#sam watches qotd

[reinvent-and-believe]

so i'm watching queen of the damned, because apparently that's the level of hyperfixation we're at now, and it is somehow so much worse than i ever imagined even though i really thought my expectations couldn't possibly be lower

but if i'd seen it 20 years ago, my angsty 14-year-old evanescence-loving ass would have been absolutely feral over this movie

[dreadfuldevotee]

i’ve had a sinking suspicion since the season 2 finale that the show might end Armand’s storyline with him just straight up killing himself but planning to end the series around Memnoch the Devil has really impacted my doomerism oh nooo they might actually really do it

Eyeeeeee don't even wanna consider that a possibility because like. Look. At this point all we have to work with are these two seasons of television and what cast & crew have said. First of all, I think ending on Memnoch is just a bad idea in the first place. I can only infer based on where The Vampire Armand begins and peer reviews, but it does not seem in the slightest like that would be a satifying ending for literally any character without doing a good chunk of rewriting. Which seems to be Thee Memnoch issue anyway since it is a book centered around Lestat's bootleg Divine Comedy experience and thus alienates the whole rest of the cast (which I think is going to be the issue in finding a satisfying book compliant ending beyond Qotd and before Prince Lestat Trilogy)

I also have hope for this not being the case because I do believe Rolin and Assad when they talk about not wanting Armand to be this mustache twirling villian. I think if Armand can be as fucked up as he is in the books and still get a happy ending- to give this more sympathetic approach to the same character, a deeply depressing ending would just be a smack in the face.

This doesn't even cover the kind of logistics of Armand not being Orthodox Christian anymore and therefor having no actual tie to the Veil of Veronica and seeing Jesus in it. We already know from Benji and Maharet who are neither Christian, saw Jesus's face but didn't crash out about it because he's not their savior so. Idk. I don't even think they'd even want to do a full season of just Memnoch in the first place

[zombiedrea]

he is correct, absolutely no notes. fun fact: they did have a blonde wig for Stuart Townsend but they thought it looked silly and said, “eh, fuck it.” either they didn’t have the budget for a good wig or they were too dumb to think about FUCKING HAIR DYE.

the only right way to rank the lestats, mind you

[elisaintime]

I took so much footage at the Season 2 Premiere event last night! And then after it was over, Princess and I recorded an hour of discussion about our thoughts and feelings on Episode 1. Once I get back home, I'll edit it all into a non-spoiler video to share with you ASAP. I'll probably also edit a spoiler version to release after the episode airs as well, maybe exclusively for my Patreon patrons. I still have to rewatch all the footage to remind myself just how much everyone gave away 😅

It was a very crowded event and I got overstimulated very quickly (in a ND way), so I didn't get the chance to talk to everyone I wanted to. Sadly Eric didn't attend the party after the screening, so I didn't get to ask him my question about if he's read QOTD and what he thinks about Daniel in it (and his relationship with Armand 👀). I also didn't get the chance to get through the crowds surrounding Jacob and Delaney. I did get to ask Sam my question for him, though! And talked to Luke briefly. Assad was gracious enough to talk with me about Armand for several minutes (he did actually give me an answer to my question in this clip after he took a sec to think about it 😆) and he so kindly told me how much he liked watching my videos and all my analysis about the story and characters!

The big thing, though, is I got the chance to have an extended conversation with Rolin Jones, who also told me how much he appreciates my videos and all I have to say about the show (including my criticisms 😅). I can't wait to share all of it with you! Look out for that coming soon!

As always, I post my videos privately on Patreon first before making them public, so if you want to see it right away, you can join up here: https://www.patreon.com/mavenoftheeventide

[nalyra-dreaming]

I can't stop thinking about how IWTV spent a LONG TIME in pre-production hell until it only actually got made VERY SUDDENLY once Anne Rice died. I think there's a correlation.

Those of us who have been around long enough to remember what Anne Rice was like about Lestat know she was hyperfocussed on him much more than any of the other characters.

I think this affected production. I think she might have been indecisive and controlling, and possibly unable to fully commit to letting a team play with her vision. I think that would have really ground casting and other creative processes to a standstill. I don't know, I just know how it felt.

I remember READING ABOUT a Vampire Chronicles series for about ten years or so and thinking it would never happen because she'd never let anyone have Lestat as fully as is necessary for a series unless she was show runner herself, but that wasn't going to happen because she was a writer, not a show runner, she was old, and she couldn't decide on how to best do her characters justice, and didn't trust anyone else.

- (maybe understandable, given as she originally wouldn't watch the IWTV movie, and QotD was objectively an awful adaptation) -

I stopped caring because I didn't think it would ever happen, and if it did I expected it would be the Lestat Show and nobody else would be more than supporting cast.

Aaaaaaaand then pretty much as soon as she was dead it seems like they SUDDENLY got greenlit for everything, like yes start rolling, Sam come out of hiding, period change is approved, 1900s NOLA go go go!!!

I'm asking because I genuinely don't know what Anne Rice ever knew of the actual series, and I feel like the long pre-production period was kind of tied to her not being entirely down with it?

Hey!

Soooo... Anne knew. Christopher knew / knows, too.

Both likely signed an NDA I would assume.

This show has a history, as you point out, and I talked about it (ages ago) here (with links):

(Do read @cbrownjc's excellent addition that is linked in there, too!)

And this history likely resulted in an NDA when AMC bought all rights... and did not use Christopher's script. Imho.

So Anne knew I bet, and if she hadn't been so (fatally) ill then, she would have come to adore the show I think. Because, as you know, she also hated the movie, and the casting, and and and... and ultimately, she loved Tom Cruise's Lestat. And so on.

I mean, it was a very personal thing for her - as we all know she modeled them on herself and Stan and Michele... and throughout the years and the decisions wrt fandom and fanfiction and so on that always came through.

Anne knew, unfortunately she died just when they started filming.

But, you know... I bet, if she were here, she would see it as a handover of Lestat to Sam. Because everybody keeps saying he is possessed, and I can only agree :))))

[toscrollperchancetomeme]

Is there a life after IwtV Season 2?

So, Interview with the Vampire Season 2 is over, you have already rewatched it a dozen times and don’t know what to do with yourself?

Here’s a list of suggestions!

