On a serious tip, I've wanted Albert to talk more and I still do. Baz was like 'Louis had it coming' and frankly, I wanted to bop him on the head with a Mary Poppins parasol. "He only beat me the one time, officer!" is the all-species abuse excuse when you know he'll do it again. And again.
Noted... will emphasize this more... thanks! As to your point on IRL perspective on abuse - see my comment reply to Buzz0Killington within this conversation.
You can agree that Lestat is an amazing character that you enjoy who is being acted amazingly but you can’t ever suggest someone brought domestic violence upon themselves. Thats very misguided.
Again, my commentary is strictly on the monster and NOT on human beings and the social mores that I am confident that we agree on - that abuse is NOT acceptable and that they do NOT bring it upon themselves (IRL). My judgement of the situation is solidly confined to their vampiric selves (with THEIR associate mores - if you could argue that for vamps). I whole-heartedly am against ANY human to human/animal abuse (save the monsters I am discussing with my commentary) and are not to be tolerated. My direction is solely within the realm of the vampires who LOOK like humans but have eschewed their humanity. With that reset, I think the conversation changes. When we position ourselves "as vamps" we are applying too much of "our" humanity upon them that I don't think exists. With Louis holding on to some vestige of his humanity, he "invites" that sort of cruelty into his newfound existence as a monster/supernatural creature that only "resembles" us. My take on Vamps is they are the epitome of dehumanization - with all the associated malfeasance that comes with that.
@@wrotepodcastAnne Rice said her vampires are, "the most human of monsters". I ain't Daniel Molloy, but I call b.s. on you saying your view of this savagery was only through the lens of "monsters". If it were, you'd have just done a play-by-play of the action like less thoughtful reactors, instead of listing the seven ways from Sunday why Louis needed a beatdown. At least pretend that Lestat fucking up Louis' face is a sad, not satisfying thing to watch, Baz!
I don’t see how Louie “brought it on himself” in terms of this abuse from lestat all because he wanted to save a young girls life, Claudia was literally calling out for help and Louie did the right thing and saved her, sure turning her into a vampire shouldn’t have been his go to and she possibly could’ve survived the burns and such if Louie somehow got her to a hospital in time but I hate the idea that Louie brought this horrible action from lestat onto himself. lestat shouldn’t have been so angry to the point of beating Louie to a pulp and dropping his lover from so high in the sky.
Please see my response to Buzz0Killington for my position. short take? If we are discussing RL - then I totally agree with you. My comments are within the monster/supernatural realm - setting aside humanist qualities we rely on for a decent society. Vamps don't play by those rules.
@@shannonmitchell167 so let's make Louis feel like crap for wanting to fill his breaking heart with a new sense of family and excuse Lestat's abusive actions? ok got it
@@Buniverself No, that's not what I'm saying at all. Don't wanna spoil season two for you but the way in which Claudia was turned isn't as cut & dry as Louis POV makes it out to be. It was more about his wants, needs & guilt. He turned a child with no care about what that would mean. All these characters are monsters. Claudia was innocent & her life was shit bc Louis own self-aggrandizement. He is still a victim of abuse & he became an abuser. Two things can be true at once. JMHO
"[B]rought it on himself." That is a take that's difficult when you look at it as domestic abuse and think that reaction wouldn't be like that if Louis were a woman (although the reaction often is like that if it's a woman being beaten). And race adds another layer to this, regardless, which has been written about by many other people. However, I think you make great points here that people, in defending Louis (and Claudia) often ignore. Louis was a "bad boy" when Lestat met him (and that was what attracted Lestat to Louis; the first time he saw Louis, Louis took a knife to his brother's throat and Lestat said to himself, "That's the one," basically). Louis is passive aggressive. Lestat has been willing to go against his better judgment (such as it is) many times for Louis. Louis told Lestat they would never work out and left the house on the night of their argument during the riots, and that Lestat would always be alone _after_ Lestat had told Louis about his fear of being alone. I firmly believe Louis, had he not found Claudia, would have returned before dawn and pretended nothing had happened, and that Lestat would have let him do so. But when he did return with Claudia, begging Lestat to turn her, after that fight, who was trapping whom? (Kind of both.) And, yes, Lestat did try to get Louis to take an interest in him, to go out and do something. Could he have done better? Yes, definitely. But I can see why he felt he loved Louis and Louis didn't return it. Was the beating right? No. And people object because they don't think Lestat would do that to Louis. As you point out, though, they are monsters, and none of them is good from our point of view. They have all done much worse to any one of their victims' lives than they will ever do to each other.
