knew” could be like a family
heirloom?
On a different but related note - for all the “Louis you’re my brother not daddy Lou” at the end that was 10000% a parental relationship
So in the book Armand had Claudia’s head put on an adult’s body. Anyone think this might be what Armand is leaving out because her death felt too romanticized like his retelling of his love affair with Lestat
So in the books, (Spoiler ahead) Lestat is in a weakened state when he comes to paris, originally unaware of Louis and Claudia being there. The main purpose of his visit was asking armand for his "ancient/healing blood" to restore his strength. Armand tricks/blackmails him into betraying Louis & Claudia and afterwards Armand cripples Lestat significantly by throwing him off a tower.
I wonder how much of that well see become reality once Armands illusion and Louis memory clears up
It's a little weird that, in an episode where lives are in the balance, the most horrifying aspect is the prospect of your ex having a captive audience to tell the story of your relationship. I'd sooner take the rats.
i really wish that we saw Lestat grab the dress at the end, not Santiago. It would be a good reference to the yellow dress in the book (i'm sure we will get that in some form next episode or in the future), and more importantly, it could be used to show that armand is being deceitful. Have him narrate what is going on, and then not say anything about Lestat taking the dress or being upset about her death.
Lestat was off during that whole court scene at some point. There's gotta' be something we are going to get later, maybe Season 3. What a whirlwind of emotion. Maybe Armand was throwing off Lestat, and that's why he "only had enough energy" to save Louis. It all stinks I tell ya', it stinks harder than Lestat in a landfill.
Louis throwing that bowl at the dinner table definitely makes me think he's fed up with Armand. The cracks are really mounting at this point.
Was anyone else super shocked by the fight scene from season 1 episode 5 from Lestat's perspective? Lestat begging Louis to stop, to stay down, and Louis mocking him rly made my heart ache. When Louis said, "my death? look at your fucking face!" I wanted to scream bc the only reason Lestat is all bloodied and Louis is relatively unscathed is bc Lestat is so reluctant to hurt Louis he barely fights back(at first). And the hurt on his face when he realizes Louis is going to leave with Claudia... I would have snapped too 😭
Talk about broken, this episode broke me to pieces. Now I want to commit Order 66 on The Théâtre des Vampires. I am so looking forward to Louis raising hell.
Ya'll, HOW is this show not HUGE? It is SO GOOD! This show is up there with some of the best shows I've ever seen. The writing, THE ACTING, the music, the cinematography, the production....this show is on the next level!
I haven’t read the books but do lestat and louis ever end up back together? I need more positive lestat x louis scenes and armand to be defeated in some way 😩
Yeah, it's from Blood Communion, the last book. The Atlantis book (utterly bonkers) is the second to last book.
ETA: Though they are all cool with Armand way earlier than that, if I recall correctly. Like as early as QotD? I mean, as cool as Lestat and Armand ever are with each other. They're always a little bitchy even when they are making nice.
Yea they’re all friendly through the later books. They basically all become one big friend group toward the end of QotD and stay that way if I’m remembering right.
Yea, I’m not buying it at all. He’s hundreds of years older than them and none are his fledglings. He can pause them all in their actions simultaneously, but he can’t do anything to fight back?
I totally agree. Especially considering that he can freeze time, or at least slow things down. I noticed that Armand blamed Lestat 's being killed by Louis and Claudia totally on Claudia.
Exactly, from what we’ve seen of him, Armand could have easily froze the entire theater and all the vampires in it. I think he sat by and did nothing, but is now taking the credit.
I was also thinking this. There is a part where Claudia is about to be burned, and Lestat is standing just off to the side and he looks like he's fighting against something (around the 47 minute mark). There was something odd about the way he was standing, very wobbly and unsteady. It could have just been that he was shaken about Louis but it made me wonder if he was being controlled by Armand.
I noticed it too. I didn't know what to make of it, but it didn't look right. Just looked at it again and you're right. Lestat being controlled by Armand confirmed.
Armand is the only one who can tell the story of Claudia's death unless Lestat shows up the next episode. And of course, Armand is a liar and is gonna portray Lestat as just sitting there and doing nothing. But we don't actually know that that's the truth. I'd bet it isn't.
Also, if the version of events that Lestat portrayed is even partially accurate....then Louis is (imo) just as horrible as Lestat. Manipulating Lestat into making Claudia so he would stay is the equivalent of telling a partner you'll kill yourself if they leave. It's disgusting. And the way he framed the Antoinette relationship actually made me feel bad for him. Obviously, the events fall somewhere I between all of these versions. But Louis seems like just as much of a piece of crap as everyone else except he has a victim complex (just like Armand pointed out in the San Fran episode).
Louis definitely has his moments. You’re analogy of telling a partner you’ll kill yourself if they leave is spot on. During S02E05, I kind of felt that is one of the reasons Louis goes to the roof. He knew he went too far with Armand and he hurts himself (in part) to make Armand stay. So messed up
Yeah, thats a really good point and you can kinda tell with Armands "am i gonna be on suicide watch for eternity" that he may have felt that way. I'm soooo curious to see it all from Lestats POV. Especially the turning of Louis and everything leading up to it because so much of Louis anguish with Lestat (I feel like) comes from feeling "hunted" and manipulated into taking the gift. But if he went more willingly to it, and it was more of an even courtship than we've been led to believe...then it really, really puts a lot of Louis behavior in a different light. And it's also hard not to look at it through a human lense because if one is abusing the other etc, a human response is to wonder when they'll get the courage to leave the relationship. But how are you gonna do that when the other vampire is legit one of the only other beings that will live through life with you. The loneliness is an entirely different level of loneliness than we can't comprehend and human loneliness is already awful enough.
