which was a huge trigger for him because he wanted louis to love him so badly. Even though he cared for her at first he started to become resentful of Claudia to the point where he started getting physically violent.
@RowensARTstudio Again you give my response, Louis has not uttered those words to a soul since that sunrise on the roof . " I love you too baby brother " , after that he fears saying it, the trauma is still with him. 💔
@RowensARTstudiois it that people don’t see it/care to, or is it that people are aware of his complexity but don’t feel the same way about Louis that you do? I’m not accusing you of anything. Just asking because in a lot of discourse people assume that coming to a different conclusion is indicative of a misunderstanding.
as a non book reader i didn't feel like it was too much going on or to understand i've felt like the season so far has been at a very good pace honestly
49:58 I started to tear up a bit when Claudia was discussing her time being held captive and abused by Bruce. Narratively, I understand why this was added into the story (like the tweet that said a woman’s childhood ends the day a man is attracted to her). But for a show that tries so hard to incorporate the struggles of OUR world into the vampire world, it feels particularly cruel because of the ways black girls are adultified and sexualized all the time. It would be one thing if the show *critiqued* that in Claudia’s story, but they really blow past it in order to use the rape to symbolize her “end of innocence/becoming a woman.” If they weren’t going to get elbow deep into it, I don’t know that it was necessary to show her growth. A rare icky spot in a show I really love thus far
Agreed. It was hard not to view those scenes this episode as exploitative of Claudia’s trauma. I understand that the writing was smart in tying her into this motif of actions speaking louder than words when it comes to declarations of love, but it just seems like there’s so much more of the world they could be exploring with her instead of doing what they chose to don
Hard agree. I feel like they could be doing so much more with her character and even with her sa storyline but instead they are just adding more gruesome details. There are so many ways that kind of assault can affect a person, so much to discuss and critique. But so far I just see more suffering in more detail and comparatively little analysis. It feels very tired and very exploitative.
I agree! They might have added this as a response to the backlash when Rolin Jones said that her SA made her stronger, but they missed the point entirely. In S1, Louis took away the pages in the name of not exploiting her, but what he did was take away a rape victim's voice. In their attempt to rectify the rape plotline and Rolin Jones' comment, all they did in this episode was make Claudia describe the rape. So not only are they exploiting her by revealing the disgusting details, they're still not giving her a voice to speak up, they're still not showing that rape only gives you trauma and destroys you, not make you stronger, they're not showing that claudia is strong despite the assault not because of it. they're not bringing any awareness of the severity of sexual assault, it's so insulting.
Spot on. During the rest of season 1 after that episode for some reason I imagined she had killed Killer (Bruce) not that it would have righted the wrong done to her, it just made me feel better. But to revisit the incident and provide details was so unnecessary and unfair to Claudia, Delainey and survivors of SA everywhere. Why are women always put in these situations when it's not even cannon? I think that's why Baby Reindeer was such a phenomenon, people forget unless it happens to them personally that men too are SA daily.
I feel you. I work in SA spaces and as a survivor myself, I totally get it. I know that for many, mysognoir and the SA and abuse of Black women and fems can’t just be inserted without proper warning (side-eyeing s1e5) or explanation. And I also feel like, for me personally, SA and abuse doesn’t always need to be delved into or explored so thoroughly. It is a terrible, and sometimes random, act that many of us must endure. But the itch to “delve deeper” or interrogate every bit of it to make it serve some broader purpose in a fictional narrative can feel a bit more overwhelming than simply recognizing that it exists. I appreciate that we continue to see Claudia in a multifaceted way. She is a grown woman trapped in a child’s body, she is a bloodthirsty killer who wouldn’t hesitate to drain either of us, she’s a woman looking for community and willing to do whatever to belong, and she’s also a survivor. She isn’t relegated to just one thing, nor is her place in the narrative.
The flashback portion was less about TVL and more an excerpt from The Vampire Armand and how Lestat changed Armand’s life and coven life, leading to the creation of the Theatre des Vampires.
Just like with the original Paris coven, Armand is over it with the theater coven and wants someone else to destroy it. He knows Louis can get unhinged and that stuff with Claudia will make him flip out.
Everything that comes to Claudia comes from being a child vampire. She is either going to die, go crazy and walk into the fire, or be a bad ass old vampire. She is a punching bag and she always will be.
