Interview with the Vampire 2×02 is the first episode where Armand is officially, fully on the record during the interview. And, of course, he’s there as himself — not Fake!Rashid. Notably, the timing here makes perfect sense as it’s also the hour where Louis describes his first encounter with the Théâtre des Vampires’ very own Directeur Artistique. “Do You Know What It Means To Be Loved By Death” is wildly entertaining and compelling in how it presents both the vampire meet cute and the modern-day dynamic that can only be described, at some points, as “old marrieds bickering.”
However, the real draw here is the actual trip to the theatre. Those scenes are the most captivating, most magical, and most horrific of the episode. And we wouldn’t have it any other way.
“The highest form of art”
There is so much we could say about how well Interview with the Vampire 2×02 brings the Théâtre des Vampires to life onscreen. And yet, there’s nothing we could really write here that would fully explain it. Because everything just…works — the lighting, the music, the vampire crew scattered around the building in their white-painted faces and faux fangs. All of it. Even watching Louis and Claudia react to the show, witnessing Claudia’s delight at finally knowing there are other vampires like her — not just the Old World remnants — while Louis is mildly uncomfortable with the whole spectacle…is thrilling. And, as an extra treat, it often feels like we’re in the audience with them.
We, too, are enjoying these plays — even as we’re disturbed and, eventually, horrified by them. The onstage spectacles are here to entertain in their own right — not merely some side plot in a television show about Louis’ travels. Perhaps, actually, the best praise we can give to Interview with the Vampire 2×02 is to say that, even knowing where the final play ends, we were on the edge of our seats, waiting to see what would become of that desperate mortal girl. And even knowing Anne Rice’s story — despite the heartbreak and terror the film adaptation’s depiction of events always brings us — this version is, somehow, so much more powerful. Whatever our fear, however much we ache for that woman on stage in any other incarnation of the tale, we feel it all more deeply while watching this episode.
And yet, we can not help but find it all much more entertaining than ever before, as well.
Through it all, and especially during the final act, Ben Daniels absolutely steals the show. His portrayal of Santiago, and of the vampire’s acting persona, is picture perfect. The character is at once so grandiose, so theatrical, and so warm to his audience, they don’t even notice the evil glint of anticipation in his eyes. Daniels projects one thing to Santiago’s adoring theatre audience, all while giving the TV series’ viewers plenty of hints of just how dangerous this character is — how much he relishes both the spotlight and what, to him, is nothing more than a delightful “in” joke amongst himself and his fellow company members.
And later, as Armand introduces the American vampires to his coven, it’s Daniels’ Santiago who keeps just a hint of a sinister air about him in the background. All the Parisian vampires are so very welcoming to Louis and Claudia, so very interested in where they’re from, why they’ve waited so long to announce themselves, and how they came to be…But it’s not for friendly reasons. If there was ever any doubt of that, Daniels makes it known. But only if you’re paying enough attention to look for those little details.
Kind of like how Santiago never hides his own evil and deadly nature during his life-altering performance as Gentleman Death while his audience, in the theatre, just simply doesn’t bother to look beyond that mask either. Despite knowing what a strong performer the vampire is, Claudia and Louis don’t think to look beyond the mask. That’s totally going to end well, right?
“He said, ‘I will not harm you.'” “And I never have.”
When it comes to Louis’ first meeting with Armand, Interview with the Vampire 2×02 keeps some of Anne Rice’s original dialogue — while actually changing up the circumstances in meaningful ways. Here, any changes serve to make the romance between Louis and Armand even more fun to root for (and, probably, more ultimately crushing). No alley attacks here — no need for Armand to swoop to the rescue. Instead, they’re in a park, where, for the briefest of moments in time, it’s like they’re the only two people vampires in the world. And instead of Armand’s note telling Louis to “bring the petite beauty with you. You are most welcome,” we get to hear the words from Armand’s lips. Much more personal this way — plus, more of a chance for Assad Zaman to do his thing — and, so, we’re here for it.