Read the books

I might be biased because I have been a fan since the early 2000s, but they are genuinely worth a read. A lot of people struggle especially with the first book, which I understand – but you can absolutely skip it and start right away with The Vampire Lestat! Especially The Vampire Lestat and Queen of the Damned are a great read and they are what is coming up next in the show. A lot of the plot of QotD happens at the same time as The Vampire Lestat, so I expect that material from both books will come up in the next season.

If you have a brain that enjoys audio books, they are actually available for free on youtube (though the narrator pronounces Louis’ name wrong). The version on the commercial audio book platforms read by Simon Vance is better though, if that’s an option for you. :)

The books after that are very much a mixed bag, but they all have some great and some downright crazy stuff in them, because Anne Rice’s writing was pretty unhinged at times. It’s a ride, but imho one worth taking.

Watch reaction videos on YouTube

I think I have by now watched all reactions that are available. For me it really brings a lot of joy to relive the experience of a first-time watch by proxy. Some are frustrating because people talk over important dialogue, some hold genuine galaxy brain moments by people who know nothing of the material. I will not recommend anyone, because vibes vary for everyone, but I’m sure there’s a reactor out there that YOU will vibe with.

Watch other shows/movies with the actors

Did you know that “Talk Radio”, written by and starring Eric Bogosian is available in full on youtube? I haven’t watched it yet, but I hear it’s really good.

For Sam Reid, I can’t recommend “Lambs of God” highly enough, and I hear great things about The Newsreader, which I sadly can’t get my hands on at the moment. “Belle” is also a beautiful movie, but his part is rather small as far as I remember.

Then of course there’s Hotel Portofino for Assad (but I’m not yet that desperate).

I actually haven’t watched anything with Jacob Anderson except Game of Thrones, which I will NOT rewatch, so I’m happy for suggestions there!

Watch the movies that have been namedropped by Rolin Jones

Hedwig and the Angry Inch – a phenomenal movie and stage show in its own right. It’s fun, it’s beautiful, it’s queer as fuck, the music is excellent and it’s an absolute must-watch.

Rocky Horror Picture Show – honestly, if you have never seen this movie, what are you waiting for?

The Dirt – Rolin Jones has mentioned the book, but there was actually a pretty decent movie made about Mötley Crüe a few years ago, that I really enjoyed.

Also, I have seen Amadeus mentioned several times, I’m not sure if that came up in an interview but it’s an excellent movie and the parallels to the relationship between Lestat and Armand are definitely there.

Honorary mention: Fight Club, not because anyone has mentioned it but… the parallels warrant an essay that I might one day have to write. (Themes: Queerness of male on male violence, imaginary boyfriends, idealization of toxic masculinity)

Read the books from Rolin Jones' reading list

I have now spent 10 minutes googling for that interview where he lists the books he’s reading for Season 3, but can’t find it. Someone please drop it in the comments?

Learn French

Want to feel closer to your favorite actors? Why not go through the same hell as them and get bullied by the Duolingo owl while at it? ❤

Discord servers

I’m not active there right now, but I have found several fandom servers that seem like great communities.

Read Fanfic

Honestly the reason this is down here is because it’s so obvious. :)

Get creative

Write fanfic, draw fan art, roleplay, edit videos, make unhinged memes!

And always: Support the content creators!

Everytime I scroll the tag I see new creators entering the fandom and let me tell you, after almost 20 years of drought, I am overjoyed. Same goes for fic writers, youtube reactors and reviewers! Leave them a like, a comment or whatever is available on the platform they are using.

Edit:

Watch the musical!

I completely forgot! There’s a Lestat musical by Elton John. Yes, you read that right. This lovely YouTube account has full bootlegs for you to enjoy some camp broadway fun!

[symphonyofmalice]

Reflections on the show

So it's been a week since I finished Season 1, and I've had some time to reflect on it, read/watch other people's reactions, and gather my thoughts.

Actors great, characters inconsistent I want to say that all the actors were well-cast for the show. They did excellent work bringing the scripts to life. The trouble was, the writing sometimes had them playing wildly different characters. Sam Reid makes an excellent Lestat, when the script let's him play Lestat. Louis is sometimes philosophical, detached, and refined. Sometimes he's coarse, direct and irreverent. Yes, characters can change and no one is just one thing. But there was no clear arc, they seemed to flip-flop episode to episode. Lestat is sometimes recognizable as his impulsive, needy, theater-kid self, and sometimes he's a cold, calculating chessmaster. I want to be clear I do not expect the characters to be good people. These are vampires, and I expect them to act monstrously. But with book Louis, I have a basic idea how he might react to different situations- when he might be passive, when he might snap and act out, what might upset him and what he doesn't care about. This Louis? No idea. He's fine with eating humans until he isn't six years later, he'll delight without any hesitation in murdering people who made racist remarks, but is too squeamish to enact his own plan (because it's his now) to kill evildoers, in the modern day he no longer kills but gives the 'alpha predators' speech.

What did y'all do to the family dynamic In my initial reviews, I noted the 4th episode was the first that really felt like the Louis-Lestat-Claudia dynamic I expected. And I think it's because it's the only episode that didn't decide that Lestat just hates Claudia from the very beginning. All the other episodes lean hard into the idea that Lestat never wanted to make Claudia at all, is constantly happy when she leaves/trying to drive her away, wouldn't want her back if not for Louis, and is barely tolerating her very existence for Louis, and would hurt/kill her if he could. Now, in the books, their relationship obviously sours- she kills him, after all. But they do have a genuine love and respect, and it is in the hope of repairing the decaying relationship and 'making peace' that Lestat accepts her gift of poisoned blood.

Pick a lane/Easter eggs are not adaptation points I think a big reason the characters flip-flop around so much is that the show is trying to tell two stories. One is the story of a Jazz-age queer Black man discovering vampirism as a possible escape from the restraints of society. One is Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire, with it's plot beats of Louis, Lestat and Caludia. And since the first is pretty different from the second, anytime the show has to switch tracks, it introduces sharp turns and inconsistencies. The crew promised easter eggs for book fans and sometimes it seems like easter eggs are all there is. "Look, Lestat said Savage Garden! He mentioned his mastiff! Nicolas name drop!" which ended up feeling almost distracting. A metaphor for adaptations:

The original books: A black forest cake. Rich and dark and bittersweet. A classic that is iconic and famous, though definitely not for everyone.