I've been enjoying the direction of this adaptation so far as someone who hasn't fully read the books but I've watched The Naughty Librarian's in depth videos about them. Not many people caught on that Magnus used to be in Armand's coven and that he was SENT from Rome to lead the coven. Arrgghhh! I know Armand is withholding for a reason (likely to hide the truth from Louis too) but the little tidbits they throw in from books later in the series would be almost impossible for someone who's experiencing this story for the first time to catch. But honestly, I can't say it bothers me that much. I'm letting the tale seduce me!!😅
I never read the books nor really watched the full OG movie, and i didnt feel like this episode was too much. Im very glad the we got back story of armand, i think we needed that. We needed to know that Armand and Lestat had been together before because that colors how we view Louis and Armands relationship going forward. Im really haoly they revealed that. It also explained how Lestat started the theatre which im glad they got that out of the way instead of us questioning how Armans knew Lestat this whole time. The knly thing i think was a lot was just the whole hacking the computer thing and that org thats watching the vamps. I think they could have put that in later but over all this episode wasnt too much at all
Fantastic analysis & review! I am loving this season . Beautifully filmed, acted, choreographed, scripted, & adapted. So happy that so many new people are delving into the story & characters. The coven is growing. ❤
I'm wondering if Claudia's experiences aren't going to be referenced if we get to QotD, given what Akasha's actions and endgame is, and what her interaction with Bruce 's coven is. There's also potentially more Claudia later on in the series. So perhaps some of her story with Louis requires a lack of resolution and lack of catharsis. The thing is that takes a long time to give narrative yields (if they never reach QotD or TotBT it with could also end up looking like a gratuitous story device), and it might be even worse given QotD's ending and depending on how to they cast Akasha.
Louis reflexively asked "what about Claudia?" out of concern for what would happen with her at the coven if he's killed/no longer around. And what human(s) did Claudia and Louis show their vampirism to and let live? And the coven did not have plans to destroy Claudia/their new meal ticket (pun intended).
the part in the books where lestat describes the appeal of rock music and the grit of the rock scene and why he gravitates towards it simply doesn't apply to broadway.
This was a very reassuring watch after seeing ep3 - I had very similar feelings wrt claudia and the further exploration of what happened to her in S1ep5, as well as the concern that this is going to just become The Lestat Show. It would be such a waste of so many talented actors and interesting characters!! (Not that I don't also massively enjoy sam reid's lestat, but I digress). Likewise I'm hoping this doesn't become the case!! Also, as someone who hadn't previously read/watched any other iteration of iwtv, I can say the references to other elements of the vampire chronicles has largely been interesting/intriguing! But I've also had the advantage of following people who DO know more, so I'm not sure how a more offline viewer would experience these things. Thank you for another excellent video!!
Lestat is the main character throughout the vampire chronicles. GOT had wonderful actors and characters... yet killing them off served the story. Characters of color should be allowed a full expression... they can be just as heroic or tragic. I know we want to give them plot armor to make up for all the stuff we go through in real life.
I enjoyed the ep and I really appreciate your perspective❤ It definitely gives me things to think about which is why I love this show so much! I know who is telling the story is so crucial so I'm kinda waiting to see more as it goes to put the whole picture togther. But as you said, its an adaptation and I'm in no rush to jump ahead . Havent gotten to the books quite yet but I want to really make sure we are taking in the present storyline as you mentioned. As a Louis fan, I hear your frustrations lol I really wish he had told Claudia that Armand now knows about Lestat but I feel that will hopefully be brought up next ep!
Louis really shouldn't have kept it from Claudia, ughh!😅 It's just one those tropes that's a pet peeve of mine, especially because Louis seemed to be the one between the two of them who wanted them to be as careful as possible. I think of it as him trying not to spoil her happiness because he's already seen how Claudia can switch up as soon as she feels like she's in danger, but it's way more important to keep her informed so that she's ready.
Non book reader or movie seer and while I still liked it overall, alot of the stuff in season2 i was iffy on or confused on does seem to come from things from later books being incorporated now. I still liked it but yeah it is kind of alot
I find it interesting that last week Armand speaking about Lestat in a way that made it seem like he didn’t enjoy having sex with him at all. Then this week he seemed to take the time in relishing the memory of their sexual escapade. It’s like he was trying to save face because he was still sore that Lestat had used and abandoned him. Also Lestat really seems to like flaunting his new lovers in his currently lovers face in public. He did it to Nicky EXACLY like he did it to Louis. It’s pretty interesting seeing him use the same techniques over and over again. It’s sad that they still seem to work even decades apart from each other.
Finally someone mentions this! In my opinion Armand (as much as he is also a manipulator in his own right) is one of the most tragic characters so far. You can see how desperate he was for Lestat's affection and how he clings to Louis even now. He even needed that validation of being with Louis longer than Lestat, and I'm sure it hurts seeing how Louis still pines heavily for Lestat and isn't happy with his current life in Dubai despite how long he and Armand have been together. It's like he seeks purpose but either gets tossed aside or left as soon as those who depended on him find something else. Look at how easily his "flock" left when Lestat showed up in his shiny coat and clean hair!
I agree! love the review! (also so funny someone mentioned how Louis knows Armand is going to kill Claudia, but still invites Armand up to his apartment only thinking about hooking up at that point, lol wtf?)
