Juggling chainsaws

[nalyra-dreaming]

About me

Nalyra ⏛ she/her/they I love complicated characters and relationships. Vampire lover of old. I like a lot of things, so do mind the tags, please.

Ask | Ao3

This blog is NOT Vampire Chronicles / IWTV / TVL spoiler free.

Life is too short for hate, be brave enough to be kind.

PSA

I reserve the right to be silent human, at least until I‘m turned 😛

[unnvmed-art]

[virginiaisforvampires]

What do you think the chances are of us getting some big reveals about Lestat and Armand’s history next episode? I’m trying to taper my expectations accordingly

The ep description seems to imply the psychologically torturous Armand will be reserved for Louis while Lestat is stuck inside his own head. While there’s obviously a lot of room for intersection bc whatever is happening with Louis will almost certainly have to do with Lestat, I don’t want to go into the finale with massive expectations in that regard if it’s something they don’t actually plan on addressing (I know you don’t know anything for certain, I guess I’m just curious as to what your expectations may be and if you have any theories there)

Well here's the thing.

We've spent the entire season dancing around this relationship, yet it's a key dynamic in the books. I've talked about being surprised that so many people took issue with the framing of Lestat and Armand as a consensual relationship, but my surprise was simply rooted in people also loving to take Armand's word at face value. 😅 So I guess you could say I am pleasantly surprised that people are clocking why making them consensual "exes" is an issue. (This wasn't on my non-negotiables list and therefore, I'm meh either way, but I am mightily annoyed with how the show is depicting it as everyone else speaking about the dynamic instead of hearing from Lestat himself about it, but I digress.)

Just for a quick rundown: We've had, what, three actual Lestat/Armand interactions this entire season?

The flashbacks with Nicki and Gabriella

The disturbing shower scene

Big Boss

We've had Nicki/DreamNicki insinuating that Lestat was "cheating" with Armand, which is directly contradicted by Lestat's actual behavior where Nicki is concerned.

We've had Gabriella insinuating Lestat and Armand were consensually fucking, which is a side-eye worthy assessment given she's spent the entire season molesting Lestat and has no concept of consent.

We've had Louis calling Armand Lestat's "ex."

We've had Armand referring to Lestat "sharing his body and blood" while Lestat said "Us? What is us?" and exhaustingly rebuffed his declaration of love.

And yet Lestat hasn't truly directly addressed anything where Armand is concerned (other than the "Us? What is us?" comment). He's directly addressed everything else....mostly. (I'll come to this.) But Lestat, contrary to popular belief, does not have an issue with admitting his faults. In fact, not only does he admit his sins, but he actively takes things upon himself that aren't his fault at all. We really aren't seeing that with the Armand factor. No, we're seeing Lestat evade and hint (the Big Boss lyrics and performance) and what does Lestat evade? His trauma. The abuse inflicted upon him by others.

And that brings me back to the things that have been mostly addressed, because something else that's being danced around? The trial.

We've had Gabriella imply that Lestat killed Claudia. We've had Louis imply that Lestat killed Claudia. We've had Claudia imply that Lestat killed her.

Meanwhile, Lestat himself hasn't actually addressed this other than the Big Boss lyrics, which directly contradict Lestat being a willing participant in her death. We also have Lestat hating Sam for his role in Paris, and we have Lestat immediately shutting down Gabriella's flippant talk about Claudia.

Who else was involved in the trial? Armand.

Consider the hints laid out in S2 of Lestat not being a willing participant in the trial. Consider the book canon of Lestat not being a willing participant. Consider the book canon of the trial being Armand's revenge against Lestat for rejecting his romantic advances.

So needless to say....I would be surprised if none of this is addressed in the finale and especially given the episode is rumored to be heavy on Armand and given what Armand did to Lestat (and Louis) at the end of Episode 6 and given the synopsis says Armand is "testing Louis to his limits", which I speculate means Armand is using Louis' life and wellbeing as the emotional leverage against Lestat (just like he did with both the trial and the call) to make Lestat do what he wants. (Whatever that may be.)

I don't see how you spend an entire season seemingly building up to something and then you just....don't address it.

This seeming "showdown" between Lestat and Armand has been a long time coming, imo, and it's something that Sam has hinted is coming by saying Lestat will have to "deal with Armand."

[nalyra-dreaming]

I see some people are losing their minds re: improvised Loustat hug and how this is bad writing and directing, and I think this is absolutely the opposite. I watched interview with Jane Wu and from my understanding only the last part of the hug was unscripted (when Lestat falls into Louis' arms and then they walk away), as she was talking about how great transition to the next scene it was. From what she said it was evident that she wanted to give Sam and Jacob artistic freedom in this highly emotional scene and that's why her input was minimal. I think this is fantastic that directors allow this kind of collaboration and trust their actors and their abilities.

Yes, that is the best thing one could hope for, actually! (And I also interpreted it to the last part)

[nalyra-dreaming]

i have to say that I don’t know how to feel that Jam improvised the hug? Like it was the most potent wonderful thing in that episode. Like what was Louis suppose to do in the script l? Just let him have a panic attack and not hold him???

Just the last part of it. The rest was there already.

But they're so attuned, that ... it just perfected it.

