The Vampire Lestat - *Episode 3 - Toronto

*SPOILERS*
*TRIGGER WARNING: vampire murder, abduction, sexual assault*

Well, well, well...where to begin? Amazing episode. Outstanding. This was what I was waiting for even though I enjoyed episodes 1 and 2. Sam Reid should win an award for his acting in this episode as it demonstrates an entire range of deft abilities within an hour and ten minutes. 

Beginning with a characteristic critique of the Toronto skyline and the draining of two honeymooners by Lestat and Gabriella, it proceeds through a sit-down interview between Lestat and Daniel, with Gabriella and Jarda getting up to some shenanigans in the next room, then takes a longer look into Lestat's turbulent past. Through Lestat's conversation with Daniel, we are treated to an introduction of Lestat's romance with Nicolas de L'Enfant, and then watch as Nicolas begs for the vampiric gift after Lestat's transformation, Gabriella suggests it's a terrible idea (straight from the book), and Lestat turns Nicki anyway, even though he has started to fall out of love with the young man. We then get to see what a 'disaster' this action was, and how it resulted in Nicki's vampiric demise at the hands of Armand.

I thought this all was expertly portrayed by both Sam Reid and Joseph Potter, with the latter taking his few moments of screen time and turning them into a suitably tragic and heartbreaking turn.

When Daniel presses for the story of Lestat's turning and mentions Lestat's maker Magnus, Lestat regales a romantic vision of what happened the night he was turned in the form of a music video featuring a horrific-looking Magnus against lyrics that portray the old vampire as a super fan and in love with Lestat. Tellingly, in this gilded memory, Lestat smiles as Magnus turns him into a vampire. I thought this was a really cool way to let us know that Lestat is either not recalling the truth or is embellishing/altering it for Daniel's benefit.

The dialogue between Lestat and Daniel was fantastic and the addition of Gabriella's presence effective, as during particular moments she shows concern for her son as Daniel's questions hit sensitive spots. Lestat is both hilarious and vulnerable as he proceeds to tease and torment his interviewer, before relating the powerful tale of Nicki's descent into madness and demise. After the emotional retelling, Lestat starts hyperventilating, claims to be hungry and storms out, but not before telling Daniel: "Unlike your last client, there is no delusion here.".

It is at this point that Daniel tries to watch the footage he captured only to find that there is only footage of Lestat staring at the camera. A brilliant aspect of this episode's script.

Meanwhile, Louis is hunting the Fang Gang, and at first this was an entertaining counterbalance to Lestat's affecting story, as Louis decapitates vampires, interrogates a separated head, and makes himself at home in their lair. It soon becomes a harsher reality when vampire, Killer (formerly Bruce), returns with Baby Jenks and receives payback for his treatment of Claudia (offscreen in season one).

Lestat gets into his car and zooms off as ghostly reminders of Magnus and the corpses appear in his car. He drives erratically as Ghost Magnus taunts him, and the true memories of that night return.

This is where the expertise of the writer, director, and actors truly shines. In what I see as a perfectly executed and genius move, scenes of Lestat's brutal kidnapping, assault, and forced vampiric transformation by his maker, Magnus, are interspersed with Louis' reading from the ripped out pages of the section in Claudia's diary that details what Killer had done to her. Told in a non-graphic but accurately specific way, it becomes clear that Lestat's maker sexually assaulted him prior to turning him, and that this experience was much more horrific and traumatic than he wants to believe himself, or to have others believe. The way Lestat's trauma aligns with Claudia's is heartbreaking to see, and most likely why Lestat was so adamant that he never threatened Claudia with rape on the train.

We then go to Lestat on stage performing his song 'The Loneliness' and seeing images of Nicki and Magnus in the crowd. Ghost Magnus eventually turns and leaves, symbolizing Lestat not being haunted by him anymore having faced the reality of his turning, and ghost Nicki stays whilst enjoying the performance, perhaps showing that Lestat has accepted that Nicki had to die and that it was not his fault. Interestingly, Real Gabriella turns and leaves, echoing Magnus' exit, perhaps indicating that Lestat sees her now as the abuser she is.

Finally, bandmate Alex is baring his soul at an AA meeting in Ohio and the man who decides to share after Alex is...Arun/Armand (!!!), who confesses to being an addict. 

Brilliant, chef's kiss, all the stars. Cannot wait for next week.

*This episode was written by Anusree Roy (an award-winning Canadian playwright) and directed by Claudia Llosa.​
​