Interview with the Vampire 2×04 marks the halfway point for this season. So, fittingly, everything is starting to fall apart. And it happens in a way that feels more than a little bit like history not quite repeating itself but, perhaps, rhyming. Armand is starting to lose control of his coven — one he really seems less interested in running than in pursuing his relationship with Louis. But, unlike last time the Paris coven underwent a major change, this isn’t solely about Armand’s lack of passion for the job. Instead, it’s about a worthy opponent in Santiago rising up against him. By any means necessary.
Then, there’s Claudia and Louis. They find themselves, yet again, at odds as Louis falls deeper into his latest relationship and Claudia remains on the outside looking in. But unlike before, the man in Louis’ life isn’t a threat to Claudia just because the two vampires hate each other. It’s more about what Armand knows, what his position as leader of the Paris coven demands of him in response.
All of this, of course, is a very over-simplified way of describing what’s going on. But, for as many interesting twists and turns as this episode takes, it’s nothing more than a reminder that we can’t stop the inevitable. And, in this case, the inevitable happens to be eternal damnation. Such is the nature of Anne Rice’s vampires.
“I want you more than anything in the world.”
Everything we pointed out above about how Interview with the Vampire 2×04 is leading us straight toward disaster remains true. However. Louis and Armand’s love story continues to be one of the best parts of the season. That’s not to say that it doesn’t have its problems — it most certainly does. But the chemistry between Jacob Anderson and Assad Zaman remains excellent, and all Armand’s longing for Louis manages to bring such extra depth to our powerful and terrifying leader.
Which, to be clear: Armand may show real vulnerability and fragility with Louis, but he’s still extremely powerful. We should never forget that. And when Armand actually uses his power to get Santiago and Louis to stop causing a scene, it’s a thing of beauty. But that’s just it — Armand himself is a thing of beauty. Not just a thing of beauty but a wounded one with a devastatingly heartbreaking history, at that. Previous adaptations of this story have utterly failed in capturing that. Not so with this series. (Yes, we’ve talked about that before. No, we’re not ever shutting up about it.)
“Who am I, Louis? Am I my history I have endured? Am I the job I do not want? I do not know anymore. No one has painted me in over 400 years.”
For all the many great Loumand moments in Interview with the Vampire 2×04, one of the most important is the one where Armand shares his story. Zaman portrays every single bit of Armand’s suffering, his struggle against his “fragments” of memory, in the most achingly gorgeous way. There’s that old cliche about eyes being windows to the soul. Well, make no mistake: Zaman’s eyes are certainly a window to Armand’s broken, battered one here. To the child who was sold into slavery, still “donated” — absolutely devastating waver in Zaman’s voice on that part — even after being saved.
And, all the while, there’s the Ghost of Lestat, whom Louis can never quite let go of. Even as the maître of the Paris coven shows Louis all this vulnerability, even after trading those three little words earlier in the episode, here’s Lestat. And he listens — grudgingly — to Armand’s story for far longer than we might expect. For (less than) a split second here or there, Lestat even seems like he might care about what Armand is saying. Mostly, though, he’s the same old Lestat, cracking up in the middle of declarations of love, some hint of annoyance in his eyes as he listens to Armand recount his painful history, even barking out a loud “ha!” when we get tothe “Magnus who begat Lestat, Lestat who begat Louis” part.
The heart wants what the heart wants, even if it’s not what’s right there in front of us, wounded heart on full display for our benefit. So, it’s rather interesting that Armand shows up in the middle of Louis and Ghost Lestat’s late-night walk, telling Louis he wants him “more than anything in the world.” And it’s just after Louis admits he’s been seeing the image of Lestat in his favorite suit on him, just when these visions of Lestat are at their most loving, and patient, and kind. All we can take from this is how torn Louis is between his two great loves. And no, we can’t blame him. Because so are we.
“Know your role, thespian. Or join your maker in oblivion.”
Of course, while the romance is one of our favorite things to watch unfold this season, it also happens to be a catalyst for a lot of the worst things that happen. Louis gets special consideration, and the coven notices. Enter Santiago, the perfect leading man, whose charisma is like a magnet for the other vampires — especially those who aren’t particularly satisfied with their leader. When Armand chastises Claudia for her less than enthusiastic performance, Santiago steps in. Not because he cares for Claudia — that comaraderie, as always, is yet another act for him — but because it’s a moment of vulnerability that he can take advantage of.
While their disagreements in Interview with the Vampire 2×04 are a continuation of what happened in the previous episode, there’s also very much a “gotcha” sort of moment when Santiago realizes that Louis is not only Armand’s weakness…but that there also could be some trouble in paradise. Notice the self-satisfied expression on Ben Daniels’ face after Santiago asks if Louis and Armand are companions and, immediately, gets two different answers. Throw in the sh*t-talking with Celeste and, later, him overhearing Armand revealing to Claudia that he knows what she did to her maker…and the threat is very real. On multiple levels.