[nalyra-dreaming]

The say "Daniel's bowling is disrupted" I hear "Marius shows up" 🙂

Haha, wouldn't that be awesome :)

[nalyra-dreaming]

It's anonymous person who wrote about “Le Petit Coup.”I thought it was Sam’s voice, but I wasn’t sure because of the sound. I clearly hear his intonations in some parts. But if you’re sure it’s Daniel Hart, okay, I’ll go with that. I’m just wondering why Hart would sing a completely vampire‑themed song…

I believe in one of the BTS videos it was mentioned that Daniel would sing ALL of them in? And then they adapted it to Sam's voice? It was in on of the recent videos.

Anyways, I think that explains it, though I have to say I missed it being in the background of the episode the first few time.

I do like the vibe of it, though.

And yes, it has a VERY vampiric text.

[nalyra-dreaming]

Hey, maybe Armand tore Louie's leg off and Louis tore Armand's eyeball out

........ maybe?!? We'll see.

[nalyra-dreaming]

What do you think ep7 is gonna do with Loustat? i'm curious to know what you think! I read your theories about the episode, but about Loustat? Do you think for example they're gonna be able to talk again in this episode or mainly eye contact in one scene at the very end?

Oh I do think they're going to talk, yes.

Whatever... is going on with Armand there and the severed heads will not last the whole episode. Something will have to give, and this is something they are in together after all, no matter what exactly Armand goes for there.

So I do think the aftermath of whatever-that-is-with-Armand will likely be as interesting at the scene itself.

[nalyra-dreaming]

I rewatched 5 and 6 last night and they're so good. But I've already mapped out what time to start so I can watch the whole season right into the finale. I'm so excited!

Me too!!!!

Oh rewatching everything is a good idea 😈

I am not sure if I will manage that this weekend, but I have that set for next Tuesday, on my BIG screen, with noise cancellation headphones and NO DISTRACTIONS 😝

[nalyra-dreaming]

One thing I've noticed is that they're treating Daniel's addiction through his vampiric years as well. "Did you indulge and overshoot your coffin again?" says Lestat, because Daniel's seeking pleasure as he did in his young years with drugs to hide the pain he feels. Pleasures of the kills as in this case and pleasures of breaking people down in his interviews.

That's very cool!

It is!!

I also really liked that. There is a world of pain in Daniel that he hides (and uses to dish out), and I think... Lestat recognized that, definitely. (And used it, too)

[nalyra-dreaming]

Hi. Reading the synopsis for the last episode, I get the impression that Armand, to destroy and isolate Lestat, will try to push Louis to betray Lestat again but it won't go as planned. This will also allow Louis to finally close the Claudia chapter (yet another "betrayal" by Louis would destroy his narrative arc and his growth, and above all, it would destroy Loustat forever: Lestat would never trust him again). I just saw Jacob's latest interview, and considering how much of a Loustat shipper he is, it clearly suggests they'll end the season in a different, positive place. Also, thinking back to that photo of Sam Jacobe and Sheila from press week, I think they'll draw a parallel with Magnus: Lestat kidnapped from bed with Nicky, Lestat kidnapped from Louis's arms…

I mean, that were the theories for a long time.

Who knows what Rolin has cooked up though. He might go with something entirely different - or the book ending (for spite lol).

Let's just see.

Right now everyone is jumping to conclusions once more, and while theorizing is fun, a lot of people jump way too high with them, as said before.

[nalyra-dreaming]

jacob on ep 7

"loustat definitely ends up in a different place than they started"

... which could mean anything and nothing *laughs*

[nalyra-dreaming]

I really hate the theory that Armand puts Claudia's spirit in Regina to mess with Louis. It would cheapen Claudia's arc so much.

I personally don't see it either *shrugs*

[nalyra-dreaming]

Did you see that AMC is airing the concert August 23?

YES!! Cannot wait!!

[nalyra-dreaming]

I would have thought now that Louis and Lestat are in a good place that Lestat wouldn’t go with Akasha willingly?

*blinks* I mean, I have theorized that, ages ago, yes. If he and Louis would not be in a good place.

But... who says he does now?!

[kcrabb88]

Can't wait for people who hate The Vampire Lestat to maybe one day stop watching um, The Vampire Lestat, because while innocently scrolling the tag or browsing other socials, I've had to see multiple posts about how homophobic this season is and I'm like um. Do you mean the show where Lestat sings "I am a meteor / colliding / writing your name in dust as I fall" to a teary-eyed Louis while they stare into each other's eyes???? Or the show where Daniel shoves Armand against a wall and Armand starts talking about pseudo-stalking Daniel for most of his life??? Or the one where Lestat had sex in an elevator with a woman, a nonbinary person, and a man all at once?? Or the one where we see Nicki asking Lestat " are you going to teach me how to be a man, Lestat de Valois?" and then it cuts to them having sex in a candlelit flat? Ghost Claudia is searching desperately for her dead wife in some kind of purgatory??? That show?????

If anything, I've noted Lestat in his own POV, without Louis' own early shame about his sexuality muddling the view of himself and Lestat both, behaving in an even more queer way than before? His gender nonconformity, the way he speaks, his just general behavior. All of it is beating in the veins of the season. But whatever! People on the internet didn't get a sex scene exactly how they wanted it, or something, so that means it's not queer.