‘Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire’ Recap: ‘I Could Not Prevent It’

6/24/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Roxane Duran, Delainey Hayles, and Jacob Anderson as Madeleine, Claudia and Lous de Point du Lac in Episode 207 of ‘Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire’ – ‘I Could Not Prevent It’. (Photo Courtesy of Larry Horricks/AMC.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 207 of ‘Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire’. To revisit the previous episode, clickhere. Also, this article contains discussions of domestic abuse, which made be triggering to some individuals.

One particular aspect of popular media that is genuinely fascinating, is how domestic abusers are portrayed. For they are in many ways, one-dimensional villains. Who only harbor raw anger and disdain for the world and the person they abuse and while that is a quick overview of who and what they are, because they are miserable and angry creatures… the real depth and nuances of them are never put on display. They’re just plot devices designed to rightfully instill fear, but they should… be showcased in vastly different light. Not a positive one mind you, but one that showcases how they think, how they work and how they manipulate and abuse people. So, we can see the cowards they are and the darkness in their souls. To help others recognize their nonsense, and escape their clutches, and to help us spot people in trouble.

Because this is an aspect of our world that needs assistance with awareness, and these people… need to be alone and away from others because of the garbage they are and thankfully… that simplistic presentation of them is fading away. Because there is an understanding now that we need to present them in a more honest and realistic light and thankfully, one particular series is leading the charge in such matters. For Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire on AMC, has explored domestic abuse and its trappings and cyclical nature, in great detail, and it may be the first show to properly showcase the inner workings of an abuser. A feat that it accomplished in a stunning manner during last night’s episode of the show, courtesy of the trial of the century in ‘I Could Not Prevent It’.

For Louis, Claudia and Madeleine were indeed put on trial for breaking the sacred laws of the Vampire Order and for the attempted murder of one Lestat De Lioncourt, and of course… Lestat was on hand as the prosecution’s star witness. Which led to a horrifying trial to say the least. One where our favorite vampires were beaten into rough physical shape to keep them docile and unable to fight back and where, they were constantly bombarded with pain and lies as the wrong story was told before the studio audience that served as the jury. Granted, this trio threw a few barbs out now and again, and Louis escaped death via Armand’s help, despite being sold out by him, but in the end… this harrowing sequence of events ended with the end of Madeleine and Claudia. Who burned horrible and bright before the audience, which brought great pleasure to Lestat… who finally had his revenge.

Sam Reid as Lestat de Lioncourt in Episode 207 of ‘Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire’ – ‘I Could Not Prevent It’. (Photo Courtesy of Larry Horricks/AMC.)

But while that made for heartbreaking and devastating television for certain, the kind that did not let the audience off the hook emotionally, it is what happened in the midst of that trial that allowed for us to see the inner workings of an abuser. Because of course, Lestate De Lioncourt is larger than life in this tale and has always been a boisterous and powerful vampire from a presence standpoint. Which meant he spent a great deal of time speaking to the crowd before him and spoke deeply to how he was the victim in this mess. For Louis was really the monster, according to Lestat. Who manipulated and twisted words around to lull Lestat’s gentle heart into a false sense of security, to tear it asunder. And of course, he only resorted to violence to defend himself; to teach the bully a lesson and he so lamented such pain because all he wanted was to love Louis deeply.

Which was of course… nothing but bullshit. No instead, Lestat’s lament showcased… how abusers operate. Which is… through powerful manipulation and gaslighting, and by always playing the victim. Because at their core, they’re people that have no sense of self-worth and are bitter over that and the life they’ve been dealt. So, they learn how to charm and how to attract so they can sucker their victim into loving them and admiring them, giving them a sense of value and self-worth at last, and to maintain that they project their darkness onto the abused to purge it. But it always comes back, and they must repeat the cycle, and they’ve done such a great job of getting their talons into the person they ‘love’ that they know exactly how to maintain their status quo. And if by chance their abused lover stands up, then they become the victim in question… to engender pity and sorrow to once again feel value. Making them pathetic creatures really.

All of which was put on display in this episode in stunning detail through the trial and thankfully, this story made it clear how to defeat abusers when they force their way back into someone’s life, as they always do. In that, they are to be paid no mind, paid no tribute. For that robs them of power and wounds them deeper than one can know. Which, in the end, gave life to a powerful and brilliant episode of this series. One that finally put such acts on display in a palatable manner that all can follow and spot, and of course… broke our hearts in the process. Because it was awful to see the full picture of Lestat’s abusive nature and of course… Claudia did indeed deserve better. But all we can do now is wait. Wait to see how Louis will confront the real monster of the story, when the season two finale arrives next week. Until next time.

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