As a book reader who has read ALL of the books don’t let the book readers bully you. Many have created attachment to their favorite characters and also headcanons that they can’t free themselves of. I also love all the characters and will defend them with my lives, particularly Louis. He wasn’t as fully realized in the source material and it makes perfect sense to have developed more of an attachment to him. Also, frankly the race change brings in a lot of internalized biases for people that they don’t really see or want to reckon with. Love what you love and who you love and don’t let anyone change your mind!
I totally agree with your take on Louis, I think through the changes and the lovely interpretation by the writters and Jacob Anderson, Louis has a well-deserved complexity. I'm in love with the series and everyone brought their prime to it.
I bawled when Lestat asked Louis if he hurt himself (San Francisco). Cried so much. This season was amazing. I love your takes on this season. So spot on.
I haven’t heard anyone mention this, but the reaction when Santiago realizes his girls are gone and he screams out in pain then he hears Louis voice and jerks his head around and snarls is priceless. I loved that. Maybe it’s just me and others felt it was too dramatic but the whole episode had that noir vibe. This show is so many things all in one big beautiful package. So many characters we love to hate and hate to love!
I just wish that this particular fandom (and all fandoms, tbh) would learn to see the TV series as another universe or dimension (e.g., Earth 2, Earth 3,456)--perhaps then it would be easier to accept the changes and adaptations on their own merits and not constantly compare it to the source material and find fault when things diverge in ways they don't like. I understand being a diehard fanatic about the source material but there should be space and grace given to adaptations. That's all!
As someone who's read, & adores the first 3 books in the series (i still need to read the rest of the series), I actually love the tv show. I felt the show did a much better job then the movie adaptation at accurately capturing what I felt when I read the first 3 books, & portraying the extremely complicated, & messy relationships between Anne Rice's characters.
I've been in so many fandoms as a book reader first, and I've grown to love almost all the different adaptations as much, if not more. What I love most - the majority of these stories are told in first person. The show gets to explore the entire world and each character's experiences. I think if they followed most books faithfully, a lot of these shows would feel one dimensional. The book is the book. The show is the show. ❤
(still reeling from the season finale, so this may be slightly incoherent) The reveal that Armand was not willing to save Louis feels, to me, more important for what it reveals about their relationship than the betrayal itself. It wasn't that Armand was too weak and too used to the routine rituals that when forced to make a decision between the coven (an embodiment of the cycle of violence and cruel hierarchy) or Louis (who wants to try to find something better, kinder, more equal), he froze and retreated to what was more familiar. It was that Armand chose to continue the cycle of abuse, actively helping bring the trial about. And once Louis realises that, it makes everything (e.g. Armand's extreme control of his life, the often subtle but regular way he undermines Louis, the isolation tactics, the vampiric powers that he isn't 100% unwilling to use against Louis) have a new meaning, namely that this is an abusive relationship. It can't be fixed in its current iteration, because Armand doesn't want it to be fixed, only concealed by playing submissive and having the saddest eyes on the continent. And there is something tragic about what that suggests about Armand (the impact of his trauma on his need for control, inability to see a relationship outside of abuse), but I let out such a big sigh of relief when Louis left him.
Now that you put it that way, it makes a lot of sense. Every character in this series has so many undertones and misteries and somuch humanity it's almost impossible to not surrender to it.
I love when things are better than they have to be, this could have been an adaption of IWTV, just that, and I would have watched it. But that it is adapted by people who know and love the whole of the chronicles makes a difference. Our Lestat and Our Louis are perfectly casted and their chemistry is undeniable. The clothes, the easter eggs. It is just perfect.
A couple of details I loved: 1) Lestat was wearing the same old tattered silk bathrobe from S1 - aww! 2) Also, the music from the levitating scene and the hurricane reconciliation hug was the same -- in S1 we got a sex scene, but in S2, we got a LOVE scene. 3) It was written into the script that the last moment was private between Louis/Jacob and Lestat/Sam. The sound crew turned the mics off and everything. (((sigh))) I LOVE your style of reaction/analysis and I will definitely see you in S3!
i find it so hard to villainise any of the characters. like you have said multiple times, this is a gothic romance and all of the characters have done horrible things. as this season went on, i empathised and understood both claudia and armand the most - they are so similar. they both just wanted to be chosen so badly - claudia by searching for community in the coven and madeline, and armand constantly deferring and putting lestat and louis on a pedestal like he did with his maker.
