The more I watch the last scene the more my heart breaks (and it was already well broken) for Lestat. His mannerisms, the return of the stuttering. But the thing that stands out the most to me is the way he tries to drag himself upright before saying, “I’m not at my best,” and the small shake of his head afterwards. It seems like such a clear attempt to make himself more presentable for her, which I feel is the first clear reference to how he feels that so much of his worth is housed in his outward appearance and her sexualization of him. It also shows his acknowledgement (and defeated acceptance) of the fact that it doesn’t matter what state (emotionally or physically) he’s in because she’ll ultimately take advantage of him regardless.
Then, despite all of his abundant and painful injuries, the first one she heals? It doesn’t feel like it’s a coincidence that it’s the one marring his face.
Am I reading into this too much already or am I about to suffer six more weeks of utter despair? Both, maybe? I fear what they’re about to put our sweet boy through if this was scene one between them 😭
I hate to break it to you, but you're not reading too much into it at all, and I hate to break it to you, but get ready for more despair.
He switches into the sexualized performance mode of being her submissive object as soon as she enters the room.
However, he's so broken at this point that he can't hold the façade for long —
It crumbles into his shame and desperation. He starts stuttering again.
He only wants a morsel of warmth from her, and he knows the price of that "love."
I'm telling y'all. Their entire dynamic is horrific.