#i just love the first ep of iwtv so much. peak cinema. masterclass in writing and acting and filming and music and sound and costuming

[ghostzzy]

i’m still thinking abt the debate we were having in the chat while rewatching ep 1 of iwtv last night…

i don’t think lestat made paul step off that roof. i think it is much more likely that paul was already struggling with the changes going on in his life — grace getting married and moving out, and louis being increasingly distant and evasive as he grew closer with lestat, and being the only one left at home and knowing his mother would rather he be institutionalized — and that those factors were the driving influence in his destabilization and suicide.

BUT. having lestat mess with his mind probably didn’t help. if you already hear voices, spending any amount of time around a vampire who flaunts his telepathy is going to fuck up your perception of reality even more. especially since so much of paul’s distress was rooted in his religious beliefs and we know how lestat feels about god and the church, i have no doubt lestat said some cruel things to him. but other than that one dinner, i dont know how much time lestat really spent around paul? sure, he could’ve fucked with him from a distance, or in passing, and i don’t think he liked paul, but i also believe him when he told louis he didn’t make paul do it. lestat has also lost brothers, and lost loved ones to suicide — even if he was going out of his way to be unkind or drive paul away from louis (out of possession, jealousy, etc) — i don’t think lestat ever Intended paul to die.

so like. i wouldn’t entirely absolve him of being a factor in paul’s death with 100% certainty, but. like. i wouldn’t entirely absolve louis either! he loved paul, absolutely, but pulling a sword on your brother and threatening him and dismissing his experiences and minimizing his concerns (even if they are rooted in hallucination or delusion, which, not all of them were!) are like. objectively not acceptable ways to treat your mentally ill sibling. and definitely doesn’t contribute to an environment where paul would’ve felt safe and secure and respected and supported, you know, all the things that combat suicidality.

and like. ultimately. lestat was a very troubling man that he met, on screen, once. even if he did continue to meddle, i think paul’s treatment from his family and the changes in his home life were probably much more significant influences in his ongoing mental state.

tldr i think it takes a lot to make someone walk off a roof. and i don’t think anyone is truly at fault for paul’s death, but i also don’t think anyone’s entirely blameless. and that’s one of many things that’s cool about the show. ambiguity is uncomfortable! no one’s hands are clean!

tldr2 Paul :^(