Having them have a courtship prior to Louis taking the gift, unlike in the book, makes it a much more complex relationship.
I think they had a courtship. The main issue is that Lestat never explained what being a vampire was to Louis - unlike how Claudia explained it to Madeline
And everyone here forgetting that Lestat took advantage of Louis at his lowest point after witnessing the suicide of his brother. Louis was out of his mind with grief and not thinking straight.
I don't think Louis tried to kill himself to make Armand stay. He genuinely wanted to die, especially all hopped up on drugs and thinking about Claudia.
It really is a game between Armand and Lestat for Louis. Armand was clearly lying when he said he couldn't do anything, we'd seen earlier in the season that he put every single vampire to sleep besides Santiago and Louis at the dinner table. He could have killed them all if he wanted to. Lestat has a bigger temper but I don't think he's ever been as deviously cruel as Armand is.
I couldn’t tell the exact words but he was hypnotising her, making her unaware of her surroundings. Someone posted a theory on why the coven did this to her, not sure if it’s relevant to your question though.
Two truths were spoken that day:
1. "We are monsters". Apart from Daniel, maybe, there are no "good guys" in this story within a story within a story.
2. "What you are about to see is fake". The twisted conceit that vampiric monsters are deserving of their prey's sympathy.
I know we go on a lot about Sam but I can't get enough of his line readings. He just had this incredible instinct for weirdness...he'll take an ordinary line and just tweak it a little and turn it into something else.
The one I'm stuck on in this episode (have watched it over and over) is when he's recalling his rift with Louis and justifying his affair (not the point) he says he hopes
"...that he'll love you...like you love him."
And it's just..so intense and beautiful and broken. The tone of his voice, the hitch in his throat, the eyes, the resignation, the pain.
I think it really got me because it connected to another one I loved last season, when Lestat drops Louis ..he says "just say, Lestat I am never going to love you."
It sounded so similar, those two moments and the emotions were connected and Sam said them that way. It was so good.
It's also really interesting that Lestat uses the words "I let him go" because...that's what Louis asked him to do. Let him go. (And before I get jumped on *obviously* Lestat doing that *literally* was awful, but I'm talking about the thematic connection).
Anyway he's amazing I'm done now.
Did anyone notice this episode when we see lestat as Louis vision in the prison house with purple eyes??
Not his regular bright blue eyes. And then real Rashid comes up behind him to remind them of lunch or something and it shifts back to the Paris trials. I had to go back and look, and lestat's eyes were indeed purple, I truly thought It was lighting but it's not!
At first, I really didn’t like the new actress that played Claudia, but see the way that she went out was fucking epic!!!! And I am so disgusted with him the least he could’ve done was hold the crowd from death I wonder why they are still together present day. I love this show it just gets better and better so happy Lestat came back I was like Ayas a true vampire never dies the come back was epic
At the end of episode 7, when Louis was about to be sentenced, Lestat looked away and got quiet. Do you think Lestat would’ve allowed him to be killed if Armand didn’t intervene or did he make a deal with Armand on how to save Louis in advance ?
I read a theory that Lestat was under Armand’s mind-control and this mind-control let up when Armand had to enchant the crowd to yell “Banished”, so that’s why he looks around and appears confused. But then Armand quickly takes control of him again. I don’t know if it’s true, but just putting it out there for other fans to ponder about.
My money is on Armand dominating Lestat or using a good chunk of his power to control him. Ain't no way Armand had no ability to stop the coven. Like come on, really Mr. Ancient Vampire?
So when Lestat was trailing off was he going off script because he was emotional? Or was he experiencing brain fog like Louis and Claudia when THEY went off script? Because hold on quiet as it's kept, I gotta re-watch. Who really said that Lestat was "emotional" wasn't it Armand?
Show Only thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/InterviewVampire/s/wTTcRsVw5v
Absolutely LOVED Santiago when he got rattled by Lestat upstaging him. How dare there be someone more dramatically cunty than he!? And Louis dragging poor mortal Claudia across the carpet was an amazing shot. So morbidly campy
>Dramatically cunty than he!? Love it.
Man Ben Daniels as Santiago is a tour de force. He already was one of the best part of *Foundation* season 2. Glad to see him shine even more here.
Maybe I'm reading too much into it but the look lestat gives when claudia says she's gonna kill them all in the afterlife, was like a proud father to me. The episode as a whole was magnificent... Everyone did a fine job, but obviously the original band had the most emotion to convey this episode and all three of them just nailed it.
I think that was intentional, after all he said she was all the best vampiric parts of him
Lestat likes when either Louis or Claudia show ruthlessness tbh. He even seemed a bit impressed by her plan to kill him Did Louis actually kill Antoinette? I don’t remember that.
Yep, Claudia impaled her and they both threw her in the incinerator.
Not to mention Claudia stomped her the fuck out lol
I took it as that as well. Her proudly admitting he was her father instead of constantly rejecting him to favor Louis. He looked heartbroken but proud as if to signal he finally received her acknowledgment but at her demise. It still said a lot of Claudia that she understood Lestat needed to hear that understanding from her otherwise he'd never live it down.
*"I now know all your faces. If there is an afterlife, I'm going to come back and fucking kill all of you. And if there isnt an afterlife... I'm still gonna find a way."* How can you be not proud if you are Lestat? Man, that episode belonged to Sam and Delainey. They fucking killed it.
That was my exact thought! I said "Oh, he admires her." When that happened.
>look lestat gives when claudia says she's gonna kill them all in the afterlife, was like a proud father to me. I agree with this. He was so proud of her fierceness.