The 1994 movie: A black forest cupcake. A little condensed, a little different. Smaller in size, so it's not the full experience. But in flavor and structure, it's a pretty close match for the original.

The musical: A black forest cocktail. Structurally, this is a very different experience. If you don't like cocktails/alcohol in general, than you probably don't want your cake in cocktail form. But if you do, then it's pretty decent! There's a clear attempt to get the essence of the taste across, and for some people (like me) it can be a wonderful way to immerse oneself in the same flavors in a different way.

QOTD movie: Cherry cheesecake that's gone bad/old. First of all this isn't even close to the original, and second of all you cared about it so little that it's gone sour and even people who might like cheesecake probably don't want this.

The show: Black forest (brand) gummy bears. This is clearly just a different thing. It can be really good as it's own thing! No having the brand-name black forest does not make it the same. No, it doesn't particularly help that some of the gummy bears are cherry flavored and black forest cake also has cherries. No it would not help to dip the gummy bears in dark chocolate.

Let's not "secret good fourth Sherlock episode" ourselves I've seen some theories that the discrepancies in Season 1 are deliberate, due to unreliable narrators, or Armand's mental influence. The trailers for season 2 so far certainly seem to lean into that, with the repeated memory theming. It's possible they'll pull something off with this. But I'm also hesitant to accept it as a blanket excuse. Even if they do retcon some of these details later...why? How is that any better than an "it was all a dream" excuse? Why should I, as a viewer, remain emotionally invested in the show if, at any moment, I could be told none of that happened? Twists and reveals can be good, but they can't be everything. 'Don't worry, season 2 will explain season 1' is not very promising for season 1 as a story.

Concerns about Season 2 I'm going to watch season 2. I have to, the same way I watched the QOTD movie knowing I'd dislike it. I'm curious to see what they do, and if nothing else, I might get some Nicolas images out of it. From what I've seen of Joseph Potter, I believe he can act Nicolas very well...if the script lets him. I'm also concerned about escalation. Everything in blood and violence was dialed up to 11. In the books, Lestat hits Louis (when Louis interrupts his feeding on Freniere) in the show, it's an extended beating. He punches through the priest's brains, and drops Louis out of the sky. In discussion with someone, I described this as "Lestat acting like Armand" since that kind of roof-dropping is literally a thing Armand does. And if they keep Armand's role as the 'villain' of IWTV/TVL, I'm concerned to what levels of extremity they'll have to push him in comparison.

[murfpersonalblog]

TVL & VC Thoughts: Storyboarding

Because I have insomnia, I was up all night thinking about the rumors that Sam's contract was signed for 5 seasons. It makes me both nervous and hopeful, cuz Lestat features in way more than just 5 VC books. So if there's only 5 seasons locked in (hopefully NOT counting IWTV being split into 2, meaning Sam only has 3 other seasons), I'm wondering what these 3-ish other seasons would cover? 🤔 Hour-long episodes are enough to condense SOME of the books into 7/8-ep seasons, but not others.

TVL & QotD are ofc the bigguns, that COULD be condensed into one season, but SHOULD get their own individual ones, IMO.

ToTBT - urgh. I already said I hate this book. NGL I hope they condense this into 2 episodes MAX, as filler. Raglan was basically a monster-of-the-week. We do NOT need to be sitting here watching Lestat re-learn how to poop & pee. And ffs get rid of David, he literally just got in the way; let that dude retire! Having Ciprien come back'd be a cool feature/crossover, but I really don't need Lestat out here traumatizing more black people, thanks. 😒

MTD - yoooo.... What do you even DO with this? XD Like, I can't imagine having a whole frikkin season of Lestat's Inferno, but without Memnoch you lose ALL context behind Lestat's coma, his missing eyeball, Armand's suicide attempt, Louis' suicide attempt, and Lestat's course correction as a character. 😈 It was the fallout post-Memnoch that is so important to Lestat's story; but TBH I can honestly see the bulk of MTD itself condensed into 2 filler episodes tops.

Merrick - IMO this needs to be integrated into IWTV2 as part of Louis' storyline, not Lestat's. Even though it's here that he (officially) wakes from the coma (post-TVA--which IMO deserves its own spinoff season; we need more Assad if they don't cover Armand's backstory in IWTV2).

Blackwood Farm - NGL I want a whole dang season of BwF. 😅 IMO it's the craziest VC book, we NEED to see these people on screen. We'd get that Merrick Mayfair feature, too--but if they do her dirty here like AR, Imma be FURIOUS.

Blood Canticle - 💩 TRASH!!!!! 💩

Prince Lestat & RoA & BC: TBH I think these should all be merged into one season, as they all deal with Rhoshamandes. If QotD sets up Amel early, AND includes MEKARE, then PL should get right to the action. RoA was padded with a LOT of straight descriptions, which can EASILY be condensed on screen with visuals--that's the book that needed to be illustrated! RoA really doesn't need its own season; we just need to see Rhosh established as the Big Bad in PL & RoA, and get Amel's backstory. (I HOPE they'll keep the aliens in, but AR was obviously using bird-feathered/winged extraterrestrials as the secular answer to Christianity's angels, so I'm fine either way. I'll be sad if they cut them all out entirely and Amel's JUST a (human) ghost). As for BC, it wasn't a long book at all; it just had a lot of BIG, iconic moments. I DEMAND to see Chateau Era Loustat domestic tooth-rotting fluff on my effing screen, ISTG. 🙏 This is the series finale--it deserves to give Loustat E V E R Y T H I N G; from the lowest lows to the greatest highs. I need Prince Consort Louis bossed up. 🤴🏾 I need Lestat having a mental breakdown just like Louis did when Daniel was tearing him to shreds in Ep7. I need Armand screaming, crying, throwing up. I need the WEDDING(S). I need the BALLROOM. I will sue.

Naturally, I could be waaaaay off on all of this. U_U

[blueiight]

in case you still feel like doing these: lestat for the character meme <3

first impression

Im sliding over cars while i shoooot they think dat im tom cruise (tom cruise tom cruise tom cruise—-) then book wise this girl’s a whole KI then show wise i was like oh wow sam’s voice gotta be edited

impression now

even if his fans have cte!

