#and louis destroys his coffin

[pynkhues]

Sophie, have you watched Nosferatu, yet? The topic of gothic heroines resurfaced and with it the comparison of Loustat to Orlok and Ellen. would love to read a meta/review from you of it wrt IWTV.

I haven't yet, anon! It's been a pretty hectic start to the year with my sister and nephews staying with me, so I haven't made it to the cinema this week (hoping to get there on Tuesday, although I might be wrangled into taking the boys to see Sonic 3 instead of getting to see literally anything else, haha). I was wondering this morning if something had happened with the gothic heroine interpretation though because my Byronic hero post has been getting a lot of attention in the last 24 hours. I'll try and see Nosferatu soon though - I'm seeing a lot about it, and I have a few friends who are actually gothic horror authors and they've all hated it, which has actually made me extra curious, haha.

[laniidae-passerine]

Lestat admitting in public that he domestically abused Louis. and Louis knows this and experienced it. and still will never not love him. like truly love him for what he is, not just accepting the good with bad, but loving the bad the ruined the indefensible. what the fuck is wrong with you girl I would tell you to get out but you find a man who doesn’t attack you and you call him boring and dream of your crazy ex. you don’t want to get out. you just wish that your lion pet husband would learn the difference between biting and mauling.

there is something so entirely fucked about Louis’ psyche… look at it all! the physical beatings to an obscene degree, the damaging affairs, the psychological warfare, the public humiliation, the participation in the murder of their only beloved daughter. Lestat does this all to him, or a significant amount even if memory is playing its wicked games. Lestat is a vicious horrible thing with his teeth marks on every part of Louis and yet even with decades of freedom, a new partner, the ability to recognise and condemn cruelty and abusive actions, Louis still wants him back. Knowing what he is, what he can do, Louis wants him back. It never mattered if vampires can dream, for Lestat haunts his waking days, a torturous vision of the only living one Louis really loves.

[danlous]

The thing about Daniel is that like many cynics he's secretly a romantic. He has always been endlessly fascinated by people and their stories, the full scale of human experience and its beauty and horror. There was such tenderness in how he talked about his interviewees when Armand was destroying his tapes and he clearly remembered every detail. When he was young he romanticized decadence and suffering, including his own. Having sex in a coffin was an excitingly macabre idea to him, and after he got over the shock he was completely enamored with Louis being a vampire, the whole concept of vampirism. He quickly decides he wants to become a vampire himself and doesn't think logically all that it would entail, he's in love with the idea, the fantasy of vampirism. He asserts that he should become Louis' companion and has already built a story in his mind how everything should go. He proposed his wife in Paris, the City of Love, and got married again despite that the first marriage didn't work out. And so on.

50 years later when Louis contacts him he simply has to meet him and finish the story even though he knows he might die. I think Daniel is intrigued and moved when Louis shows vulnerability and compassion for the same reasons the viewers are; he's a monster who's strikingly human, who cares and feels and loves even though the preconceived horror traditions say that he shouldn't. Realizing that you've built a genuine connection with a monster, that you and the monster care about each other, that the monster is actually beautiful and kind and suffering and you could help him is an incredibly powerful romantic idea, and i think Daniel can't help being drawn to it. Daniel isn't stupid and he hasn't forgotten that his friend is a vampire who has killed thousands of people, but i think there's a part of him who now sees Louis as like. I don't know. A cursed princess imprisoned in a tower guarded by a dragon. And he needs to slay the dragon and save the princess and then the curse will somehow be lifted. But what happens when it turns out that the princess doesn't want to be saved. What then

[the-quiet-youve-been-longing-for]

I love Danlou, but there is something rattling my brain for a while, and that is the delicious gothic concept of meaning well, but those consequences backfiring in the future and ruining someone in some aspects.

We know Louis gave Daniel that lifeline, that "You're a bright young reporter with a point of view", something Daniel quotes in his book, his masterclass and to Real Rashid like a mantra, to avoid him spiraling again and self destroying. We know Daniel didn't stop being an addict after that night, that he got "his shit together" later on, when he decided to get married.

And the fault of "you're a bright young reporter, there are stories that need to be told" is that Louis knew Daniel since 10 hours that night. What if journalism was a passing fancy for Daniel, would Louis even know that? He didn't care to go deep into his mind about it, I feel. He mostly talked about himself, and then he decided to go the rooftop. Maybe Daniel could have decided to stop journalism and take up volleyballing, I don't know. Or maybe without those words, he could have crashed and burned.

