(I WASN'T READY) Interview With A Vampire Episode 5: Rant/ Reaction/ Review 

On a lighter note, Daniel was spot on when he said how Lestat and Louis were a couple of whiny existential queens. I mean... Did he lie though? 😂

I love the conversation this episode made people have. No one saw Lestat's emotional abuse, control, and disregard as an issue until he actually put his hands on Louis.

Your therapy session with Lestat-him sitting there staring- is exactly how I imagine it would go. 😂

No, episode 6 was the perfect follow up to episode 5 😩 I’m genuinely still in shock from episode 5, but the next episode really showed that the writers are WRITING!!! It really develops Louis and Claudia’s relationship and moves the plot forward

I honestly don't think the book was any better. Lestat implied that he would kill Claudia if Louis stepped out of line the moment Lestat made her. Louis lived in fear of Lestat's rages so much so that he would hold back his opinions about stupid things like liking a play! Louis lived in constant fear in the book. It felt like holding your breath for 100 years. And the love was much less explored in the book than the show so there was no love bombing or fun until Claudia. Lestat may not have beat Louis and Claudia but he kept them linked to him in fear saying that he made them and could unmake them. Emotional abuse like this, living in fear that you might be killed in some horrible way or that your daughter might for 60 years?! Not better than the show IMO. Just a different kind of abuse. The book leaves more room for Lestat's POV in later books to be much less sinister than how he presented himself to Louis and Claudia, but their experience in the first book is horrible because of Lestat's lies and SILENCE and antagonism.

RIGHT. PROTECT LOUIS (AND CLAUDIA) AT ALL COSTS! The writers showing it from Claudia’s point of view instead of Louis’s (until they fly) is insane writing and makes sense to me, because yeah, up to this point Lestat has shown signs of EMOTIONAL abuse but because Louis himself downplayed the isolation when Lestat killed the one person Louis found refuge in (Lily) and the manipulation in ep 1&2, he would obviously try and downplay when it turns physical so having us see it through Claudia’s eyes drives home just how bad it actually was. Because remember Louis himself is adamant that he wasn’t a victim, but when you see through the eyes of the child, watching as your ‘father’ physically abuses your ‘mother’ drives home just how romanticised Louis tells his and Lestat’s story.

I still haven’t recovered from this episode. I probably should not have been as surprised as I was honestly. But maaaaannn when they started going at it like that I almost jumped through my tv screen

I couldn't agree more. Both my parents escaped abusive marriages, so this was hard to watch. It's not physically abusive in the book, but Anne Rice (the author) and her son were directly involved with the show, so she clearly thought it was in the realm of possibility for her characters to do this. She was the kind of woman who wouldn't let her stamp of approval be put on something that betrayed her vision. Thus, why the movies based on her work she wasn't involved in are trash. Anne Rice was an ally queen, may she rest in peace.

the signs of Lestat's abusive behavior were all there and yet we still didn't see it coming. OMG.

“Paper trail! Now we need to build an incinerator factory!” lol - love your reviews!

Love your reactions and commentary ! About Claudia , tank you so much for reminding people that she was never the issue in their relationship ! I saw people say she was "ruining things" and it's like ... no ... Louis was literally breaking up with Lestat before finding her. She's the reason they stayed together. Even Louis staying in the house after she left was probably at least in part because he was waiting for her ! And it's telling how Lestat says "remember how happy we were before her", he was delusional and some people just run with him on that one lol. Claudia is their victim, she never asked for this. Like sure, she is a monster too but i don't care what she does to Louis and Lestat specifically. They brought that on themselves. The whole time they were dealing with her serial killing I was chanting "consequences, consequences !"

I love how even the actor playing Lestat (our beautiful Sam Reid) felt icky filming these scenes! "Oh no Jacob your face!!!" "It's not real Sam"

Lestat warned that he had his father’s temper. He had also been warned to only make those he loves and he was cursed to have everyone he made would leave him.