Raglan James was absolutely made up by Anne Rice as well as the name Lestat. The Talamasca are basically just… watchers and historians. OH and Raglan James is the trouble maker in Tale of the Body Thief where Raglan plays body swap with Lestat (If you ever want deep lore LMK) I would bet that Real Rashid is Memnoch or… actually maybe it’s Marius
Broadway Lestat roles: George III (Hamilton), Emcee (Cabaret), Sweeney Todd, King Herod (JCS). I think the purpose of Claudia's attack by Bruce was to show she can't defend herself from other vampires. It needed to be addressed somehow, simply because she had to be aged up so much and the reason her turning was such a crime needed emphasis. I do not think it needed this much emphasis. It would have been just as effective for it to have been a one-time attack, but being kept under the floorboards for a week seemed excessive (I say even though I know Armand's backstory will come out at some point; maybe knowing both their endgames in the books makes hers more upsetting to me). I need her to have as many wholesome moments with Madeleine between now and the end of the season as they can possibly squeeze in.
Literally everyone in this show has an absurd amount of trauma, like literally everyone of importance. Armand, Louis, Lestat, Madeline, Daniel and yes, even Claudia. White, black and brown characters alike all have trauma, tho we haven't delved into Lestat and Armand's trauma all that deeply, they're pretty bad too. All of this to say she's standing on a equal, traumatized footing with every character. They are all on the same boat dealing with their own brands of demons.
The character of Claudia eventually meets her fate. I think you're mixing your personal feelings about a character vs. the performance. It is what it is. Anyone who is familiar with the books will understand. Claudia's life is not joyful or pretty. You are doing new viewers and potential readers of the books a disservice. Yes, the story is tragic. The episode is foreboding. The series is a story of disfunction, sadness, betrayal, and pain.
I'm enjoying your episode reviews so much! I feel about the same. This episode was hmm a little rushed. I'm a bit indifferent and I haven't read the books yet. I wonder what the end of this season will be like! I'm looking forward to your next video!!
"this show punching bag" It really feels like that. It's like they are constantly drowning her everytime she get to the surface. It is constant and leaves a sour taste in my mouth. And it kind of scares me, because it's like the writers are preparing us for how far they are going to go to show her ****. "What about Claudia? Why would say that?" I took it as a parent worried for the safety of his child. At that point he confessed he killed Lestat. And Armand told him he knew for months. So I think in his head he was like, ok he knows for me and Claudia that we did it. So he ask about her "what about Claudia?" I didn't like the part of tvl for 2 reasons. First, the french overall was really bad (Assad was better but still). And as a French speaker, it was not a great experience seating through 20 min of non understanding french. Second, the arc felt flat and rushed. BUT, I think the writers put it in this episode to support the arc of Claudia trying to join the coven. And Armand trying to convert Louis to his coven and ultimately choosing Louis over it.
I’m also worried the show is doing too much to accommodate the popularity of Lestat at the cost of giving time to the three main characters of color. It’s even more concerning in light of showrunner Rolin Jones’ comments that next season will be centered on Lestat and his mother as the two main characters. I read about half of the series while season 1 was airing and unequivocally prefer show Louis, Claudia, and Armand to their book counterparts. Knowing that we’ll be without one of these core tenets of the show by the end of the season, and the other two will have diminished roles is low key heartbreaking.
To be honest that was the intention regarding Lestat. He is the main character throughout these Vampire Chronicles. The next timeline is The Vampire Lestat. That book is right after IVWTV so that has to accommodate Lestat's POV since Louis had his POV. Claudia dies in the book and movie IVWTV. Louis shows back up way later on in The Vampire Lestat, Queen of the Damned book, and The Tale of the Body Thief. I used to get tired of all the book readers back in 2022 but now I understand that once you read the books you will have more insight into what direction they may be heading. All of 2023 and this year I have been reading the books. They may use Jacob again in the future if they get renewed. We never know.
@@petboy5839Anne mentioned in an old interview that Louis was a metaphor for her grief and pain of the loss of her young daughter who died of cancer. Claudia's character was inspired by that and her husband Stan was Lestat.
@@awakensoulvibes I’ve read the books up thru Memnoch. At the end of the day, Lestat is unfortunately my least favorite character in the show and where they’re going with him is obvious because he’s in the books. Louis and Armand and Daniel are my favorite surviving characters and don’t appear as much in upcoming book canon. Hence why I’m apprehensive about how much screen time they’ll be allowed in season 3.
@@petboy5839 I know. I just don’t know how they’ll deal with the protagonist shift in book canon without losing and upsetting the audience that tuned in to watch Louis’ story, an audience that won’t care that Anne stopped writing Louis’ story and gave Lestat the spotlight for the rest of the series. The show simply can’t do the same thing. Especially with how much care they’ve put into addressing race in the show. It’d be frankly offensive to sideline the main character(s) of color for a white protagonist and his other white companions.
I agree with you, this was not my favourite episode and the Claudia SA was a big part of that. Given how careless the writers seem to be with her character.I'm scared to see how they will handle her death.
