the DEVASTATING BRILLIANCE of season 2 ep 7 of INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE | BE KIND, RE(CAP) REVIEW 

Video might be a little bit low so you'll have to crank the volume a bit :)

"I could not prevent it" biggest cap of the season

I think the second flashback to the fight doesn’t really change much at all for me (Lestat still violently abused Louis and Claudia but Louis actually fought back a bit before Lestat broke him, doesn’t change that he’s a victim), but that first flashback. The way it’s presented in s1 is that Louis only had noble intentions and just “needs her to not die” when he brings her home, and Lestat realizes with a sinister smile that this is how he can babytrap Louis before he turns Claudia. It’s just a shortsighted mistake on Louis’ part that ends up damning her. But this version, where Lestat lays out the entire thing, explains in great detail how he would be ruining her life, and Louis saying he doesn’t care… Dragging her across the ground like a doll, an object, and calling her “our beautiful daughter” when he doesn’t even know her yet. There is so much more intention behind it, he has to beg Lestat who doesn’t want to do it, who uses every excuse in the book including the “great laws” he doesn’t actually care about to not have to do this. Louis doesn’t “discover” how wonderful it is to have a daughter after Claudia was turned, he Wanted a daughter, a family of his own (something he couldn’t have both as a vampire and a Black gay man in the 1910s), and he chose on purpose and with complete understanding to doom this random child in order to get it, and even to the very end he couldn’t admit that truth to her. I’m still ride-or-die for Louis, but whew, him pulling her across the carpet by her arm was one of the most chilling moments of the show for me

This episode changed COMPLETELY from my first watch to my second watch. First time around, I was *furious* watching the coven mindfreak everyone at the trial, Lestat’s fuckass bob, Armand’s pity party, and ultimately Claudia’s execution. The racial elements of their on-stage “stoning” (read: lynching) underscored the deep, deep tragedy of this Claudia’s story. From her beginning to her end, she is a *black girl* - forgotten, expendable, exposed for our entertainment. RIP Claudia: the People’s Princess The second time around, I was able to see more of the love story. The bitter love, the controlling love, the sacrificial love, the enduring and contradictory love from all three leads to each other. Overall, an incredible and rich episode.

14:10 The only force in the universe stronger than revenge is matching each other’s freak. Louis and Lestat will never quit each other.

I think Claudia should have said “ we own nothing” right before she starts to burn instead of follow the bouncing ball. I understand it was for the song, but I think a reminder of the first vampiress they found and her final message to them regarding how cruel life really is, especially for them. And also, for Louis and Lestat and Armand to hear. You can’t own each other. You will never be happy trying to.

let me design those tshirts bc we need a funeral for my girl 💔🕊️

There’s a lot of evidence that Lestat wasn’t fine, didn’t want to be there at all, and was saying all of that under duress.🤷🏽‍♀️

I couldn't stand how they had no problems reminding her every chance they had that she was a child but when it got time to bear consequences or whatever, all of sudden, she's an adult. Also F Armand!

Lestat: "now i get abusing u was wrong" Louis: " so youre gonna stop?" Lestat: "lol no 😊"

I love how you explicitly talked about how this episode was a masterclass in Misogynoir for Beginners. As much as I like to live in the fantasy world, where Madeline and Claudia DO run off to Belgium or somewhere... Repast is tonight at 6pm on @StruggleReviews 's channel. It'll be a live-stream of like 6 Black Femme Creators (y'all save me a plate, please)!! I'd be there if I weren't teaching a yoga class tonight 😭One of the cousins, @watchwithmeellebee literally made a program for Claudia for her video yesterday, lol. Family is wearing yellow, in Loving Memory😔🙏🏾💕

The shot of them picking her yellow dress out of the ashes has stabbed me right in the heart - I've never wanted to be in the vampire diaries universe so badly. Screaming where's Bonnie through my tears 😭

heartwrenching episode. your commentary on the racial violence being committed towards louis and claudia was really well put... i havent actually been able to stomach a rewatch yet but ill have to get on it before sunday because so much happened during the trial that im sure i missed something