Going to be honest.. Even though these characters are fictional that fight scene impacted me way more than I thought it would..

No, Anne did not write the relationship this way, they did split, eventually and it was heartbreaking for both of them, but they would spend time together every few decades and part again, sad, I can't say why, because I don't know what to avoid so I don't spoil, but the overall theme of the relationship was summed up perfectly in the last scene in the movie, Lestat is in Daniel's car, hears the interview tape playing in the stereo, Lestat turns it to the radio instead, rolls his eyes, says "Louise! Still whining!" 😁

No. Your reaction to things is crazy... I've been in tears laughing for five minutes straight. I love your content. When you were sure Lestat wasn't going to drop him but he did... your reaction 😂😂😂

This episode was crazy good. The acting was on point, the drama was intense.

Love your review, agree on everything. I feel you on hesitating about the rest of the series, or Lestat's character: DV is extremely well-captured on the show, and that's triggering as hell. On the other hand, I think it's really worthwhile to have this depicted, as a conversation piece and something you can point to. The vampire metaphor always runs the risk of glamorizing it (two attractive actors, playing characters who are "fated together"), but in that case, it really shows - the culpability of Claudia seeing her parents fight over her own clumsy attempts to deal with the toxic household, Louis seeming blind or passive because he wants to protect Claudia, and Lestat still thinking it's all about his own trauma and lack of love ("look what you're making me do to you"). Domestic abuse is litteraly when love excuses bloodshed, and that's something a vampire show must serve to warn against - putting the signs out there so the red flags flash in your mind if you see them in real life. (The next episode will sadly be a great deal focused on the relapse into the toxic bond...)

Louis is a DV victim, but there were clues from the beginning. Lestat killed everyone, luis cared about them, then separated him from his family. Claudia may be a killer, but she is a rider for her daddy Louis. She definitely has more balls than me. Lestat wouldn't have been able to speak to me after that ass whooping he gave Louis.

True, Louis doesn't need Lestat for anything, nothing at all! He is in this relationship because, as incredible as it may seem, he has love for Blondie. And as hard as it is to believe, Lestat loves his Prince with such ardor that it borders on madness! If Louis leaves him, Lestat becomes more dangerous than he already is, capable of even killing him in the worst way, then killing himself, because just thinking about it, he turned into a horrible demon!

Im sorry, but 31:42 had me rolling. I know this is a very heavy episode with sensitive subjects but you saying with your whole chest "He's not going to let you drop! How would he explain it?" Immediately followed by the "Oh shit. He let him drop. I didn’t expect that." Got a good laugh out of me.

🙄; I think Claudia got a lil too much of Lestat's blood when she was turned, and being that she was so young it was probably strong and made her a lil more vicious.

This is horrible and I love it (as fiction). The 1st book in Louis' pov depicted Lestat as cruel but subsequent books basically disproved Louis as lying, and Lestat actually being all good and always right and justified, which I HATED. The series corrected this. Yes, Louis still lies (mostly to himself), but no Lestat is not the golden hero slandered by a bitter drama queen ex. Makes the whole story more nuanced and make way more sense. And makes sure even the most oblivous viewer understands this relationship is toxic.

31:11 girl... I was like you are going to eat those words and it is going to hurt. The most fuck up thing about what Lestat did is he drained him of all of his energy by drinking his blood. So when if Louis tried to catch himself, he couldn't, that is literally the worst thing you can do to a vampire. Lestat literally tried to kill Louis rather it was his intention or not😢

i completely agree with you... i lost all respect for lestat after this moment and yet most people were still siding w lestat over louis,, the signs were all there (emotional abuse) but people only reacted when he physically hurt him :/

Louis was propping Lestat up while getting his entire behind beaten. "It's okay Claudia, we're done" meanwhile getting bitten and thrown through a wall. They need to cancel him.