At last! As always, your reactions are priceless - and perfectly balanced! While it goes without saying that violence in a home/relationship is NEVER to be condoned or excused, I am so damn glad that Baz has actually stated all the reasons that, to Lestat's mind, have driven him to flip like this, instead of just summarising their 'family' dynamic as Lestat is evil and Louis and Claudia are blameless angels - because it's not that simple, whether you're humans or monsters! All three are manipulative, selfish and have proven themselves to be capable of violence when it suits them, but given how we're seeing Lestat through Louis' and Claudia's eyes this season and already know they're unreliable narrators, it's strange how some are quick to believe in their version of how everything went down! To say it HURT to see Louis suffer that assault is an understatement, but I also felt and heard the hurt in Lestat's words when he begged Louis to say he would never love him back - doesn't make me a Lestat apologist, just not willing to accept black and white judgements! Like, I can see how it would have shredded Lestat's last nerve, on top of the irritating knowledge that they talk constantly behind his back, to have suffered SEVEN YEARS of Louis' insults and all-consuming obsession with Claudia's absence (which she could have eased with communication at ANY time btw), only to have her breeze in with plans to elope with Louis and not even have his partner of twenty years bother to deny that he's considering leaving him! I'm not defending what's indefensible (it broke my heart to see them descend into this, and I really do appreciate Louis and Claudia's predicaments too) - I'm just seeing it from all sides, and willing to accept that these complex, powerful monsters straddle the line between having the morals and values of us humans, and also the benefit (or burden) of a lived experience that is more traumatic and necessarily ruthless than we can comprehend! Do I wish they stayed in a happy bubble? Yes. But do I see what drives a wedge between them all? Again, yes. On a final note - how dare the music in this show sweep me up in its emotional allure, especially when I'm seeing visuals that are painful to my Loustat-loving heart! Ok, that's enough from me. Look forward to your final reactions, both! Bravo!
Awesome, many thanks! We are thrilled that you think so. Although this episode had the most visceral reaction from Albert, he did realize that Claudia and Louis are makers of their own drama. Far from blameless. I think the full-blown, knock-down fight that ensued is what alarmed Albert the most. Which makes for great reactions - Baz
@@wrotepodcast This was a fantastic reaction from you both and really showed the scope of the general reaction, an advantage of having two reactors. A lot of reactions have a lot of "I just hate Lestat," and I get that, but I do think they are trying to have some nuance in this story, even though it's very heightened (operatic, Shakespearean) and monstrous.
I also didn't understand the speak easy scene where they stopped time, marked Tom Anderson with an X on his face, and then walk out. I just recently saw a comment in a comment section of a reaction video that explains it. Tom Anderson invited them to the speak easy so he could not only ask them for money for his political campaign, but so the police could search their home without them being there and so the police captain could get a look at them. When they realized this was a ruse, they marked both Tom and the police captain as a warning, "don't mess with us!".
I love to hate lesate like I love him as a character bc he’s so interesting butttt I do kinda feel like he’s lost his humanity to the point of being unredeemable like he’s an active serial abuser who’s had decades to deal with his trauma and just hasn’t and while I love Louis and lestates relationship on screen it’s SOOO toxic and while Louis perpetuates the toxicity lesate is the one who starts by pursuing Louis at his lowest and upholding the power imbalance in there relationship so as of now not a Lesate apologist … but we’ll see if that changes next season! But great reaction guys hope you post the rest of the season soon!
Yup... totally agree. My comments are primarily separate from human qualities. Lestat is far removed from that as one could be. He only resembles us - he is NOT us. And Louis headstrong manners was playing with fire when he hasn't been around long enough to 1) become a stronger Vamp, and 2) really made an attempt to truly study Lestat (not as a lover or companion - but as an individual - something hard to do when you are in a lover relationship). Because of this, I stand by my comment that his actions (or even in-actions) only served to lure and invite Lestat's more evil inclinations - even towards someone that he (Lestat) professed to love so intensely.
Ever since Claudia was introduced, I did not like her. She caused so much upheaval in Louie and Lestate's relationship. If she was not brought in as a vampire, Louie and Lestate's relationship would have flourished. She was the poison in their relationship.
It's easier to blame Lestat because he chooses to be aggressive openly. Physical violence is a big no, however, passive aggression and manipulation coming from Louis are also very cruel. They're both toxic for each other, and I hate it when everyone blames only Lestat for this mess. He makes bad choices, but so does Louis.
@@mrsstefansalvatore5 Of course Lestat is absolutely wrong, I never claimed the opposite and there can't be any excuse for what he did. My only point was, they are both to blame, albeit not to the same degree.
What I'll say here with regards to Lestat, at least you know where you stand with him when he acts out. He doesn't hide his expression of his emotions (to a point - unless it's strategic for him to do so - which I think is more survivalist as a vamp) while Louis and Claudia revel in their shadow tactics. Equally toxic on all three sides but I'd rather take Lestat (while not wholly condoning his form of expression) because at least when he rails at you, you know where it's coming from. He tells you. Where as Louis and Claudia (in this iteration of the work) are far more secretive. Lestat's whoring is a given. He never said he would be faithful sexually. That's a human trait - which they're not. I think most audiences keep trying to bring their humanity back, because it's safer for them (the audience). But make no mistake, their humanity died when they did. What's left is just a vestige of that part of their existence. No?
