always geeking

Dude what the fuck Jax was also looking at her hand here

Like imagine how traumatizing it'd be to think you killed your own mom that any time you open up to someone you're going to fucking kill them

Then an unexpected hug triggers that trauma again and your hand just... pushes on instinct

Everyone's talking about the one barred door that could've been the scenario of Pomni abstracting...

If artists are the backbone of a fandom, then you all are the muscles. Connecting everyone and everything. Spreading fun and whimsy. That’s real neat, I think

I wouldn't say that nothing at all is racist about the writing in The Vampire Lestat, because it's a show from a big network that is, unavoidably, racist. I do think it's very important to have black people in the room when writing black people, so I agree with that. For some reason I feel like Lestat's season definitely could use more black writers even to write HIM, and to point out his experience as a white man's experience in the world.

At the same time, I don't think treating the actors as helpless babies who need to be rescued is cool - they seem to have a lot of opinions, actually, and openly disagree sometimes with the writers, which is really great! You can find something racist and a black person can disagree with you, you don't have to speak for them! Actually, you don't have that right at all! These are real people, not characters, leave them alone!

I do think the "brutalized black characters" point is silly? Lestat looks absolutely fucked up in the first episode, like, dude is GORY when Gabriella shows up. And then again they're all important characters in a horror-adjacent show, I think that's to be expected.

The Louisiana Fried Chicken also made me feel insane. His name is Louis! He's from Louisiana! He fried himself!

I didn't mind the seance at all. I'm actually appreciative that they didn't ignore how race is a huge part of Louis and Claudia, particularly considering the time they lived in. It makes sense to me personally that race was brought up and used to hurt, though I'm pretty open to (respectful!) disagreements.

And I won't speak anything on Armand's character because there are people who are better equipped than me.

Is Rolin Jones racist? Probably, yea. Most white men his age are, but if I had to guess ('cause it is just a guess) I'd say he's as racist as every white person with good intentions who grew up under a white worldview and who maybe fancies themselves more enlightened than they are. Just like so many of you.

Not a nazi. Not KKK. Some of y'all really need to hold the importance of the things you're saying. Get a fucking grip.

I have a few nitpicks with Louis this season, but not in the sense that I think he was portrayed as badly as some of you are saying. I think he's on a very self-conscious journey, owning up to his faults (his failures) and everything. At points I thought they were trying to even the terrain so he and Lestat could be together by portraying them as equally bad, and that comes across as misguided to me. But who can say if I'm right or if this is Lestat's POV? The format of this show comes with a lot of perils.

Then again, two seasons informed by Louis' (a black man) point of view, then suddenly switching to Lestat (as white as they come) would never be without consequences.

I most definitely DID NOT get the sense from the show that he in any way, shape or form deserved what happened to him because he used to be a pimp. That's crazy to me. He was trying to get him and Regina out ALIVE, and, additionally, he found it in himself to see this very fragile part of Armand he elected to ignore before and show him kindness. I thought that was really beautiful but NOT AT ALL a sign that anyone believes Louis deserved it.

Overall, though, this IS a TV show, guys. All of your anti racism feelings are better directed somewhere else in these dire times. No network executive is going to save us. If you care so much, if the plight of black people is something you wish to address in your life, your energy is better spent somewhere other than The Vampire Lestat.

Just had a (maybe obvious) realisation about the scene in the finale between Louis and Armand, where Louis acknowledges the SA and trauma Armand experienced when he was a child. Louis only now showing true empathy and understanding about what Armand went through, even though he has known about it for years, even used it against him, is because of finding out about Lestat and his mother.

We see how Louis first reacts to finding out about Lestat and Gabriella, the disgust and judgment. We see how he reacts to Lestat having a panic attack and coming to the realisation that Lestat was groomed and abused. How just talking about it is affecting Lestat. Trying to let go of judgment and come from a more understanding place.

The realisation that someone he loves has gone through this, has put up a front to hide it and is deeply affected by it, must have made him rethink all he knows about Armand and his past. We never really see how Armand feels about what happened to him, he always puts up a front and hides his true emotions. So, seeing Lestat’s true panic and pain, which is normally hidden, must have made him think about what Armand must be hiding behind his persona.

That’s why I think he brings it up in that scene, he has new empathy and understanding that he didn’t have before. I think he is truly sorry for the things he has said/done in the past connected to Armand’s past, how looking back at his past actions with this new perspective makes him ashamed of what he has done.

I also think Armand is so adamant about getting an apology from Louis because he just wants an apology from someone. He wants someone to actually acknowledge a wrong was done to him and say they were sorry for it. It’s misdirected but Louis is probably the easiest person for him to get that from.

I think Louis sees that, sees Armand at his most unhinged and thinks back to his new understanding of Lestat’s behaviour. Also, he is probably thinking about ghost Claudia and her anger, her just wanting them to take responsibility for the hurt that they caused her. He can see that something else is behind Armand’s behaviour and is only now realising how fucked up what happened to Armand was. He chooses to be compassionate and give that apology to Armand because he knows he needs it. Chooses to approach the subject of Armand’s past with more sensitivity than he did before, now that he understands better. That all ties into what he was saying about needing to work on himself, it’s a good place to start.

Also, him saying “you need a love that will cradle you” to Armand. What does he do after finding out about Lestat and Gabriella? He cradles Lestat in the street! Tries to soothe the pain that he’s feeling. Louis saying that to Armand shows how he understands more now about his past and hopes that Armand will find someone who will do the same for him.

Ya'll couldn't even handle HER.

What are we COLLECTIVELY smoking? This is insane.

yeah this is just dystopian. fanfic writers don’t owe anyone anything. artists don’t owe anyone anything (unless they want to share the process themself). especially when you (general you) are privileged enough to get FREE contents to read and consume. if you don’t like it, if you suspect it’s ai-generated and if it bothers you, quietly leave.

this “witch hunting and demanding xyz from someone whose writing/creation you get to consume for free” is not only entitled and toxic but also damaging to the community you’re claiming to protect.