Speaking for myself as a book reader. I'm personally not enjoying 90% of what they've done. And it's not because of the race or even the time period changes, it's the feeling that they're disrespecting the source material and in turn, Anne Rice herself, with the things they're doing. Especially since neither she nor from what I understand, her son Christopher, have/had any creative or writing input on the show. The show is a beautifully shot show, and the writing is LEAUGES above what they're doing to The Mayfair Witches 😢 but that being said, even within their own interpretation of Interview, they're not consistent and are adding things that do not need to be added, such as Claudia's abuse. I am hoping that since this us through Louis and Armand only, that this is 100% not how Lestat is going to be, like it tured out in the books. There are some elements I'm enjoying, but overall, I'm disappointed with what AMC has done.
I understand wanting to protect the characters of color, but the story is bigger than that. GOT killed beloved characters all the time... serving the story was paramount.
Game of Thrones is actually a great example of a show that has thoughtlessly killed or brutalized women and especially women of colour for the sake of shock value rather than serving the story.
why would u compare that show and it’s awful writers to interview w the vampire 😭 it would be a wrap for me if the writers of iwtv started moving like those ppl
@aidaalimsalah67 GOT was a cultural phenomenal... The writing in the last 2 seasons was questionable. However, that's not what we are discussing. GOT freed many writers of the trope of keeping the same characters. Life can imitate art... not everyone ( especially good people or people you may personally identify with) survives to the end.
You are not the first to say it. 😂 I’ve low key been thinking this for a while. The defense is that makers can’t normally hear their offspring telepathically and if he COULD hear Louis, he’d have been a bit quicker squashing his and Claudia’s murder plot during season one and wouldn’t have needed Antoinette. But, I do think there could be some excuse like him “dying” or being on the brink enhanced his gift or blah blah blah, idk. I’d love it if it was true tho.
Why can’t she be obsessed with a certain representation in a show? There aren’t enough black vampires. Period. I understand the story is bigger than Claudia or whoever and that she meets her fate, but clearly you are obsessed with Lestat. He’s overrated…
I haven't even watched the whole video yet ( which, needless to say, of course I will) but omfg am I GLAD someone else had a problem with this episode??? Everyone seems to be delighted with it and I'm... actually quite mad? Quite f***** mad at how they a) Hung, drew and quarted The Vampire Lestat to fit into fifteen bloody minutes of backstory b) exploited Claudia's traumatic experience??? After they said they wouldn't exploit her??? Like WHY. Give me one good effing reason for that!! And 3) turned Armand, my favorite character Armand, into an utter simp with no other trait up to now other than thirsting after Lestat - and writing the most embarrassing self insert fanfic under the sun (the "Je t'aime" had me in tears of rage) - or hankering after Louis. I had enjoyed the show so much up to now!!! I seriously wondered if I was alone in not being the biggest fan of this episode, and now I've vented my feelings and know I'm not alone, I'll watch the whole video and, more than likely, agree with you.
for the vampire lestat part, I think they are doing it like this because this is 1)how armand saw those events (as Lestat rejecting him) and 2) most likely has more than a few lies sprinkled through to make himself come off better than Lestat (it really is Armand's fanfic lol). Next season will be in Lestat's point of view and we will probably see perspectives changes the story like how they are doing that with louis this season and Lestat next season. For the claudia stuff, I'm not going to defend it.
just stopped already we all need lestat to keep season alive bc this will be claudia and armands season (ofc loui) we need lestat bc I'm afraid that this is only thing we will get
Louis never told Lestat he loved him.
Yes! I forgot that he didn’t and I didn’t realize until after I’d finished editing but it was too late for me to add a note about it
Pinned as a correction
which was a huge trigger for him because he wanted louis to love him so badly. Even though he cared for her at first he started to become resentful of Claudia to the point where he started getting physically violent.
@RowensARTstudio Again you give my response, Louis has not uttered those words to a soul since that sunrise on the roof . " I love you too baby brother " , after that he fears saying it, the trauma is still with him. 💔
@RowensARTstudiois it that people don’t see it/care to, or is it that people are aware of his complexity but don’t feel the same way about Louis that you do?
I’m not accusing you of anything. Just asking because in a lot of discourse people assume that coming to a different conclusion is indicative of a misunderstanding.
as a non book reader i didn't feel like it was too much going on or to understand i've felt like the season so far has been at a very good pace honestly
Same.
49:58 I started to tear up a bit when Claudia was discussing her time being held captive and abused by Bruce. Narratively, I understand why this was added into the story (like the tweet that said a woman’s childhood ends the day a man is attracted to her). But for a show that tries so hard to incorporate the struggles of OUR world into the vampire world, it feels particularly cruel because of the ways black girls are adultified and sexualized all the time. It would be one thing if the show *critiqued* that in Claudia’s story, but they really blow past it in order to use the rape to symbolize her “end of innocence/becoming a woman.” If they weren’t going to get elbow deep into it, I don’t know that it was necessary to show her growth.