@@wrotepodcastthat’s a really thoughtful response! I think Lestat does engage in shadow tactics, but he’s not very good at it. He makes passive aggressive remarks but they’re so transparent it’s almost like honesty, and you can tell that he’d prefer to be straightforward and probably tried communicating that way several times before lapsing into snark.
I love the grey aspects of vampire mortality, but Lestat pursued a man struggling with mental health during the most emotionally vulnerable time of his life and isolated him. Also, you can’t forget the very obvious power dynamic in their relationship; of course Louis would be a little passive aggressive in an effort to level the playing field, but clearly, that did not work out well for him. Regardless, none of that warrants physical abuse and even Lestat admitted he was wrong. This is very conflicting for a lot of people, because he’s written as the romantic lead AND the villain of season 1, but we don’t have to excuse his actions even if we understand them (no matter how charming Sam Reid is in this role).
No, we didn't delete the comment (at least not manually) - not sure if our other host (Vance) set up something to delete comments that contain certain words. That may've been the culprit. To answer your initial comment, I agree with you IF we were talking about humans. Vampires are in human form, but not humans in the sense that we exist or have the morals we want to have reflected in society. I have always thought that Anne used her vamps to explore the depths of human existence by placing her main characters outside and looking back in. Thus, there is a clear separation between monsters and actual human beings with their social norms. If you're an apex predator, with little in the way of harming or shortening your life, your morals are probably going to go by the wayside. My point is centered around Louis still holding onto some vestige of his humanity, which often is to his own detriment as vamps don't operate with those norms. So, yes, domestic abuse is not tolerated in any form within our society, but let's be clear, this FICTIONAL story is rooted in monsters, not humans. And it is that separation between the two that forms the drama. That is where my commentary springs from. GLAD you chimed in though! Will ask Vance if there is some filter on certain words not being allowed in our comments and will get back to you. - Baz
@wrotepodcast wow, my second response got deleted too...I'm unfollowing this page...you guys are too sensitive...especially if someone disagrees with you...there was absolutely no hate speech involved...it's very strange...you guys channel is never going to grow when you limit opinions different from your own...you have to accept the negative with the positive...good luck to you...I'm not watching anymore of your reactions with all this censorship...
So happy you uploaded! 😃I think the point of the retelling is that Louis really wants to hammer home the monstrosity of the vampiric existence, but the monstrous parts really come from their human personality, and not just from being turned into a vampire. The reaction to Lestat's violent outburst from other RUclips reactors has been interesting because so many didn't see it coming at all. For survivors of abuse, the brutality was shocking and disturbing, but it wasn't surprising. I really appreciated that you saw Louis' part in the abuse. Louis and Lestat are in a toxic and abusive relationship, and have been since the very moment they met. As humans, I would never ever think that love could survive for them. They should put thousands of miles between each other, and never see or speak to each other again... However,... as vampires I believe there is love there. They're both so messed up that it barely shines through, but it's there, and these vampires do (potentially) have an eternity to work through their respective flaws. After 500, maybe say 1,000 years of space, therapy, personal growth, introspection, mediation sessions and like a million meditation retreats... maybe they could talk. 😂But DEFINITELY not as they are now. I'm so looking forward to your reactions on the last few episodes.
Thanks so much! There is an important distinction within the commentary of IWTV, which I believe is what draws us all to Anne's world. We can discuss humanity (which we see as a strength) from an inhuman perspective. The vamps only resemble us - they are NOT us. To apply humanistic qualities to these vampiric beings is a serious and detrimental mistake for we mere humans.
@@wrotepodcast 100%! I started reading the books when I was a young teen (in my 30's now), and I had a much easier time instantly understanding their vampiric nature as a teen than when I started rereading them in my late 20's. Teen me: "Yeah, of course Lestat and Claudia would wipe out an entire family. Obviously, they're vampires!". Older me: "Lestaaaaat! You JUST said you will only drink from the evil doer and then you immediately turn around and eat that poor lady and her kid! Wth?! I can't take you anywhere, you scamp!". 😂
Yeah the “Louis brought it upon himself” comment is where I think you’ve lost the plot of this show. But further more it shows completely dismissal of Louis’s characterization in this within the framework this narrative is trying to tell. Yes the vampires are cruel and Lestat anger and jealousy towards Louis refusing him is very much apparent. However, my issue with your take on Louis is it’s a complete dismissal of the abuse of not only a relationship between two men but the erasure of the unbalanced power dynamic that is being shown to you on screen between an interracial couple and the domestic violence that is on full display. Yes you can acknowledge that these human-like creatures are very much monstrous but you can also acknowledge that the black man being beaten nearly to death by his white partner is equally as bad. But also my biggest issue is trying to use Anne Rice’s book a shield for your tone deaf criticism and is a pretty weak attempt to defend your fragile line of argumentation of why the violence was justified. This story is 100 percent inspired by Rice’s first novel but this most assuredly is not her script or version of the tale being told to you. So I’d try not to lean on the books when they too have their own issues dealing with matter of race and characters of color I have watched 5 of your reactions/reviews but if this is the type of hand waving arguments I have to listen to then I’m definitely turned off starting from here. If more black viewers like myself happen to come across this video I hope they teach you a thing or two about how to analyze things critically through a lens that you clearly have no knowledge of. It’s clear you have a bias towards Lestat so I guess that’s why seem incapable of understanding things from Louis’ perspective and or maybe it’s something else? But I guess the love part of the narrative is worth sanitizing the black character’s POV