One thing I adore about this show is how deliberate and considered these adaption choices are. This episode a lot of those bold choices paid off. Claudia had so much more dignity in her death. Delaney’s more mature performance allowed her to die on her feet fighting. I don’t think you could have achieved this with a toddler. Her speech about being a roof shingle is haunting. She’s completely right this is a book about the horrifying love story of Louis and Lestat; as the audience we know she’s a side character but her acknowledgment of that is chilling. If Claudia’s ghost is present in the future like she is in the books it will be so much more cathartic because of her promise to get vengeance in the afterlife. I think exploring the fallible nature of memories is so well done in the show. It seems in the later books Rice uses Louis being an unreliable narrator to “fix” aspects of Lestat’s likability. But I think this show is doing a great job of setting up how different people are telling different stories because they remember them differently. You can tell Lestat basks in public approval and often glamorizes himself. His racism and his privilege and his narcissism impact his memory. It’s his desire to have Louis love him again that stops him from reading off the script he rehearsed erasing the abuse. And with the alternative perspective on Claudia’s creation you see Louis will ignore harsh truths so aggressively that he re-writes the past. Where the books might imply Louis is a traumatized liar and Lestat is a dick but ultimately a hero; this show implies the truth is in the middle. It’s up to the audience to determine who you trust and what is reality. Knowing before we see these memory contradictions that Armand has altered Louis mind it adds another layer to the debate. What were Armand’s intentions? Can we trust him when he says “I could not prevent it” or that his life was in danger; can we trust him at all? This is really good TV but it’s phenomenal adaptation. In a world of Tom Hoopers Cats and the Wonka musical I feel honored to get to watch something that improves the source material with its changes. I loved this review btw, hit subscribe so fast!

The games they played in their face was crazy. You gotta remember they’re vampires and a fall isn’t anything to them but at the same time 7 years of depression and no sex is reasonable. Y’all ancient and 7 years wasn’t like a week to us humans the games they played! 🤣

This episode was so good. I still love my VampBae Louis and Ima stick beside his depressed, sad, dramatic, unreliable memory self!!!! 😂 Lestat knows he can strut honey!!!! And I love that he told his side of what happened. When he said Louis chased and hunted him and calling out to him saying Come to me, I legit said "Oh hell naw!!" 😂 Cuz if he's a closeted gay man, yea Louis may somehow show up where you are. But calling out to you from his mind!!!!! Did he know Lestat was a vampire and could read minds???????? That's not Louis' fault Lestat can read minds! I'm skeptical of that convo about turning Claudia. Just the part about him saying it's against vampire law to turn her. That sounds too much like right for Lestat. But when Louis dragged Claudia across the carpet begging to turn her, I said "If you dont pick up our not yet daughter sister!!! She already burnt!!!!!! Pick her up!!!!" And was that the only time he brought up the laws? Did he ever bring up the laws to Claudia when she first started her journals? Lestat could've told her/them about the laws during the "good times" Claudia wrote about in her journals. My daughter sister went out like a G!!! Babygirl said she coming back and killing all of them!! And Louis is about to snap!

Lestat’s Scorpio AND Louis’s Libra were showing like crazy this episode. Louis is addicted to being everyone’s dream girl rather than owning up to his own alleged morals. HEART WRENCHING episode 😭 the scene of Louis begging and dragging burnt up baby Claudia was shocking. Lestat’s apology for the abuse felt mostly like the showrunners trying to redeem him for a very Lestat-forward S3. I’m excited to see what is added to the finale and what will go down in Dubai. I will miss Claudia forever her absence will be felt for as long as the series runs.

one detail i really enjoyed was how santiago says "everything you're about to see is fake" before claudia and madeleine's deaths, when usually he says "everything you're about to see is real". especially because that really should be a tip-off to the superfans that always lipsync along to his lines.

As a November Scorpio, Lestat being a Scorpio makes WAY too much sense.

