Louis struggles to control his thirst following his vampiric rebirth. While seeking redemption for the lives he’s taken, Louis searches a burning Storyville to discover Claudia.
Read last week’s episode review.
Now I completely feel bad for Louis. It was bad enough that he lost Paul, Grace was tentative and his mother Florence ice cold, but now there’s no going back to whatever sliver of normalcy he once had.
3 Stages of Vampire Life
Louis offering journalist Daniel Mallory seven courses of food while he himself only eating three could be an allegory for the three stages of Louis’ immortal life. One of the butlers told Daniel that Louis would join him towards the end of the feast, as the butlers cover the table with plastic in anticipation of Louis’ meal.
Louis had three courses: a bag of AB Negative blood “from the farm”, Ruppell’s Sand Fox (vulpes rueppellii), and the blood of a living man named Damek.
Louis purposefully remarks that he has not killed a human since the year 2000.
Daniel Molloy enjoyed courses of: Duck foie gras terrine, a seafood dish featuring mollusks, lobster with some sort of meat, a strawberry tart, ajoblanco, and steak with red wine.
Both men enjoy a strawberry dessert mentioned in Daniel’s memoir that causes the journalist to recall fond memories regarding his first wife. Louis seems jealous and slightly in awe at Daniel’s ability to retrieve memories associated with ‘human food’ that tastes like simple paste to him.
Seeing as how Louis’ vampire life has gone from human blood to sacrificial small animals – it seems the final phase of his life will be “complete restraint” by controlling his thirst through various modern methods.
Why Lestat Savors Violence
At first, I didn’t quite understand how Lestat could be so disconnected from humanity but now I see how the growing hatred and downright contempt for his former life could sour him over two centuries.
“Every one of them is capable of abomination, even the ones worthy of admiration.”
I wasn’t sure if Paul was exaggerating when he said Lestat whispered to him that he was the devil come to collect souls, and this episode all but cemented for me the fact Lestat absolutely did. Lestat makes a point to mention to Louis that telling his potential victims “There is no god” or mocking their faith often brings out the inner depravity every being is capable of.
I’m sure Lestat told Paul something to that effect over dinner which resulted in his suicide.
For Louis, the determining trigger in his immortal life seems to be prejudice and injustice faced while living in Louisianna.
Blue Law Era New Orleans
Blue Laws (commonly referred to as ‘Sunday laws’) are regulations placed on certain activities such as prohibiting the sale of alcohol on Sundays.
I did some digging and New Orleans Ordinance 4118 really did crack down on lewd activity and later segregate Storyville, leaving a trail of lost business in its wake. There was even a madam who challenged the ordinance in Storyville and apparently won her case.
While it wasn’t surprising that the story was set in a historically ‘colored’ area of New Orleans known for prostitution, the factual history intertwined with the Creole Louis de Pointe du Lac’s adds a very realistic dimension to his tale.
Concerning the continued practice of ‘redlining’… I don’t want to get too into this topic, but I truly feel like the good Alderman Fenwick had it coming.
As Fenwick was a loyal patron in one of Louis’ whorehouses, I don’t believe him to be prejudiced but rather a member of the local government who saw an opportunity to invest and expand his control.
There is also an inkling of personal prejudice against Louis for not accepting the ‘10%’ deal years back before Azalea Hall was built and business was booming.
Claudia is Saved
I saw in the preview for next week’s episode that Grace is surprised Louis and Lestat decided to adopt Claudia. From what happened at their home, I was sure Louis would never see his family again. Azalea Hall had burned down and that was Louis’ last remaining anchor to humanity, so I wonder how this will go now that Louis has embraced his vampire side.
What were your thoughts after watching this episode?
Do you think Louis’ hunger influenced his decision to murder Alderman Fenwick?
Could Lestat have diffused the situation that resulted in Storyville being sacked?
Does Florence wear a cross around her neck now that she believes her son Louis is the devil?
I’d love to know your thoughts and opinions! Leave them in the comment section below, and Subscribe to our Newsletter for more weekly Interview with the Vampire episode reviews.
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