That shot of Louis dragging Claudia across the floor made me wince. Really disturbing.
It's a mark of how good the character development this season has been that it was just as believable as the original take of that scene for me. Ever since Louis started focusing on honesty, the way he has behaved in the flashbacks in each of the episodes has shifted- especially the last two of them. This Louis fits in some ways. The big exception is of course the dialogue, since it doesn't sound like any version of Louis. It's a caricature to some degree, but with a certain truth despite that.
I am starting to wrap my head around the fact that of all the vampires we've met, Louis might be the most terrifying one... and that's saying something. But when/if he gets over all his issues... or utterly falls prey to them all, he's going to be the absolute menace.
I really dig the fact they made Louis an unstable and terrifying monster in this adaptation. It just feels so right for some reason. Jacob is pulling out all the stops to make us both love and feel scared of Louis at the same time. Like damn, he’s more concerning than Armand, lol
He has to allow himself to love and be loved, and I'm not sure how on earth he will ever move towards being capable of that.
Ngl it looked like something out of a Scary Movie
I don’t understand why they changed Lestat baby trapping Louis.
Claudia resigning herself to her fate during the trial was heartbreaking. They’ve really done an incredible job of expanding her character.
One thing that show Claudia and book Nicky have in common is that neither of them escaped their human fate. Claudia was meant to die when the town was set on fire, and Nicky’s hands were chopped off because he wouldn’t stop playing the violin. Both situations involved Armand. I also noticed that for for Lestat in the books, Claudia’s yellow dress serves the same purpose as Nicky’s violin.
Armand is a lil bitch confirmed (I absolutely love him tho)
Love this! Armand takes his role as Death very seriously
Lestat is a bit at fault for Nicky too though. He did leave him at the theatre and knew he was mentally unstable...
Yeah, but Nicki also wanted nothing to do with Lestat by that point. He tells him to leave.
The change to Claudia holding Madeline was heartbreaking. I love that Claudia had the last word, I hope she comes back next season to haunt everyone's ass. "I could not prevent it." I rolled my eyes so hard, they nearly fell out of my brain.
The set up for Ghost Claudia was exciting! Moving that whole arc up in the timeline could give Louis more to do in the upcoming seasons.
Have whole conversations with Ghost Claudia! Hear her ranting about Armand and moving things around! 🤣
What if Claudia is The Groan?
Groaning everytime Louis mentions Lestat 😂
I would love to see what Lestat would dream up as ghost claudia. They might actually be excellent planners together
I'm so hyped for this! I always thought the ambiguity of Claudia's ghost in Merrick kinda lame. The "not totally sure it was really her" vibe from the book wasn't my favorite use of her ghost. I like the idea of ghost Claudia maybe having more of a role in Lestat and Louies redemption later on in the series, more than she was in the books.
I know when aramnd said that I was screaming at my screen, how could Louis not see it?
To be honest I think he's lonely and very broken and also feels he still needs punishment. So his mind is capable of some real creative thinking to keep things as he thinks they should be.
He willfully blinds himself.
Claudia was the best this episode, and someone finally chose and prioritized her. She really was screwed by everyone (except Madeleine), but I am glad she went out like a boss. I also like how they made it clear Lestat wasn't quite right... the lost train of thoughts and the dazed expressions. Subtle but effective clues he's being controlled to some degree. I don't fully buy his version of events, or rather I don't buy those are Lestat's version of events. I think he gave us the script (mostly - he can't help himself sometimes). I think the truth is somewhere between this version and Louis's version. Curious to see what we get when Lestat actually narrates. Daniel's reactions are me at this point. Armand is full of it. I really hope Louis is brain fried due to the memory wipes, or there's something else going on, because he can't honestly believe Armand's version of the story. I love most of the changes the show has made, but I'm getting a little concerned about how they will justify Louis staying with Armand given the events in the show. In the books, the relationship dynamics and events are different enough/more ambiguous from Louis's perspective initially that I can buy Louis staying with Armand for a while, but they are already broken up by the interview, which is another huge difference from the TV show. TV Louis has seen Armand freeze an entire room and knows how powerful he is. Yet Sam alone can keep him a prisoner? Armand conveniently only had enough energy to sway the audience for Louis? Who is supposed to buy this? Again, unless Louis is brain fried or there's something else here we will learn in the next episode. I realize he is depressed and lonely, but Armand is so visible and obvious in the show.
I think Daniel was being a compassionate listener. Louis had made it clear he wanted to get this out and Daniel just needed to sit back and pay attention. He can follow-up (and snark) later. I really, really need Daniel and Lestat interacting. Hopefully next week.
Yeah, I got the vibe that Daniel was just trying to be respectful to Louis, but once he finishes telling his story I think Daniel's gonna come for Armand like he did for Louis at the end of season 1
A dangerous game Daniel would be playing if he did it.
Great point. I was frustrated when Daniel didn't call Armand on his bullshit, but I think he could tell this was a traumatic memory for Louis and just became the empathetic listener instead. Here's to hoping the shit hits the fan next episode
She held Madeline until she absolutely couldn’t. I was bawling.
Armand, you lying ethereal bitch! There was nothing you could have done to prevent it?! https://i.redd.it/jj2muiek3b8d1.gif
Armand sitting there with his wide, ol' saucer eyes acting like he was so helpless during the whole trial made me want to kick something across the room.