Daniel most likely put in jeopardy some aspects of his life, his wives, his children, for that lifeline that was fed to him by a vampire who wanted to save him in some way. Louis didn't know exactly what to do apart from just pulling the emergency brakes.

What if he heard "There are stories that need to be told" when too overwhelmed by his personal life and deadlines and things to do and the pangs of his addiction, convincing him to put his work as the priority?

What breaks my heart when Daniel starts crying at the "I was never so lost I couldn't hold down a job" is that its in part relief, sure, because he got to his age and he had accomplishments and surely those words play a part.

But there is also a part of... Regret? Of thinking how it would have gone differently if this hadn't happened, just like Louis's what ifs in the stone rock coffin? Would he still be with his wife, his children? Would he have died much sooner, would he have done something different?

Personally I think it's criminal if this aspect isn't explored more in the future, because with a single emotion and a single line Eric Bogosian showed all of this, in my opinion.

[gildatheplant]

Santiago and his relationship with Armand

OK so I actually wrote most of this as tags to a post that compared Santiago mocking Louis in the restaurant with Louis mocking Santiago after he set the theatre on fire, but I realized I wanted to expand on the idea.

Basically, I had always interpreted Santiago's hatred of Louis as jealousy over him 'stealing' Armand (both in the book and in the show). An interview with Ben Daniels confirmed that while Santiago was initially written as straight, Ben felt the only way Santiago would so viciously hate Louis was if he was in love with Armand. However, in the same interview he also said that Santiago had been in love with his maker, and his jealousy of Louis and conflict over Armand killing his maker made him want to destroy Louis.

After reading this, I was more than a little confused: if Santiago loved his maker, how could he fall in love with Armand?

Then I saw the gifset and was reminded of this moment-

Louis mocks Santiago about his maker's disdain for him, and how his maker abandoned him shortly after he turned him. Santiago loved his maker, but his maker did not love him back.

Now, we aren't given any timeline of events in terms of when Santiago is made, when he joins the Coven and when Armand kills his maker, but I think it's safe to assume it all happens not long after he was turned. So we have fledgling Santiago, bitterly in love with a maker who disdains him, meeting the beautiful and powerful Armand. Armand welcomes him into the Coven, gives him the opportunity to return to his theatrical career, and kills the maker that wounded Santiago's pride and heart. From that perspective, Armand must have seemed like an avenging angel to Santiago- of course he'd fall in love.

For years, Santiago forges his way up the ranks of the Coven, serving Armand and becoming his right hand man and star of the show. The other vampires of the coven practically throw themselves at him, some of the women literally fighting each other over him...but his heart belongs to Armand.

Then Louis and Claudia come into town, and Armand's attention leaves him for this beautiful man that Santiago can't help feeling attracted to too. And Armand lets this newcomer do pretty much whatever he wants, making the execution of Santiago's maker suddenly seem a lot less fair... yet Armand is still the one responsible for pretty much all the opportunities and good things in Santiago's life, and he's still the one Santiago loves and wants above all others.

Just look at his reaction to seeing Armand's photo in Louis' apartment-

There's no anger there, no hate. He's in love. And he wants Armand back.

Santiago must've been thrilled when Armand seemingly changed his mind about Louis and Claudia and agreed to punish them for their "crimes". I suspect, though this is only hinted at in the show, that after the trial, Armand regrets choosing the coven and allows himself to be overthrown by Santiago (Celeste is overheard by Louis saying that Armand was overthrown and there's no reason to doubt her at this point). Now Santiago has (he thinks) everything he wants: leadership of the coven, his rival dead, and Armand seemingly broken and at his mercy. When we see him watching Armand bow his head to him and slip into his coffin, Santiago stares at him with naked hunger, completely ignoring Celeste hanging off his arm.

He thinks it's only a matter of time before Armand will become his lover once more. Instead, Armand frees Louis and allows him to destroy Santiago's world.

[nalyra-dreaming]

Hey there nalyra, I don't know if this has been commented but in 2x8 louis is able to walk in the theater and gives the explanation that when vampires go to coffin they are unable to hear what is going on but we are shown in season 1 claudia writing, Louis waking up from nightmares etc. That seems like a plot hole in order to make the scene work.