I love that every single person involved in this show takes their job with absolute seriousness and respect. I remember watching Lambs of god and the intensity required for each scene was so much, but Sam Reid delivered every single time, it was shocking (amazing, really).
Love hearing your different thoughts and conclusions even when we have different opinions! I guess for me I read Lestat ‘admitting’ that he hurt Louis as more of, ‘I knew he wouldn’t die, but that doesn’t make it better.’ My reading of it will always be desperation to stop Louis from leaving, but he would also never kill him so how can he make him stay without killing him? Breaking him. When he says ‘a wold congratulated for not killing her pups’ I feel like Lestat is horrified at the audience’s callousness because even if it wasn’t murder he still hurt him so badly on purpose. I love what you said about it being another moment of Lestat breaking script to say ‘I’m just as guilty’ to maybe be punished with them? Still waiting on next season to show more about how he got to Paris and his Actual motives, since Armand definitely muddled that up in his telling of it. So sad we don’t have anymore episodes but I will continue to rewatch, especially the nola shack reunion. Such a pleasure of a show to watch.
I actually think season 2 made Season 1 better for me...because if season one had ended with Louis final sentence about Armand and we never got season 2 I would have honestly been let down seeing how excited I was for this adaptation BUT with the installment and completion of season 2 amplified everything in season one....Netflix fans are so lucky they get to binge both seasons for the first time in one go because I wish I could watch it again for the first time with both seasons...This is peak storytelling and I hope it going to Netflix and the rabid insatiable fandom there doesn't ruin the pace they have set in both series.
I ADORE this chaotic recap and I can't wait to see what S3 has in store for all of us freaks!!! While my fave is Lestat (with Loustat being my endgame), I really do love every character (flaws and all), and though it's great to have a fandom that's passionate about the stories and the complex characters, there are those who take ridiculous offence to someone having a different take on a situation or character to them, and they're best ignored because there's no reasoning or humour to be had with the my-way-or-the-highway brigade! 😂 Great job on this review - and enjoy revisiting all things IWTV! 👏🎬
This show leaves me absolutely breathless each week. I will forever be Team Lestat but I love all these characters. I want to read the books to spend more time in this world but I don't want to spoil myself for what the show will do. I can't wait for season 3! And I've really enjoyed your passion and enthusiasm. I agree with everything you said. Masterpiece.
I just don't want the writers to short change the Lestat and Armand relationship like they did Loumand. Their scenes together in the later books show how far they've come as frenemies and genuinely care about each other. I need to see that journey play out in the show. That said, it has been a pleasure watching you react to the show and to get your thoughts on these fantastic characters. I've become a fan.
I'm hoping next season we see Lestat carrying out Claudia's last wish to kill them all. I half expect to see a flashback of him hunting down everyone of them. I think Claudia will haunt him.
It is a joy to watch you be so passionate about the characters. And I love your unhinged comments! Thank you for being YOU. I read the books as a teenager and loved them so much - my copy of the first book literally fell apart - and I loved the movie and watched it so many times. And now with the TV show I get to fall in love with the characters again in a new and different way - at a different point in my life where I can relate on an even deeper level. I enjoy that whole process. So yeah, I can relate to your passionate takes on the show and your engagement with it. I'm here for it. ❤😊
Armand has been proven to be a serial LIAR. There’s no reason to believe he had a relationship with Lestat and was used by him. Armand was probably rejected by Lestat and saw his chance for revenge by destroying his two fledglings while Lestat watched.
Same here, I don't think Lestat had a romantic relationship with Armand and I really hope season 3 delves deeper into what happened with Nicki and the Theatre.
GREAT Video. I'm in my early 30s, discovered the books in my early teens, read most of them multiple times. I thought the movies were "ok" so I've been attacked by my own Fandom before. Honestly, I love the changes, and Anne Rice actually was semi obsessed wuth mixed raced children/ mixed race Creole kids, and would have totally approved of the race chane, and the casting of Jacob Anderson as Loius. Lestat? I LOVE them both. He IS the brat Prince, abd Sam Reid is a much better Lestat than the film. I will be hounded for these comments, and probably called " woke ". But this Louis and Lestat are PERFECT. IN. EVERY. WAY.