A rare icky spot in a show I really love thus far
Agreed. It was hard not to view those scenes this episode as exploitative of Claudia’s trauma. I understand that the writing was smart in tying her into this motif of actions speaking louder than words when it comes to declarations of love, but it just seems like there’s so much more of the world they could be exploring with her instead of doing what they chose to don
Hard agree. I feel like they could be doing so much more with her character and even with her sa storyline but instead they are just adding more gruesome details. There are so many ways that kind of assault can affect a person, so much to discuss and critique. But so far I just see more suffering in more detail and comparatively little analysis. It feels very tired and very exploitative.
I agree! They might have added this as a response to the backlash when Rolin Jones said that her SA made her stronger, but they missed the point entirely. In S1, Louis took away the pages in the name of not exploiting her, but what he did was take away a rape victim's voice. In their attempt to rectify the rape plotline and Rolin Jones' comment, all they did in this episode was make Claudia describe the rape. So not only are they exploiting her by revealing the disgusting details, they're still not giving her a voice to speak up, they're still not showing that rape only gives you trauma and destroys you, not make you stronger, they're not showing that claudia is strong despite the assault not because of it. they're not bringing any awareness of the severity of sexual assault, it's so insulting.
Spot on. During the rest of season 1 after that episode for some reason I imagined she had killed Killer (Bruce) not that it would have righted the wrong done to her, it just made me feel better. But to revisit the incident and provide details was so unnecessary and unfair to Claudia, Delainey and survivors of SA everywhere. Why are women always put in these situations when it's not even cannon? I think that's why Baby Reindeer was such a phenomenon, people forget unless it happens to them personally that men too are SA daily.
I feel you. I work in SA spaces and as a survivor myself, I totally get it. I know that for many, mysognoir and the SA and abuse of Black women and fems can’t just be inserted without proper warning (side-eyeing s1e5) or explanation. And I also feel like, for me personally, SA and abuse doesn’t always need to be delved into or explored so thoroughly. It is a terrible, and sometimes random, act that many of us must endure. But the itch to “delve deeper” or interrogate every bit of it to make it serve some broader purpose in a fictional narrative can feel a bit more overwhelming than simply recognizing that it exists. I appreciate that we continue to see Claudia in a multifaceted way. She is a grown woman trapped in a child’s body, she is a bloodthirsty killer who wouldn’t hesitate to drain either of us, she’s a woman looking for community and willing to do whatever to belong, and she’s also a survivor. She isn’t relegated to just one thing, nor is her place in the narrative.
Lestat’s blowout was incredible this episode tho. 2 inch barrel curling iron tease
He was absolutely sitting in his rollers before going to haunt the narrative
lil (sorta) fun fact: Assad Zaman recently said he feels that Louis begging Armand to care for Claudia is the moment Armand decides not to kill him
The flashback portion was less about TVL and more an excerpt from The Vampire Armand and how Lestat changed Armand’s life and coven life, leading to the creation of the Theatre des Vampires.
Yeah, that needed to be seeded in and it serves the current story we're telling.
Just like with the original Paris coven, Armand is over it with the theater coven and wants someone else to destroy it. He knows Louis can get unhinged and that stuff with Claudia will make him flip out.
Lestat’s Loumand diss track is everything 😂
I didn't like Claudia's SA storyline either :(
Everything that comes to Claudia comes from being a child vampire. She is either going to die, go crazy and walk into the fire, or be a bad ass old vampire. She is a punching bag and she always will be.
Yeah, that's just the character...it's a tragic character.
I've been enjoying the direction of this adaptation so far as someone who hasn't fully read the books but I've watched The Naughty Librarian's in depth videos about them.
Not many people caught on that Magnus used to be in Armand's coven and that he was SENT from Rome to lead the coven.
Arrgghhh! I know Armand is withholding for a reason (likely to hide the truth from Louis too) but the little tidbits they throw in from books later in the series would be almost impossible for someone who's experiencing this story for the first time to catch.
But honestly, I can't say it bothers me that much. I'm letting the tale seduce me!!😅
I never read the books nor really watched the full OG movie, and i didnt feel like this episode was too much. Im very glad the we got back story of armand, i think we needed that. We needed to know that Armand and Lestat had been together before because that colors how we view Louis and Armands relationship going forward. Im really haoly they revealed that. It also explained how Lestat started the theatre which im glad they got that out of the way instead of us questioning how Armans knew Lestat this whole time. The knly thing i think was a lot was just the whole hacking the computer thing and that org thats watching the vamps. I think they could have put that in later but over all this episode wasnt too much at all
They really changed the dynamic between Armand and Lestat first meeting.