Aside from that it also felt very rushed since we have had an entire episode where our main characters are being tortured and clausia dies an excruciating death and then the revenge is barely shown on camera and is over in less than 5 minutes with a little catchy jazz tone in the backround. I don't know if it's just me but it did not feel cathartic at all! What about you?

It seems a bit like a plot hole, agreed.

But I don't think it actually is, because, remember:

The version of this you see, the narrated tale... is still the edited-by-Armand tale at that point. And book canonically Armand manipulated Louis into destroying his coven, and that is what happened here, too, I think.

And if it is, then it makes sense that none of the coven noticed Louis coming at them, because it makes sense within the story that Armand would have made sure they stayed in their coffins.

I mean, it's Armand. Who can put his coven to sleep, just like that:

And only those of his coven he wants to, too.

As per the "rushed". I have commented on it before that I thought the last episodes feel a bit rushed to me, too, yes. Especially the reveal and the clues... could have been a bit stronger. A lot flew over people's heads.

And... said that before, too, but I mourn that Louis did not get his scythe.

Like, the machete makes sense and is modern - but the scythe carries so much impact, because it calls back to the "reaper", to "death", and it would also have been poetic justice in a way, especially after they showed Sam standing there ostensibly guarding Armand... with a scythe.

Louis should have taken that scythe and used it in the theater, imho.

But that is only a little... preference on my side :)))

[divorceblogger]

just remembered that quote from iwtv, and there’s something to be said about louis articulating his frustration with his companions by destroying their coffins which function as an analogue for their marital beds, and this is particularly emphasised with louis & lestat in s1. evacuating armand and lestat from the domestic space that he inhabits is primarily about him trying to forestall his continued participation in these marriages but you could also say something about his insistence on having armand leave the apartment which also doubles as his coffin, because the marital bed is also the location where relations continue to be affirmed.

[megha-goswami]

From Louis de Pointe du Lac

Daughter, daughter — holy ashes

A marriage — incinerated

I felt you drown in grief

As you sat two feet from me

I see you on streets you

Never walked with me

You wanted more than I could give

Just then, Yes, more patience

But we'd rather punches

A mansion you had, but you would rather

My cramped coffin that couldn't fit your

Greek arms properly

(Don't worry, I liked it

Better with you so close to me).

Always you, you, you, you, you, you with me

In hatred, in love, in apathy, in passion in me

Your insecure violence betrays your love for me

My pain stays on as a tangible proof of your hurt in me.

No other suits either.

We'd destroy each other

Till the ether freezes in eternity.

You are my one and only. But I might just

Kill us both before I admit it.

Even after an eternity (in his arms) I know

Exactly what you would say to me.

I am so sorry I tried to end it. (I was miserable)

You should've known I couldn't be happy with him.

Also, you were never supposed to be the saint between us.

(Written on: 24th september, 2024)

[hekateinhell]

thinking about armand and louis and how armand's instinct in qotd is still to protect him even though the last time they'd seen each other was after louis ignored him for a century and then sat there eating grass until armand walked away and then louis takes the coffin armand left behind and puts it in his family crypt besides his own before he has a fit and destroys it and then in mtd era we find out in a throwaway sentence that louis and armand have been hanging out together in paris and oh my god they make me sick to my stomach and this isn't even the half of it

[louisredsuit]

I think it’s notable that after episode one, we only see loustat sharing louis’ coffin. even before lestat’s is destroyed, lestat sneaks into louis’ coffin, even though it’s smaller, even though there’s no reason why louis couldn’t crawl in with him. their most intimate moments always take place in louis’ domain.

I think sex is one of the only parts of their relationship that louis feels he has control over. lestat always wants it, so louis always has leverage. he can withhold it as punishment or indulge as a reward. louis’ self denial hurts him too, but he’s used to it. unlike his hedonist husband, he’s mastered the art of repression.

louis and lestat are caught in a classic domestic drama, and lestat controls access to the world outside. he’s got the money and the mistresses and the ability to move through the world unencumbered by racism. louis only controls access to himself. withholding that access is the only way he knows how to assert his power.

that’s why the sex scene in ep7 demonstrates how completely lost louis is in his relationship with lestat. he’s given up that last thread of control. he’s unable to deny lestat, even though it makes him uncomfortable to have claudia in his head during this intimate moment.

it all comes back to who really has the power — the one who desires or the object of desire. lestat’s desires drive their life, but ultimately, louis determines whether those desires are fulfilled. it’s the only leverage he feels he has.