The beautiful and terrifying thing is when lestat is screaming about restraint he AINT FUCKING LYING GIRL and ohhhhhhhh my god when you find out what he really is lol

Nobody can love you the way you love you!!!!! I hollered lol!!!!!!! I cannot wait for you to watch the next episode, omg!!!

This commentary was everything 😂😂😂. I enjoyed it ❤

Thank you, Shalaya. You have the best rant/reaction/review videos for this show. It is entertaining! I love the quality, sound, and the great editing. Keep this winning format that you have. I have no suggestion for you because you and your seven videos are on fire. Subscribed.

This was such a hard episode to watch but it might be my favorite in the whole season with episode 7. Glad you're holding Lestat accountable for his actions. Love your reactions 💙

Lol Yeah that NEVER happened in the books. Your reactions so funny, had to subscribe 💯

SHE WASN'T READY😭🎶

This was an absolutely FANTASTIC reaction! You completely understand Lestat and his need to be loved exactly how he wants to be loved. His human need for love and affection is transformed into something monstrous as a vampire. Lestat needs serious therapy for a couple of centuries.

It’s gonna get worse, and by worse, I mean BETTER😂😂😂😂😂

This ep was so good!! My baby lou got beat😭😭 I'm glad they showed this side of Lestat cos, before, people were making all kinds of excuses for him and even painting Louis as the villain.

I really think if you read the books you’ll truly appreciate the art and drama of this fantastic series like tbh the writing of this show on top of the basis of the books is one of the most intense pieces of art and philosophical works that I’ve ever experienced and I just adore the entire works and like Anne rice will forever have my heart

We've got to keep in mind the fight was from Claudia's prospective and she hates Lestat at this point in time. We've never had Lestat's pov and won't until next season most probably. Louis is still an unreliable narrator and has outright lied about Lestat before and been called out for it. Sam Reid said, "There will come a day, I think, when Lestat turns around, goes, actually, this is how it f**king happened." 😂 I think people are forgetting we're not getting a true picture of what actually went down. I do hate how they did Lestat in the show, book Lestat isn't physically abusive towards Louis or Claudia. Lestat is FAR from perfect but he is definitely not the worst when it comes to the vampires in the series, and I hope we get to see the worst of the worst lol. The SA was a step too far in opinion. I don't think it added anything to the story. The actors make this series though.

oh girl ep 6 gone made you madddd lmaoo but still a really good follow up to ep 5 !!

OHMYGOD I can't wait for you to watch the finale!

FINALLY!!!! I've been waiting all week for ep5 reaction ☠️🪦

This episode was sooo intense. Can’t wait for you to see the next episode

i don't understand how louis and lestat didn't smell those rotting body parts in her room.

LOL you are too funny! Love the review!

🤨; Lestat should be in vampire jail for the way he violently beat Louis!... It wasn't even that serious!🤷🏽‍♀ ~ I don't think Louis was gonna leave with Claudia anyway... well not that day. ➡(I bet most of that angry and as&-whooping was about that one hook-up Louis had with Jonah, ep.3) Bratty Lestat seems like the type of vampire that would hold a grudge about something for 100-200yrs. lol / 💭But How can you say you love someone then beat them within inches of their life!... He tryed to kill him! ~That's not love Lesta! 😢👎🏼

Honey, do you know this is the foundation and mainstay of most, if not all, human DA and DV relationships? You know how much you'd have to be broken down inside to endure all that and still decide (for some strange reason) to stay. This is why DA VICTIMS must get help when they survive these things. Folks like Lestat will make you NOT RIGHT IN THE HEAD.

I have seen a lot of viewers offer excuses for Lestat's abuse. It's a little different because they're fictional characters, people might not give a real person as much latitude for such actions in real life- but I can't help but think that their real feelings about abusive behavior color how they relate to it on the screen, as how could it not? And I can't help but think that part of the reason that people are comfortable offering such excuses are partly because it's between two men.