I can weirdly kind of feel Armand in some ways. The lying wasn’t okay at all, but I can see him not wanting to choose Louis over the coven. Like how long did he know Louis? And him being all aloof and shit. He just should have been honest and let Louis make his choice.
30:44 yup ... Daniel being the first and only person that Armand ever turns is pretty significant. Considering the fact that like Lestat turns multiple people... There's like a family tree that I saw on Twitter of all of the vampires and Lestat has like six or seven fledgelings over the course of all of the books(I don't remember all of the names but like Marius and Lestat are like head to head on vampires who made the most fledglings...its hilarious to see written out like that)... He's popping out baby vampires everywhere... But Armand has only turned Daniel. Ever. That's something really significant and something that should be paid attention to. 100%.... I mean mainly it's because Armand thinks sharing the gift is a curse (like Louis has believed for most of his life until the finale reunion, seemingly) and that every fledgling eventually hates their makers guts... Whether it's immediately after turning or happens slowly over years Armand is firmly under the belief that it WILL happen... because that's kind of what he has been taught... We will just have to see where the TV show goes and see if that does eventually happen with Armand and Daniel... Or if Daniel will prove Armands strongly held belief false.
Lestat is stronger than Armand because he has the blood of ancients in him. When Lestat mentions Akasha she is the Queen of the Damned because she is the first vampire. Armand nor Louis could kill Lestat if they tried.
Katie I’ve been watching you for 7 years😭 it’s so amazing seeing how far you’ve come with your channel. I love iwtv so much and to know you hyperfixate on it too is amazing
In the hug scene Louis does say something to lestat but no one knows what it is because the mics on Jacob and Sam were turned off so they are the only ones who knows and it makes it so beautiful that only loustat know what they say to each other
26:40 i think it was the five days because right after armand put louis in the coffin and gave him his blood louis came to save daniel. and daniel said the murmuring (calling lestat) happened in day 5
Since we have months between projects ,I want to suggest two other Anne Rice non-vampire books that are heartbreaking "Cry to Heaven" and ""The Feast of All Saints" ....both will make you cry all the way thru them
I'm only 11 minutes in and I already love all your takes! There's so many people that just see Armand as a villain and hate him when he's so much more and so complex and all of his actions make sense for his character. He's such a tragic character because he doesn't know any healthy romantic relationships and because he seems to replicate his past relationship with Marius in any other relationship that he has. I absolutely hate some of his actions but I can't help but root for him too. Like I truly don't understand how people can hate any of the main characters because I love them all so much.
armand is actually my favourite character because of how multi-layered he is and i am just so transfixed everytime he appears on screen (which is mainly down to assad’s unbelievable performance) - 100% agree about some people cheapening these characters down to ‘villains’ when they are all as flawed as each other in different ways which is what makes this show as amazing as it is!!
Yeah, they could have called the show _The Vampire Chronicles._ I think they committed when they chose the name they did. I suspect Daniel will be interviewing Lestat next time instead of Lestat writing his memoirs.
I can't believe I had to wait two seasons to see the real Lestat, and only in one scene. Well worth the wait, though. I agree, Stellar acting. This show! 😍
One thing the staff of IWTV know how to do it tease their fanbase...They knew damn well we wanted to see Daniel's turning BUT they rather save it for season 3 which will let us see gorgeous Gremlin Armand again and Daniel's first night frolicking around like teenager all over again. They said they will never tell us what Louis and Lestat said to each other in the hurricane...once again they teeeaaassssee us 😂. Madeline was the only person to have a beautiful turning and they gave her a horrific death....I haaaatteee the coven 😢
Sorry I'm commenting so much but you making great points....I feel if we see more of Armand and they introduce Marius for him...we will see the passion he has honestly never shown for Louis or Lestat...he has shown OBSESSION and OBEDIENCE even lust....but not passion. I think Marius would unlock that for Armand if they tweak some stuff...I wanna see the little Gremlin to grow and heal too. Because Lestat is just as much responsible as Armand for Claudia's death.
The book series is one of my favorites. The Interview wit the Vampire movie was great. I saw it several times. Queen of the damned book was amazing at tying their world together. The movie was meh. This Series is really enjoyable. Getting to spend more time with these characters is so enjoyable. Love that you are so invested in it too. ❤
Louis must have felt he couldn’t trust ANYTHING about his relationship with Armand. What was the length of mind manipulation from Armand? I would’ve felt my entire relationship was based on a lie. Do I even truly love him?