But, while Santiago might be a worthy foe — and the episode makes it clear that he very much is with how they make it so Armand has to look up at him during their first argument in the episode — Armand is, still, the centuries-old child of Marius de Romanus. And he is every bit as great and terrible as that implies when he catches Santiago lurking. Having the opportunity to see all those barely-veiled threats of Armand’s finally exposed ever so slightly is so utterly thrilling. And yet, we know in the moment that there is far more violence lurking beneath the surface. So does Santiago.
But what does pushing Armand near to his breaking point actually accomplish? Nothing good — should’ve fully unleashed all that power instead. Because all he manages to do is anger Santiago even further. Sure, the other vampire stalks off temporarily. But he regroups, and off he goes to collect proof of what Claudia did to Lestat. And, unbeknownst to Armand, the others are, at this point, already calling Santiago maître.
In fact, even as Louis encourages Armand to set Santiago up for failure by letting him lead, we know it’s already too late for such games. And, by cutting the conversation on the bench against Santiago slithering through Louis’ hotel room, Interview with the Vampire 2×04 does a fantastic job of setting up the threat Santiago and the others pose. Armand’s disloyal supposed inferiors are already so, so many steps ahead of him and Louis. And, as much as we should hate Santiago, we can’t help but root for him a little. Because Daniels is just that good in his devilish role.
…but only just a little. Just saying.
On Claudia, “Lulu,” and Madeleine
In our post-mortem with Delainey Hayles, we discussed a lot about why Claudia goes along with the insult of playing Lulu night after night (among other things). But, certainly, no review of Interview with the Vampire 2×04 would be complete without us totally gushing over how great Hayles herself is in this episode. Indeed, even as she lights up that stage in “My Baby Loves Windows,” Hayles makes sure viewers notice how much — even in the early performances, when Claudia is throwing herself into the role to please the others — it actually hurts the vampire to play this babyish character.
Long before Louis and Armand’s retelling of events gets to the part where Claudia is giving up, we already feel her heartbreak. She doesn’t smile at the end of her performance; she is not pleased with her work. It is merely something she must endure. And, as Armand gives her a dressing down in front of the entire coven, all we can get out of the moment is simply this: Those eyes are the perfect picture of sad — and scared.
But that doesn’t stop Claudia from speaking her mind when, finally, she has to:
“I’m a fierce vampire trapped in the body of a little girl. I’m reminded of it every night of my existence. Buttoning up this dress and singing and smiling, while the mortals laugh and point. I relive every condescending look or f*cking comment I have ever had to suffer.”
…and the way Hayles builds in intensity throughout this little speech, as Claudia stands up for herself while still afraid, is unbelievably powerful. Much, much, more than if the character had just started at 11/10 and shrieked her way through it. Even the pause before she tells Armand, “I…have lost my passion for work on stage,” haltingly telling him she’d rather do “backstage work,” is truly excellent.
This, of course, makes the scene where Santiago toys with her — pretending to be her ally of sorts — simultaneously so entertaining and so difficult to bear. The same goes for Claudia’s delight in listening to Madeleine describe her awful, inexperienced lover. Claudia just wants someone to see her for her, to love her for her, to choose her. In fact, because it’s so easy with Madeleine, Louis’ complete and utter failure to treat Claudia as either a priority or an equal stings that much more. Which, of course, leads to the explosion.
“Doesn’t sound like him?! Oh, I forgot. Love makes you stupid! Makes you fickle, and weak, and blind. Let me guess: he’s your companion finally. Well, good for you! You and him! Him and you!! You and f*cking him!!! Picked another one! Over me!”
Louis is, once again, blinded by love. And he is, once again, neglecting Claudia and putting her in danger because of it. After getting to witness Claudia expressing so much vulnerability in an earlier scene with Madeleine, after watching her try so hard and suffer so much just to belong somewhere, this explosion has to be one of the most powerful moments on the series to date. Because it comes from a genuine place. Not just a genuine place, no, but also one that’s earned. And Hayles beautifully rises to the occasion in reminding us exactly how painfully earned it is.
Talk about leaving an audience wrecked. Well…not the entire audience. There is, as ever, a condescending, unimpressed (Ghost!) Lestat there to roll his eyes and make scathing comments through it all. If only Claudia knew about Louis’ visions and could kill her maker all over again, we think we might be rooting for it in that moment.
More on Interview with the Vampire 2×04
- Louis’ reaction to Claudia’s act says it all. The look on his face even while Armand enjoys the performance, the slow clap…he is not here for this.
- The urge to sing and dance along is strong…until you really think about what’s happening here.
- The shot of Santiago backstage, just purely thrilled with Claudia’s humiliation. Love Daniels in this role (have we said that enough yet?), love to hate this vampire.