I think your positions are valid and I agree with a lot of what you say. Though I think you are reading too much into "my position." If my comment appeared tone-deaf, it wasn't intentional - I am aware of the disparity of how POCs are represented. My take was purely on the monster vs. human (in Louis holding onto his and how that strategy was doomed from the start with someone like Lestat) - I commented somewhere else that I don't condone violence of any kind. However, I do separate IRL to fictional situations a bit differently. Though I will concede that your point of Lestat being a white man beating a black man to the point of death is DEFINITIVELY valid and en pointe. I wasn't applying that here and will admit I could've handled that a bit more clearly. My "favoritism" of Lestat begins and ENDS with his being the first real monster I have encountered in the horror genre - and I have read/viewed quite a lot in the genre. Anne's absolute persistence in making us hate Lestat for all of the reasons you state above is precisely why I "favor" him in that this sort of evil is so RARELY represented. Too often it is watered down to placate audiences. Where you and I differ (for different reasons) is purely monster v. human aspect (me) and the racial implications you bring up ( which I admit I should've handled better and will endeavor to do so). I got caught up in the true evil presented on TV and the deftness of Sam Reid's portrayal and the freedom they granted him. I was not, and do not, think lesser of Louis for it. I really love that they gave the role to a very capable and equally deft black actor to handle this new take (as opposed to a recycled Brad Pitt type - which I think would've lessened the new vision). It also was a call-back to Louis warning to Lestat when he started to sound like a slave-master - something i should've shone a light on. But I admire them both for "going there." AND I loved that Claudia's revenge was so much sweeter for their triumph over Lestat's paper tiger villainy. I thank you for your comment and will make a greater attempt to hold a higher standard and not get caught up in the moment of being fixated on only one aspect with a flippant comment you encapsulated above. Much love (for as much as your mind, position, and comment and the spirit of discussion in calling me out on it all). BTW, my mom always said you learn until you take your last breath. So, still a student of life here. - Baz
Thank you, Brother. Baz's reactions, as well as him defending himself in these comments shows he's just an insensitive soul. All that, 'But I'm talking about monsters, not humans' shows little capacity for either compassion or understanding. He gets no better the remaining episodes. I'd never seen a reactor gleeful over Louis getting almost murdered...until Baz. He doesn't "get" the Black stuff because he doesn't get the violence stuff because he doesn't get the story's tragic, very human portrayal of Louis' suffering.
The episode was purely about the monstrous instinct of vampires. irrationality and violence Lestat, Claudia and Bruce reminding us that vampires are brutal predators. Now about the mind gift, they can block it for others, that's why the interview is not being broadcast live lol
"Louis brought it on himself". Ok now imagine this scenario. Louis is no longer a man but a woman named Louisa. Lestat punched her, dragged her by the neck leaving blood on her path and then threw her from 5,000ft breaking all her bones. I am genuily asking you would "Louisa brought it on herself" have ever come out of your lips so nonchalantly and with no empathy? We both know you would have never uttered those words regardless of Louisa and Lestat being vampires. Because you will have registered it as domestic violence right away and denounced it. Now the real question is why is this hypothetical reaction to Louisa beating not given to Louis as well? Is it because he is a man, is it because he is black, is it because he is both? And last question. Why does changing the gender of Louis the only way to make you see the severity of your words?
gran reaccion estoy de acuerdo que lestat fue horrible con la paliza no defiendo el abuso puesto que se lo que es eso pero tambien esta louis con su apatia exasperante y olvidandose x completo de su pareja por extrañar obsecivamente a claudia quien no se acordo de louis en todos esos años ,en una relacion esto debe ser mas equilibrado igualado al contexto humano uno debe cuidar a ambos pareja e hijos sino todo se va al carajo ademas de ser una asesina sicopatica claudia es tan egoista y calculadora como lestat y maneja a louis tambien a su manera los tres tienen la culpa x igual
On a serious tip, I've wanted Albert to talk more and I still do. Baz was like 'Louis had it coming' and frankly, I wanted to bop him on the head with a Mary Poppins parasol. "He only beat me the one time, officer!" is the all-species abuse excuse when you know he'll do it again. And again.
Noted... will emphasize this more... thanks! As to your point on IRL perspective on abuse - see my comment reply to Buzz0Killington within this conversation.
You can agree that Lestat is an amazing character that you enjoy who is being acted amazingly but you can’t ever suggest someone brought domestic violence upon themselves. Thats very misguided.