The meeting is beautiful, quiet, an awakening of sorts for both characters. Jacob Anderson plays Louis’ awe and caution extremely well, and when a modern-day Armand describes how “alarmingly beautiful” Louis was, how “absurd” it was for him to try blending in, the Armand of the past is ever so subtly reacting in a way that shows — yes — the ancient vampire is, in fact, alarmed. (For as much as he still allows himself to have that kind of emotion, at least.) Compare this gentle, enamored Armand to the coven leader we see at his Théâtre des Vampires, or even to the vampire we see in the present timeline. He is both so very different from his usual self and as wholly Armand as ever. No other way to put it.
For as much as we love seeing Zaman portray all these many layers of his character — to finally put all the pieces together and more fully become The Vampire Armand — there is…something else we really need to point out. To do so, let’s back it up a bit. Because it’s the “I will not harm you” scene that really does it for us. Armand is nearly bashful as he and Louis, simultaneously, answer Daniel’s question about “the first words of the ancient vampire to the future love of his life.” And he gazes, just totally smitten, when Louis takes over and gets to be the one to say the line alone.
…but then, “and I never have.” Immediately after, there’s that blink-and-you’ll-miss-it little flash of Zaman’s eyes toward Daniel — and, thus, also toward the camera. In that moment, he quite nearly breaks the fourth wall, but his appeal to the audience is over so quickly, it doesn’t quite step out of the fantasy. Still, it’s a warning — and a brilliant one at that — before the vampire looks back down at his and Louis’ clasped hands. As Armand, Zaman is telling us a story. He’s warning us that even this version of events isn’t all Louis believes it to be. Not at this moment, at least.
Couple that with the delightfully-entertaining moments he and Louis have throughout Interview with the Vampire 2×02, and this relationship instantly becomes one of the most compelling ones on TV. In many moments — like when Louis chimes in with his lover on the “150 years” line, tauntingly, as if they’ve had this debate about his weird repertoire many times over the decades. Or when Armand steps in, danger flashing in those eyes behind the forced politeness, to defend Louis with a “that’s not what he said,” in response to Molloy’s quip about racism in France — Louis and Armand are the idealized version of a long-married couple. Supportive, loving, still able to challenge one another.
But…still, they may not be as ideal as they want us to believe. Because there’s the ghost of Lestat hanging over everything — and, in particular, Anderson’s body language immediately after the scene where Sam Reid narrates Lestat’s letter to Louis in that quiet, aching sort of way. Not to mention, there’s still the, uh, “certain events” Louis needs to put aside before feeling happiness when he thinks of Paris.
To put it as simply as possible, this relationship has layers — some quite lovely, some messy, and some totally rotten. And they are all so much fun to watch unfold. Daniel may be stupidly taunting the vampires when he plays that soap opera theme and talks about needing tequila and popcorn. But, um…he’s not wrong about these two being soapy. It’s just that he means it in a negative way, and we mean it as a compliment.
More on Interview with the Vampire 2×02
- “Even now when I think of it, setting aside certain events, I feel something close to happiness…when I think of it. The name alone. Paris.” Anderson’s delivery: This vampire is in love with Paris — even after…
- Daniel Molloy’s “Paris sucks” is everything.
- Love all the little scenes of Louis and Claudia just being…happy and light together. Although her best work most definitely comes in the theatre scenes, we shouldn’t discount just how good Delainey Hayles is in some of the opening back-and-forth with Anderson.
- “Right. Because there wasn’t any racism in mid 20th Century France.” This man is over the rose-colored glasses Louis wears when he’s talking about Paris. And we just got here!
- …Armand is…petting Louis at one point??? Here for it.
- “Are you two going to finish each other’s sentences for the whole session.” And then, the grin and the challenge on Zaman’s face in response. Again, Armand loves toying with Daniel…but he also will not suffer too many insults.
- “We’ve been together 77 years, Daniel.” “47 more than you did with Lestat.” Methinks little Amadeo is jealous…
- “Keep selling it.” And here, we have what I can only describe as “irritated pout.”
