AuspiciousAspen

[ileftmysoulinnorway]

Autumn Brown | Nuzzle Time with Eric Bogosian

[auspiciousaspen]

I'm shocked that we're just not discussing the fact that eric confirmed past devils minion two days ago? Why is no one bouncing off the wall and going crazy, I thought for shure that would be the vibe?

[auspiciousaspen]

French as a mirror to queerness in AMC's iwtv

(I've posted this in a community before but I'm reposting it here because I wanted it on my blog, anyways enjoy my deranged rambling about my once and future hyperfixation!)

I'll try to keep this short but I've been thinking about this for a while and I need to get it off my chest. Any time French or France is mentioned in IWTV it can be seen as a reflection of that characters queerness.

This starts in the very first episode when Lestat seeks out Louis post-brotherstabbing, he finds out Louis can speak French just like him. As he's discovering this he's also discovering that Louis is gay and wants him bad (by reading his mind). Henceforth their gayness becomes a sort of open secret to the community, and yet it is something that only the two of them fully understand. Thus I also think it significant that Lestat's term of endearment of choice in Mon Cher, and that they argue in French as I think we can all agree arguing is kind of their love language lol.

the motief continues in Paris, Louis and Claudia are suddenly surrounded by queerness in the form of the theater where being queer is accepted and even the norm to some degree. Paris is also where Louis starts to explore his sexual identity outside of Lestat through casual hookup's and of course Armand.

Paris is where Claudia explores her sapphism. I once again have to mention that French is a recurring motief for Claudeline, I.E. "your French is ugly", Claudia is unpracticed in her gayness the same way she is unpracticed in her French!

This last example only works if you subscribe to the Alice is Armand theory which clearly I do. In the conversation Daniel, Armand and Louis have about Daniel's failed proposal to "Alice" Paris is once again at the scene of the crime. Probably the most significant moment for Daniel and Armand taking place against a backdrop of French. But perhaps the most important quote from this scene is "you felt freer to hold her hand in Paris, I wonder why that is?", yes Louis why indeed?

anyway I hope someone cared enough to read this all the way through because it is admittedly VERY long, sorry about that. Also this obviously only pertains to the series not the books.

[auspiciousaspen]

I am far too locked in on this damn show

Omg they put Daniels memoir 'hate and Ashbury' in the book store.

[darcymolloy]

Assad is a brilliant actor but a terrible liar.

There’s no way they’re letting him spoil the season two cliffhanger two weeks out.

He’s doing a bit.

Look at his face. But more importantly look at Mark Johnson’s face.

At NYCC Johnson said this season would be fucking romantic.

Keep believing in love DM Nation.

That old vampire loves that old man.

[auspiciousaspen]

DISCLAIMER!!: this is in no way shape or form hate to the original poster, I think this theory is interesting I simply don't agree with it.

now that that's out of the way, I've decided I'm not done talking about Daniel's turning (everyone act surprised). The more I sit with this statement, the more incredulous I get that I didn't come to this conclusion by myself. Of course Armand has to be in some way blinded by rage in order to get to a place where he's willing to turn Daniel. We have to remember that spreading the dark gift is the most horrible that can be done to someone from Armands point of view. Additionally withholding the gift has historically been one of the only autonomous decisions Armand makes that doesn't get transgressed into.

bearing all this in mind, do we really think Armand would turn Daniel if he was entirely sound of mind? Especially because he believes one can, in no situation, consent to vampirism since the human mind simply can't comprehend eternity. This turning would always be a violation to Armand, both because it is so closely linked with SA in his mind and because he would have to break the only promise to himself he's been able to keep.

Of course subconsciously he is just terrified of Daniels rapidly approaching death. Past devil's minion is all but confirmed and with the Loumand divorce he would be left truly alone without Daniel. Anger is the perfect excuse for Amand to be selfish, if he "wants" to hurt Daniel then it doesn't matter if he ends up being miserable as a vampire.

Also I just think Assad takes his role as Armand, and the series in it's entirety far to serious to make these kinds of jokes lol.

TLDR : I don't agree with the comment above. Armand needed an excuse to be selfish because he can't live without Daniel. He finds this excuse in being so angry he can't think straight. At least that's my opinion lmk what you think

[auspiciousaspen]

Armand Nolastname and his half-decisions

I've been thinking about Armand as a character in anticipation of tvl and I've come to the conclusion that his avoidance of making real definitive decisions is perhaps one of his most fundamental traits.

We see this over and over starting with his little Judas Iscariot moment in s2. I do believe Armand when he says that the initial decision to betray Louis and Claudia was based on who would stay with him for longer. He understands as well as anyone that eventually Louis will return to Lestat so decides that he might as well end it now, in other words he choses the coven. however when push comes to shove he doesn't stop Lestat from saving Louis even though that is presumably well within his power. When Louis decides to take revenge on the coven, Armand doesn't warn them or try to stop him but he also doesn't help Louis. He half makes the decision to kill Louis and Claudia and half deals with the consequences of doing so, the same goes for his "decision" to betray the coven

This inaction comes back in Dubai when he sort of, kind of, half heartedly tries to keep Daniel from finding out what happened in Paris. At first with his dumb fucking disguise and later by joining the interview to try and steer them away from Paris. Once again, he is 500 years old! He could easily read Daniels mind to check when he realises something he shouldn't and brainwash it out of him or something but he doesn't. he didn't even manipulate Louis out of inviting him. He half makes the decision to let Daniel destroy his marriage and half deals with the consequences of his doing so.

Considering all this I've been reexaminating my view on Daniels turning in light of Assad's infamous "I'm going to break you" statement and this is what I've landed on. This Armand has Already made the biggest sacrifice of his life in service of not turning Daniel. of course he wouldn't be able to justify perverting Daniels spirit in such a fundamental way without feeling (at least in that moment) that he deserved it. I do feel like this, or any kind of turning really, would result in a lot of self loathing feelings and guilt for Armand which would prompt him to run away leaving Daniel by himself. "I'm guessing you haven't heard from my maker? Fucking Asshole." Once again half making the decision to turn him and half dealing with the consequences by leaving.

Anyway that last part is a pretty recent idea for me and I'm not sure how I feel about it yet so let me know what you think if you've made it to the end of this post, I'm not entirely convinced this will make sense to anyone but me lol.

[auspiciousaspen]

I'm just thinking about the scene in project hail mary where Grace has a minor disagreement with dr Lokken about whether earth life and astrophage developed seperately or not and Grace immediatly defaults to calling her an idiot. Do we think this is how he was acting before becoming a teacher? Because if so, no fucking wonder he was ousted from the sientific community lol.

[yamalvr]

i have a personality flaw that always positions me on the side of characters who are hiding everything and refuse to accept help. like do NOT confide in people. confiding in people is the enemy. REAL winners lie and lie and continue lying until they ruin every single thing theyve got going for them & didnt fix a single goddamn thing. keep digging grandpa youre almost there

[auspiciousaspen]

Armand mention