Not how it was written in the books, but it was very much a different dynamic in the book. Book Lestat would definitely have said all of that, but he would NEVER have done that to Louis or Claudia.🤷🏽‍♀️

‘Just say it!’ ‘Fuck you! Screw you! Get out of my face Lestat!’ Yes! And there are still people trying to figure out why Louis didn’t answer Lestats question. Does that mean he still loooooves him? Like, maybe it means he’s been beaten so hard he’s almost in a coma and this disgusting creature just needs to get the fuck off of him… I really do have to side eye the creatives on this one, especially the longer it went on. You can tell from your reaction to just the beginning that a big chunk of that was unnecessary to make the point story wise. And in a behind the scenes video called ‘the Fight’ (which is just not the correct term for what they put to screen, Louis was a dishrag so if they wanted a fight they should have had him be able to participate) the actor said there were disagreements on set as to what was happening and being represented and they were trying to figure it out. I just find it curious with how intentional they made and speak about all the other changes to time period, race and ages and yet this one was causing confusion on set even while they were shooting.

ur editing is so funny lmao 😂

Omg I loveeeee your reaction girl🤣😂

You’re so petty with the footage!!! 😂🤣😂🤣🤣🤣 I like it here *clicks subscribe*

Claudia pulling out that Rue energy to distract and derail while making a swift exit.

Show trivia! The song that plays at the very end, as Lestat calmly lands? Home Is Where You're Happy written, played and sung by Charles Manson!!! Wooohooo!

while part of me was really pissed at events of this episode, both Claudia's r*pe and Lestat's beating of Louis, because none of it happened in the books and I felt show invented it to insert tones of drama, I have to admit it's done really good and was really emotional and impactful. this episode is emotionally draining lol. I understand why they did it, emotional abuse and trauma is difficult to show on camera and they wanted people to SEE Claudia and Louis be abused to they made it very physical... it's also important to remember all of this will be revisited in future season :)

loved the therapy session - I love your sass. I keep saying it - you are hilarious girl. The laughs are very needed for what turn the showrunners decided to take. And to answer your questions - its the writers doing. None of this sort is in the books. It is a very different dynamic to begin with. The are times where there is squabbeling in a physical way and people say it is the same sort of abuse - well it is not. (because first of all they do have verbal fights usually ) Lestat never overpowers him (he could but he doesnt) the squabbling is more like this: 1) Lestat gives Louis a slap in the face because he does not stop feeding on a human who is already dead - so it is a slap to snap him out of it and not to become sick. 2) Louis attacks Lestat to stop him killing a human - in a time where Louis is only feeding on animals and Lestat pushed him away - like do not interfer, nothing serious 3) Louis does not want Lestat to turn Claudia (big difference here story wise) and Louis does attack Lestat pysically and he fights back - but it is not described as a beating down at all, furnuture gets destroyed, a window... - and Lestat stops in the middle of the fight before it goes to far - and Louis riled up in the middle of the fight was wondering what made him stop all of a sudden, why hold back... Very different dynamic. There is one more fight but without giving spoilers I am sure it will come in the show - but again ... Lestat fights back after being attacked. It is so much different - so book lovers and Lestat lovers are schocked and people do go like he was always evil how can you defend him etc. Well I guess the Lestat lovers are the book lovers and it is difficult to accept the changes the writers made to his character. While in the book he is vain, bratty, very funny, very lonely, struggeling with the outer world (while Louis is struggeling with the inner world), wanting to be accepted etc. - it is not a pathetic - oh Louis love me only dynamic. Their relation is messy, toxic but it is all more about existential angst and them being polar opposites then abuse or DV. There is one quote (of another book) by Louis that discribes their book dynamic to the point: " ...Sometime you frighten me so badly I hurl sticks and stones at you. Its foolish. I am glad seeing you, though I dread admitting it. ...I cant bear the thought of existing now without you. You infuriate me. Why do you not laught at me, you have done it before.." (then something something regarding the story of the book.) Finally Lestats response: " I wont let him harm you Louis" (I turned and threw an evil glance at him) I would never ever have let anyone harm you."

