‘Interview with the Vampire’ 2×03 Review: “No Pain”

Interview with the Vampire 2×03 “No Pain” is a remarkable hour for the series that delivers on everything from romance, to comedy, to horror, and even Rice’s ever-present questions about good, evil, and faith. Armand gets a chance to spend some time alone with Daniel, to tell just a little bit of his own, pre-Louis, history. This, of course, lets us see Assad Zaman flawlessly take on yet another of Armand’s many incarnations throughout the centuries. And, although he has been great as Louis’ personal ghost so far this season, the episode also features a welcome return of Lestat in all his glory. Sam Reid completely shines as the young, arrogant vampire who came, “clad in red velvet” and “swaggering and camping” (per The Vampire Armand) to end Armand’s time leading Paris’ Children of Darkness according to the Old Ways.

Then, there’s the continuation of Louis and Claudia’s story, barreling ever closer to certain doom. Nobody needs prior knowledge of the story to see this, as the series has done such a wonderful job of setting us up for…Well…the opposite of this episode’s titular “No Pain,” actually. Throw in an introduction we very much did not expect at this point, and we can not stress enough how well Interview with the Vampire 2×03 tells the stories we love so very much. It is such a fun ride, even with the presence of evil and certain doom waiting just around every corner.

“The gods are us. You are the gods.”

As Armand tells Daniel about how the Théâtre des Vampires came to be, Zaman does an almost too good job of portraying a bored Armand, self-described in his own Anne Rice’s book as “the worst of leaders, that is, the indifferent cold leader who strikes fear in the hearts of everyone but bothers to love no one…” So, when Lestat comes “prancing and preening” into his city, flagrantly violating the Great Laws at every turn, it’s no surprise that Armand falls for him. He is, after all, the complete opposite of everything Armand has been trying — “by any measure, failing” — to maintain. The Brat Prince is vibrant color invading the darkness, shamelessness and luxury after a life in shame and squalor, beauty in the midst of an ugly reality.

So, to see Lestat on stage in Interview with the Vampire 2×03 is to see not just Louis’ version of his ex-slash-maker but to also see what Armand saw centuries ago. All Lestat’s flamboyance, then, must be over-the-top and as offensive to the Laws as it is alluring, entertaining, a complete shock to the system. Well, Reid delivers all that — and more. There’s no other way to put it than to say that, in all Lestat’s scenes as the “entirely unnatural” being of Armand’s recollection, Reid just gets to play. Just…let loose.

This is what makes those moments when he’s alarmed while hearing Armand’s voice in his head, or completely terrified when he recognizes the other vampire’s powers far outmatch his own, stand out that much more. The same can be said if we compare Armand’s emptiness and detachment, as he barely flicks his wrist to destroy one who broke the Great Laws, to the rage, to the lethality, the thrill and wholly-evil grinning when Armand and Lestat have their big confrontation. Both actors impress, creating what can only be described as pure, true art.

But for as much as we love those moments when Reid performs as Lestat the over-actor, Lestat in all his glory as he just basks in the glow of mortals’ attentions, it’s Lestat the non-believer whom we might just love the most. Rice’s work, after all, was at least partially about her own struggles with faith. So, there’s something about the image of Lestat with the crucifix hoisted casually over his shoulder, storming his way into a place full of vampires that “serve God through Satan” and all the superstition that entails, that just works. Beautifully.

Throw in the casual way Reid just tosses the thing aside before explaining it was “whittled by the simple for the simple,” and it almost becomes a comedy. Except we know it isn’t one, and if we were unsure, Armand tells us what happens to his former followers: “Some could not reconcile the life I had made for them with the life Lestat had told them was possible. They went mad. Ended themselves.”

For as matter-of-fact and cold as his description of events is now, Armand describes his past self as only surviving the loss because of those old rituals. And that’s because, even if he was already over them, had invited Lestat in specifically to destroy everything, he depended on the rituals. They all did. Such are the concepts of God and Satan for many. Rice knew that. Through her, Lestat knew it, too. And Interview with the Vampire 2×03 proves that this core aspect of Rice’s storytelling remains at the heart of this adaptation.

“I don’t know if God exists.”

Interview with the Vampire 2×03 doesn’t maintain Rice’s central themes solely through Lestat’s mockery of faith, though. Enter Louis and Armand, in a different time period, taking their walks and having their big discussions about the nature of good and evil. Here, large portions of the conversation are taken directly from the text, with minor alterations to remind us of what time period the series has chosen…and to have some outside observers weigh in.

Case in point:

“Why does that make you as evil as any vampire? Aren’t there gradations of evil? Is evil a great perilous gulf into which one falls with the first sin, plummeting to the depth?”

Or:

“But if evil is without gradation, and it does exist, this state of evil, then only one sin is needed.”