Again, my commentary is strictly on the monster and NOT on human beings and the social mores that I am confident that we agree on - that abuse is NOT acceptable and that they do NOT bring it upon themselves (IRL). My judgement of the situation is solidly confined to their vampiric selves (with THEIR associate mores - if you could argue that for vamps). I whole-heartedly am against ANY human to human/animal abuse (save the monsters I am discussing with my commentary) and are not to be tolerated. My direction is solely within the realm of the vampires who LOOK like humans but have eschewed their humanity. With that reset, I think the conversation changes. When we position ourselves "as vamps" we are applying too much of "our" humanity upon them that I don't think exists. With Louis holding on to some vestige of his humanity, he "invites" that sort of cruelty into his newfound existence as a monster/supernatural creature that only "resembles" us. My take on Vamps is they are the epitome of dehumanization - with all the associated malfeasance that comes with that.
@@wrotepodcastAnne Rice said her vampires are, "the most human of monsters". I ain't Daniel Molloy, but I call b.s. on you saying your view of this savagery was only through the lens of "monsters". If it were, you'd have just done a play-by-play of the action like less thoughtful reactors, instead of listing the seven ways from Sunday why Louis needed a beatdown. At least pretend that Lestat fucking up Louis' face is a sad, not satisfying thing to watch, Baz!
I don’t see how Louie “brought it on himself” in terms of this abuse from lestat all because he wanted to save a young girls life, Claudia was literally calling out for help and Louie did the right thing and saved her, sure turning her into a vampire shouldn’t have been his go to and she possibly could’ve survived the burns and such if Louie somehow got her to a hospital in time but I hate the idea that Louie brought this horrible action from lestat onto himself. lestat shouldn’t have been so angry to the point of beating Louie to a pulp and dropping his lover from so high in the sky.
Please see my response to Buzz0Killington for my position. short take? If we are discussing RL - then I totally agree with you. My comments are within the monster/supernatural realm - setting aside humanist qualities we rely on for a decent society. Vamps don't play by those rules.
What weirded me out was how smug the smirk and shrug was. wtf
Louis also saved Claudia out of selfishness, guilt and in wanting to have family because he no longer had Paul, Grace on Mama Florence.
@@shannonmitchell167 so let's make Louis feel like crap for wanting to fill his breaking heart with a new sense of family and excuse Lestat's abusive actions? ok got it
@@Buniverself No, that's not what I'm saying at all. Don't wanna spoil season two for you but the way in which Claudia was turned isn't as cut & dry as Louis POV makes it out to be. It was more about his wants, needs & guilt. He turned a child with no care about what that would mean. All these characters are monsters. Claudia was innocent & her life was shit bc Louis own self-aggrandizement. He is still a victim of abuse & he became an abuser. Two things can be true at once. JMHO
"[B]rought it on himself." That is a take that's difficult when you look at it as domestic abuse and think that reaction wouldn't be like that if Louis were a woman (although the reaction often is like that if it's a woman being beaten). And race adds another layer to this, regardless, which has been written about by many other people.
However, I think you make great points here that people, in defending Louis (and Claudia) often ignore. Louis was a "bad boy" when Lestat met him (and that was what attracted Lestat to Louis; the first time he saw Louis, Louis took a knife to his brother's throat and Lestat said to himself, "That's the one," basically).
Louis is passive aggressive. Lestat has been willing to go against his better judgment (such as it is) many times for Louis. Louis told Lestat they would never work out and left the house on the night of their argument during the riots, and that Lestat would always be alone _after_ Lestat had told Louis about his fear of being alone. I firmly believe Louis, had he not found Claudia, would have returned before dawn and pretended nothing had happened, and that Lestat would have let him do so. But when he did return with Claudia, begging Lestat to turn her, after that fight, who was trapping whom? (Kind of both.) And, yes, Lestat did try to get Louis to take an interest in him, to go out and do something. Could he have done better? Yes, definitely. But I can see why he felt he loved Louis and Louis didn't return it.
Was the beating right? No. And people object because they don't think Lestat would do that to Louis. As you point out, though, they are monsters, and none of them is good from our point of view. They have all done much worse to any one of their victims' lives than they will ever do to each other.
Well said!
@@tdali8347 Thank you!
At last! As always, your reactions are priceless - and perfectly balanced! While it goes without saying that violence in a home/relationship is NEVER to be condoned or excused, I am so damn glad that Baz has actually stated all the reasons that, to Lestat's mind, have driven him to flip like this, instead of just summarising their 'family' dynamic as Lestat is evil and Louis and Claudia are blameless angels - because it's not that simple, whether you're humans or monsters! All three are manipulative, selfish and have proven themselves to be capable of violence when it suits them, but given how we're seeing Lestat through Louis' and Claudia's eyes this season and already know they're unreliable narrators, it's strange how some are quick to believe in their version of how everything went down! To say it HURT to see Louis suffer that assault is an understatement, but I also felt and heard the hurt in Lestat's words when he begged Louis to say he would never love him back - doesn't make me a Lestat apologist, just not willing to accept black and white judgements! Like, I can see how it would have shredded Lestat's last nerve, on top of the irritating knowledge that they talk constantly behind his back, to have suffered SEVEN YEARS of Louis' insults and all-consuming obsession with Claudia's absence (which she could have eased with communication at ANY time btw), only to have her breeze in with plans to elope with Louis and not even have his partner of twenty years bother to deny that he's considering leaving him!