26:03 I'm here for the vampire therapy session

Serious spoiler(s) ahead for anyone new to the stories: someone mentioned an idea that MIGHT clear things up (that I hadn't thought of): I wonder if some of these are fake memories manufactured by Armand somehow? Louis did look like he was in a trance about Armand. I really hope things are cleared up in Season 2. I don't like not liking Lestat.

As someone who has been through very intense domestic violence and SA I understand the emotions behind the whole explosion and how like in that moment this is the intensity of feeling involved and then you have regret and you desperately try to fix the thing you foolishly tested this horrifying “strength “ with and you try as you will to fix what is so obviously beyond repair

Love your reaction! I still love Lestat

The "mother" daughter relationship of the three is wild to me like lestat has the emotion thing of that kind of relationship. He gave life to her but sees her as a mistake and is jelous of her and the attention she gets theyre catty and butt heads like alot of mother daughters and louis is more physical. He requested that lestat guve life to her literally pleaded for her and is coddling a protector type. Housewife in Claudia's own words and an abused mother protecting his daughter, but can also be viewed as like the oldest sibling because of lestats position over them. Ong the thought that cane to me with this episode is lestats view on louis. Its been over and ovwr again. Fledgling sounding alot like slave. The punishment of protecting his own. The tradegedy he was out through for his "redemption", not to mention the whole lestat savior thing. Under a racialized lens louis and claudia are essentially his property. He owns them. Louis emotionally and somewhay physically and claudia by association with both his power and care for louis(if you're updated on later eps) cuz thats her mom, older brother, and father figure. But truly im a louis defender till i die. Hes a blame pusher and seems to be aware of his power in the relationship to some extent to know that everything he wants lestat would do for him so he is the main culprit of claudias whole thing. But lestat is a fuckin enabler. He brings up her trauma as a weapon constantly and to touch on the ownership doesnt respect her whatsoever becasue shes just a byproduct of louis will in his opinion. Louis trapped him with her because he wanted her to live but lestat trapped louis with her for his wellbeing and her safety. Shes a pawn in their relationship to lestat. But i could go on hella about that. Thats the most major part of louis toxicity is him blame pushin and not taking accountability. Somwone in a different video pointed this out but they put louis in an awful situation of choosing between them. He didnt say yes or no to wither of them and above all in that moment he never couldve becaise nonmatter how much he loves claudia i dont think hell ever stop loving lestat more. Thats why he stayed. He wanted both. His daughter and his love, his new family because thats whats really importsnt to him. Family and humanity. Ong im writing an essay sorry yall. Anyways he caouldnt say yes or no so lestat made the decision for him by essentially beating his ass and leaving him downed(not elaborating spoilers) Again louis defender but also claudia. Louis is depressed as all hell he said it himself in that state he cant just switch up and give all his attention to lestat in that moment its a mom having lost their daughter. Housewife duties unattended both for husband and home. But goddamn if you didnt eat with that "nobody can love the way you love lestat" cuz you hit that nail on the head. Hes notnin love hes fucking obsessed. Sure some of it may be but so much of it isnt. From day one man was obsessed and for so little as well. And if im being honest lestat wants so much that louis just doesnt have in him. He fell in love with louis humanity but cant handle when that humanity comes into play with vampirism. He wants louis love alone but cant handle not cheating on him with another or letting him be in an open relationship. He wants luois to love him in the way he loves louis but as a black, homosexual man in the jim crow homophobic ass america having repressed his desired for the entirety of his life and dealing with depression and greif theres no goddamned way he can just do that. He has him moments but lestat is dramatic with it in a way louis could never. They dont understand each other on the levels that they could. They love each other and cant let go. Louis is trapped in manipulation in the first relationship hes felt love in and free in never needing to hide yet his own partner takes so much of that for granted. I love lestat to death hes an amazing character but that french mf is on demon time. Imma stop before i pass ff length

Not The Player's Club!🤣

I love your reviews. You remind me of keke palmer.

