#I actually think the show has pretty deliberately made Claudia a lot more like Gabrielle than she is in the books

[pynkhues]

OMG YESSSSS i genuinely think the rampant mischaracterisation of Gabrielle in this fandom goes to show that the fandom at large have, in fact, not read the book, and just wanted some imitation of Louis and Claudia's dynamics with Lestat. Like, the assumption that Gabrielle and Louis would somehow bond over mocking/teasing Lestat is sooo at odds with pretty much everything about her, not to mention show!Louis's traits. Even if they do secretly have similar reactions to some of Lestat's 'histrionics', those two would NEVER share them with each other (or anyone else really) and would probably hate the other for thinking the same thing, hypocritically of course. They'd be sooo guarded about their thoughts around each other but can vaguely feel their mutual love for Lestat, which is the only reason they're semi-cordial with each other.

Louis & Gabrielle: *both staring and also not staring at each other down in complete silence like two cats challenging each other*

Lestat: *mind-linking Daniel* what are they talking about? are they talking about me? *rue royale war flashback*

Daniel: *out loud* they're not saying anything, and i would like to remove myself from this situation

(X)

Yeah, and I don’t think it’s helped by the fact that there’s so much weight put by fans who haven’t read the books on Gabrielle and Louis’ similarities (and mm, let’s just say that I think the desire for them to be similar is motivated by popular fanons too), when they’re not really that similar at all. Yes, they both like to read and are emotionally withholding, but honestly the comparisons really stop there, at least to me, and I think that says much more about the way Lestat’s raised to understand and receive love, than it is about him being drawn to anyone who’s like his mother.

I also just can’t see the show wanting to do the same dynamic three times over? Lestat’s cut out of the holy family via the mind link, and in the books, the same thing does happen with Nicki and Gabrielle, which I do think is important because it’s something Armand weaponises when he’s trying to be with Lestat, but would they do it again with Gabrielle and Louis in the modern timeline? I don’t think they would, at least not in the same way. Especially given the stress the show has placed on Louis’ relationship with and to family, I can see the inverse happening where he suddenly feels pushed out by Gabrielle who has so much history with Lestat and is now the only person alive who ever knew him when he was human.

I also think there’s just too much fun to be had using the mind link between them in the opposite direction. Like imagine being able to do that with your in-law? I can imagine them being totally civil in front of Lestat and snide to and about each other mentally, haha.