In Episode 6, “Like Angels Put in Hell by God” we see that over time Louis has healed from Lestat’s brutality, and has emerged ‘bent but not broken” to live in relative peace with Claudia. Lestat has fled, and when he eventually tries to visit, he is shunned as the two attempt to put the pieces of their lives back together. Three years later Louis begins to weaken against Lestat’s onslaught of gifts and apologies, reuniting with him after Lestat presents a record of a song he recorded with his mistress, Antoinette. Lestat’s career as a recording artist is an exciting easter eggs for fans of the book series, specifically The Vampire Lestat, the next installment of the novels.
As the three attempt a slow and painful reconciliation, it’s apparent that Louis is the only one who wants Lestat back. Lestat attempts to soften them both by revealing fragments of his own origin story. We learn that Lestat was abducted and held in a dungeon against his will by a vampire named Magnus, along with a scattering of corpses that looked just like him. Lestat explains that Magnus took his own life after tranforming Lestat, abandoning him with to fend for himself with a fortune but no guidance. Sam Reid (Lestat) succeeds in using the scene to shift our perspective of the series villain, and we’re left, if not with empathy, than with a budding sympathy and curiosity about what has made Lestat the vampire he is. It seems he too has had his share of trauma and toxic parenting.
After the disclosure Claudia reiterates her desire to go to Europe, but Louis refuses. Heartbroken, he sees her off as she embarks overseas, and we see that Lestat has covertly followed her, not out of concern but to threaten to ‘turn her bones to dust’ if she hurts Louis again.
The biggest ‘ah ha’ moment of the episode however comes from the end, as we return to present day where Daniel is recollecting his first meeting with Louis. In a scene that fans of the Vampire Chronicles have been waiting for since the announcement of the series, we see Daniel as a young brash reporter meeting with Louis in 1973 San Francisco. As the flashback closes, we see a third person watching their encounter – none other than the mysterious Rashid.
Anne Rice’s Interview with a Vampire airs every Sunday through November 13 at 10 PM EST on AMC. Episodes are available one week in advance for subscribers of AMC+.
Photo via AMC
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