Where is this gif from? Lol
It’s from “Barbie: Fairytopia.” 🤣🤣🤣
Lmaoooo I’ll be using this nonstop
I love the hint that Armand had something more to do with Nicki’s death that he has previously admitted to (as we know from TVL). Lestat saying he had “a little help from others” while looking straight at Armand… oooh season 3 is going to be so good. Also noticed that Lestat was VERY out of it when Claudia and Madeleine were being put to death. Right before, he’s spaced out, rocking on his feet. That, with him being fed most his lines and the preview of him in a dungeon… I think the show is gonna follow the TVL route with Lestat and the circumstances surrounding this trial.
Louis knows about it too. >!Thus his comments about cutting off his hands in ep 5.!<
Claudia fuckin owned that shit at the end. Given what they are and what they can do, I'd be completely worried this little demon child might claw her way back from death.
She did say she'd come back and kill everyone there. And Louis heard her calling... Vengeful Claudia ghost from Merrick, perhaps?
Claudia is badass. I wish Lestat had saved her.
How deeply does Armand have his claws in Louis's brain and on the reset button of his memories for their relationship to have survived Claudia's death??? How deeply does Louis long for love that he convinced himself to believe Armand when he said "I couldn't prevent it..." Is he clinging to the relationship because he can't accept that he chose the same breed of monster as a second time to give his heart to? I'd love to hear your takes on how their relationship made it to present day
I think Armand will "help" Louis take down the coven and that's why they will get together. The preview for next episode gives the vibe that Louis will go into some kind of killing spree (not just the fire at theatre). Louis probably blames Lestat more than Armand, so he doesn't ever want to see him again (well at least until the 70s). And some mind control probably (not to make him love Armand or anything but something to muddle the waters of what's real) but that might have come after. Like there's some memory wiping or smt going on, there's no way they brought this up just for Armand to say "you asked for it" and for the whole thing to end there.
Great question! This episode and S0205 really drove home what a tragic, dysfunctional, messy relationship Loumand has. The history between these two… ooh chile tres tragic! I was wondering the same thing and here are my thoughts as of know. 0. I think Louis has to accept and make peace with the fact that he is the same breed of monster as the lovers he chooses. I don’t think he can let go until then. 1. Louis probably recognizes that he behaved similarly to Armand in how things went down with Lestat. He could have prevented a lot of things in that relationship and it’s demise… if anyone can understand having mixed emotions and not doing anything at the wrong time, it’s Louis. 2. Armand saves Louis’s life, at least twice that we see (in the show) - in Paris & San Fran 3. TRAUMA BOND 4. The devil you know is better than the devil you don’t. What hope does Louis have of anyone else being a better alternative? 5. Armand knows all of Louis’s shittiness and still chooses to stay. Being known and seen at some of your lowest moments… there is an intimacy there that defies logic and rationale. 6. “Amadeo had a gift…” 😏
And it occurred to me this morning that Armand is the last person Louis knows who knew Claudia. Might be hard to give up the only person who understands the pain you’re in.
Poor Armand couldn't fight the coven neither before the trial, nor during... there was simply too many of them! And Sam with the scythe was blocking his exit! There's no way Louis, 400 years younger and without any ancient blood in him, would stand a chance against them. Really, Armand? Really? 🤔
The formidable vampire Sam as guard! Whilst Armand was helplessly trapped in a rickety old theatre seat! I laughed out loud, this show is fantastic.
Bruh the reveal of Sam and the silence after like that had to be intentionally funny 😭
And adding Armand’s fake distraught expression …It’s such a frequently funny show. I’m glad the showrunners embrace the camp.
The way Armand kept pitifully rolling his eyes in that seat!!
But the scythe was *reaaaally* big! :((((
The way you just worded this lol.
Give Santiago a cunty little TV Court show
Him at Lestat battling for stage supremacy was everything
There’s only room enough on that stage for one diva
Not Lestat still being the cuntiest on that stage despite being dominated, starved and tortured. His power whew
What in the book, is Lestat alive?
Yes, very much alive and very weak. He’s been kept prisoner and starved in a dungeon by Armand.
Yea, he seemed very much in good health here. I was expecting a reveal he was barely holding himself upright.
Watch again. He’s constantly losing his train of thought, swaying back and forth, and very clearly not himself. It’s subtle, but definitely there.
Also, people on Ex-Twitter are saying, that the way he is clothed implies that he is actually a prisoner.
The clothing felt off for sure. You could argue the pin stripes are akin to prison stripes, but to me I think the bigger tell is that the suit itself didn’t fit him as well as we usually see. He was put together, but not effortlessly meticulous, like someone else dressed him. It also just felt a little too out of era like they slapped a 1920s suit on him.
In the books, Armand says something along the lines of "find something worthy for our lost lord to wear" It's probably Santiago's suit or something that he put on for the trial.
Wow, that explains why he removed the blazer the way that he did before coming to the stage. Lestat normally loves him a suit.
Plus, the "I slept for 100 years" story is clearly a lie.
I think that was referring to after Nicky’s death
Nice catch but I could see that. The stripes match the penthouse bars and the all black is an Armand choice.
I thought that too. I wasn't sure if it was nerves or something else. I assume it's just like the book, but I know they made changes so who knows.
Lestat doesn’t get nervous, I don’t think. At least not when he’s in his right mind.
Vampires, especially the more powerful ones, can regenerate rather quickly after being tortured. Armand definitely broke his spirit by starving and physically hurting him so he could be an easy target during the trial. Lestat seemed relatively fine but he was actually mentally scarred and exhausted. He probably fought hard to be able to have that small moments of independence.
You can see him swaying right before Claudia is put to death, As he's standing in the line on stage, he's wobbling. Def not doing to well.
I’m sure we’ll find out for certain next episode.
Hey bud glad you found this show too! You should definitely read Interview, The Vampire Lestat and Queen of the Damned.