And:

“Surely, [you attribute] degrees and variations to goodness…the goodness of the child which is innocence…the goodness of the [nun] who…lives a life of self-deprivation and service. The goodness of saints, the goodness of [the midwives].”

As the two vampires have this heated debate, we can almost forget that they are vampires. It’s like they’re merely two men having a philosophical discussion. Until, of course, the other Lestat enters the chat. Naturally, Armand picks up on Louis’ distraction. Also naturally, he knows Louis is lying about this “Bruce” — always has known — and is quite done with the whole facade.

Now, it’s Jacob Anderson’s turn to deliver a powerful performance. Louis desperately tries to avoid Lestat’s commentary, then breaks down — first slowly, then all at once — as everything comes crumbling down around him. The all-powerful (at least as far as anyone Louis has met) Armand knows. He and Claudia are in danger. And he just can’t let Lestat’s memory, however irritating and accusatory, go. All he has left, then, is fear, and grief, and than unfathomable horror of knowing he is not, at all, as safe as he thought.

Make no mistake: Anderson is great in the entire scene, as well as in the romantic lead-up to it. But when his character panics through Armand asking if Claudia helped him kill Lestat, then completely blows up at Lestat to go back to Hell, he delivers such a powerful, stunning performance, one can’t help but fear how much more intense those emotions can possibly get. And as Armand, Zaman is utterly terrifying, yet an understated way that is all the more impactful because of how different it is from all Anderson’s intensity.

…what we’re saying here is we’re in trouble.

Joining the coven

In Interview with the Vampire 2×03, Delainey Hayles delivers a bittersweet performance as a Claudia who is so desperate to get Maître Armand’s approval, to join his coven and finally feel like she belongs. Here is a Claudia who thrilled, and eager, and her usual defiant self when she gets ready to go to the Théâtre and is planning what lies to tell with Louis. She is who we know her to be, yet so much more alive than ever before.

But she is also a Claudia who is small, timid, deferential when chastised by Armand or when showering Santiago with praise. As a big fan of Santiago’s work, she doesn’t even need the coven rules to keep her eyes lowered and her demeanor respectful — she’s too starstruck, too in awe, not to approach him with caution. Then, there’s the late-night retelling of what happened with Bruce. That remains a plot point from Season 1 that we never needed nor cared for. But we also can’t help but praise Hayles’ haunting, heartbreaking delivery as Claudia shares her pain with Louis in “No Pain.”

Compare that to how excited, how full of joy she is when it’s finally her time to join the coven…only to come to the slow, horrible realization that her history means she’s broken every single law she’s now agreeing to. This is what the character previously lacked — the balance and dimension. Rather than being always at 100/10, all the time, Claudia now gets to have depth, myriad conflicting emotions that are all so much stronger because they aren’t all always so much.

Claudia, the calculating one who plotted an over-arrogant Lestat’s demise without him ever quite realizing, walks into what is very clearly a trap. (No need for a physical blindfold, though it’s a nice touch to signal to viewers she really doesn’t see Santiago’s sinister nature zeroing in on her.) Even when Armand lures Louis away from her big moment, neither of them notices a thing — even though both Claudia and Louis have discussed the need to be careful. And, it’s worth pointing out, Louis is only attending yet another show at all because he’s here to support Claudia.

They’ve told us all along this ends badly. But, pretend for a moment we didn’t know. Interview with the Vampire 2×03 cuts Claudia’s big moment against Armand stalking Louis through that tunnel, preparing to end him with the Fire Gift. Just like he did to those marked for death when he was still leading the Children of Darkness. This is the same coven, these are the same Old Ways…just applied a little differently. But Armand doesn’t, ultimately, destroy Louis — at least not here.

“No Pain” also tells us all the Great Laws, reminding us that both Louis and Claudia have failed to follow every single one. And as Santiago recites the Laws, he becomes more and more like his onstage character of Death with each one. That sinister, self-satisfied grin tells us the only story we need to know. Santiago’s reeling his prey in, toying with it until he decides he’s had enough…and he’s relishing every minute of the slow, delicious torture. “…in short, an actor prepares.”

