The Vampire Lestat episode 2 “Toledo” dug deeper into Lestat’s relationship with Gabriella that no one needed to see. But it also gave us an emotionally charged reunion between Louis and Lestat. And took us back to the beginning, Lestat’s childhood in France.
Forget the flashbacks and the existential horror for a second. The real star of “Toledo” was Louis and Lestat sitting in a room with their lawyers trying to untangle a relationship that neither one of them is ever really going to escape. Divorced? Separated? Mortal enemies? Soulmates? At this point, the answer is apparently “yes.”
Even though the deep dive into Lestat’s relationship with Gabriella was icky, it did reveal a lot about Gabriella as a character. So let’s get into my thoughts about this week’s episode.
28 Thoughts About The Vampire Lestat Episode 2 “Toledo”
I really love the format of this season with Lestat telling the story through his “failures” collection. It keeps the chaos of the story in a structure that keeps the story moving. Here are my reactions to the episode:
- Never forget the aftercare.
- Baby Lestat! Looks like a Targaryen. Maybe I’m just ready for House of the Dragon season 3 to start.
- Lestat as a monk? Hilarious.
- Cabbage! Cabbage!
- Lestat knows exactly what Gabriella is, but never stops trying to get her to love him in any way possible. As a son, as a lover, as…whatever. It’s sad. As well as icky.
- This is uncomfortable.
- That’s a yes, I guess…
- “Sofia”
- The Twilight question is valid though – no one wants a sparkly fucking vampire.
- There is absolutely no universe where Lestat wouldn’t be chronically online and fighting with strangers in the comments.
- These credits should be studied in filmmaking classes they’re so good.
- AKASHA MENTION! BRING ON THE QUEEEEEEN! Every mention of Akasha feels like the showrunners dangling a steak in front of a starving fandom. At this point I’m ready for our vampire queen to arrive and wreck me.
- Save the performative outrage Alex. You can’t possibly be shocked.
- For rock and roll musicians y’all sure do love to clutch your pearls. Sack up. David Bowie’s band wouldn’t have thought twice about a reveal like that.
- Interesting. So Gabriella is only interested in Lestat because he’s a reflection of herself? That makes sense, the only thing a narcissist truly loves is a mirror.
- Lestat and Louis absolutely wallow in the remnants of their human emotions, while Gabriella seems to have no emotions at all.
- Thomas Pitt. LOL. Hey Louis!
- So what is the Great Conversion? It sounds bad. I’m guessing Gabriella is really here for that.
- “Because I care.” I’m DECEASED.
- This scene. Art. Hang it in the Louvre. Put it in the Smithsonian. Sam Reid and Jacob Anderson somehow manage to portray centuries of love, resentment, guilt, and longing in a look, a gesture, or a tone of voice. They really are soulmates.
- 10/10. No notes. ART. Moving on.
- Run that back Lestat-Akasha’s WRATH? I need to know more.
- Oh Louis. Louis. Don’t go down the Claudia rabbit hole. It will only hurt you more. Pull back baby. Pull back.
- Real Rashid! Hey.
- ART. Preserve it for future generations. Study it.
- Justify it however you want, it’s still fucking gross.
- Bruuuuuuuuuuuuce!
- Louis is coming for you Bruce… I can’t wait to see it!
I’ve seen some mixed reactions to “Toledo” online, but this episode absolutely worked for me. Yes, some of the Gabriella material is deeply uncomfortable. It’s supposed to be. Underneath all the vampire weirdness is a story about trauma, obsession, and the desperate need to be loved.
And then there are Louis and Lestat. Watching Louis and Lestat circle each other like two exes who know each other too well is endlessly fascinating. They know each other so well, and they use that knowledge as both a weapon and a balm.
Every time these two share a scene, sparks fly. Whether they’re flirting, fighting, manipulating each other, or wallowing in their feelings, Jacob Anderson and Sam Reid continue to prove why they’re one of the best pairings on television.
And Lestat flying over the crowd to sing directly to Louis?
Absolute. Fucking. Art.
The Vampire Lestat Episode 3
Now that the basics of the story are in place, there will continue to be more revelations about Lestat’s past as we start to see how the influence of the muses lead Lestat to whatever he does that awakens Akasha.
The synopsis for The Vampire Lestat episode 3 reads:
“Molloy questions Lestat about his time in Paris.”
That can only mean a look back at Lestat’s relationship with Nicki, and his transition from human to vampire. Get the tissues ready.
Subscribe to Unfiltered, my weekly newsletter featuring deeper thoughts, fandom analysis, predictions, and behind-the-scenes commentary on the shows we’re all obsessing over.
And check out the rest of my Vampire Lestat reviews, reactions, recaps, and deep dives.