![Interview with the Vampire: Episode 3, Is My Very Nature That Of A Devil [RECAP/REVIEW]](https://thathashtagshow.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/project_20221007_1236175-01-1200x640.png)
Episode 3 of Interview with the Vampire opens with Louis and Lestat sitting in the square on a bench together. Louis is questioning his purpose – a Vampire’s purpose. Louis then suggests that they should only kill bad people. As book readers know, this is something Lestat admits he sticks to much later in life.
Lestat hesitantly agrees, and even so, after Louis chooses someone and Lestat maims him Louis still chooses a stray cat. Louis decides he doesn’t want to kill people anymore. So, Lestat compares him to a fish that doesn’t swim or a bird that doesn’t fly. Killing people is what Vampires do.
Of course, Lestat is disappointed in his chosen companion for his lack of vampire instincts. So, Lestat does what he does best – be petty. He begins to make fun of the piano player at the Azalea and takes over showing up his own musicianship. Louis makes a comment that Lestat wrote the “Wolverine Blue” – a fact that blows Daniel’s mind.
FLASHBACK TO THE MODERN DAY – The Odyssey of Recollection
At this moment, the rewrite of the story is completely called out. Daniel is doubting the completely new recollection. Is this actually the real story or the more rehearsed version? Louis no longer considers himself abused in this relationship. Louis talks about Lestat like he’s his soulmate. Someone he seemed to despise the last time they spoke.
Louis uses an example from Daniel’s own book to explain the “Odyssey of Recollection.” He says the tapes are a performance. Now, half a century later, Louis asks Daniel to allow him his Odyssey. In a sarcastic gesture, Daniel throws out the tapes and old recordings, and Louis sets them on fire with a look.
1917
Lestat is now filling in for Jelly (the musician) for the next little while, as well as doing his killing solo away from Louis, respecting his wishes. Louis’s animal diet isn’t going as well as he hoped. He’s weak, slow, tired, and basically looks like death.
Lestat decides he and Louis are in an open relationship without consulting him first and enjoys the female singer, but lets her live. Louis confronts him about this, heartbreakingly asking if he’s enough. Lestat laughs and casually tells him from time to time he likes variety. Louis asks if the same rules apply to him, to which Lestat hesitantly replies that they do as long as Louis comes home to him.
Jonah and Louis’s Family
During a night out, Louis runs into Jonah. Jonah is a childhood “friend” who has come to say hello to Louis before shipping off to war. The two have obvious tension and history. So, with his new relationship rules, Jonah and Louis drive out to the bayou to have a fun night of their own. However, when Louis is tempted to bite Jonah he bites himself instead.
Louis is still trying to keep connected to his human side through his family. It’s the twins’ birthday and he goes home to try and celebrate. However, he receives a far-from-friendly greeting. After being dismissed by his mother and brother-in-law, Louis gets heated and breaks down the door of their house.
Ordinance 4118 – Segregation of Storyville
“Win the war or fuck the whore”
Louis is still a businessman while also being a vampire. He is desperately trying to keep his business afloat while the newly passed laws are working against him.
After a rough evening of rejection, Louis comes home to Lestat entertaining an entire platoon of military men. Louis isn’t happy with this and learns that the Azalea is being closed. So, instead of continuing the party, Lestat compels them all to leave. Lestat admits that he’s a lot and isn’t perfect, and the two get into a huge fight over jealousy. Apparently, Lestat couldn’t handle seeing Louis with someone else. Yes, Lestat followed him and Jonah. Louis is feeling his lowest because he’s losing everything.
Louis decides it’s time to confront the men who are ruining his business and learns that they know his business, which they participate in, would come crashing down and did it anyway. Enraged, Louis over-counter corrects. He puts up “Colored Only” and “No Whites Allowed” signs up, which only invites more trouble from these men who were supposed to be his allies.
At this point, Louis has neglected his thirst for so long that when he goes to speak with Alderman one last time he attacks him. Alderman shoots him multiple times but it doesn’t work. Louis slices off his ear, cuts his cheek, guts him then leaves him on the metal spikes out front as a warning. In case you were wondering, this moment makes Lestat very proud.
However, things continue to go downhill when the white men of the neighborhood burn the Azalea down. Louis and Lestat have a kinda sort of breakup while watching the quarter burn. Louis tries to save the place he calls home and hears a young girl crying in a burning building – Claudia.
INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE: IS MY VERY NATURE THAT OF THE DEVIL – REVIEW
I enjoyed this episode immensely. We get to see Louis and Lestat function more in their relationship over the years. We see the cracks beginning in their foundation, as well as why they are a great partnership. Lestat is effortlessly petty and if he were to roll his eyes anymore this episode they’ll get stuck. Sam Reid continues to knock this role out of the park.
While Louis is losing everything, we see his shame and the darkness that takes hold of Louis in the series begin to take over. This is the beginning of the wall between him and Lestat. The fire is another huge change in the origin story of a character. In the book, Louis finds Claudia at home mourning over the plague-stricken body of her mother. This was only a quick glimpse of the character. So, there’s more to see in next week’s episode. Will Louis drink from her or is that another Odyssey of Recollection moment in order to continue to blame himself?
This episode shows the shame and darkness Louis lives in beginning to take over. This is the start of a wall between the two of them. Jacob Anderson has the toughest job – making Louis likable. Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve always thought the character was whiney and annoying. This series has humanized him to a point that I actually can see his struggle and the journey he’s been on and somewhat sympathize.
While we are continuing to see updates and changes to the story we are familiar with, I actually appreciate the explanation of the Odyssey of Recollection. I can name quite a few times in my own life when my memory was wrong and eventually the real one comes to the front. So, for me, it’s not a farfetched explanation. It allows the series to build on the original story while continuing to foreshadow and bring in elements from the entire Vampire Chronicles.
Here’s to next week and the introduction of Claudia.