Favorite moment

book wise its in qotd when marius is like get rid of the book u always love breaking the rules u brat prince and lestat is like sooo true theres always more rules to break~~. & marius compares him to alexander the great which is a continuum from spaceboys (reinhard). his first hunting w gabi. or when he links w armand in memnoch and is like u damnable angel ruffles his RED hair. u see where im going here. show wise its MY CONSIDERABLE CONSIDERABLES. UR WITH ME AT THE END. White.. Black.. Cinnamon.. him taking claudia to lovers lane and/or him w/ his nipples protruding and the car. funny guy

Idea for a story

actor lestat<3 he was literally in the theater. i have my controversial actor les AU im sure w/ s2-3 more will come out

Unpopular opinion

i still hold this opinion but when i watched the show w/o fandom interaction i thought wow show lestat was actually a little whitewashed at times this is not a bad thing on a writing level as this is intentional+occurs in scenes from louis’s POV who loved lestat . show& book lestat were twins that were separated at birth and sent to different times.

Favorite relationships

the ones with relevant characters <3

Favorite headcanon

show lestat was in the dirt for a few decades lolol

[thelioncourts]

Tbh I think you are the only white loustat fan Ive seen here who is actually interested in louis as a character and not just an extension of lestat? Once you realize most of the fandom only sees louis as part of lestat's story it makes sense why there's little to no loumand content.

Let me talk about Louis. Let. Me. Talk. About. Louis.

I have been a Louis fan since I read Interview for the first time. I was....15 (?), maybe 16, and had finally convinced myself I could read Iwtv. (For those that don't know, Iwtv has been part of my life since I was born; I was named after Kirsten Dunst in the movie (my parents were raging Tom Cruise fans in the '90s, this is how that all happened) and so my whole life was 'being named from some vampire movie.' Problem? I hated blood growing up; couldn't look at it on a screen, couldn't think about it, made me nauseous. So as cool as vampires were, it took me time to read and watch it because 🤢).

Anyway.

So I read Interview, and I don't just read it, I devour it. I was obsessed. My mom had me on a book-buying ban so I couldn't buy anymore of the series, so I just reread Interview over and over again.

2-3 years later, I'm in college and have a little bit of money of my own, and I buy TVL and QotD. And -- and it took me forever to read TVL. It wasn't anything against Lestat necessarily, but 1) anyone that has read these books knows it's kind of like whiplash when you go to TVL and Lestat's narration is...well, Lestat lol and 2) I had fallen in love, long ago, with Louis' way of speaking.

But I eventually power through (and I love TVL. Arguably the best book of the series (???)). But then. Then I start getting into TotBT. And it's great! Lestat and Louis have some amazing moments and I adored so many parts of it, and it may be the general funniest book of the series. But also David is introduced and I could feel myself worrying.

Anyway, to make my relationship with book-Louis shorter, I struggled tremendously to read the rest of the series. Louis started getting mentioned less and less and less, and it became obvious for a time that he and Lestat were just. On different paths, as it seemed, and wouldn't really cross again and I was heartbroken and devastated. I missed Louis. I missed his outlooks and the way he and Lestat spoke to one another and his beauty and the way Lestat talked about him. The final "trilogy" of Prince Lestat was a godsend for me, personally, because it brought Louis back, it brought Louis and Lestat back, and it felt better, felt complete.

But! Show Louis.

So I followed the production of IwtV religiously for a while. Anne sold rights in 2016 and it seemed like it was happening! Then there was nothing for some time. I remember a vague 2019 article about it and, at that point, I was just in the "I'll believe it when I see it" category.

All of a sudden, it's happening before I even know it. And casting is announced. And I was -- so hesitant at both Sam and Jacob's casting. Sam because Lestat is such a character that I really was just like, "Can this man embody Lestat in the way Lestat should exist in this world?" (The answer is a resounding yes, x336548483929299485577838291038475747372272884) and with Jacob, I hadn't known of the time change yet and I was like....what are y'all doing?

Then I learned of the time change and I got nervous all over again because change is, y'know, sometimes scary when you know things. And Louis is everything to me and I was like, "Please do justice by him."

Oh. My. God.

There are a couple of things to mention here, namely the writing and Jacob's acting.

When it comes to the writing, I want to kiss anyone and everyone involved in developing Louis' story the way they did. Everything -- from his profession to his relationship with Paul and religion and sexuality and his mother and Grace and just -- everything, is so nuanced and beautiful and complex and having multiple episodes that showcase what all Louis really went through (both before and after being a vampire) and what he lost through all of it is just stunning. And it's one of those things that Louis' race, in particular, has made him such a better character because of what his struggles bring to the table. He is a queer black man, something that is not shown a ton in media, and he is a queer black man born into Jim Crow America, making a name for himself in a world that doesn't want him to succeed in any capacity. And he pushes and works because he's doing what's best by his family, even if they don't see it that way sometimes, and he endures because it's the only way to survive, and when vampirism comes in this box of a beautiful man promising him the world, he takes it, and yet he still tries to do good by his name, he still tries to be what he considers to be morally good. And he may be misguided on what good is, and he may be doing the wrong thing sometimes, but he is always trying. And I just think he's beautiful; both physically and emotionally beautiful.

I've found myself thinking so long and so hard on Louis' past; what his dad may have been like, what it was like being the oldest sibling and knowing he was one of the only ones that truly saw Paul and loved him, knowing that he could never be himself because queer and black and godly don't go together and just ! What was the Pointe du Lac household like when Louis started working in Storyville? What exact experiences, beyond Jonah, did Louis have with men? How many were good, were bad, were scary perhaps? Did he ever come close to an actual relationship or was he too busy saving his family and trying not to disappoint a god that wasn't there for him? What was it like when Paul was in the hospital in Jackson? Did Louis go see him and read to him, like when they were kids? And now, in Louis' vampirism, how is he going to come to terms with his blood drinking? How exactly to we go from, what we can imagine to be, absolute suicidal devastation and emptiness after losing Claudia to the flirty enigmatic boy at the bar in the 1970s flashback? When will 2022!Louis fully break, and show us that LDPDL is still very much in there and full of that specific fight that drew Lestat to him in the first place?

