#interview with the vampire tv

[jukebox-head]

this television program makes me want to chew glass

[dickgraysion]

based on x

[gotham-at-nightfall]

Old Loves, New Loves

By Naomi Buttelo

[breanne-says-boo]

Oh official Insta is WILD for doing this

[myckicade]

@motleystitches left me this lovely, thought-provoking comment, and I wanted to take some time to answer it throughly:

"But was there at any time genuine affection between Louis/Lestat? That’s the part I feel is really awkward. Ep 5 seems to be asking to reinterpret all the previous episodes. Yeah, it’s abusive, violent, but ep5 made it seem like *everything* was just fake to Lestat, so they never went into a “pattern” at all. instead, it was just a game/hunt to Lestat…"

First, I apologize for taking multiple days to answer this. Second, let me clarify that I will make mention of things that I feel explain each character's shitty behavior. Explanation does not equal excuse. There is simply no excusing a great deal of what has gone down here.

So, to dive right in: Yes, I absolutely believe there was - and, still is - genuine affection and love between Louis and Lestat. That love is, quite understandably, not sitting around in plain view during the events of 01x05. Things have spiraled so far out of control between the two of them - lying, cheating, manipulating - that neither party seems to like the other, all that much, right now. While this is the first time the two of them have clashed to such extremes, it is hardly their first time at-odds. Love can survive a lot, and there's something about twisted, fucked-up, these-two-should-not-be-together love that seems to lend a little extra elasticity before the break.

To look at each character, I guess I'll begin with Public Enemy Number One. When the two initially met, I would agree that Lestat was on the hunt, both vampiric and romantic. The thrill of the chase was alive and well, as I should think most beings experience when they have a goal in-mind. And, as much as Lestat tries to separate vampire from human, he is still victim to basic human nature. He wants love. He wants companionship. I just don't think he's terribly fond of the idea of that he needs it.

Lestat, if you should ask me, is a terrible liar, even to himself. This, I think, is where a lot of the manipulation comes from. It looks ugly as hell, at face value, but I think a lot of it is rooted in insecurity. He either doesn't know how, or - for my money - doesn't want to ask for the things he shouldn't need. The things he should be strong enough to do without. Things that, in the past, have probably come back to bite him in the ass. So, he comes up with other ways to get them, to entice Louis into giving him what he wants. Again, manipulation is manipulation, but I don't think it comes from a place of falsehood when it comes to Louis. He wants from Louis, but he doesn't want Louis to know that he holds that kind of power over him. Unfortunately for him, it slips out when he feels that he's faced with no other choice to get what he wants.

Monogamy is my favourite example. His assurance to Louis that other people are acceptable is so terribly, obviously transparent, only to have a complete, unsurprising meltdown in the face of Louis taking advantage of their agreement. While there is definitely bullshit to be called in the double-standard, Lestat also comes across as genuinely heartbroken. And, who could blame him? (I'm sure many could, but, I'm speaking to the heartbreak, not the actions that followed). Here is his partner, who - by said partner's own admission - has little sexual desire for Lestat, only to take up with an old friend at the drop of a hat. I can tell you from experience, that is a shitty feeling. To have your partner show no desire to do something with you (not necessarily sexual), only to be all too willing to give it a go with someone else. That said, I firmly believe that Lestat wanted to believe it would be fine with it, to know that Louis was with someone else. Otherwise, he's in it too deep. He's jealous. That jealousy and heartache become weakness, and those weaknesses can be exploited at Louis' will.

And, Louis… This is what I love about this series, is that everyone is feeling this story in so many different ways. Personally, if I was to find anyone's love to be in doubt, it would be Louis'. He's so caught up in resentment of Lestat, for turning him, for killing to survive, for all of the basic things that Lestat is... He clearly has difficulty in getting around that. Louis has a very mild way of showing affection. Granted, a great many beings in this world are not affectionate, and that is just fine. In his case, it makes sense that at least some of it comes from a lifetime of being told that his feelings were, to quote, "a crime against nature". He doesn't owe Lestat affection, and he's not obligated, but... A lack of attention doesn't tend to work very well, when paired with a needy personality. Again, I'm not saying Louis should give Lestat everything that he wants. But, he knows what his standoff-ish ways do to Lestat. There's no way that he doesn't. Threatening to leave, and then walking out, only to turn back up once his point has been made. Or, even better, when he has need of Lestat, again. (See: Claudia).

Speaking of Claudia, this is a fine example of the things Louis knows, and how best to use them to his advantage. He's far more subtle about it than Lestat, but Louis is guilty of manipulating his lover when it suits him, too. When he needs Lestat's help to save Claudia, he knows just what buttons to push. He knows that Lestat loves him, and will do anything for him. A daughter means that he'll stick around for a family. Coming to him in the first place doubles as a stroke to Lestat's ego, letting the scales of power tip to his favour for a time. Even with that, it still gets Louis what he wants. He wants to save Claudia. He wants to atone for his own sins. He wants to be a good person. And, yes, I do believe that he genuinely wants to fix things with Lestat in the same move. (Four birds, one bite).

That's where the love (and the co-dependency) shows the most. Louis wants to fix it. He cools off, and comes back around, and gives it another try. Ill-advised? Fuck, yes. But... You can convince yourself of a great many things when you're in love. Otherwise, in theory, you'd probably walk away. He knows Lestat. He trusts him, trusts in his love, and in the good of him that certainly does exist. Again, if it was all bad... Well, something attracted him in, in the first place.