It was everything. Lestat upstaged him so much. Lestat let him know that he is the main character.
I like how as soon as Lestat got on he started quipping about Roland Garros and the croque madama . . . it did not look like that was in the script based on Santiago's instructions. Not even an important off-script, Loustat just didn't want to follow the boring script.
The wig, the eyeliner, the way he twirled his cape/robe… peak Santiago
😂😂😂
You know Armand was telling that last bit because he did not mention Lestat holding that dress at ALL😭
Armand was telling the story during that part. If his goal is for Louis to hate Lestat, Armand going to tell a story that extracts any sign affection or care that Lestat might have shown to Claudia at the end. I hope the show revisits from a different POV.
At the end? Was Santiago who picked it up not Lestat!
There’s a line in the book about Lestat and the dress. I’m surprised they didn’t show him interacting with the dress at all :(
I think that was a subtle sign to us book readers that what we’re seeing is not the whole story… It is Armand’s version.
Ahh yes I haven’t read the book/s enough to remember little things like that. I suppose there is still time for some Lestat and dress interaction though, that or perhaps their last glance as she died was maybe meant to portray what the book was getting at with him and the dress?
It will be in his recollection.
I think one big tell that something's 'off' with the trial's script is that Lestat basically goes "Yup, I just immediately went underground when Nicki died and nothing else happened between then and me leaving for Louisiana". Which conveniently leaves out all the parts of The Vampire Lestat that Armand wouldn't have been present for. (Also: Gabrielle existing, period, which is very funny since Armand hates her.)
I was howling when Lestat said, “the Great Laws forbid it” and “Because I knew the wisdom of the Great Laws”. I was like, okay, who is buying that our Brat Prince gave one fuck about the Great Laws?! 🤣
Yeah isn't Lestat known for breaking the rules? Now all of the sudden he like rules. Yeah right, Armand I see you!🙃
That and Lestat had stubble… When I saw it, I was shocked. “What is Lestat doing with stubble?!? And it’s not even cute stubble?” And wearing all black. That’s when I knew something was all the way off with Lestat.
You were a newly made vampire in Paris, Nicki died, you went to ground, you went to New Orleans, Louis slit your throat, you went to ground, you went to Paris, here we are. Yet, you name dropped Those Who Must Be Kept in New Orleans. When did you have time to meet them?
OH MY GOD THAT IS SUCH A GOOD POINT. He'd have NO idea if he never met Marius.
Book Amadeo knew Marius went to Those That Must Be Kept, though he didn't know what they were. Show Lestat could have just heard the phrase from show Armand, their identity could still be a mystery to him... but then, where'd you get that Cloud Gift, bud?
ok so. in the book armand was the one keeping lestat in the dungeon. do you think the same happened in the show? it seems like santiago has a much bigger role in the show also claudia singing she doesn’t like windows … so grim
Claudia singing the bird song as she was dying took me out. Delaney was breathtaking in this role. Phenomenal acting and storytelling 💔
I gotta say the CG effects were remarkable. It really tore my heart in two with with Claudia singing as she was wasting away to dust all while clutching what was left of Madeleine. That scene was just so dramatically superb. I knew it was coming but I was still dumbstruck.
Not to defend Lestat too much because he has many faults but the way he keeps getting beaten, killed, tortured and dominated. He must be in a very dark place right now.
So help me god … I was in tears. Everyone was magnificent in this episode.
I hope they revisit bits of the trial in season 3 from Lestat’s point of view.
Yeah, I know some people are calling it Lestat's POV but it's objectively not. This is Louis' memory of what Lestat said at the trial which is unreliable for a few reasons: the fact that this is a scripted sham trial, the fact that Louis' memory is all over the place - he's misremembering things due to trauma, and finally because we have confirmation now that Armand has altered Louis’ memory in the past.
plus everything that happens from when Louis is taken downstairs is from Armand’s POV, and I don’t trust a word that beautiful bastard says. the idea that it’s actually worse than what we’ve seen (as it is in the books) is … 😬
Y’all, I know it’s been said a million and one times, but Sam is incredible. He just IS Lestat and it came out so well in this episode. Knowing Lestat’s history, all his talk of loneliness was just heartbreaking… I must have cried 10 times in this episode. Truly, Bravo!
[**This sequence**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qX_PieLslk), in particular, did me in.
I do like that this version of the story justified why Madeleine got killed along with Claudia -- Madeleine getting executed with Claudia has always been an odd note, but this adaptation has laid out the coven structure and rules well enough that it ultimately made sense. We also know that an opposing version must have happened with Santiago, because we know his maker got killed (and that Santiago must have chosen to leave him to his fate to join the coven). Which is also an interesting character note for him -- as awful as he is, did he ever actually WANT to be in the coven?
I totally agree! Madeleine’s fate made sense here, as compared to the book. And you’re right as well about what that implies for Santiago’s choice!
The thing about this that I really loved was how you see Madeleine's arc. We know that every choice she's made up until this point in her life has been in an attempt for self-preservation and here she breaks that trend for the first and last time. Finally, someone chose Claudia for herself, and from someone who in theory had every reason not to. It's really moving.
I loved her for that final middle finger to the crowd. So heartbreaking!!
I just wanna know if we are going to get Armand throwing Lestat off a tower next episode
I very much doubt we will get that till s3 from lestat's pov
This is hands down one of the best adaptations of all time. The book itself was incredible, but they’ve managed to truly elevate it. The finale is going to be bonkers.
The finale is going to be fire.