And JACOB. I could never have asked for a better person to play Louis. He brings everything anyone could want to the table. He's Louis' beauty, he's Louis' quiet rage, he's Louis' tenderness, he's Louis' bookishness, he's Louis' love, he's Louis in every possible way. He brings such a complexity to Louis and, most importantly, he brings him to life. I cannot think of Louis now in any other capacity than Jacob Anderson. I am so grateful for him and for the work he's put in and the way his entire heart is in this role.

So, yes. I love Louis. I love Louis as a character all on his own because he's, quite literally, everything to me.

[nalyra-dreaming]

Hello! Interested in your encyclopaedic knowledge on this. Skim-rereading the VC now for first time since I was a teenager and have to ask - does Louis ever, like - do anything for Lestat? This prompted particularly by TOTBT which my god is so savage. I can’t believe he’s happy to just… let him die?!? He doesn’t lift a finger, he doesn’t even try to protect him? It’s IWTV all over again, only supposedly their relationship is much better by this point.

It got me looking for examples where Louis does anything whatsoever proactive for Lestat and I’m really struggling. At the end of QotD, it seems like lots of the other vamps are trying to look after traumatised Lestat a bit, but I don’t think Louis comes to him? He just wanders off to New Orleans? Maybe I’ve missed a bit though. He looks after him a bit in his coma? Although not moreso than anyone else. But in the end it is Lestat who ends up waking up to save Louis. Even that bit in PLaTRoA where Lestat is about to have his heart stopped - Louis sitting next to his coffin - but Lestat reaches out to take Louis’ hand, not the other way round. Aside from verbally saying that he loves him, other than being generally nice and calm and polite, does Louis ever do anything to show it?

Hey nonny!

(Not sure about the encyclopedic but I‘ll try 😅💕) I do see a lot of the mentioned events a bit differently, allow me to explain (this is gonna be long^^):

Soooo to address your mention of TtotBT first off, I personally do think Louis thought of Lestat first and foremost when he sent him away in that scene.

Louis was tempted. It's no surprise imho that Jacob really wants to do that scene with Sam, because the power dynamics are inverted of course, but it is also emotionally very raw.

I want to pause here and recall a quote from QotD here, which is important:

Louis, the watcher, the patient one, was there on account of love pure and simple. The two had found each other only last night, and theirs had been an extraordinary reunion. Louis would go where Lestat led him. Louis would perish if Lestat perished. But their fears and hopes for this night were heartbreakingly human.

Louis... would perish if Lestat perished.

For Louis to send Lestat away... is to resign himself to death also. I think that has to be taken into account for the scene you mentioned, where Louis decides that Lestat deserves to save his soul, before Louis himself deserves to save his own. His rejection of Lestat there is done in full knowledge that he condemns himself there to a very lonely, cold, and ultimately fatal existence. He rejects Lestat there, knowing he will lose his greatest love.

I wouldn't call that happy to let him die? And I, personally, don't see it as a parallel to IWTV either, though it might feel a bit like that for Lestat, but the Louis here knows how much this will hurt. He knows what he is doing. He is condemning himself, hoping it will free Lestat.

And, while we're on TtotBT, in the beginning of the book there is the mention of Louis coming by Lestat's, to 'Netflix & chill', to share space and spend time, watch movies (for example "Company of the wolves", just being there. Talk. Discuss. Being together. So Louis did come by, for Lestat. And Lestat visited Louis, in his shack, had his own chair there. They were in each other's lives.

And... in the end of that book - when David show's up? What does Louis do? He takes David in. Makes room for David in their old home in Rue Royale. Accepts David - for Lestat. Accompanies them, too. Honestly, given David is David... that is a HUGE sacrifice! He let's David, the new fledgling, into their home. Because he is Lestat's. Later on, in PL, he will do the same for Antoine, which is obviously something that had to grate quite a lot as well, and I have always seen that as a rather conscious decision to allow it. To allow Antoine into their lives, because he is Lestat's.

Louis also tries to protect Lestat before the concert.

I know a lot of people read that from Lestat's POV and are just happy with the reunion (and of course it is beautiful and I really want to see it on the show!!) but... it's not only that.

Louis comes, to Lestat, not only because he can do so. But he pleads for Lestat to stay safe, too, to not do the concert. Because he is afraid for Lestat. He wants to keep him safe, wants to keep him with himself, too. He pleads with him not to go on stage. Offers to talk, to make plans, to 'Let us have each other in this century the way we never did in the past'.

You mentioned the end of QotD, and... in their universe, all that happens right after this reunion. A few days, a week at most. And then Lestat hides himself away again, in a room, trying to cope. Because he has been used again, abused, too, in a way he himself can only cope with by reframing it as love.

Louis knows it isn't. Wasn't. And he knows that he and Lestat cannot talk freely with the others there. He and Lestat are not able to use the mind gift directly. And... he is deeply unsettled by Jesse's report, the report she gives Lestat. Claudia's ghost. Deeply, deeply personal and something they share, very painfully. They go by Louis' tombstone, and then they can talk. A bit. Louis trusts Lestat and in his new powers. Falls asleep in his arms.

And that... is a rather powerful statement.

Louis (admittedly begrudgingly) enters that "adventure" with Lestat, fully trusting in Lestat. Kissing, embracing. Sleeping in his arms. It's a statement.

A statement that, despite Lestat feeling changed, and alien, that Louis still trusts him. Trusts in him, too.

And it is Louis, who tries to take Lestat home in Memnoch, Louis who pleads, begs for Lestat to be released. Louis who cries out when Lestat is locked up. Louis is the one who saves the books, Louis is the one who tries to comfort Lestat. Louis is the one who holds the proverbial fort at Rue Royale, with David, for long, long years. Louis is the one who despairs, eventually, when Lestat goes back into that half-awake coma, his soul taken away by angels.

Though there is more to that, too. You say Louis did not look after Lestat more than others, and I'd beg to differ. Louis was the one in the chapel, guarding Lestat. Holding his ground with the ancients, and the riff raff that Armand hunted down (even once with Lestat later). Louis is the one who keeps Ruy Royale, and makes sure Lestat is kept clean during his episodes of stillness, and it is only when he breaks, eventually, when Merrick takes his focus... that that... stops. When the Merrick events start, David visits Lestat, and Louis is 'there, seated on the marble beside Lestat, reading in a hushed voice from an old book of English poetry'.

