Tensions are high in Dubai as Daniel is secretly meeting with the Talamasca with the help of the stoic Rashid. For the first time really this season we see Daniel express some fear in making it out of Dubai alive. I agree that Daniel should not fear Armand as much as he should fear Louis.
Back at their home, Louis is clearly upset with Armand over last week’s revelation of what happened back in the 70s. There are sly remarks as well as knowing glances between Louis and Daniel and Armand is picking up the tension. He even begins to question Rashid about what happened at lunch. I really hope we get to see the reveal of Daniel’s secret this season and Louis and Armand’s reaction to it.
We also get flashbacks of Paris and what happens to Claudia who’s journal they finish. When Madeline is attacked, Claudia saves her and reveals herself as a vampire. Madeline is shocked but does not run. They begin to have open conversations at Claudia and Louis home and Louis walks in. He is furious but seeing this different more dominant side of him is a welcome change. He has grown stronger (per Claudia’s words) since Lestat and it shows. He is also clearly the more dominant one in his relationship with Armand.
“Like the Light by Which God Made the World Before He Made the Light” – Interview With the Vampire, Pictured: Delainey Hayles as Claudia. Photo: Larry Horricks/AMC ©2024. All Rights Reserved
Claudia wants to turn Madeline who is eager to become a vampire as well. When Armand refuses (he has never turned anyone before) Louis does it himself and the scene is actually beautiful even though someone is losing their life. Claudia finally gets her companion and is happy.
“Like the Light by Which God Made the World Before He Made the Light” – Interview With the Vampire, Pictured: Roxane Duran as Madeleine. Photo: Larry Horricks/AMC ©2024. All Rights Reserved
On another note, we see Armand’s coven plotting more and more against him as they all read Claudia’s journal and learn of them attempting to kill Lestat. Armand himself reveals he can no longer turn off his mind. He was in fact the buffon being played by the coven. His love for Louis in fact has made him weak. Unfortunately, we did not get to see the coup happen, only Armand moving in with Louis.
Back in the present day, the trio have it out over the events that took place in 1973. Armand explains that Louis asked him to erase his memories. Daniel does not believe it but Louis seems to. Armand is sympathetic in this scene although it appears that Louis is the dominant one, Armand is very manipulative.
“Like the Light by Which God Made the World Before He Made the Light” – Interview With the Vampire, Pictured: Assad Zaman as Armand. Photo: Larry Horricks/AMC ©2024. All Rights Reserved
When we flashback to Paris, we see Madeline, Claudia, Louis and Armand out for a weird family dinner with tension high. Just when it seems like everything is well and Madeline reveals how much Louis loves Armand, as he steps away for a smoke, the coven appears and with Armand’s help, kidnaps Louis, Claudia and Madeleine. Back at the theater during a matinee performance the three are put on trial in front of a human audience and we see the return of a very much alive Lestat who has been called to the stage.
What a way to end the episode with the return of Lestat. I absolutely enjoyed this episode. The acting was great and the writing was top notch. Again, Madeleine’s death was beautifully executed. The relationship between Claudia and Madeleine is very complex because she died at 14 years of age but is a grown woman. As the audience, you do just want her to be happy but that fact is always in the back of your mind.
The cliffhanger was smart as it leaves the audience begging to know what he is going to do next week. I wager that he will kill Claudia and Madeleine and burn down the theater leaving Louis devastated as he walks off into the night.
What did you think of the episode Vampire fans? Leave a comment and remember to connect with me on X @jereereviews.