[murfpersonalblog]

Eternity In A Box Pt2: Armand Never Saved Louis' Life

Pre-Season 2 I discussed the book/film references to Louis' punishment by the coven, sentenced to spend "eternity in a box."

I've been seeing some discussions about how on the show, even though Armand actually lied about "Banishment" & chose the coven over Louis, he should still be praised/credited for going back to pull him out the Wet Room, saving Lou's life. 🤨 Y'all, this just isn't true.

Don't take Lou's "I was dead...but my rage had risen," as him verifying that he was ACTUALLY dying in that coffin. He was NOT dead/dying--he meant he was hollow, "emotionally vacant" after Claudia's death. Lou would've spent ETERNITY in that coffin--that sentence was deliberately meant to TORTURE him. Starvation alone CANNOT kill a vampire.

"Starvation. Deny the body the blood. Conversely, drink the blood of the dead.... Fire. Consume the body with fire and it can house no spirit. Decapitation." (IWTV 1x7)

Starvation & drinking Dead Blood were retconned EARLY in AR's books, as she kept writing & developing vampire biology. In TVL we learn from Lestat that not only did he drink plenty of dead blood in Armand's dungeon, starvation just plain doesn't kill them. It can drive them EFFING NUTS, yes, but eventually Louis would've gotten so weak & tired that he'd've just GONE TO SLEEP--that's what vampires DO; they go to ground--buried in the rocks & earth they fall into a death-like Vampiric Torpor.

(And vamps are even STRONGER when they wake up, as Lestat confirmed when he woke up in QotD & post-Merrick.) They don't NEED to eat when they sleep--and older vampires don't even need to eat much, period--as exemplified with Akasha & Enkil (which even the show confirmed with Armand).

Armand himself should know that starvation doesn't actually kill vamps, cuz of the Children of Satan/Darkness' own indoctrination methods--they starve vampires into compliance--just like he was starved by Santino & Co., and just like he starved (& tortured) Les pre-Trial. The hunger drives vamps CRAZY; unless they sleep it off.

So, Lou trapped in that coffin would've never killed him--he had the right idea when he said he'd've set his clothes on fire to self-immolate if he had the strength, as fire's a much more effective way of killing vamps. But it's not cuz fire/sunlight kills them--it's because the whole BRAIN has to be destroyed/burnt to ash, too (which killed Claudia & Madeleine)--and even then, you need to scatter the ashes.

There's only ONE way to kill a vampire: breaking the connection with their BRAIN--where the neural link with AMEL is.

Vampires only die when their BRAIN is destroyed--as we see in Prince Lestat when Lestat kills Mekare to take Amel inside himself.

TL;DR: Armand did NOT save Louis' life by pulling him out of that vault. His guilty conscious got the best of him. He even let Louis sit in that box for OVER A MONTH before he even pulled him out!

[maevelin]

SO MANY QUESTIONS

Now that I had time to digest there are things I NEED S3 to answer me. And I am only focused on the show's mythology here and not by trying to have answers from the books.

I want the show to follow through:

"Why."

Why did Lestat go to Paris for the trial?

He felt compelled to? He wanted revenge? He knew it was inevitable and wanted to be there for damage control? Why did he rehearse the whole thing when obviously he was reluctant in doing so?

"Why do I do the things I do?" It is a good question because he did cross an ocean to get to that trial and I want answers.

"Trial."

I feel there are still missing pieces from the trial. And what led to it at least from Lestat's perspective.

"Why."

Why did Armand got Louis out of the coffin?

I am assuming (for now at least) it was Armand and Louis could taste his blood and it was not something he was believed due to his insane state at that moment.

But at first Armand is set on convincing Louis to get out of Paris. If that was the goal why? To save him from the coven? Or to ensure that Lestat would follow Louis? Lestat obviously remained on Paris waiting for Louis and Armand knew where he was.

"Adaptability - Machinations"

Obviously Armand orchestrated the trial. He chose the coven. He then convinced Louis it was his one act of cowardice and followed Louis.

But if we take a step back you have two covens destroyed and Armand the Coven Master has no liability for it if it ever comes down to his trial. Was that the purpose all along? Half a millennia and he is adapting to circumstances or is he creating them?

"Dinner preparations - I do hope you join us - we have something special prepared for you Daniel"

COME ON NOW! You can't just expect me to believe that this was not put there for a reason? What what that THEY HAD PREPARED FOR DANIEL?

