Review & Recap: Interview with the Vampire – Season 1 Episode 1

Review & Recap: Interview with the Vampire – Season 1 Episode 1

In the first episode of Interview with the Vampire, Daniel Molloy, a journalist, is introduced. He gets a package in the mail from an old buddy, who is well-known in his profession. There are tapes and a letter written by Louis de Pointe Du Lac inside.

Daniel pulls out his old boombox and plays a tape that reveals that the man in question is actually a vampire. The letter shows that he has been keeping track of Daniel’s success throughout the years and has been giving him some perspective ever since their last conversation.

Louis wants Daniel to complete the job they started together in a week. They last stayed together in a room together in San Francisco 49 years ago, but this time will be different. Louis is going to share his complete life narrative this time.

 

When Daniel accepts Louis’ offer, the latter notes Daniel’s advanced age and Parkinson’s disease. The fact that almost no one is aware of his illness seems to affirm their closeness, but there is also a lot of history between them and an underlying tension. When the interview starts, we travel back to Storyville, New Orleans, in 1910.

Louis had every intention of inheriting his father’s “pleasure”-related business at the time. In essence, Louis is a pimp and his father runs a chain of brothels. He pulls a knife on his priest brother Paul when he tries to pray in front of one of Louis’ nightclubs, proving that trouble is around every corner. He won’t actually gut his sibling, but it’s a little way for him to assert his dominance.

Lestat De Lionheart, a recent visitor in town, notices this tiny deed as well, and when the two subsequently cross paths, he gushes about Louis’ job.

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Lestat accuses Louis of having sold him a townhouse, provoking the latter by putting his hands all over Miss Lily (whom Louis has affection for). Despite his growing wrath, Louis seems immobile and appears to be under the influence of Lestat.

Lestat exhibits equal amounts of emasculation and admiration by believing that Louis is his destiny. But this odd, fascinating man is more than just a hypnotist. He appears to stop time while chatting only to Louis during a game of cards. “I think this city offers a lot of possibility.” He says while grinning. I’ll need protection from the wolves in order to take it, though.

Following this, the two start hanging together, naturally at night, while Louis narrates to Daniel how Lestat charmed him. They work together in harmony. Louis starts talking to Lestat about his problems and fears without realising that the vampire is after him and is lovingly eyeing his neck.

Lestat turns up for dinner where he is questioned about his relationship with Louis and tries to cheer up the family by giving them gifts. However, Paul doesn’t like him and wants to know what his spiritual status is.

Lestat is quick to point out that vampires don’t exactly have a close relationship with Christ under the cover of a troubled past of humiliation and beatings, as we know from old tales. “Christ and I are separated by an ocean.” At Paul, he snarls. Louis manages to diffuse the situation by banging his hand the the dining room table, and their relationship continues.

So much so that Louis and Lestat are seen together in a Pleasure House in the following scenario. As things become heated and intense, Lestat eventually bites Louis’ neck while he is completely naked. This isn’t Brokeback Mountain; the couple uncomfortably soars into the air and holds each other stiffly (no pun intended). After having a small amount of alcohol—not enough to kill him or transform him into a vampire—Lestat lets him go.

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This act disturbs Louis and intimately arouses him at the same time. But it also gives Louis the chance to open up—just a little. In the middle of 1910, in New Orleans, an openly gay black man won’t go over well with the populace.

Louis talks with Paul on the roof about his future and his business interests after deciding to break off his relationship with Lestat. Before curiously turning toward the rising sun and jumping off the roof to end his life, Paul names Lestat the devil.

Louis never saw another sunrise, and regrettably, Lestat takes advantage of his sadness to assume control of Louis. Louis chooses not to attend the wake because his mother accuses him of causing Paul’s death. However, despite choosing to mourn in alone, Louis is called to visit Lestat. Lestat is not far after Louis, who escapes long enough to make it to the church and confess his misdeeds.

He burns the building and starts a fire before hitting the priest in the head to death.

Lestat confesses his love for Louis and says the first time they met, he noticed sadness in his eyes while they were alone and in the flickering light of the flames. He is able to disarm the afflicted spirit by promising to take away his suffering. Louis then consents to being transformed into a vampire.

The Episode Analysis
With stunning photography, lovely characters, and a clever premise, Interview With The Vampire gets off to a fantastic start. This classic has been given a good modern twist, however I understand that some people might not like that. Additionally, the episode begins with a grating reminder of the pandemic that serves no purpose whatsoever. Thankfully, a consistent, hypnotic beat develops for the remainder of the chapter.

Louis is an easy figure to relate to, and he has a magnetic appeal that piques your interest in his background. His relationships with Lestat will be the season’s high point, especially if the teaser preview for this year’s events is to be believed.

The first episode effectively sets the stage with significant background research completed and a strong working idea. Although vampires aren’t particularly novel in this media, the way this narrative is handled gives the genre some new life.