I'm so glad I found your videos, it's been a frustrating, disheartening experience to try to find people watching IWTV and face so much dismissal of Claudia (and even Louis, though that's a different issue), her feelings and struggles, her place and importance in the narrative. A person can have a lot of love for the source material without it overshadowing the new concepts, textures and interpretations this adaptation brings with its changes. The lack of sympathy Claudia gets in the story is tragic, but seeing it reflected in the real world by viewers is what makes me the saddest. I loved Claudia, both actors made the most out of their time with the character and did a good job emphasizing different aspects of her. I'll miss her so much, but I'm hopeful she'll make good of her promise and come back to haunt the characters as is her right. Thanks for making me almost cry with your recollection of her.

I Love Armand ( he's so weirdly charming ugh ) but he was the real villain this episode. How you gonna pull a "I could not prevent it" when you literally put out the entire coven just saying "ENOUGH" a few episodes ago. I cried when Claudia looked to Lestat for help for naught. As louie said this was difficult.

Claudia has always been the tragic figure. Not only here or in the books, but as well in Anne Rice's personal life, when her own daughter died. Additionally, here in the show this tragedy is portrait in a more ironic way, by showing how the one thing that Claudia wanted the most all her life, to finally have her very own companion, burned away in her hands. Special attention to the detail, that in the books it is Madelaine holding Claudia in her arms but in the episode we see her holding her beloved Madeleine...

Your commentary gives me life. I waited until today to hear what you had to say about this❤

OMG I'm Nov 8th it makes so much sense that Lestat is a Scorpio lolll we're passionate folks 😂

i gotta admit, you portrayed the epitome of how Claudia must have felt...Claudia the young black girl ignored and bettayed by everyone...Claudia wrongfully accused and punished...as opposed to other RU-vidrs who are also black females lusting after a white man (who is lusting after a black man)...very well done...i really enjoyed your analogy of this episode...

I got the potato salad for the repast. As a black woman with an ethnically diverse romantic history I over identify with (and unconditionally love) Louis. But there's no getting away from the basic understanding that being black and female makes my wellbeing and existence conditional for most of the rest of humanity. Love these thorough analyses. ❤

Really my only theory for next week is that louis will ask for his remaining memories back from armand (if there are any - i wouldnt be surprised if there were). I think for a long time he couldn't face himself and how he contributed to claudia's death, but throughout this season we see him really trying to remember "correctly" (as much as that's possible) what really happened. He also admits that lestat's account of her turning is the more accurate account. It seemed to really truly tear at him that he had asked for the memory of his suicide attempt to be wiped (allegedly), and I think he's maybe now ready to take accountability and fully grieve claudia, while also showing that he's outgrown armand's "good nurse" act that he mentioned in ep 6, bc the dubai penthouse is really starting to feel like a padded cell where all objects of potential harm (including his daughter's diaries!) have been taken away and put out of his reach. Idk. Maybe. Who knows!

Your videos are the best reviews of the show on RU-vid! I look forward to them! Thank you for your work!

I hope they get enough seasons where we can see Louis finally propose to Lestat. And they become the Prince and his Consort.

I think the most important thing was when Santiago says "Remember we are monsters." Yes, you are monsters. I felt so bad for Claudia and Madeline and Louis. Lestat I love as a character, but some of his dialogue felt like yes, he was lying. Being forced to lie by another vampire (Armand) under duress? Yes its wrong to make a child a vampire, but its already done. Even in the books, technically Armand was 17, but picked up by Marius several years earlier as a child and groomed before he was turned. Marius then later on turns other children into vampires to be Armand's companions. This whole trial farce is pretty much ridiculous. They are all monsters and hypocritical.

Wonderful recap.