Fast-forward to 01x05... Violence is definitely not the answer, but I am not one bit surprised that such is where they have landed. Lestat has lost all of his hold on Louis, in all forms, be it love, attention, or power. And, he lost him to Claudia. His weaknesses have come back to bite him, and he's doing the only thing he seems to know how to do: bite back. Biting back against Claudia, though? Wrong move. Trying to harm Claudia, the only redemption that Louis may feel he has left in the world, his child, is worse than taking on Louis, himself. There is no way Louis lets that slide, even if that means taking on an older, faster, stronger adversary. Even if that adversary is his own lover. To protect his family, yes. But, in some truly fucked up way, I feel like this is the only way Louis is going to bother to protect himself. Where this leaves them, now? It's not pretty, not by any means, but it will be interesting to find out.

That was... a lot. (And, sadly enough, I have so much more that I could add). All together, yes, I feel that there is love between them, but they suck at showing it. Love isn't their problem. They're a personality mis-match, to say the absolute least. Incompatible. These two fail at communication. They really might have benefited from a long, involved, check-your-ego-at-the-door type of a conversation. It didn't have to come to this, but no one was willing to get to the root of it. Ego. Ego, ego, ego. (Mm, I love it). This relationship feels very real, where so many other on-screen portrayals are lacking. Now? Now, the road back to love will be treacherous, if even passable, at all.

After all, Louis may have said told Lestat to let him go, but he never said he didn't love him.

P.S. This is just my opinion, and I may very well be biased. I have been in this type of relationship before. We shouldn't have been together, but we were oddly perfect for one another, and that thought still surprises the shit out of me.

[d1g1tal-judas]

By the way, for my VC and IWTV fans, followers, lurkers of various degrees. We should not be holding any space for xxhellonursexx. On top of making whitewashed art and blocking criticism they are a Marius+Armand shipper and have made extensive art glorifying said ship, and time and time again made cheap, ugly, disgusting jokes about CSA and abuse and I believe it is time we as a fandom put an end to that kind of shit. It's not funny. It's not cute. Stop reblogging their art. Stop liking their posts. Let's make this the kind of space we want to belong in.

[artistsonthelam]

Interview with the Vampire (2022) episodes 1 and 2! // (my ep. 2 thread & my ep. 1 thread)

[the-quaker-rosary]

Just finished watching the TV adaptation of Interview with the Vampire ….

It was incredible!! I loved the references to memory and narrative and Louis’ headspace of still loving and having these complicated feelings about someone who hurt you!! I think when you’re in a toxic relationship it’s so hard to separate the good times and moments of tenderness with ultimately how horrendous the dynamic was in those other moments….

Of course the 1994 version and the book has such an important place in my heart but I was so impressed with how it enhanced the narrative rather than trying to simply adapt the story.

Other adaptations- learn from this!!

[losferatuu]

she worth every dollar and she worth every minute

[video description: 34 second long video edit of various clips of louis from anne rice’s interview with the vampire, set to the chorus of six inch by beyonce]

[losthalfelf]

hello i just read an amazing article about queer vampires in media, which makes a lot of great and important points, but also the closing statement made me audibly laugh so pls go read it.

the article was written by David Opie and it also mentions what we do in the shadows, first kill and true blood (which is why they’re tagged)

[fandomshatepeopleofcolor]

I need at least one other admin!!administrator!!! Please dm me for details at @aliciadreaming

Please remember you will get kicked for amc!Louis hate!

[howletandfawn]

Tap into a moonlit romance, with notes of peppercorn, tobacco, and cocoa butter, with hints of cinnamon, bourbon and champagne, and a touch of citrus. This listing is for one (1) 2.7 oz. soy wax melt clamshell, one (1) 8 oz. candle, or one 1 oz. wax melt snap bar, inspired by 'Interview with the Vampire', and a love that will (somehow) last a lifetime.

[andillwriteyouatragedy]

anyways iwtv and hotd kicked my ass tonight. the girls are all fighting. i am exhausted. i need relief. who will bring me honeyed sweetness. i demand tenderness and good humor pronto

[breanne-says-boo]

How come no one is talking about the fact that AMC is literally selling an Interview with the Vampire themed casket??

[myckicade]

It's no secret that I'm a Daniel/Armand supporter. None, whatsoever. Bring it. All of it. Sexy as fuck.

But... I also want the Daniel/Louis. Mm, what a match. Give me all of that, too.

BUT. I also want Daniel/Lestat. Fuck it, I want a double. Someone needs to put that little brat in his place, and that man is the one to do it. (Totally valid to ask, 'Who is who?', and that adds more fun to it!).

Can everybody have Daniel? Because I really think he could be the key to momentary peace between those three.

[lunchiemunchies]

AMC'S IWTV thoughts

I was on board from the 2 second AMC clips months ago but OH MY GOD I was not expecting that

Lestat is absolutely magnetic, I adore how otherworldly he looks while still managing to convey such extreme human emotions. Perfect casting

I was worried about the time period change but the production design and costuming looks really promising

You can already tell the shift in Louis from human to vampire even from just his brooding stare, another PERFECT casting choice. As soon as Jacob was announced I knew he was going to do great from his performance on GOT

I love the direction they are going with Claudia, shes so cute and beautiful and terrifying

Just those few clips of Louis and Lestat alone being so intimate, it makes me happy to see. The pinky touches alone!

I am so so excited! Come faster, October!