This was thrilling, beautiful, and absolutely insane! I love how they addressed Lestat dropping Louis, and how they recapped their entire relationship. I also love all the development given to Madeline this season, including this episode, where it makes sense she has no idea what's going on, since she never even met Lestat and Antoinette. The courtroom theatre openly addressing her innocence and giving her some agency was a huge improvement over the book/film. And even though she was labelled a selfish traitor, a collaborationist, she did not forsake Claudia to save herself and sign on to joining the coven of these ghouls. The real Lestat can be quite worse off then Louis saw/remembered him being in these scenes. And it looks like Armand is going to come clean next week about his bullshit lies here, I can't wait for that! This is so much better than Anne Rice's plan to let the movie stand on it's own and begin the tv series with TVL.
When Lestat almost broke down in tears saying how much he loved Louis... 😭😭😭💔
Armand is so unbelievably full of shit.
The AMC+ app reminds me of how bad HBOgo used to be
I gave up after 3 times of it freezing up when casting to my tv. Finished the episode watching it on my phone.
It’s so frustrating. The app is awful, they don’t promote their shows and their other content is just not worth keeping it outside of the show. They need to just partner with a better streaming service.
I absolutely love how the writers gave us Claudia’s fighting spirit right to her very last moments. We don’t get to see this in book one and if there’s anything in later books that have additional context showing this side of Claudia in the trial, I have yet to get to those in my reading. Happy to hear about it from folks who have gotten further along in the books. A lot of great moments from many characters in this episode, but Claudia’s fight was what rose above all and lingers on me post-watch. The coven trying to silence her with their collective powers and she continued to resist. The way she protected Madeleine as they met their end vs in the movie, it was the other way around. I figured that Santiago was trying to silence Madeleine till the verdict and/or get Madeleine to turn against Claudia when given the choice to join the coven. What do you think of this and Madeleine still choosing Claudia in the end? Claudia telling the audience that she’ll find a way to come back and kill them all, afterlife or not. Absolute queen mode! The way she stared at Lestat up until her physical being was gone. Claudia. You are a fighter. I love you, I miss you. If we don’t ever see you again, Delainey Hayles. Bailey Bass. Thank you for bringing such strength and depth to Claudia.
Lestat swaying with his face blank at the end of the trial is such an AMAZING detail and little nod to the torture from the books. I really hope they at least touch this in the finale!! Anyways I need awards for everyone. This has been an amazing adaptation. They’ve changed things but really kept that essence from the books. Even though I knew the outcome of the trial I was on the edge of my seat the entire time
poor daniel. hes going to clock armands bs in an instant. how does he carefully broach that subject, given that history has shown louis cannot protect him from armand? "hey, do you mind if louis and i chat alone for a minute? thanks, i love how you're so understanding and respectful of mine and louis' boundaries." but seriously, enter lestat??? daniel starts talking a little too much sense and things get tense between our trio and lestat shows up to save louis (and daniel!).
I agree. I am afraid AF for Daniel. I'm very afraid. It's not above Armand to do the worst. I am both crestfallen and flabbergasted. I want to cry. Yet you know what makes me most alarmed? That I still love Armand. I think he's fascinating. I want Daniel to run for the hills, just disappear back into his world. Take advantage of the fact that Louis made Armand promise to not eat Daniel. Yet part of me would understand why he'd fall if Armand took to stalking him as revenge, if Armand didn't look or was as randomly elegant as he was, would I be saying the same? Probably not, which is why I feel guilty.
I love that they’ve turned the melodrama/purple prose in the books into gay/gay-adjacent camp, it rules so hard!
I kept thinking Lestat was going to call Claudia evil of his evil during his speech about her
Just finished watching a second ago. I’m going to eat both my shoes, my feelings are all over the place. 🫠🫠🫠
Wow, what an episode. I saw comments saying it dragged a bit, and indeed, nothing that we haven’t known of, just a slightly new angle, but I think it had emotional purposes, to peak in a state from where everything else goes down in the finale. And aybe some vampires can conjure fire or stop time, but when Lestat enters and when they have this unspoken, wordless gaze-dialogue with Louis, everything is kilovolts. I was genuinely surprised Lestat participated in the trial like that but by and by many things became suspiciously clear (or clearly suspicious) What a performance. Actors’ and characters’. It felt uneasy with Santiago and Lestat sharing a stage, it’s not wide or deep enough to contain them both (Lestat even had to wander in the audience). I’m happy Claudia found a true companionship and respect in Madeleine; I like this version much more than the book I really really love this show. Through it I like books even more, and I get to understand different facets of characters better. I hope it continues with a TVL season, but if for some reason not, it is already such a solid adaptation. Finally I trust the writers and the team enough to believe that the finale will be as good as the season and no one will fuck up anything
All the Emmys. All of them.
As a child learning about the Salem witch trials, I often imagined that if accused, I'd threaten to haunt the spectators and their descendants if they decided to hang me. Witnessing Claudia do that to the crowd was deeply satisfying.
I cried. I knew it was coming for the last two seasons and I cried. But not because she died. But because of the way she died. Shielding Madeline with her own body, and singing defiantly in the faces of her executioners.
God damn what an incredible way to reveal lestats side of the story and reframe him in those events. Louise is terrifying when he get emotional... and performed so well in this show.
This has gotten me thinking a lot about Lestat and Claudia’s relationship in general. Do you think that necklace he gives her as a birthday present once “from a marquis I knew” could be like a family heirloom? On a different but related note - for all the “Louis you’re my brother not daddy Lou” at the end that was 10000% a parental relationship
That's what everyone's been saying. Their dynamic never went above that.
So in the book Armand had Claudia’s head put on an adult’s body. Anyone think this might be what Armand is leaving out because her death felt too romanticized like his retelling of his love affair with Lestat
I don't think they're going to do that, it makes no sense with the scene, and is also pretty ridiculous.
