The Dinner, a masterpiece of power talking
This scene from 3x6 is peak.
This is the most incredible exchange I've seen in a long time. Each line delivered has multiple meanings to different receivers, the ambiguous phrasing and nuanced expressions communicate so much beyond the words. Combined with mind reading going on in the background, it is just chef's kiss. It also perfectly embodies Venkatesh Rao's language framework from the Gervais Principle, my eternal fixation. The entire scene is a game of Daniel and Lestat power play in front of Louis, who as is tradition, has no idea what is going on.
The two modes of language happening are:
1) power talk, where players are having multiple simultaneous conversations with each other beyond the surface one of words at face value
2) baby talk, overly simplistic and clear language a player uses to talk down to someone they deem unable to understand deeper meanings
Let's break it down ( âŸÌâĄâŸÌ)Ï
Taylor and Travis
Daniel opens, telegraphing his intentions with this meeting. He makes fun of them, setting the tone for the dinner. Both Louis and Lestat pick up the social expectation for the evening coming out of this one line, but they take away very different things.
Daniel: "Taylor and Travis. Congratulations. Have you set a date?"
Louis interpretation: This is a playful function where they'll all banter and any pointed words are just part of the game.
Lestat interpretation: Daniel is here to be an asshole and give him a hard time. Be careful and stay on guard.
They look to each other with knowing smiles and giggles, non-verbally agreeing to being insufferable. After each snide comment they make, they look back at each other, sharing that joke. Louis thinks it's all in the good fun; Daniel is a friend! Lestat knows it irritates Daniel to no end.
Daniel gets increasingly annoyed and sarcastic as they dodge his questions this way. (and yeah Dan, they are insufferable)
The Fog Of Love, Part I
Daniel asks Louis if the fog of love (for Armand) was why he never saw Daniel's questions in Dubai coming. Louis denies it.
Louis: "I tried to respect you, Daniel. I tried not to delve into your thoughts."
Louis's intention is the statement at face value. He is being earnest and is a character that does not speak in riddles. Flowery words, yes, but not with double meaning.
Daniel, however, is not taking it that way. He is trying to read Louis's thoughts at this point and is thinking about sub-textual meanings:
Meaning 1: Louis is lying about it and fucking with him. If what Armand says is true about Louis knowing about the stalking, then he makes a habit of fucking with Daniel
Meaning 2: Louis doesn't want to talk about Armand in front of Lestat
Meaning 3: Louis had no trouble reading Daniel, so there was no the fog of love in Dubai. (maybe only Lestat hears this one)
Daniel tests Louis to see what level of talk he can engage with him during this exchange. Daniel is incredibly sarcastic and condescending. This tone suggests he's successfully mind-read something from Louis that affirms his suspicions.
Daniel: "I appreciate that. I appreciate you respecting my privacy, Louis."
Meaning 1: thanks, Louis (face value)
Meaning 2: I know what you did. You've never respected my privacy
Meaning 3: you're a liar and I know all about your lies
Louis, of course, only picks up on meaning 1 and interprets this line as undeserved baby talk. Daniel repeats his words literally, as if Louis is slow child. This is why Louis makes a funny face in response. He knows Daniel got something out of his head, but he doesnât understand whatâs going on. This is a fun dinner where theyâre poking at each other in a friendly way, why the sudden cold demeanor?
Daniel sees that Louis is not a power talker and is clueless to the subtext he was sending. We shouldn't be surprised, remember Tom Anderson saying, "It's always a straight line with you, Louis"? He just isnât that kind of guy.
Daniel immediately moves on and redirects with a joke. With Louis out, heâs on to test Lestat.
Bird song
Daniel makes a series of insults to Lestat, poking at him in different ways. The 3/10 album rating, Sheridan Blackwood is a dumb name, forests are stupid.
Lestat immediately catches the power talking. He gives a knowing look that he can tell Daniel is trying to read his mind. Lestat is an expert at powertalking, so much so that he can participate without actively engaging in it. It's actually his refusal that sends the message.