Louis never leaves Lestat's side for long. Armand notes how he seems emaciated, hungry when Armand comes by in his version of the tale.

It is only when Merrick's spell unfolds that Louis leaves Lestat's side, that his focus shifts. And with the shift to Claudia and her ghost... the despair takes hold.

And it is when Louis heartbeat stops - that the "angels" lose their blackmailing material.

Lestat later tells of how he was forced to do "their bidding" by them threatening to take the eye... and though he doesn't elaborate... it is very clear what that means wrt Louis.

Because there simply was nothing else they could threaten him with anymore. Nothing else was more important than Louis. Not his eye, not his soul.

This always sends a shiver down my spine.

But that just as a note.

Louis is the one who accepts Lestat's judgment, after Merrick's creation.

He also accepts Lestat abandoning New Orleans, eventually, because Lestat cannot stand it anymore to kill the riff raff, those who "offend Armand", something Lestat calls "autocratic, ruthless" wrt to Armand's killing of them.

Louis accepts Lestat's decision there, and goes to Armand. Something that Lestat in turn accepts and supports(!):

My beloved Louis de Pointe du Lac left soon after, and from that time on lived in New York with Armand. Armand keeps the island of Manhattan safe for them—Louis, Armand, and two young blood drinkers, Benjamin and Sybelle, and whoever else joins them in their palatial digs on the Upper East Side.

And when Lestat is finally ready, it is Louis who apologizes to Lestat for the "past" by hunting a woman who wanted to murder her husband - in front of Lestat.

Personally, I find that a very poignant "doing-it-for-someone" :)))

But there is more.

Louis is the one who rescues Rose! Rose, Lestat's charge. Louis knows about Rose. Lestat's lawyers know about Louis. Louis takes over when Lestat is unreachable.

There is so much in these simple facts!

Like, they must have talked about Rose. Louis knows about Rose, knows she is important to Lestat, he takes the responsibility, saves her from fire, kills the ones who harmed her. Brings her to him. And he is the one Lestat's lawyers reach out to when Lestat is gone? Unreachable? What a statement is that in and by itself?! Louis is the one Lestat trusts with that child, the girl he saved and who will become his immortal daughter. Their immortal daughter.

And then, when Rhosh is there in NYC, at that table, and the axe scene happens... what does Louis do?

He smiles.

Now I don't know if you know that scene well, but it is quite the scene, and I honestly cannot wait to see it on the show.

And Louis... smiles. Shows support.

Quiet. Steadfast. The support Lestat needs, probably more than he consciously realizes.

And then, of course, later on - knowing what "Lestat cannot confide". They are finally sharing blood again, and Louis becomes Lestat's confidant. To all the things Lestat cannot speak about, all the things he has hinted at but cannot put into words. All the things that are too heavy to address.

That is no trifle.

And the silver cord, where Louis pushes the matter against Lestat's (not) better judgement. Where Louis is there, for Lestat to reach out.

Your ask made it seem (a bit) as if being there and offering is not sufficient, but strength shows itself in very different ways. Lestat is more direct, "flashy". Louis' strength is more subtle, it is an offer for support, unwavering support, whenever Lestat wants it. For as long as Lestat wants it. Not taking agency from Lestat, which is like the worst thing that could happen again... because that is something that has been taken from Lestat again, and again, and again. And Louis knows that.

And so he doesn't.

He doesn't take. He offers. It shows he knows Lestat. And he accepts him, and their respective pasts, and all the shit that has happened.

Again, that is no trifle, imho.

There is more. Little mentions, in the books.

A "grotto" they once shared. For example. Louis wearing the clothes Lestat chooses.

But for the most part you have to "read between the lines" as Lestat says, for the juicy details - however, I think when you consider the arcs? The arcs that span all the books?

The things we are told actually speak for themselves, imho.

Louis does a lot of things for Lestat. The important things, actually.

He is there for Lestat to turn to when Lestat's strength fails.

And yes, that includes the rejection in TtotBT - because Louis thought he had to be the one to show the strength for Lestat - to hold fast to the initial belief. The initial hope that drove the body switch - because Lestat had just found out he could not die anymore. Even if he tried. And he had tried. And it had sent him spiraling.

Would Louis have held out indefinitely? Probably not :) But that's another discussion.

[i-want-my-iwtv]

How do feel about the casting for the IWAV show coming out? I know there is much more to the vampire chronicles than just aesthetics but I don't really see Sam Reid as Lestat and while Jacob Anderson is cute and was excellent on GOT, I don't get any ethereal vampire vibes from him at all. Am I just being picky since young Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt were like god-tier good looking?

Your question could be bait, and I’m resistant to answer it, because people can twist my words into any strawman argument of their choosing. In the spirit of Lestat driving headfirst into danger, let’s try anyway. Maybe you’re a troll, but I know there’s someone out there who might be helped by my response on this.

First, though:

Re: you being picky, you have a right to like what you like/not like.

If you thought Anderson was excellent on GOT, but not giving you “ethereal vampire vibes,” well, I didn’t watch GOT but I assume he was mostly likely not trying to be an ethereal vampire in GOT. If he’s as excellent as you said, maybe he'll surprise you, Anon.

As far as Sam Reid not really looking like Lestat for you, I have seen plenty of people excited about him in this role, in detailed posts. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and if you’re not into Reid’s Lestat, that’s up to you, Anon, and you don’t need anyone to validate your opinion. However, Anne Rice was initially VERY against Tom Cruise’s casting as Lestat, and she changed her mind. More on that under the cut. So maybe Reid will change your mind!

All that aside, there’s a double-standard with this upcoming TV show as compared to other film adaptations (the 1994 IWTV film, the 2002 QOTD film). With the other adaptations, we’re free to praise/criticize any of the casting decisions, the actors, the storylines, anything at all! We can criticize canon. Totally fine, I don’t care if you liked something I didn’t like, or vice-versa. I don’t believe that enjoying a book/movie/TV series is promoting the entirety of its content, or lack of promoting something is somehow silencing other people’s enjoyment of that media. Watching TV can be your own personal experience, I can tell you that before the internet, that’s how it was. And participating in internet discussions about it is an entirely optional experience. 