Your analysis of Louis and Claudia's relationship breaks my heart bc its so true. Like sometimes you don't get the opportunity to make things up and things end how they end 💔 there was so many layers to the trial with their relationships! Like Louis, Lestat and Claudia had a very complex family dynamic from S1 that the audience didn't really know. I know it was intentional but Louis and Claudia not being able to speak on the stage just got to me. Claudia vowing to come back and take out the audience... I absolutely believe she could! I really hope Delainey is able to return in some way bc Claudia really does impact Louis and Lestat forever. I think it was good that the revisits provided context but doesn't change overall what happens. That fits with the memory is a monster theme. I'll definitely be reading that TVinsider article you mentioned. Thank you for your commentary! ❤

he really said "i could not pwevent it" 😿 "it took all my strength to save louis" PLSSSSSSSSSSSS i wanted daniel to clock it more (hopefully next ep) p.s ur hair is absolutely GORGGGG mashallaahh♥️

Great review as always! Your “Vamps” poster is really cool! I wished you would show it and briefly discuss each of the (6) characters. I can only identify (2) Grace Jones and Aaliyah. 🧛‍♀️

The bit at around the 40 minute mark where you talked about claudia's lot in life wrt vampiric loneliness had me choking up all over again 😭 claudia was such a great character and every time I remember she's passed my heart physically hurts. Shes not even just character anymore she's so real to me 😭😭😭

I had to pause so much this episode because it genuinely hurt to watch 😭😭😭

Whew, Bobbi! You said it all!!!

Santiago wrote that in the play. They were trying to make Louis look bad.

loved this review

I was waiting for nonbook readers to see this. Claudia never had a chance 😢

Amazing review!!

I think the emphasis of the Antoinette's death is a manipulation and is written to feel that way

Remember that everything we know about Louis and Lestat in season one is from Louis’ POV. When you tell your own story, you often are never the bad guy. Have you ever had 2 friends tell you about a fight they had and you hear the exact same story, but the fault and the details are switched depending on who’s telling the story?? When we get to season 3, we’ll see how the story is told through Lestat’s POV!!

my only prev exposure to iwtv was the 90s movie and i didn’t think i would like claudia. amc has me IN LOVE! i honestly am going to miss her soooooo much. i’m half hoping louis starts hallucinating her too just so we can get more of her. (i don’t actually think he will but GOSH.)

I really wanted to know your take on Lestat’s POV of the fight before he dropped Louis. Surprised you skipped it…

I can't take Lestats apology at all seriously was like Nancy from The Craft " He's sorry, he's sorry he's sorry" in the tearful apology to Louis the reason it got to that point in the 1st place was that he put his hands on Claudia he never looked at her once on that stage and said I am sorry but he does that for Louis. Louis said, " I will take this hand and wrap it around your scrawny neck just like you did to our daughter". And as a black woman I was Claudia. She is completely right she is still in another round of their stormy romance she is standing still in the eye of the hurricane that is them forever trapped and I wanted both of them all gone.

You have to remember Louis lied during the first interview n the 70's... He's also had multiple memories erased... His recollection cannot be trusted and WE as the audience have seen events unfold from ONLY the perspective of Louis when it comes to his relationship with Lestat and somewhat thru the diabolical Armand when it comes to Claudia because the aforementioned erasure of Louis memories that he begins to regain thru the interview... Louis takes his accountability and responsibility out of the equation and blames Lestat because thats easier to sooth his guilt of the murder of Lestat (another Louis lie) and the death of Claudia... as the Talamaska said, you fear the 500 year old Armand but its really Louis who you should fear. And Armand has stated multiple times he has to protect Louis and the World from himself. As a vampire who has periods of blackout, as a vampire who doesnt deink humans, i can see Louis turning into a demon when he's emotionally compromised and killing a city... He is full of Lestat's blood and Armands training...

Lou-ie (Lu-E)… not Lu-Weee lol

I love this show so much but watching this last episode was tough...I might have to take some time before I watch the season finale. Because right now I don't really care if Lestat, Armand and even Louis are wiped from the planet. Daniel is really the only one I like and care about right now. The rest of them can burn for all I care at the moment at least. RIP Claudia and Madeline 😢😢😢😢

People will come to learn as the series goes on that Lestat suffered greatly thru him loving and losing Nicki ........and guess who was also thereback then ....Armand that liar ,lying liar