I really doubt they will leave that in. When I first read the Vampire Amand I remember cringing at that chapter, it was a bit of a misstep story wise.
So in the books, (Spoiler ahead) Lestat is in a weakened state when he comes to paris, originally unaware of Louis and Claudia being there. The main purpose of his visit was asking armand for his "ancient/healing blood" to restore his strength. Armand tricks/blackmails him into betraying Louis & Claudia and afterwards Armand cripples Lestat significantly by throwing him off a tower. I wonder how much of that well see become reality once Armands illusion and Louis memory clears up
This trial is honestly doing a good job of giving us Lestat’s retelling. The idea to turn it into a play was brilliant.
This is Armand/Louis retelling.
It's a little weird that, in an episode where lives are in the balance, the most horrifying aspect is the prospect of your ex having a captive audience to tell the story of your relationship. I'd sooner take the rats.
i really wish that we saw Lestat grab the dress at the end, not Santiago. It would be a good reference to the yellow dress in the book (i'm sure we will get that in some form next episode or in the future), and more importantly, it could be used to show that armand is being deceitful. Have him narrate what is going on, and then not say anything about Lestat taking the dress or being upset about her death.
Oooh, I cannot STAND Armand. Fake bitch!
Lestat was off during that whole court scene at some point. There's gotta' be something we are going to get later, maybe Season 3. What a whirlwind of emotion. Maybe Armand was throwing off Lestat, and that's why he "only had enough energy" to save Louis. It all stinks I tell ya', it stinks harder than Lestat in a landfill. Louis throwing that bowl at the dinner table definitely makes me think he's fed up with Armand. The cracks are really mounting at this point.
Was anyone else super shocked by the fight scene from season 1 episode 5 from Lestat's perspective? Lestat begging Louis to stop, to stay down, and Louis mocking him rly made my heart ache. When Louis said, "my death? look at your fucking face!" I wanted to scream bc the only reason Lestat is all bloodied and Louis is relatively unscathed is bc Lestat is so reluctant to hurt Louis he barely fights back(at first). And the hurt on his face when he realizes Louis is going to leave with Claudia... I would have snapped too 😭
Talk about broken, this episode broke me to pieces. Now I want to commit Order 66 on The Théâtre des Vampires. I am so looking forward to Louis raising hell.
JUSTICE FOR CLAUDIA. That is all
Ya'll, HOW is this show not HUGE? It is SO GOOD! This show is up there with some of the best shows I've ever seen. The writing, THE ACTING, the music, the cinematography, the production....this show is on the next level!
I haven’t read the books but do lestat and louis ever end up back together? I need more positive lestat x louis scenes and armand to be defeated in some way 😩
Yes, they are endgame. But they are also all cool with Armand by the end as well.
YES. also cool about Armand as long as he doesn’t get to manipulate Louis anymore.
Is that from the Atlantis books? Things got so weird after all of Anne’s side quests in the early 2000s
Yeah, it's from Blood Communion, the last book. The Atlantis book (utterly bonkers) is the second to last book. ETA: Though they are all cool with Armand way earlier than that, if I recall correctly. Like as early as QotD? I mean, as cool as Lestat and Armand ever are with each other. They're always a little bitchy even when they are making nice.
Yea they’re all friendly through the later books. They basically all become one big friend group toward the end of QotD and stay that way if I’m remembering right.
One big happy insane murderous friend group. (I love them.)
Okay so Maharet is Phoebe, Lestat is Joey, Louis is Rachel, Armand is Ross, Daniel is Chandler and Marius is Monica?
That's so spot on...lol...the vampire Ross
It was Memnoch when the only vampire Lestat let approach him was Armand.
I can’t help but think Lestat altered the audiences answers, not Armand.
Also knowing Armand’s strength and age, it’s ridiculous he’s trying to pass off that he was unable to intervene.
Yea, I’m not buying it at all. He’s hundreds of years older than them and none are his fledglings. He can pause them all in their actions simultaneously, but he can’t do anything to fight back?
I saw someone mention on the show only thread that they think Armand was probably tired from controlling Lestat on stage (almost) the entire time.
He also has the fire gift, he could have inferno'd their asses.
I totally agree. Especially considering that he can freeze time, or at least slow things down. I noticed that Armand blamed Lestat 's being killed by Louis and Claudia totally on Claudia.
Exactly, from what we’ve seen of him, Armand could have easily froze the entire theater and all the vampires in it. I think he sat by and did nothing, but is now taking the credit.
I think that was Armand - I also think he was controlling Lestat.
I was also thinking this. There is a part where Claudia is about to be burned, and Lestat is standing just off to the side and he looks like he's fighting against something (around the 47 minute mark). There was something odd about the way he was standing, very wobbly and unsteady. It could have just been that he was shaken about Louis but it made me wonder if he was being controlled by Armand.
I noticed it too. I didn't know what to make of it, but it didn't look right. Just looked at it again and you're right. Lestat being controlled by Armand confirmed.
[удалено]
47:13 to be precise and Lestat is 100% being controlled
The part where Lestat says, "how do you know it was not your own voice?" and so on gave me the feeling Armand was probably controlling Lestat here
Armand is the only one who can tell the story of Claudia's death unless Lestat shows up the next episode. And of course, Armand is a liar and is gonna portray Lestat as just sitting there and doing nothing. But we don't actually know that that's the truth. I'd bet it isn't. Also, if the version of events that Lestat portrayed is even partially accurate....then Louis is (imo) just as horrible as Lestat. Manipulating Lestat into making Claudia so he would stay is the equivalent of telling a partner you'll kill yourself if they leave. It's disgusting. And the way he framed the Antoinette relationship actually made me feel bad for him. Obviously, the events fall somewhere I between all of these versions. But Louis seems like just as much of a piece of crap as everyone else except he has a victim complex (just like Armand pointed out in the San Fran episode).