I looooved your rant. That episode ruined me. Please keep reacting to the series though!

This wasn’t by Anne, btw. I’m away caring for my mom but will definitely check out 6 as soon as I can.

YOU WANT MY MOOOOOOONEYYYYY . .. season 2 need to hurry df up

This episode was tough to watch. I haven’t read the books and have a few questions. Do you know why Lestat bit him? Was this supposed to make Louis fall in love with him again since he bit him / fell in love in episode 1, or to harm him again so he can’t leave? Also, I was surprised Louis didn’t respond to his question. Is it because Louis still loves him?

I was on Louis side but I loved that slap Daniel don’t play.

I hope you've recovered from this episode a bit by now. It had the whole fandom in shambles for like a week. 🙈 The show makes it very clear we're not supposed to want them to get back together. RE: Wth was going on with Tom. I didn't get that either, but what happened was that he knew the police were in their house and he was partly there to keep them distracted/from being in the house so the cops could search it.

Gurrrl, you're sayin' EVERYTHING I'M FEELIN'. Lestat don't know what love is. He's ain't capable of the emotion. To bad Louis couldn't figure that out but then Louis' home life taught him just how to put up with this very thing. (People accepting you only FOR WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR THEM AND NOT REALLY LOVING YOU FOR WHO YOU ARE). Is there really any difference between Lestat or Louis' family???

you are so funny...

The violence against Louis in the episode was so gratuitous and unecessary. The book was still able to make a villain out of Lestat without all that.

Ooh when you reacting to 6?

Sad how no one was talking about how rude the reporter came asking about Claudia like if she haven’t reported on it happening of course I’m not gonna report on that either it disrespectful

I have read the books TEAM LESTAT all-day long. I love Louis but I know what happens. But FYI they put this in the show.

This was when I officially hated this remake. In the books Lestat would NEVER, EVER hurt Louie. Like, ever. No one is lying. This would break Ann Rices heart, she based lestat off of the love of her life, her husband,Stan. And it turns out by book standards Louie is the patron God of emo teens and Lestat has more morals when it comes to killing. I hate that they did this to the character. I'm a DV survivor and doing this to one of my favorite characters KILLS me. I'm done with the show.

yea this was definitely my least favorite episode 😭

I'm with you on this. (And I hate how they added SA to Claudia's story.) This never happened in the books, but the characters are written very, very differently in many aspects.

Shayla I luv u girl and I felt the same way domestic violence is not the answer but don’t worry Louis does get his punches thrown back on lestat. If anything you should be mad at the writers cuz I know for a fact this fight did not happen between Louis and Lestat but between Armand and Lestat.

I'm just so happy that the news paper guy is wearing gloves while reading Claudia's diary.

Oh snap the writer strike affects this show? Bc lord take me the king

Okay... I was wrong....I was responding to the wrong reactor.... sorry...I am an idiot... please forgive the fool that is me

The tv show and writing team changed lestat character. Now he's a complete monster. How could the writing team not think this was going to get back lash. The queen is going to be far worse once they get around to her character you wait and see. The queen of vampire actually burned other vampires in book. She did not give a fuck on how many lives she destroyed and long the ones she kept alive served her.

We must remember they are not humans anymore, the dynamics and values are way different. That being said, it seems that being a vamp is mostly having some of the worst human traits intensified lol

You have to understand that Louis is an unreliable narrator. Lestat tells his story and... SPOILERS..... Lestat tells his side in The Vampire Lestat. Then in all the other books Louis...well... Let's just say... Louis is NOT a reliable narrator.

Louie did attack him first....just saying

To be fair Louis attack Lestat first. Louis knows Lestat is a apex predator. You attack a lion prepared to be mauled.