I'm not defending what's indefensible (it broke my heart to see them descend into this, and I really do appreciate Louis and Claudia's predicaments too) - I'm just seeing it from all sides, and willing to accept that these complex, powerful monsters straddle the line between having the morals and values of us humans, and also the benefit (or burden) of a lived experience that is more traumatic and necessarily ruthless than we can comprehend!
Do I wish they stayed in a happy bubble? Yes. But do I see what drives a wedge between them all? Again, yes. On a final note - how dare the music in this show sweep me up in its emotional allure, especially when I'm seeing visuals that are painful to my Loustat-loving heart! Ok, that's enough from me. Look forward to your final reactions, both! Bravo!
Awesome, many thanks! We are thrilled that you think so. Although this episode had the most visceral reaction from Albert, he did realize that Claudia and Louis are makers of their own drama. Far from blameless. I think the full-blown, knock-down fight that ensued is what alarmed Albert the most. Which makes for great reactions - Baz
@@wrotepodcast This was a fantastic reaction from you both and really showed the scope of the general reaction, an advantage of having two reactors. A lot of reactions have a lot of "I just hate Lestat," and I get that, but I do think they are trying to have some nuance in this story, even though it's very heightened (operatic, Shakespearean) and monstrous.
I also didn't understand the speak easy scene where they stopped time, marked Tom Anderson with an X on his face, and then walk out. I just recently saw a comment in a comment section of a reaction video that explains it. Tom Anderson invited them to the speak easy so he could not only ask them for money for his political campaign, but so the police could search their home without them being there and so the police captain could get a look at them. When they realized this was a ruse, they marked both Tom and the police captain as a warning, "don't mess with us!".
I knew Albert would have an intense reaction to the end of this episode, and I enjoyed it!
Love your reactions!!!!🙏🏽
YESSS FINALLY!!! So happy yall did this!
I love to hate lesate like I love him as a character bc he’s so interesting butttt I do kinda feel like he’s lost his humanity to the point of being unredeemable like he’s an active serial abuser who’s had decades to deal with his trauma and just hasn’t and while I love Louis and lestates relationship on screen it’s SOOO toxic and while Louis perpetuates the toxicity lesate is the one who starts by pursuing Louis at his lowest and upholding the power imbalance in there relationship so as of now not a Lesate apologist … but we’ll see if that changes next season! But great reaction guys hope you post the rest of the season soon!
Yup... totally agree. My comments are primarily separate from human qualities. Lestat is far removed from that as one could be. He only resembles us - he is NOT us. And Louis headstrong manners was playing with fire when he hasn't been around long enough to 1) become a stronger Vamp, and 2) really made an attempt to truly study Lestat (not as a lover or companion - but as an individual - something hard to do when you are in a lover relationship). Because of this, I stand by my comment that his actions (or even in-actions) only served to lure and invite Lestat's more evil inclinations - even towards someone that he (Lestat) professed to love so intensely.
Ever since Claudia was introduced, I did not like her. She caused so much upheaval in Louie and Lestate's relationship. If she was not brought in as a vampire, Louie and Lestate's relationship would have flourished. She was the poison in their relationship.
It's easier to blame Lestat because he chooses to be aggressive openly. Physical violence is a big no, however, passive aggression and manipulation coming from Louis are also very cruel. They're both toxic for each other, and I hate it when everyone blames only Lestat for this mess. He makes bad choices, but so does Louis.
I hate when people do this. There’s no excuse for lestat beating Louis the way he did. You can like a character and also admit when they’re wrong jfc
@@mrsstefansalvatore5 Of course Lestat is absolutely wrong, I never claimed the opposite and there can't be any excuse for what he did. My only point was, they are both to blame, albeit not to the same degree.
What I'll say here with regards to Lestat, at least you know where you stand with him when he acts out. He doesn't hide his expression of his emotions (to a point - unless it's strategic for him to do so - which I think is more survivalist as a vamp) while Louis and Claudia revel in their shadow tactics. Equally toxic on all three sides but I'd rather take Lestat (while not wholly condoning his form of expression) because at least when he rails at you, you know where it's coming from. He tells you. Where as Louis and Claudia (in this iteration of the work) are far more secretive. Lestat's whoring is a given. He never said he would be faithful sexually. That's a human trait - which they're not. I think most audiences keep trying to bring their humanity back, because it's safer for them (the audience). But make no mistake, their humanity died when they did. What's left is just a vestige of that part of their existence. No?
@@wrotepodcastthat’s a really thoughtful response! I think Lestat does engage in shadow tactics, but he’s not very good at it. He makes passive aggressive remarks but they’re so transparent it’s almost like honesty, and you can tell that he’d prefer to be straightforward and probably tried communicating that way several times before lapsing into snark.