Lestat started cheating with Antoinette LONG before Claudia was ever in the picture. Lestat/the script lied about that.
Louis definitely has his moments. You’re analogy of telling a partner you’ll kill yourself if they leave is spot on. During S02E05, I kind of felt that is one of the reasons Louis goes to the roof. He knew he went too far with Armand and he hurts himself (in part) to make Armand stay. So messed up
Yeah, thats a really good point and you can kinda tell with Armands "am i gonna be on suicide watch for eternity" that he may have felt that way. I'm soooo curious to see it all from Lestats POV. Especially the turning of Louis and everything leading up to it because so much of Louis anguish with Lestat (I feel like) comes from feeling "hunted" and manipulated into taking the gift. But if he went more willingly to it, and it was more of an even courtship than we've been led to believe...then it really, really puts a lot of Louis behavior in a different light. And it's also hard not to look at it through a human lense because if one is abusing the other etc, a human response is to wonder when they'll get the courage to leave the relationship. But how are you gonna do that when the other vampire is legit one of the only other beings that will live through life with you. The loneliness is an entirely different level of loneliness than we can't comprehend and human loneliness is already awful enough. Having them have a courtship prior to Louis taking the gift, unlike in the book, makes it a much more complex relationship.
I think they had a courtship. The main issue is that Lestat never explained what being a vampire was to Louis - unlike how Claudia explained it to Madeline
And everyone here forgetting that Lestat took advantage of Louis at his lowest point after witnessing the suicide of his brother. Louis was out of his mind with grief and not thinking straight.
I don't think Louis tried to kill himself to make Armand stay. He genuinely wanted to die, especially all hopped up on drugs and thinking about Claudia.
It really is a game between Armand and Lestat for Louis. Armand was clearly lying when he said he couldn't do anything, we'd seen earlier in the season that he put every single vampire to sleep besides Santiago and Louis at the dinner table. He could have killed them all if he wanted to. Lestat has a bigger temper but I don't think he's ever been as deviously cruel as Armand is.
what was santiago doing to madeleine all episode? could anyone tell what he was saying?
I couldn’t tell the exact words but he was hypnotising her, making her unaware of her surroundings. Someone posted a theory on why the coven did this to her, not sure if it’s relevant to your question though.
Two truths were spoken that day: 1. "We are monsters". Apart from Daniel, maybe, there are no "good guys" in this story within a story within a story. 2. "What you are about to see is fake". The twisted conceit that vampiric monsters are deserving of their prey's sympathy.
I know we go on a lot about Sam but I can't get enough of his line readings. He just had this incredible instinct for weirdness...he'll take an ordinary line and just tweak it a little and turn it into something else. The one I'm stuck on in this episode (have watched it over and over) is when he's recalling his rift with Louis and justifying his affair (not the point) he says he hopes "...that he'll love you...like you love him." And it's just..so intense and beautiful and broken. The tone of his voice, the hitch in his throat, the eyes, the resignation, the pain. I think it really got me because it connected to another one I loved last season, when Lestat drops Louis ..he says "just say, Lestat I am never going to love you." It sounded so similar, those two moments and the emotions were connected and Sam said them that way. It was so good. It's also really interesting that Lestat uses the words "I let him go" because...that's what Louis asked him to do. Let him go. (And before I get jumped on *obviously* Lestat doing that *literally* was awful, but I'm talking about the thematic connection). Anyway he's amazing I'm done now.
Did anyone notice this episode when we see lestat as Louis vision in the prison house with purple eyes?? Not his regular bright blue eyes. And then real Rashid comes up behind him to remind them of lunch or something and it shifts back to the Paris trials. I had to go back and look, and lestat's eyes were indeed purple, I truly thought It was lighting but it's not!
At first, I really didn’t like the new actress that played Claudia, but see the way that she went out was fucking epic!!!! And I am so disgusted with him the least he could’ve done was hold the crowd from death I wonder why they are still together present day. I love this show it just gets better and better so happy Lestat came back I was like Ayas a true vampire never dies the come back was epic
At the end of episode 7, when Louis was about to be sentenced, Lestat looked away and got quiet. Do you think Lestat would’ve allowed him to be killed if Armand didn’t intervene or did he make a deal with Armand on how to save Louis in advance ?
There most likely was a deal in place. Lestat would have never allowed Louis to be killed. If he could only save one it would be Louis.
I read a theory that Lestat was under Armand’s mind-control and this mind-control let up when Armand had to enchant the crowd to yell “Banished”, so that’s why he looks around and appears confused. But then Armand quickly takes control of him again. I don’t know if it’s true, but just putting it out there for other fans to ponder about.
why would armand not be talking to louis telepathically? "hey louis, real sorry this is happening, im going to get you out (but not claudia sorry)
My money is on Armand dominating Lestat or using a good chunk of his power to control him. Ain't no way Armand had no ability to stop the coven. Like come on, really Mr. Ancient Vampire?
He froze all the vampires of the coven and a restaurant filled to the brim with humans and didn’t even break a sweat!
I love that the people were scared when Claudia said she was going to come back and kill them all 😂😂😂😂
So when Lestat was trailing off was he going off script because he was emotional? Or was he experiencing brain fog like Louis and Claudia when THEY went off script? Because hold on quiet as it's kept, I gotta re-watch. Who really said that Lestat was "emotional" wasn't it Armand?