I have a lot of grievance with season 3 but one criticism I don’t agree with is that Daniel’s sudden attachment/allegiance to Armand doesn’t make sense. In the book, Daniel falls in love with Armand’s evil parts before anything else, most likely because they reflect a similar darkness in himself that has always pushed others away. In the show, we get Armand telling Daniel, not only have I watched you for over 50 years, but I’ve seen you at your worst, at your lowest, and I still want you. More than that, he enables and encourages Daniel’s selfish darkest desires!
Lestat drags Daniel into his world just to get a rise out of Louis, while making it no secret how lowly he thinks of Daniel. Then he steals away the only part of Daniel that still feels real, that still matters; his journalistic thrill, the high of getting his story. Then Armand comes along and gives Daniel exactly that, and all the satisfaction that comes with it. As the cherry on top, he gives Daniel revenge on the person who withheld that satisfaction from him in the most humiliating possible way. Armand makes a plan to cut off Lestat’s head, and hands Daniel the weapon. He enables Daniel to spread all his darkness around and does so without judgment. Does so with love, even. Daniel is Armand’s minion BECAUSE Armand grants his every wish