I love the grey aspects of vampire mortality, but Lestat pursued a man struggling with mental health during the most emotionally vulnerable time of his life and isolated him. Also, you can’t forget the very obvious power dynamic in their relationship; of course Louis would be a little passive aggressive in an effort to level the playing field, but clearly, that did not work out well for him. Regardless, none of that warrants physical abuse and even Lestat admitted he was wrong.
This is very conflicting for a lot of people, because he’s written as the romantic lead AND the villain of season 1, but we don’t have to excuse his actions even if we understand them (no matter how charming Sam Reid is in this role).
oh wow, did you guys delete my comment because I stated that you guys were promoting domestic abuse?...
Love how your completely misunderstanding what their saying
@nordbard5027 uhmmm, there is never never a reason to physically abuse anyone.."he ignored me, so I'm gonna beat his ass!"..really
No, we didn't delete the comment (at least not manually) - not sure if our other host (Vance) set up something to delete comments that contain certain words. That may've been the culprit. To answer your initial comment, I agree with you IF we were talking about humans. Vampires are in human form, but not humans in the sense that we exist or have the morals we want to have reflected in society. I have always thought that Anne used her vamps to explore the depths of human existence by placing her main characters outside and looking back in. Thus, there is a clear separation between monsters and actual human beings with their social norms. If you're an apex predator, with little in the way of harming or shortening your life, your morals are probably going to go by the wayside. My point is centered around Louis still holding onto some vestige of his humanity, which often is to his own detriment as vamps don't operate with those norms. So, yes, domestic abuse is not tolerated in any form within our society, but let's be clear, this FICTIONAL story is rooted in monsters, not humans. And it is that separation between the two that forms the drama. That is where my commentary springs from. GLAD you chimed in though! Will ask Vance if there is some filter on certain words not being allowed in our comments and will get back to you. - Baz
@wrotepodcast wow, my second response got deleted too...I'm unfollowing this page...you guys are too sensitive...especially if someone disagrees with you...there was absolutely no hate speech involved...it's very strange...you guys channel is never going to grow when you limit opinions different from your own...you have to accept the negative with the positive...good luck to you...I'm not watching anymore of your reactions with all this censorship...
So happy you uploaded! 😃I think the point of the retelling is that Louis really wants to hammer home the monstrosity of the vampiric existence, but the monstrous parts really come from their human personality, and not just from being turned into a vampire. The reaction to Lestat's violent outburst from other RUclips reactors has been interesting because so many didn't see it coming at all. For survivors of abuse, the brutality was shocking and disturbing, but it wasn't surprising. I really appreciated that you saw Louis' part in the abuse. Louis and Lestat are in a toxic and abusive relationship, and have been since the very moment they met. As humans, I would never ever think that love could survive for them. They should put thousands of miles between each other, and never see or speak to each other again...
However,... as vampires I believe there is love there. They're both so messed up that it barely shines through, but it's there, and these vampires do (potentially) have an eternity to work through their respective flaws. After 500, maybe say 1,000 years of space, therapy, personal growth, introspection, mediation sessions and like a million meditation retreats... maybe they could talk. 😂But DEFINITELY not as they are now.
I'm so looking forward to your reactions on the last few episodes.
Thanks so much! There is an important distinction within the commentary of IWTV, which I believe is what draws us all to Anne's world. We can discuss humanity (which we see as a strength) from an inhuman perspective. The vamps only resemble us - they are NOT us. To apply humanistic qualities to these vampiric beings is a serious and detrimental mistake for we mere humans.
@@wrotepodcast 100%! I started reading the books when I was a young teen (in my 30's now), and I had a much easier time instantly understanding their vampiric nature as a teen than when I started rereading them in my late 20's.
Teen me: "Yeah, of course Lestat and Claudia would wipe out an entire family. Obviously, they're vampires!".
Older me: "Lestaaaaat! You JUST said you will only drink from the evil doer and then you immediately turn around and eat that poor lady and her kid! Wth?! I can't take you anywhere, you scamp!". 😂
Love your reactions! So excited to see you continue on.
More to come! And thanks for taking time to comment! We totes appreciate it!
Yeah the “Louis brought it upon himself” comment is where I think you’ve lost the plot of this show. But further more it shows completely dismissal of Louis’s characterization in this within the framework this narrative is trying to tell. Yes the vampires are cruel and Lestat anger and jealousy towards Louis refusing him is very much apparent. However, my issue with your take on Louis is it’s a complete dismissal of the abuse of not only a relationship between two men but the erasure of the unbalanced power dynamic that is being shown to you on screen between an interracial couple and the domestic violence that is on full display.
Yes you can acknowledge that these human-like creatures are very much monstrous but you can also acknowledge that the black man being beaten nearly to death by his white partner is equally as bad.
But also my biggest issue is trying to use Anne Rice’s book a shield for your tone deaf criticism and is a pretty weak attempt to defend your fragile line of argumentation of why the violence was justified. This story is 100 percent inspired by Rice’s first novel but this most assuredly is not her script or version of the tale being told to you. So I’d try not to lean on the books when they too have their own issues dealing with matter of race and characters of color
I have watched 5 of your reactions/reviews but if this is the type of hand waving arguments I have to listen to then I’m definitely turned off starting from here. If more black viewers like myself happen to come across this video I hope they teach you a thing or two about how to analyze things critically through a lens that you clearly have no knowledge of.