Currently, there’s only one opinion we’re allowed to have about the AMC IWTV TV series, which is 100% pure unconditional positive support. 

I am 100% purely and unconditionally supportive of the show, as categorized as AU fanfiction, which I don’t consider any kind of reduction in rank or status. I co-wrote a VC coffeeshop AU fanfiction set in modern times that I still look back on very fondly, more than my canon-set fanfiction. I still get comments and kudos on it years later! I’m going to enjoy watching the IWTV TV show with my friends, because we’re watching it through a lens of curiosity. It’s not trying to be the canon story, it’s one of many transformative works. It just so happens to be officially sponsored. But it doesn’t change one word of canon, it doesn’t tack onto any other adaptation, it’s entirely its own living creature.

So when people argue about the casting for the IWTV TV series, I think the underlying argument is actually: whether this adaptation is better than the canon story or not. It’s your opinion whether it’s better/worse (for lack of a better word)/equal in value, but I think it’s a wholly different entity than the canon story, so I’m not interested in comparing them, at least not until it comes out and we have actual performances and plot points to talk about. 

Movie!QOTD and movie!IWTV were also fanfiction of a sort, things were changed in those films that made them no longer the canon story (Louis’ brother’s death became Louis’ wife died in childbirth; Magnus and Marius were hybridized into one character, etc.), and for some people, those adaptations are better/worse/equal in value to canon. There are also opinions about how some elements of those adaptations are better than canon, and some elements are not. 

What we are still allowed to discuss/mention:

Anne Rice initially disapproved of Tom Cruise’s casting as Lestat, and later changed her mind after she saw the film.* (after the cut)

I’ve seen people post that they can’t stand Tom Cruise, except as Lestat, and they often seem ashamed to admit this.

I’ve seen people still dislike Cruise’s Lestat for his acting/appearance/being too short.

I’ve seen people who don’t think Brad Pitt looked enough like the canon character. One critic from the time of the movie’s release said that Pitt had “simian features,” and well... that’s not a compliment. 

People still dislike Antonio Banderas’ Armand as being too old and having a cheap wig. I have discussion about him in my #Defending Antonio tag. I enjoyed him as Armand, I don’t care that a lot of people disliked or even hated him in that role. It doesn’t take away that I enjoyed him. 

People disliking Stuart Townsend for having brown hair in the '02 Queen of the Damned movie, when being blond was such a big part of Lestat's appearance, canonically: “What would Christ need have done to make me follow Him like Matthew or Peter? Dress well, to begin with. And have a luxurious head of pampered yellow hair.” - IWTV.

It doesn't make Townsend any less of Lestat for the people who found him attractive and enjoyed his performance. Anyone can enjoy him, Cruise, and/or Reid, etc., or none of them!

So in considering this casting, all I really want to say is that these are just 2 more added to the list of actors who have portrayed VC characters and I’m curious to see what they do. 

---

*You might not know/remember this, but Tom Cruise changed Anne Rice’s mind in a similar way: 

Cruise "is no more my Vampire Lestat than Edward G. Robinson is Rhett Butler," Rice told the Los Angeles Times back in 1993 when the lavish production being directed by Neil Jordan got underway, with executive producer David Geffen playing peacemaker between the disgruntled author and the leading man everyone else was excited about.

Obviously the show went on, Cruise approached the role of Lestat with the intensity he's known for bringing to every set he walked onto,...

"Oh, the choice [of Cruise for Lestat] is just so bizarre...

As it was, "it's almost impossible to imagine how it's going to work," she added, "and it's really almost impossible to imagine how Neil and David and Tom could have come up with it. I have one question: Does Tom Cruise have any idea of what he's getting into?"

...And in the end, [Cruise] turned Rice—and, according to the author, he turned all the readers who were initially outraged just as she was.

"I think Tom did a wonderful job, I really do," she acknowledged in a 1994 interview. "I too was shocked in the beginning and I was very much against it, but Tom Cruise really did read the books, I think, and he got the essence of Lestat. He got Lestat's power and his charisma and his charm. He got all of that across in the movie. He had great skill in that performance, I think, and great power."

Rice noted that the only problem was that Cruise was too damn charming. "Since he isn't all that nasty, why does Louis hate Lestat? How can he?" she also mused in 1994. "Well, I'll take that problem any day over a more shallow solution. Tom his the right note. And Louis was Louis. Nothing could comfort Louis. The film got it."[X]

[sofipitch]

People often write Lestat in fanfic like Anne wrote him in the later series 😪😖 so it makes me so happy that the show seems to have instead used iwtv-qotd Lestat and expanded on that potential to create what feels like an evolved version of him complete with the best parts of him we love. The power of Sam Reid as an actor honestly.

I totally agree, and the same goes for Louis. Louis is constantly standing up to Lestat and challenging him and throwing hands in the original triology and then 90s canon (and the movie but not as bad) made him a lot more of a doormat. And I honestly don't understand why anyone would choose to write Louis/Lestat this way, they are so much more fascinating than the "passive weakling"/"has done nothing wrong in his life ever and should be worshiped while also committing war crimes"

Also I watched the musical this weekend and there is a LOT that is bad about that musical, but their characterization is exactly what I just described and it mostly sucks

People had the same complaint about the movie, bc you never get Louis's reasons for objecting to vampirism/his backstory, he just seems kind of whiny seemed to be the audience/critic consensus. I have a feeling Rolin Jones saying they gave Louis "a bit more of a backbone" will just be Louis from the trilogy, especially IWTV, simply as opposed to the movie/later canon most ppl seem to think of when they think of Louis.