During these months of hiatus, can you please watch the movie Queen of the Damned just for fun ..alot of people didnt like it ,but I loved the music in it alot ..goth/punk ...you will see a bit more of the witches and the Talamasca coming out in QOTD
I wonder why they had Nicki's name on one of the grave vault thingys. If he tossed himself into the fire, did they put his ashes in there? Or did they do something similar to Louis where they locked Nicki in the vault to torture him before he ended himself??👀 I really can't wait for season 3 and hopefully we'll get an Armand focused season too that can elaborate more during the time Lestat was away and the Theatre was supposed to look after Nicki
I find it hard to believe Armand would make his first and only fledgling just out of spite. It doesn't go well with his calculating and controlling nature, to do something as important as that in the heat of the moment. I really hope S3 revisits that scene.
I’m inclined to agree, we know Armand likes to bend to truth. Is this really his first fledgling? I recall back in the room when he was questioning Daniel asking why Louis found him so fascinating, Armand now has a deep link with Daniel as he is his maker. Has he tried to absorb or get something vicariously through Daniel that he couldn’t get before. Could it simply be he wanted to be more interesting? Everything in the apartment was so bland and grey when Armand was involved.
@@dduchess3606 It's 100% true, he never made another vampire (except for Daniel). It makes sense for his character and it is so in the books. Unless the show changes it (I hope not). It's hard to speculate when so little has been revealed, but I think you might be on to something.
in 28:10 Louis despite being sadboi, he had his pimp habits, he has a strong personality, even with lestat and when ever he is in full rage mode we can see it. Armand was groomed to be submissive in front of a strong or aggressive vampire.
To this day I still listen the songs from queen of the Damned movie and I think those same songs have aged like fine wine and still fit so perfectly with the tone of this show... I HOPE with all hopes they have those songs in season 3 for Lestat. The lyrics are eternal.
I am you and you are me. I had all the exact same reactions and points of view as you. I'm a Louis ride-or-die. I don't give a crap what anyone says, especially the book-lovers say. I really wish they would get over it. This is a show. It's an adaptation. This is what art is. It is not the Bible. It evolves and can be adapted for different mediums. Judge the book by the book. Judge the show by the show. You can't explain everything in the show by the book because it.is.an.adaptation. This show has changed my life. I, too, have never had a connection to a show at all, nothing close to this. I've seen every episode at least 3 times, some more than that. I'm still mad at Armand. I don't know how to explain the fact that I think Armand sort of loved Louis. But I can't reconcile that with directing the play. He did NOT have to do that. Was it because he refused to concede leadership to Santiago? He sucks. (Love Assad, though!).
LOL, I can't wait for you to watch and enjoy the cinematic-lyricism of Mario Bava films such as K*ll, Baby, K*ll from 1966 (a true Undead film classic...).
The books are pure real for when thay were written and era's they were set in, the show is trying to be raw powerful emosanal pain for modern day. The changes are good for modern people to embrace the core understanding of the books. How they are going to make Lestat as a foke-rock rockstar of the book? the QOTD film tryed to make him an almost punk-rock rockstar, it dose not realy work in the story telling of the film due to the wording of the songs. The hodgepodge mix of the book storys in that film was odd. As for the show this last episode is the only time we see the real Lestat, all the other times were story versions of him. Oh I want to see who are thay going to get to play any of the old ones, or who will voice Amel.
They could have Lestat appear at a festival like show like Burning Man or Glastonbury ...and do you know that Louis in real life has been a rapper under the name Raleigh Ritchie ...rap is now mixed into metal-goth music themes ...so the music will be a mix like that I believe
The knowledge and experience - of the human - Picard - is part of us now. It has prepared us for all possible courses of action. Your resistance is hopeless - Number One.
Oh, I just went back and rewatched E02E05 after the finale. Now, when we know why Louis is with Armand after trial, why did he choose Armand, it really hits different, and I mean reaaaaaly. I'm not ok.
When you mentioned Roxanne ,at one point in these years I believe a young Stings name was batted around as a possible Lestat ,I would have loved that at the time ,but Sam Reid is perfect
Oh, no...I knew exactly what you meant when you talked about reading a book and trying to absorb it and letting the story 'seduce you.' hehe. I'm that way with Pierce Brown books and he's so excellent at worldbuilding that it just takes you away. That said...just saying some people care. And yes, good reactions/review.