- Notice how, in the modern day scenes, Armand doesn’t give any indication, whatsoever, that he might regret how he and the others treated Claudia either.
- “Popcorn bag and a prophylactic!”
- “Is it thirst? Is it love?” Yes. And also yes.
- “What’s the secret? I’m the secret? …do you notice how hot the room gets when you two talk about the secret?” HE IS SO SMUG AND FLAMBOYANT ABOUT IT.
- Sam Reid, never change. If anyone was ever truly born to play a role…
- Molloy: “Are you schizophrenic, Louis?” Jacob Anderson’s face: “WTF is this man on?”
- “I could feel the movement of air with his movements. His..breath on the back of my neck. If I were to…reach out and touch his hand…I wouldn’t say it was his hand? But it was not not his hand.” Hi. I have a theory. And, based on Armand’s reaction to what Louis says here, so does he.
- Also, when Armand says he didn’t know…he’s lying. That innocence feels way too performative; it’s not the usual, effortless calm.
- The Armand half grin whenever someone challenges him…weird that it shows up just after he and Louis pause, showing interest in Daniel at the exact same time, while Daniel thinks he’s checking into Raglan’s files without anyone noticing. Hm.
- “But tender…can turn to tinder.” He’s warning you about himself, Claudia…
Also: Emphasis on tinder…- “I read it, just now, right in front of you.” He is toying with her.
- Madeleine and Claudia showing each other love by pretending not to care/to insult each other. Relatable.
- “He’s not that attractive.” Say what, now?
- “ENOUGH!!!” Yes, Maître.
- “Something fragile about this man.” You have no idea. Not to mention, Louis capturing that essence? That’s true love.
- Overall, I’m not sure how to feel about that part of the plot, though. Louis trying, and failing, to make something out of his photography should be much more compelling. And it’s not that it’s poorly done, exactly. Just doesn’t feel Big Enough, or whatever. Maybe Interview with the Vampire 2×04 just has too much to offer otherwise for us to really be able to sit in those moments.
- With that being said, Louis getting so angry about photos that aren’t his mixed in with his stuff in the present day — and Armand claiming Real Rashid did it — is certainly…something. Armand continues to manipulate his way in, telling the story he wants…to the detriment of the relationship he supposedly wants “more than anything in the world.”
- Whatever’s happening with Daniel, and Armand not only taking notice but enjoying it, is quite intriguing. But…no comment for now.
- Lestat just casually…eating the photo. Again: Sam Reid was born for this role, and he can never, ever change. I will not allow it.
- From “thoughtful Lestat who appreciates art” to “cackling maniac Lestat” as he hears Armand’s thoughts. Love.
- …and really? We’re going with Romeo & Juliet, even after how that ended? Come on, Armand.
- Then again…
- “He said, ‘I want to know what love is before I die.’” “Sounds like a lie.” “I thought so, too, but then he shook so much when I took my shirt off.”
- Very, very interesting delivery from Zaman on “I am not Lestat, Louis.”
- Someone find a way to inject the entire scene where he tells Louis about his past in my veins, please. Every line. All of it. Even Lestat, who probably knew none of this, being right there.
- “There’s something broken in me. A collision in me like I want to go bang.” Love Madeleine giving her the advice, basically, to let it happen, pick herself up, and move onto the next thing. That’s how we live.
- The way he roars “CLAUDIA!”
- “…manipulative gremlin…” Hold onto that. Notice present-day Loumand. Hm.
- “What is vampire life but poor decisions stacked against the better ones?”
- “The wilderness that is our daughter.”
- Louis is not terribly convincing when he tells Lestat “yeah” re: breaking it off with Armand.
- “Why this suit?” “It is my favorite on you.” “Really. I didn’t know that.” I absolutely love their messy love, just as much as I love Loumand’s. We don’t have to choose!
- Ghost Lestat fading into the rain. Art.
- …and Louis’ initials carved into the suit “right here.” Help.
- The episode title…Yeah. Book!Armand legitimately says that to Louis more than once within a single conversation. Not in the same circumstances at all. So, this was one of those cases where the title may not have, previously, been one of Rice’s more memorable lines, but after that scene it most certainly will be.
- Louis “summoned” Armand…hm.
- The shot of Daniel’s eyes as he goes through those files…
- And his reaction to hearing Armand on his tape from the original interview. So good.
- …remember when we destroyed the old tapes in Season 1? Hm.
- All this, as Armand and Louis have it out over those pictures. So very interesting to have things fall apart in the present day as they are unraveling in the past as well. Kind of like how Armand revealed himself in the present, just as Louis’ retelling was about to get to their first meeting. Love the choices here.
- This is how you adapt an iconic series!
Thoughts on Interview with the Vampire 2×04 “I Want You More Than Anything In The World”? Leave us a comment!
Interview with the Vampire airs Sunday at 9/8c on AMC, or you can stream it early on AMC+.