The get out of there NOW from Talamasca was because of the impending fight between Louis and Armand or because Louis and Armand has something special prepared for Daniel? Both?

"What's the observation? The boy we met in San Francisco...he is still in there somewhere...we can find him...we can have him saying what happened next in no time...we do it together"

There are still missing pieces from San Francisco.

We know that when a vampire injures themselves heavily it takes time to recuperate. So something in the timeline does not exactly add up.

Armand is strong enough to carry Daniel away on his own but we see Daniel being carried in the photo by both Armand and Louis. Even if Louis was needed which he was not (or even he wanted to be there to ensure Armand would not hurt Daniel) would he have been able to do that in his burned state?

Then there is the part where supposedly Louis asked Armand to erase his memories. Do we trust that part or we need to see more of what actually happened?

"The Fight."

So we have seen how the fight between Lestat and Louis was shown in parts in two seasons from dual perspectives. And in S1 there were parts of the fight off screen. But in the both there was chaos and blood.

Now in S2 we get the fight between Armand and Louis. It is OFF SCREEN again. We hear Armand's words but that is pretty it. After such "seismic" lie one would believe Louis would be off the rails and the fight would be monumental.

Instead we get very little damage. There is almost no blood. Armand the 500+ POWERFUL vampire is very easily subdued. The fight basically ends just before it begins. And Louis...leaves. He simply leaves with a weak warning at best and Daniel is left alone with Armand. No Rashid, no Louis. Just them.

Then - time fast forward - Daniel is a vampire and Armand is nowhere to be found.

And then Burdened out of spite, not just turned. And all that while Louis himself admitted previously to Lestat that this had been a gift and not a burden even if he felt it as such at the beginning.

Something just does not add up.

And Daniel is searching for Armand (or so we think, or so he wants Louis to believe, or actually is happening).

"It is the other - Louis (?) - you should be afraid of."

This can not just be an empty warning by the Talamasca. Why would Daniel not need to be afraid of Armand? In comparison to Louis Armand is far more powerful, manipulative and has no reason as to keep Daniel alive...right?

And then Armand that has not turned ANYONE, turns Daniel. If this is to be believed then Daniel is his first fledgling and he did it out of spite? Something still does not add up.

Plus the Talamasca knew from the start that Daniel would not get out of this interview alive. Was it a safe deduction given how vampires operate? Or they had more to go on when it comes to Daniel and his relations with the vampires?

And also by the time the book is written and published there is some undefined time in between. It has to be a lot of months AT BEST.

Too much time. You can't just have a gap like that without explaining it to the audience.

"Daniel publishes the book." Louis burned the laptop but it is no use.

So Daniel publishes the book and so far we have seen that only Louis is getting threats. Daniel is living THE LIFE out in the open where even Daniel is warning Louis to hide. As if there is an added layer of protection no one would dare cross when it comes to Daniel when in reality he is now a vampire (but he IS Armand's Fledgling) and he was the one who published the books (plus he has ties with the Talamasca).

"Blood of Akasha."

Okay enough said, we need to know. NOW.

P.s: there are by far more questions that I have but yeah...I need to stop somewhere. LOL

[persnicketypomelo]

Soooo, let’s say Erik(s) (of your choice) fell asleep at his organ, or anywhere other than his quarters, and reader gives him their own coat or jacket (idk the proper old French term). How would he feel waking up with it still wrapped around him? Thank you, and I hope you are well!!!

Didn’t really specify which version, but I had book Erik in mind when writing this

obsession

Waking with Your Jacket

It is evident that Erik has a streak of recklessness when it comes to his health stemming from a lifetime of isolation and self-hatred

He confesses to be a monster or an angel, come to finish his magnum opus, then lay to rest eternally in his coffin

The Phantom has come to accept as incompatible with human society and company, and you’re the only exception

He confesses his guilt and his monstrous actions at your feet like a believer begging God to forgive their sins

To show your kindness through such a simple act to the man plagued by his own self-torment could be the straw that breaks him

So sweet, so loving...and to someone so diabolically opposite

When he awakens to find your jacket draped around him, he is so unequipped to have someone do something so simple, yet with such kind intentions

He may have kept you against your will, but deep down he craves you telling him you love him just as deeply and wholly

If you are asleep, he is not so lecherous as to creep into the Louis-Philippe room and watch you

Even if he has kidnapped you in his dungeon, he still maintains his distance and your privacy

He wishes to create the illusion for himself that bringing you here was not kidnap, even if you decide to stay of your own regard

Someone so sweet, so compassionate, the world will destroy you and your kindness

It is better that you stay here with him, Erik reasons

He won’t let the cruelty of the world touch a hair on your head

[hermit-frog]

Something I don't get is WHY Armand didn't try to save Louis. And WHY did he save Louis from the coffin if he intented Louis to die on stage?? Is it just cowardice or am i missing something here?