It’s clear you have a bias towards Lestat so I guess that’s why seem incapable of understanding things from Louis’ perspective and or maybe it’s something else? But I guess the love part of the narrative is worth sanitizing the black character’s POV
I think your positions are valid and I agree with a lot of what you say. Though I think you are reading too much into "my position." If my comment appeared tone-deaf, it wasn't intentional - I am aware of the disparity of how POCs are represented. My take was purely on the monster vs. human (in Louis holding onto his and how that strategy was doomed from the start with someone like Lestat) - I commented somewhere else that I don't condone violence of any kind. However, I do separate IRL to fictional situations a bit differently. Though I will concede that your point of Lestat being a white man beating a black man to the point of death is DEFINITIVELY valid and en pointe. I wasn't applying that here and will admit I could've handled that a bit more clearly. My "favoritism" of Lestat begins and ENDS with his being the first real monster I have encountered in the horror genre - and I have read/viewed quite a lot in the genre. Anne's absolute persistence in making us hate Lestat for all of the reasons you state above is precisely why I "favor" him in that this sort of evil is so RARELY represented. Too often it is watered down to placate audiences. Where you and I differ (for different reasons) is purely monster v. human aspect (me) and the racial implications you bring up ( which I admit I should've handled better and will endeavor to do so). I got caught up in the true evil presented on TV and the deftness of Sam Reid's portrayal and the freedom they granted him. I was not, and do not, think lesser of Louis for it. I really love that they gave the role to a very capable and equally deft black actor to handle this new take (as opposed to a recycled Brad Pitt type - which I think would've lessened the new vision). It also was a call-back to Louis warning to Lestat when he started to sound like a slave-master - something i should've shone a light on. But I admire them both for "going there." AND I loved that Claudia's revenge was so much sweeter for their triumph over Lestat's paper tiger villainy.
I thank you for your comment and will make a greater attempt to hold a higher standard and not get caught up in the moment of being fixated on only one aspect with a flippant comment you encapsulated above. Much love (for as much as your mind, position, and comment and the spirit of discussion in calling me out on it all). BTW, my mom always said you learn until you take your last breath. So, still a student of life here. - Baz
Thank you, Brother. Baz's reactions, as well as him defending himself in these comments shows he's just an insensitive soul. All that, 'But I'm talking about monsters, not humans' shows little capacity for either compassion or understanding. He gets no better the remaining episodes. I'd never seen a reactor gleeful over Louis getting almost murdered...until Baz. He doesn't "get" the Black stuff because he doesn't get the violence stuff because he doesn't get the story's tragic, very human portrayal of Louis' suffering.
The episode was purely about the monstrous instinct of vampires. irrationality and violence
Lestat, Claudia and Bruce reminding us that vampires are brutal predators.
Now about the mind gift, they can block it for others, that's why the interview is not being broadcast live lol
Amazing, many thanks! Couldn't agree more... -Baz
It would be funny if it were broadcast live, with vampires tuning in as if they were listening to a podcast.
@@HuntingViolets That WOULD be funny... and who knows? It might just exist in the Vampire Chronicles universe.
@@psychedelicpegasus7587Podcasts do exist in The Vampire Chronicles by the time of Prince Lestat
I was looking for episodes 6 and 7 and can't find them are they available? thank you.
They are just about to release. Working on final edits to both eps - clearing copyright issues. Oy!
"Louis brought it on himself". Ok now imagine this scenario. Louis is no longer a man but a woman named Louisa. Lestat punched her, dragged her by the neck leaving blood on her path and then threw her from 5,000ft breaking all her bones. I am genuily asking you would "Louisa brought it on herself" have ever come out of your lips so nonchalantly and with no empathy? We both know you would have never uttered those words regardless of Louisa and Lestat being vampires. Because you will have registered it as domestic violence right away and denounced it.
Now the real question is why is this hypothetical reaction to Louisa beating not given to Louis as well? Is it because he is a man, is it because he is black, is it because he is both? And last question. Why does changing the gender of Louis the only way to make you see the severity of your words?
I don't think Claudia would put little hearts over the I's.
Bwahahahahahaha... so en pointe with that one!
gran reaccion estoy de acuerdo que lestat fue horrible con la paliza no defiendo el abuso puesto que se lo que es eso pero tambien esta louis con su apatia exasperante y olvidandose x completo de su pareja por extrañar obsecivamente a claudia quien no se acordo de louis en todos esos años ,en una relacion esto debe ser mas equilibrado igualado al contexto humano uno debe cuidar a ambos pareja e hijos sino todo se va al carajo ademas de ser una asesina sicopatica claudia es tan egoista y calculadora como lestat y maneja a louis tambien a su manera los tres tienen la culpa x igual
Estoy totalmente de acuerdo