- The whole “custom and practice” thing…yeah…about that…
- But also: Marrieds are bickering!
- Notice how Armand is passionate about his company, actually sitting forward during the interview and livening up instead of that practiced calm. So, he really means that “77 years, and it still feels like a slight” line. Easily.
- “Louis needs Paris. I don’t know what i need. Maybe a new brain in my head…I can not tell him this. I suppose I’m afraid my joylessness will take away his happiness, and maybe I don’t want his feelings to depend on mine anymore. Maybe I want to be joyfully joyless.” Beautiful, beautiful transition from Daniel reading this in the diary to Claudia herself narrating.
- “…with a history of chasing the wrong kind of love.” If I speak.
- “I would confront the elder and make him aware of the ways rogue vampires were dealt with in Paris.”
- Although the encounter doesn’t occur in this adaptation, it’s worth pointing out that, in the novel, Louis talks about Santiago’s smile being “sinister in its sheer mechanical quality.” Now, go back to everything we said about Daniels being perfect, about that certain something underneath everything he does, and take that as yet more proof he did his homework for this role.
- “He looked like a boy, masquerading as a gentleman. But I sensed his age and power right away.” About being a boy instead of a gentleman…
- Also: “I thought he was going to kill me.” Look. At. Armand’s. Face. Here. Too.
- Armand watching from the wing’, Santiago’s entrance…”you’ve come to the right place.” Yes, yes, yes.
- Some of those shots where we see the back of Armand, looking down at the crowd, and he’s “back” lit from the front because of the stage lights to create those gorgeous shadows…art!
- “Everything you’re about to see is real. Remember that when you leave here tonight. You are all complicit. Repugnant. And appalling!!! And I love you for it, and I welcome you, even as you disgust me.” The way he looks right at the audience here….Born for this!
- The whole final play. I will never get over it. Almost the exact same dialogue, almost the exact description, as in the text. But it’s somehow better???? Iconic.
- Yes, Santiago, it was worth the wait.
- His little flourish when Armand introduces him!
- Tag yourself, I’m Claudia as she fangirls over him.
- “You. Were amazing.” “I was, wasn’t I?” Dead.
- No but why would she even ask about the “handsome man” on the wall??? Girl…
- “You both f*cked Lestat.”
- “He tasted like vermouth. And annihilation.” I—.
- Armand has hooked up with everyone: confirmed.
- “It’s repertory theatre, Mr. Molloy — it’s how one endures.” He said, “everyone in the theatre hooks up. What about it?” And same goes for being around painters…are we going to go there? Hm.
- Eric Bogosian is so much fun in these scenes, as always.
- “Lestat’s apperance is important. Just not in the way you think it is, Daniel.” No comment.
- It’s the way the soap theme continues playing over the memories until Louis asks Daniel to cut it for me.
- “I want to be with my own. Don’t ruin this for me, Louis! I need this!” Oh, Claudia.
- Just…the entire letter scene. Superb from Reid throughout. The heart seriously aches.
- Also: We get all those lovely words of Lestat’s…and then: “…but it is a thin veil. And I am always on the other side.”
- Always. On. The. Other. Side.
- When Louis turns the scene around and uses Daniel’s pain against him…oof. Heartbreaking from Bogosian, threatening and determined from Anderson…so emotional. And that purely vampiric grin when Louis is sure his torture worked. Oof.
- Big, sassy Daniel is just…a small old man after all that.
- Armand in those shades.
- And he is smitten, all while being simultaneously alluring and threatening. Armand!!!
- …which is totally why he gives Louis that warning about doing a better job of closing his mind.
- “But. A few of the coven can be volatile and quite. Unforgiving. When lied to. Shut your mind. If you hear his name again.”
- “That sort of inquiry can bring all sorts of trouble.” Indeed.
Thoughts on Interview with the Vampire 2×02 “Do You Know What It Means To Be Loved By Death”? Leave us a comment!
Watch Interview with the Vampire Sundays at 9/8c on AMC and AMC+.