Have literally two posts about why Armand didn't try to save Louis, guys do at least some minimum research, + rewatch the ep.

Have already shared my take on why Armand had released Louis out of the “banishment” but unfortunately for you, i still got few thoughts.

Louis was supposed to go with Claudia, burning alive in one or two minutes is much better than a slow, agonizing death. I know that Armand's inaction in the 70s was basically torture and punishment, but in this case Armand is the one aching with remorse, rightfully so (unlike 70s Louis). It was haunting him, the screams, the image of Louis, someone he loves, lying there in his claustrophobic darkness, starving and grieving, losing his mind. I find it interesting how Louis' starvation had fed Armand's guilt. I'm afraid you can't disassociate your way out of this one, Mandy. He couldn't take it.

Armand might be the strongest in the coven, but ironically, he is also one of the weakest. I mean, for god’s sake, he got played by Sam (and later Rashid and Daniel. cringefail lmao but it's not about that, it's about his psychological state). If we can trust Santiago (him being the mastermind) and the plot, that Armand wasn't actually pulling the strings since the beginning, like in the books, but was indeed given an ultimatum, then he's more pathetic panicked wet 🥺 loser than i had expected, lol. If Armand was in fact outcasted, humbled and humiliated, it made him extra vulnerable and sensitive to be around Louis, witnessing his pain was too much to bear. I 100% believe that Armand loved Louis. That theory going around that Armand was only with Louis to piss off Lestat, yeah, hate that. Lestat🤝Y'all attempting olympic level gymnastics in order to make everything about Lestat. No, thank you.

Idk how close to the truth Assad is in this interview, but if he's right, then i suppose there's little to no room for speculation behind Armand's actions at that moment. There could've been a theory (maybe there is) that Armand had used Louis like Lestat “You let it happen?” “Yes.” “You led him there, so he could destroy it.”, in this case to get his power back, but had miscalculated Louis' mind state, what he's capable of when blinded by rage and revenge. Resulting with him sitting on the ashes of his previous life, and having no option but to go with Louis.

But i don't like it, it doesn't make sense. Daniel ponders: “Thirteen to one. Maybe you were hedging your bets? See who emerges from the ash heap.” Armand had released Louis, and later when faced with consequences couldn't kill him again. To love him, to betray, to witness the trial, to hear Louis scream and suffer… Could Armand do it after everything they had, after the brutal betrayal that took Louis' daughter? Was Louis' determination to avenge Claudia and sacrifice himself in the process a turning point for Armand, just like in the tunnels? Armand couldn't attempt to kill Louis for the 3rd time, so he just let him.

Indeed the entire theatre paid for his grief and his rage, and justly so perhaps. I can make no judgment. I did not love those decadent and cynical French mummers. Those I had loved, and those who I could love, were, save for Louis de Pointe du Lac, utterly beyond my grasp. I must have Louis, that was my injunction. I knew no other. So I did not interfere when Louis incinerated the Coven and the infamous theatre, striking, at the risk of his own life, with flame and scythe at the very hour of dawn.

Have in mind that this is the book Armand, the one who had orchestrated the whole thing since the beginning, so you can only imagine how show Armand felt.

[nightcolorz]

Claudia is like the embodied representation of Louis and Lestat’s relationship failures. Louis watched Claudia kill Lestat and he did nothing. Instead Louis allowed Lestat to be destroyed by the ruins of their marriage, that love that’d twisted into resentment. Lestat begged Louis to put him in his coffin, for one last act of tenderness that could’ve healed him, but Louis could only watch. Not because he was bitter, but because he was conditioned to a numbness that told him that devastation is inevitable and positive growth and healing are impossible to achieve when you’ve been compliant for so long. Not compliant to Lestat, compliant to depression and passivity and acceptance. The loss and the pain hurt less when you tell yourself there was nothing you could’ve done to prevent it, then when you know you tried and it wasn’t enough. So why try? when you can instead watch the flames burn everything you love and take comfort in the warmth against your skin rather than confront the fire, try to set it out, and fail. That’s harder to reconcile.