Hope this is Armand making up stuff since it’s from his PoV
Fantastic analysis & review! I am loving this season . Beautifully filmed, acted, choreographed, scripted, & adapted. So happy that so many new people are delving into the story & characters. The coven is growing. ❤
I'm wondering if Claudia's experiences aren't going to be referenced if we get to QotD, given what Akasha's actions and endgame is, and what her interaction with Bruce 's coven is.
There's also potentially more Claudia later on in the series. So perhaps some of her story with Louis requires a lack of resolution and lack of catharsis.
The thing is that takes a long time to give narrative yields (if they never reach QotD or TotBT it with could also end up looking like a gratuitous story device), and it might be even worse given QotD's ending and depending on how to they cast Akasha.
1:01:38 “what about the people who never read the books?” We are right here watching you mamas 😭
Actually information is shared through the blood.
ahh that makes sense!
Louis reflexively asked "what about Claudia?" out of concern for what would happen with her at the coven if he's killed/no longer around.
And what human(s) did Claudia and Louis show their vampirism to and let live?
And the coven did not have plans to destroy Claudia/their new meal ticket (pun intended).
the part in the books where lestat describes the appeal of rock music and the grit of the rock scene and why he gravitates towards it simply doesn't apply to broadway.
This was a very reassuring watch after seeing ep3 - I had very similar feelings wrt claudia and the further exploration of what happened to her in S1ep5, as well as the concern that this is going to just become The Lestat Show. It would be such a waste of so many talented actors and interesting characters!! (Not that I don't also massively enjoy sam reid's lestat, but I digress). Likewise I'm hoping this doesn't become the case!!
Also, as someone who hadn't previously read/watched any other iteration of iwtv, I can say the references to other elements of the vampire chronicles has largely been interesting/intriguing! But I've also had the advantage of following people who DO know more, so I'm not sure how a more offline viewer would experience these things. Thank you for another excellent video!!
Lestat is the main character throughout the vampire chronicles. GOT had wonderful actors and characters... yet killing them off served the story. Characters of color should be allowed a full expression... they can be just as heroic or tragic. I know we want to give them plot armor to make up for all the stuff we go through in real life.
I enjoyed the ep and I really appreciate your perspective❤ It definitely gives me things to think about which is why I love this show so much! I know who is telling the story is so crucial so I'm kinda waiting to see more as it goes to put the whole picture togther. But as you said, its an adaptation and I'm in no rush to jump ahead . Havent gotten to the books quite yet but I want to really make sure we are taking in the present storyline as you mentioned. As a Louis fan, I hear your frustrations lol I really wish he had told Claudia that Armand now knows about Lestat but I feel that will hopefully be brought up next ep!
Louis really shouldn't have kept it from Claudia, ughh!😅 It's just one those tropes that's a pet peeve of mine, especially because Louis seemed to be the one between the two of them who wanted them to be as careful as possible.
I think of it as him trying not to spoil her happiness because he's already seen how Claudia can switch up as soon as she feels like she's in danger, but it's way more important to keep her informed so that she's ready.
Exactly! Like I get it but the Coven actually has Laws that they take very seriously 😮
Thank you so much for this review / breakdown
Non book reader or movie seer and while I still liked it overall, alot of the stuff in season2 i was iffy on or confused on does seem to come from things from later books being incorporated now.
I still liked it but yeah it is kind of alot
Some of y’all in this comment section are doing a lot lol… loved your review ❤
real bc book readers r sometimes so condescending to new fans like do u even want the show to get new viewers or do u want the show to flop!
I find it interesting that last week Armand speaking about Lestat in a way that made it seem like he didn’t enjoy having sex with him at all. Then this week he seemed to take the time in relishing the memory of their sexual escapade. It’s like he was trying to save face because he was still sore that Lestat had used and abandoned him. Also Lestat really seems to like flaunting his new lovers in his currently lovers face in public. He did it to Nicky EXACLY like he did it to Louis. It’s pretty interesting seeing him use the same techniques over and over again. It’s sad that they still seem to work even decades apart from each other.
Finally someone mentions this!
In my opinion Armand (as much as he is also a manipulator in his own right) is one of the most tragic characters so far.
You can see how desperate he was for Lestat's affection and how he clings to Louis even now. He even needed that validation of being with Louis longer than Lestat, and I'm sure it hurts seeing how Louis still pines heavily for Lestat and isn't happy with his current life in Dubai despite how long he and Armand have been together.
It's like he seeks purpose but either gets tossed aside or left as soon as those who depended on him find something else. Look at how easily his "flock" left when Lestat showed up in his shiny coat and clean hair!
Irrelevant but i love your posters so much 😍
I agree! love the review! (also so funny someone mentioned how Louis knows Armand is going to kill Claudia, but still invites Armand up to his apartment only thinking about hooking up at that point, lol wtf?)
Well at this point Armand basically said that Claudia was weak minded and wasn’t going to last, he wasn’t necessary threatening her
Luis doesn't know the sun from the moon lol
the man has been a lost cause since S1 Ep 1
I’m worried you’re going to need a couple of sub-levels on that chart for the upcoming episodes if this is already tracking at ‘so over’ 😅
Raglan James was absolutely made up by Anne Rice as well as the name Lestat. The Talamasca are basically just… watchers and historians.
