Armand's Blender

Armand isn’t an idiot - long before ep8 he already suspected Daniel was in contact with the talamasca. He knew Daniel had info about Paris (that wasn’t in the archives). Daniel’s excuse to him , was his researcher found the info . But Armand probably suspected it was a lie (and again he doesn’t read Daniel’s mind to verify if the excuse was true). And Instead he hacks into Daniel’s computer and sees encryptions (probably making Armand suspect even more, possible talamasca involvement ). It’s why Daniel was initially allowed to eat out alone, but later Armand made Rashid chaperone his dinner (because at that point he suspected Daniel was in contact with the talamasca). Why he later asked Rashid over and over again , if Daniel was left alone to talk to anyone (the talamasca). And of course , instead of just reading Daniel’s mind to learn if he had met up with someone at dinner, he just grills Rashid about it (making Louis suspicious of him). And before that scene - Daniel already revealed Armand’s lies to Louis (relating to San-Fran ) using the talamasca audio files. Armand KNEW Daniel was probably involved with the talamasca and that just like San Fran (Daniel may reveal lies about Paris). But he’d rather let that happen than actually go back into Daniel’s mind cause it’s “wrong”. Very weird, if nothing happened between the 2 of them.

Armand could have done a lot to prevent the s2 finale: he could have read Daniel’s mind to thwart his plans , altered his memories, implanted ideas in his head , etc. All things he did to Louis & Daniel in sanfran (but for some reason… he doesn’t do so to either of them in Dubai).

It’s a very peculiar change for Armand . Because we see in the 40s he often would read Louis’s mind about “Bruce” and telepathically speak to other vamps all the time . In the books he even preferred to talk telepathically. But, we never actually SEE him use the mind gift on anyone in Dubai . He’s known for his powerful mind gift - but he refuses to use it on Daniel . Something changed for Armand- the question is what ? Maybe he’s afraid going into Daniel’s mind will jog Daniel’s memory of their past relationship? Or he feels too guilty ever entering his mind again (after the big memory wipe)? Or perhaps the last time he went into someone’s mind (aka Daniel’s) it was a bit … traumatic? So he doesn’t want to do so again . Regardless of the exact reason, or reasons, it’s all very suspicious : if I’m supposed to believe past dm never happened .