In conclusion Louis is like those people who refuse to go to the therapy because it’s easier to be depressed.

[nalyra-dreaming]

I know people have a lot of different theories about this, and my apologies if you've already shared your own but do you think it was really Armand that got Louis out of the wall after the trail? Louis said he recognized Armand's blood in the rocks, but Louis has also been wrong about the way a lot of things happened. When he asks if Armand saved him at the trail and Armand says yes, I hear more hesitation there while he is bald face LYING than in his next yes to Louis' question about if he freed him, which makes me think it might be at least some what true? And if it is why save Louis when he'd just tried to have him killed? Maybe some kind of parallel of him counting on Louis to destroy the coven the way he'd manipulated Lestat into doing the same before?

The main thing that bugs me is that obviously Armand's whole "Woe is me I was being punished by the coven for saving Louis" schtick is bullshit, so how much of the following part of that story about how his "reduced status" allowed him to sneak Louis out of the wall is true? There's also the fact that Lestat was still in Paris, and I cannot imagine a reality where Lestat knows Louis is being starved to death in a wall and doesn't try to save him. Like. If he had any control in the matter, he wouldn't let that happen, period. There is of course that we know for sure now (thanks Sam lmao) that Lestat was coerced/controlled into being at the trail in the first place, so he very well could have been in some kind a captive state himself, in addition to probably also being grief mad over Claudia, while Louis was trapped in the coffin that would have stopped him from doing anything about or knowing it was happening in the first place.

I am so excited for s3 I am going to gnaw off my own arm! Anyway, would love your thoughts, thanks!

Okay, so up until yesterday I would have said: well it must have been Armand, Lestat was chained up in the tower after the trial.

However, the writer's room just posted this:

And look, there's a "Lestat's coffin"... that we see Armand close when he tells of how he has been "demoted".

Now, I always thought that Lestat would be there, I mean we see him sitting there, but I thought that he might be in one of the tombs maybe, but no, they put him in a coffin.

And when he didn't behave like he should at the trial they punished him, and Armand went and took his coffin, which is a very Armand thing to do, I can tell you, lmao. (Arguably he is seen doing that in his narration of events, too.) (EDIT: @lightleckrereins pointed out it likely wasn't Lestat's coffin after all, so I'll stay with 'Armand so would' *g*)

Anyways, back to your question:

The show established that maker and fledgling can feel each other through the cord.

There is no way - no way! - that Lestat would have stayed calm and silent while he would have felt Louis starve to death (as you also point out). NONE.

Which makes me think that maybe he made some kind of deal with Armand (and this is one of the approaches I am using in my fic, just for the record), to get Louis out.

Now. The thing is.

There IS a possibility that Armand got Louis out, dragged the box through the sewers to a certain point, got Lestat, took him also through the sewers, to revive Louis.

But I think that is unlikely, as much as I would love it to be true. Because I don't think there's a way in HELL that Lestat would have left Louis then.

And Louis wasn't dead or deaf, he would have noticed Lestat and Armand there.

I think it is far more likely that Armand freed Louis, and then left him, as part of ... whatever deal.

There is also the third possibility, that Armand and Lestat took Louis out of the wall, Lestat revived Louis, and then Armand dragged Lestat away (who was clearly not at the top of his powers as seen and stated by Sam).

But I think the coven dynamics after the trial would argue against that, as well as the aforementioned fact that Lestat would have wanted to stay, and even then, even in his weakened state he would have fought.

EXCEPT maybe... that part of the tale is true, namely that Armand waited for Santiago to be distracted to make his/their move. But again, there, still, does someone not being there when Louis wakes up come in. Which weighs heavily, imho.

All in all - I think it is a possibility that it was Lestat who got Louis out, yes. A high possibility if you factor a deal in.

The blood? Possibility as well, but not likely, for practicality reasons. Except, of course, the whole aftermath went vastly different, which is another possibility.

We do know Lestat's skin looked weirdly like still healing from burns in the reunion scene after all....

So maybe he did, and was still there when Louis burned the theater.

That, too, is a possibility.

Until we get more posts or clues it will be impossible to tell, tbh. :)

And yes, I am soooooo excited for s3, I can't even :)))))) And the tease in OnlyFangs with the quote between Lestat and Gabrielle!!!!!!!!!