He treats Daniel's prodding as a cute attempt and remains straightforward with his words. He keeps the sentences short, no metaphors, no deeper meanings, none of the "artful turns of phrases". He purposefully responds with baby talk to disrespect Daniel. He implies he doesn't think Daniel is good enough to deserve power talk from him. Then to further belittle Daniel, Lestat makes him play audience to his unabashedly flirting with Louis.
Louis: "From Iggy to birder..."
Lestat: "Get a job plunking Sondheim and Sakamoto in a hotel lounge. You know anyone who owns hotels?"
Louis: *smirks*
Daniel: *glares*
"Sofia"
As he has to watch them make eyes at each other, Daniel is getting so mad he can't keep it in. So he makes another play for dominance.
Daniel: "You still fangin' Sofia?"
Meaning 1: you still seeing your girlfriend?
Meaning 2: I hate your flirting, stop it
Meaning 3: I know this is sensitive for you
Meaning 4: Who are you choosing, her or Louis?
Meaning 5: Maybe I know something about you and her
Meaning 6: Don't baby talk me, I am a worthy adversary
This gets Lestat's attention.
Lestat: "I don't know. Maybe. Why?"
Meaning 1: I don't have an answer
Meaning 2: It's complicated and beyond you
Meaning 3: I have no interest in giving a direct answer
Meaning 4: I can tell you think you know something
Meaning 5: Slight respect to you identifying what unsettles me
Meaning 6: Ok bet, if you want to play, let's play
Daniel: "Has he met her yet?"
Louis: "I'm going to meet her tonight, I think."
Poor Louis is totally clueless to the additional meanings. He looks back and forth between them to try to keep up, but they've completely left him behind. Daniel makes a joke about 80s shoulder pads and Lestat forces a laugh as he and Daniel send some antagonizing looks to each other.
The Fog of Love, Part II
Lestat senses Dan is getting the upper hand by dwelling on the subject of Gabriella. He interjects with a subject change to grab the power back, refocusing to Daniel instead.
Lestat: "One has to ask, what is with the tan, Dan? Did you indulge and overshoot your coffin again?" leans back in chair
Meaning 1: Why the skin condition?
Meaning 2: You look like shit
Meaning 3: You're not a very good vampire
Meaning 4: I'm much older and better than you, new fledgling
Meaning 5: I am better at this game
Daniel: "I'm seeing someone."
Meaning 1: I have a new lover
Meaning 2: I am very attractive and desirable, thank you
Meaning 3: I can flaunt my relationship too
Meaning 4: I'm better at this than you think
Meaning 5: I've got some aces up my sleeve
Louis: "Ooooh! The fog of love."
Lestat: "The tan of whatever you want, sweetheart."
Meaning 1: Good for you, Dan
Meaning 2: Staying up past your bedtime for your new love?
Meaning 3: The new fledgling thinks heâs being cute
Meaning 4: I don't take you seriously
Meaning 5: idgaf about your love
Toast
Daniel does not blink or break eye contact with Lestat at any point when he raises his glass. The line is delivered just before Lestat drinks so he can't get a reply in before they finish the toast. Daniel gets the last word. Jack Donaghy would be proud of your negotiation skills, Dan.
Daniel: "Ready to eat your own?"
Meaning 1: Ready to drink the blood of your own relative?
Meaning 2: Cheers, bottoms up!
Meaning 3: Ready for a concert where you fans (vampires) eat their own (mortal fans)?
Meaning 4: You think we're on the same team, but we're not
Meaning 5: Me, a vampire, will âeatâ you, my fellow vampire. I'm going to fuck you up
Lestat knows Daniel is planning something, but his hubris and the fog of love prevents him from really interrogating it. The whole thing has gone over Louis's head. He knows something was happening but can't quite place it. In the car, Louis comments that Daniel seemed of.
Lestat: "Dan? Always. He's an awkward man. He has that 'you think you're better than me chip' on him. And we are. It is exhausting to pretend otherwise."
Yes Lestat, power talking is indeed exhausting. I don't know how y'all do it.