OH and Raglan James is the trouble maker in Tale of the Body Thief where Raglan plays body swap with Lestat (If you ever want deep lore LMK)
I would bet that Real Rashid is Memnoch or… actually maybe it’s Marius
Broadway Lestat roles: George III (Hamilton), Emcee (Cabaret), Sweeney Todd, King Herod (JCS).
I think the purpose of Claudia's attack by Bruce was to show she can't defend herself from other vampires. It needed to be addressed somehow, simply because she had to be aged up so much and the reason her turning was such a crime needed emphasis. I do not think it needed this much emphasis. It would have been just as effective for it to have been a one-time attack, but being kept under the floorboards for a week seemed excessive (I say even though I know Armand's backstory will come out at some point; maybe knowing both their endgames in the books makes hers more upsetting to me). I need her to have as many wholesome moments with Madeleine between now and the end of the season as they can possibly squeeze in.
Bobby (Company)
Ma’am…either your hair cape is MAJOR or you need to drop the link for where you get your wigs. 😂
She is this shows punching bag. Just like Tara in True Blood. They really don't know how to write black women without absurd amounts of trauma.
Literally everyone in this show has an absurd amount of trauma, like literally everyone of importance.
Armand, Louis, Lestat, Madeline, Daniel and yes, even Claudia. White, black and brown characters alike all have trauma, tho we haven't delved into Lestat and Armand's trauma all that deeply, they're pretty bad too.
All of this to say she's standing on a equal, traumatized footing with every character. They are all on the same boat dealing with their own brands of demons.
The character of Claudia eventually meets her fate. I think you're mixing your personal feelings about a character vs. the performance. It is what it is. Anyone who is familiar with the books will understand. Claudia's life is not joyful or pretty. You are doing new viewers and potential readers of the books a disservice.
Yes, the story is tragic. The episode is foreboding. The series is a story of disfunction, sadness, betrayal, and pain.
calm down omg?? 💀😭
I'm enjoying your episode reviews so much! I feel about the same. This episode was hmm a little rushed. I'm a bit indifferent and I haven't read the books yet. I wonder what the end of this season will be like! I'm looking forward to your next video!!
"this show punching bag" It really feels like that. It's like they are constantly drowning her everytime she get to the surface. It is constant and leaves a sour taste in my mouth. And it kind of scares me, because it's like the writers are preparing us for how far they are going to go to show her ****.
"What about Claudia? Why would say that?"
I took it as a parent worried for the safety of his child. At that point he confessed he killed Lestat. And Armand told him he knew for months. So I think in his head he was like, ok he knows for me and Claudia that we did it. So he ask about her "what about Claudia?"
I didn't like the part of tvl for 2 reasons. First, the french overall was really bad (Assad was better but still). And as a French speaker, it was not a great experience seating through 20 min of non understanding french. Second, the arc felt flat and rushed. BUT, I think the writers put it in this episode to support the arc of Claudia trying to join the coven. And Armand trying to convert Louis to his coven and ultimately choosing Louis over it.
David Talbot, anyone ... ?
It only makes sense that it's David... Unless we're getting book 4 prematurely.
He body swapped with David?
personally, i hope not lol
@@lkcullen1918 Don't worry, he will be a victim of the "body thief" & will become the David we all know, & love presently.
I’m also worried the show is doing too much to accommodate the popularity of Lestat at the cost of giving time to the three main characters of color. It’s even more concerning in light of showrunner Rolin Jones’ comments that next season will be centered on Lestat and his mother as the two main characters. I read about half of the series while season 1 was airing and unequivocally prefer show Louis, Claudia, and Armand to their book counterparts. Knowing that we’ll be without one of these core tenets of the show by the end of the season, and the other two will have diminished roles is low key heartbreaking.
To be honest that was the intention regarding Lestat. He is the main character throughout these Vampire Chronicles. The next timeline is The Vampire Lestat. That book is right after IVWTV so that has to accommodate Lestat's POV since Louis had his POV. Claudia dies in the book and movie IVWTV. Louis shows back up way later on in The Vampire Lestat, Queen of the Damned book, and The Tale of the Body Thief. I used to get tired of all the book readers back in 2022 but now I understand that once you read the books you will have more insight into what direction they may be heading. All of 2023 and this year I have been reading the books. They may use Jacob again in the future if they get renewed. We never know.
Rice did a 180 with the character of Louis and tossed him aside to make Lestat the protagonist in the sequel books
@@petboy5839Anne mentioned in an old interview that Louis was a metaphor for her grief and pain of the loss of her young daughter who died of cancer. Claudia's character was inspired by that and her husband Stan was Lestat.