More on Interview with the Vampire 2×03

• “A reader! Well, prepare yourself for disappointment.” Me when I think about Queen of the Damned or the lack of acknowledging a certain co-founder in Interview with the Vampire (1994). Or, you know, their idea of Armand.
• “Now, there’s two of them. Of course, there’s always two of them. You just came to that late.”
• The way Daniel goes from bored, to interested, to WTF, to genuinely on guard…love it. Eric Bogosian is a gem.
• “The Great Conversion is real.” So, like. About the Sacred Core…are we going there soon???
• “You’re not the first to attempt this, Mr. Molloy. I could give you the names of four others who have, and they’re all dead. Or undead.” Is one of them named Anne????
• “…the name’s Raglan James.” SCREAMING.
• Just going to drop this part of our advance review here now that Justin Kirk’s character has introduced himself to Molloy: “Because, um…no, we did not see at least one major reveal coming. It’s possible we were in the ballpark with some of our guesses…but, uh. No. Jaw on the floor.” Are we…are we…do I need to pull another book off my shelf soon?
• Guess the Thief has moved on to hacking journalists’ computers…
• Also: “Got a real name?” Hm. Conspiracy brain can’t help but wonder…
• “I mean, the threat is always there. He could kill us both now, but he doesn’t.” Real Rashid has a point.
• And Armand up there, pretending not to really be listening but totally being the threat. Assad Zaman, the Armand you are!
• Seeing Daniel and Armand go at it directly, without Louis in the room…delicious. No other word for it.
• “You’ve never been easier to distract. You’re at the height of willful ignorance. We exploit it. This is — was — Lestat’s prophetic vision.” 
• When the camera zooms in on Zaman, and Armand is looking back to the past, getting ready to tell his story…ART. He is art. His performance is ART. The shot is ART.
• The way his voice lifts when he talks about the rules being there to “protect us from humanity.”
• I could watch an entire series of just Lestat doing Lestat things on stage for his adoring audience.
• Get you someone who looks at you like Armand looked at Lestat. The thirst.
• Reid’s twisted grin as Armand calls out to Lestat with the Mind Gift, all while Lestat just continues his show and tries to shut the other vampire out.
• Nicki!!!!!
• “Yes, Master.” A thing I would also say to him.
• “Everyone’s always watching you.”
• “And give up my patterned waistcoat? My jabot collar? Live as a grub?” I HATE HIM. (I love him.)
• Armand’s reaction to the “he’s nothing.” Art.
• “Is it great fun living in filth and stench such as this?”
• “You turned your Nicholas into one of us? Did the boy take to the Gift?” Reid’s expression…no need for words.
• “Here? Now?” “It’s a roomy box.” Notice how nervous Armand was about this, and compare it to how casually he explained his many conquests to Daniel last episode. Growth?
• That deep breath with those closed eyes…
• “The question was, ‘how do vampires hide from Google?’ Not ‘how did Lestat break his heart.’”
• “Lestat is, was, and will always be for Lestat.” Spoilers, Louis.
• Claudia, first GRWM influencer of all time.
• “The coven has grand. designs. for her.” About that.
• Ben Daniels, playing Santiago, playing the same role we already saw him play…and still stealing the show. No wonder that crowd had regulars.
• “This is my favorite part. ‘No pain.’ How does he get em to beg?” She seriously doesn’t notice the game that he’s playing with her. It’s sad.
• “It’s hay season.” “It’s not a farm, Estelle.” A comedy.
• “Of course you did! Because I’m a f*cking professional!!!” Correct, and that’s that on that!
• “A bit German.” I—.
• “Rats love hearts!” And I love this vamp.
• Louis is so self-assured and smooth in his little walk by the river with his boyfriend. Such a difference from the usual Louis.
• This whole episode is all about contrast, actually. The different tones, the new sides of characters who are usually known for being a certain way…the title versus the pain we’re actually in for.
• Daniel’s eyes tracking back and forth as Louis and Armand do their little in-love, sharing-narration thing.
• …and he really thinks this is going to distract them enough to not let them know he’s looking through whatever Raglan’s sent him. A fool.
• “I was supposed to be luring him in, but the opposite was happening.” 
• “Arguing as foreplay.” Some of the best ships!
• The head tilt and the interest in Armand’s eyes. He knows Daniel’s up to something.
• The whole Claudia/Santiago scene. Ben Daniels’ performance. Especially the laugh after “he taught me how to lie well.” Inject it in my veins.
• Singing! Ghost! Lestat!
• “Let me tell you a little something about 18th Century Armand.” Yes, please do.
• “And where is he now?” “Mmm! Still a cunt! He knows.”
• The Louis/Ghost Lestat hookup-slash-murder. So intense!
• “Are you making demands.”
• Santiago’s hiss.
• The shot of Lestat’s photo on the wall when they get to the Fifth Law…
• Louis was going to accept his death until Armand said Claudia wouldn’t be here very long. So much grief off Anderson there.
• “What did you call it? A Savage. Garden. Why is it, Louis, those with the most power are often the weakest?” The Savage Garden!!!
• “I don’t know…if I can…the pain. Though.” “You will. I did.” HIS LITTLE SHRUG
• “A century ago. Yesterday. What is time to a vampire?” Indeed.

What did you think of Interview with the Vampire 2×03 “No Pain”? Leave us a comment!

Interview with the Vampire airs Sundays on AMC and on AMC+.