On the flip side I think the grand majority of people love Lestat in the movie because I think they did a good job of incorporating some of characterization from TVL and QOTD, he's an asshole yes, but he has some trauma that explains why he lashes out and he doesn't necessarily want to be doing what he's doing either, he's just reactive but he loves Louis and Claudia

Sorry for the essay but this is something I have strong feelings on bc I hate post QOTD characterization of them both SO much, it feels like going from 3D to 2D characters

[murfpersonalblog]

"TWO thoroughly well-made shows"?.... 🤨 Come on now, Times. I hope this isn't a package deal situation, where if one is bad the other doesn't win, because Mayfair Witches was NOT it, everyone knows this. The acting and especially the writing were SWAMP WATER. Which makes no sense, since the book was ALREADY WRITTEN FOR YOU, Esta! She needs to be replaced or something, because NO. If MW wins something just so IWTV can get its flowers, then fine, but trust that it was under duress.

But Rolin Jones? GOATED. S1 of IWTV is everything Mayfair Witches wishes it could be. Just USE. The effing. SOURCE MATERIAL, Esta! You know why people praise the dialogue in IWTV? Cuz Rolin was literally using whole quotes from THE BOOK. And the actors have the chemistry and the charisma and the range to pull it off! (Half the time I didn't know WHAT Lasher & Rowan were saying.) Know why people praise the changes Rolin made to the characters? Because he ELEVATED both the plot and characters from THE BOOK; not using hamfisted performative wokeness for cheap diversity points, but actually CONTEXTUALIZING how characters of certain backgrounds actually fit into the WORLDBUILDING and narrative framework! Esta, did you even READ The Witching Hour????? (Didn't someone say Alexandra Daddario only watched AR's interviews about the book? 👀🤦 Meanwhile Sam Reid is out here giving doctoral dissertations on everything AR ever wrote, like WTF y'all.) Anne Rice is clearly a much better writer and storyteller than you, Esta, so make life easier for yourself by NOT trying to outdo her!

I'm not even interested in MW getting a second season; they've already screwed everything up by rushing the whole book while giving us NOTHING from it. Where the HELL is Julien Mayfair? Where are the Mayfairs in Haiti? WHO are the 13 Witches, Esta??!? She gave us NOTHING, but some stupid witch hunter sideplot when she hadn't even established WHY Lasher was evil! 🤦 Show, don't tell, Esta!!!!

Sure, Julien's not here, cuz Michael's not here as a "Curry" (this makes me wonder about Merrick Mayfair now too), Julien's victrola's been replaced by the voodoo doll, Mona's not here (so I can assume there's no Morrigan & Ashlar line of Taltos-Mayfairs, which WTF), and Lasher doesn't seem to be a learning ghost that Julien taught at all. But I bet Esta won't even use the Taltos, or the miscarriages and the extra chromosome, or Emaleth. Will we ever get Mona and Quinn, and Morrigan and Ashlar? Unlikely, since Esta wasted our time with Tessa. 🙄 So what is THE POINT then???

This isn't an Immortals UNIverse--it's a MULTIverse at best, cuz IWTV & MW certainly don't feel like they're in the same world AT ALL. We NEED to see Merrick Mayfair, but even Rolin said they're "mostly" looking at books 2, 3 and 6??? Which is WORRISOME, since Merrick is THE BEST way to cross the both series. And Blood Canticle is NOT the goal you should be gunning for, Esta, since it was AR's worst writing, too! 🤮 Just cuz you wanna see two pretty people kiss on screen does NOT mean it's worth keeping the bad acting from this dull flat dry twitchy awkward dumb Rowan around long enough to make a further embarrassment of herself--throwing herself at Lestat, when we all know Lestat turns Rowan down, refuses to make her a vampire, tells her to go back to her husband, and goes back to HIS OWN husband, Louis. 😜🤡

Is that why you got rid of Michael and gave us Ciprian, Esta? So you could have an excuse to pair Rowan and Lestat up without BOTH of them being sloppy cheaters? SAVE IT. No one's shipping Lestat with Rowan frikkin Mayfair, get serious. Lestat also said Rowan was needed by the Mayfairs as the designee--is that why Esta's been pushing this awful plot of these OOC Mayfairs now hating Rowan and ostracizing her, and creating the Jojo character who wants to lead them? So it can free up Rowan to run off as a vampire with Lestat--the Jeese Reeves 2.0 from the ridiculous QotD movie? 😨 I see you, Esta--KILL IT WITH FIRE, AMC!

Especially since the only reason Lestat was even involved with the Mayfair plot at all was one sidequest to help QUINN AND MONA find MORRIGAN, so unless AMC's gonna adapt Blackwood Farm next, there's no POINT making anything from Blood Canticle. And AR pretty much retconned everything that happened in Blood Canticle anyway, cuz everyone hated it! What makes YOU think you can do any better, ESTA!?

I love the Immortals Universe as a concept, cuz AR has SO MUCH good material one can use, to really give us the horror and gore and ghastliness of different immortal monsters. But I hate the MW project, cuz Esta isn't even using what she has.

Hopefully AMC finds better writers and adapts the Wolf Gift, and just ends the Mayfair Witches with S2; we don't need anymore of this mess.

the cast and producers of interview with the vampire and mayfair witches will be doing an emmys for your consideration panel on march 15th!

[xxgothchatonxx]

Speaking of Lestat casting

honestly, the more I watch the film, the more I... okay, I still can’t say that this is a good performance (I do give him credit for actually trying though... which is a lot more than i can say for other recent vampire portrayals...) but to be fair, Stuart wasn’t really given much to work with. Hardly ANY of the cast was given much to work with! I still crack up at some of those line deliveries “...boo...” but *le shrug* he’s grown on me. Still #NotMyLestat but still. 

So, with Sam Reid in this upcoming TV show, I just hope the writers give him more to do than what the QOTD film writers gave Stuart. Which is a pretty low bar to rise above but still. 

[hekateinhell]

Show Lestat is Lestat's father doing identity theft. Which will explain the age, the rage, and everything. Real Lestat is catching fishes with Gabe in Amazon.

Okay, Sam isn't that old! It's actually hilarious (painful) to me how much younger and more Lestat-like he looks behind-the-scenes.

Otherwise, yeah... I wish that were true.

Somewhat but not entirely related, I just need to park this thought somewhere and let it percolate: I haven't watched past Episode 5 so I'm probably late to the party, but seeing clips of the Train Conductor Scene had me flashing back to this gem Armand gives us on Lestat in QotD:

Armand, honey... is your version of Lestat really Samstat? Is this what you've been pining after? Also, how rude is it to talk about your crush to your current boyfriend? Armand, please.