@@awakensoulvibes I’ve read the books up thru Memnoch. At the end of the day, Lestat is unfortunately my least favorite character in the show and where they’re going with him is obvious because he’s in the books. Louis and Armand and Daniel are my favorite surviving characters and don’t appear as much in upcoming book canon. Hence why I’m apprehensive about how much screen time they’ll be allowed in season 3.
@@petboy5839 I know. I just don’t know how they’ll deal with the protagonist shift in book canon without losing and upsetting the audience that tuned in to watch Louis’ story, an audience that won’t care that Anne stopped writing Louis’ story and gave Lestat the spotlight for the rest of the series. The show simply can’t do the same thing. Especially with how much care they’ve put into addressing race in the show. It’d be frankly offensive to sideline the main character(s) of color for a white protagonist and his other white companions.
I agree with you, this was not my favourite episode and the Claudia SA was a big part of that. Given how careless the writers seem to be with her character.I'm scared to see how they will handle her death.
Lestat is overrated. Louis and Claudia is why i watch.
Speaking for myself as a book reader. I'm personally not enjoying 90% of what they've done. And it's not because of the race or even the time period changes, it's the feeling that they're disrespecting the source material and in turn, Anne Rice herself, with the things they're doing. Especially since neither she nor from what I understand, her son Christopher, have/had any creative or writing input on the show. The show is a beautifully shot show, and the writing is LEAUGES above what they're doing to The Mayfair Witches 😢 but that being said, even within their own interpretation of Interview, they're not consistent and are adding things that do not need to be added, such as Claudia's abuse. I am hoping that since this us through Louis and Armand only, that this is 100% not how Lestat is going to be, like it tured out in the books. There are some elements I'm enjoying, but overall, I'm disappointed with what AMC has done.
I understand wanting to protect the characters of color, but the story is bigger than that. GOT killed beloved characters all the time... serving the story was paramount.
I don’t like how you phrased this
Game of Thrones is actually a great example of a show that has thoughtlessly killed or brutalized women and especially women of colour for the sake of shock value rather than serving the story.
why would u compare that show and it’s awful writers to interview w the vampire 😭 it would be a wrap for me if the writers of iwtv started moving like those ppl
@booksvsmovies white men got killed off too on GOT.. we should be careful enough not to over identify with entertainment.
@aidaalimsalah67 GOT was a cultural phenomenal... The writing in the last 2 seasons was questionable. However, that's not what we are discussing. GOT freed many writers of the trope of keeping the same characters. Life can imitate art... not everyone ( especially good people or people you may personally identify with) survives to the end.
Okay so am I the only who thinks that Dream Lestat is just Lestat projecting to Louis. Like these feel to real
You are not the first to say it. 😂 I’ve low key been thinking this for a while. The defense is that makers can’t normally hear their offspring telepathically and if he COULD hear Louis, he’d have been a bit quicker squashing his and Claudia’s murder plot during season one and wouldn’t have needed Antoinette. But, I do think there could be some excuse like him “dying” or being on the brink enhanced his gift or blah blah blah, idk. I’d love it if it was true tho.
You all become to obsessed is someone person of color or not we are going backwards just give me good show and we need Lestat to have it honestly.
Why can’t she be obsessed with a certain representation in a show? There aren’t enough black vampires. Period. I understand the story is bigger than Claudia or whoever and that she meets her fate, but clearly you are obsessed with Lestat. He’s overrated…
I haven't even watched the whole video yet ( which, needless to say, of course I will) but omfg am I GLAD someone else had a problem with this episode??? Everyone seems to be delighted with it and I'm... actually quite mad? Quite f***** mad at how they a) Hung, drew and quarted The Vampire Lestat to fit into fifteen bloody minutes of backstory b) exploited Claudia's traumatic experience??? After they said they wouldn't exploit her??? Like WHY. Give me one good effing reason for that!! And 3) turned Armand, my favorite character Armand, into an utter simp with no other trait up to now other than thirsting after Lestat - and writing the most embarrassing self insert fanfic under the sun (the "Je t'aime" had me in tears of rage) - or hankering after Louis. I had enjoyed the show so much up to now!!! I seriously wondered if I was alone in not being the biggest fan of this episode, and now I've vented my feelings and know I'm not alone, I'll watch the whole video and, more than likely, agree with you.
for the vampire lestat part, I think they are doing it like this because this is 1)how armand saw those events (as Lestat rejecting him) and 2) most likely has more than a few lies sprinkled through to make himself come off better than Lestat (it really is Armand's fanfic lol). Next season will be in Lestat's point of view and we will probably see perspectives changes the story like how they are doing that with louis this season and Lestat next season.
For the claudia stuff, I'm not going to defend it.
You book readers are insufferable. It doesn't occur to u that the tvl portion was told that way for a reason? Geez, let the tale seduce u
just stopped already we all need lestat to keep season alive bc this will be claudia and armands season (ofc loui) we need lestat bc I'm afraid that this is only thing we will get