‘Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire’ Recap: ‘Like the Light by Which God Made the World Before He Made Light’

6/17/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Roxane Duran and Delainey Hayles as Madeleine and Claudia in Episode 206 of ‘Interview with the Vampire’ – ‘Like the Light by Which God Made the World Before He Made Light’. (Photo Courtesy of Larry Horricks/AMC.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 206 of ‘Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

One thing that we can all agree upon, is that modern society has quite the complicated relationship with tradition. For it offers both benefits and problems. From a beneficial standpoint, tradition helps keep wonderful memories alive. Because we lose people along the way and traditions that are bound to a family can keep those who have left, active in our hearts and in our minds. Not to mention, some traditions are quite fun to the say the least and bring a bit of joy into the lives of folks that take part in them, giving us all good reason to practice them and continue to pass them down from generation to generation.

But as mentioned, there are issues that come about with tradition as well. Because some of our traditions are quite archaic in nature and keeping their memory alive is well, uncomfortable and perhaps not necessary. Not to mention, sometimes they outright cause harm and even in a family setting they can elicit bad memories and reopen old wounds. Yet, we cling to those with the understanding that they are somehow important and are something we’ve ‘always done’. If anything, the horror of tradition is top of mind today, simply because some ugly ones were put on full display in the next episode of Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire, and that made ‘Like the Light by Which God Made the World Before He Made Light’, quite the stunning tale.

However, it did not seem as though this episode was going to be all that shocking at first. Mainly because it showcased, a calmer, more beautiful coven in Paris. For Claudia had her wish and was no longer working on stage and instead went about cleaning the theater in silence. And of course, Santiago had new material to work with, the kind that would allow for him to really sink his fangs into characters that were far juicier and far more compelling for an ancient actor that loved the craft. Allowing for it to seem as though, peace was on the horizon and joy would be found. Especially since Armand also left as leader of the coven and cozied up to Louis. But in the silence of the night, Claudia was stirring up trouble by no longer holding to tradition in the slightest.

Jacob Anderson and Assad Zaman as Louis De Point Du Lac and Armand in Episode 206 of ‘Interview with the Vampire’ – ‘Like the Light by Which God Made the World Before He Made Light’. (Photo Courtesy of Larry Horricks/AMC.)

After all, no vampire is to ever expose their true nature to everyday people. But Claudia did. Mainly because her only friend in the world, Madeleine, came under fire from the very individuals that were disgusted with her choices during the war. Which prompted Claudia to act, feed, and clean… and expose the fact that she was a vampire to an everyday human and well, that changed everything for their friendship. For such kindness bound them on a fundamental level, which while unwholesome because of age gaps emotionally and physically… happened none the less because of how broken and lonesome these two souls happened to be and of course, this spiritual union spit in the face of more vampire traditions along the way.

For not only were vampires exposed once again, but Claudia had another ask of her vampire friends. In that, she wanted to be as close to Madeleine as possible, and the best way to do that, was to have her sired into a vampire. A move that Armand opposed but Louis was happy to help with, and that came at an incredible price. For it turned out, that Santiago, the new de facto leader, was watching and waiting to see if Claudia and Louis would hold to the rules and respect traditions regarding who was able to join the club, so to speak. To keep the vampire line pure and well, since they did not, they worked out a deceptive plan with Armand to be fed information… so that those who broke the rules could be captured and put on display in front of an audience at the theater. Wherein they would go on trial. One presided over by none other, than Lestat De Lioncourt.

All of which set the stage for an explosive, shocking follow-up since Lestat will now return to wreak havoc via revenge. But in this moment, what mattered more, was the show’s powerful exploration on the problem with traditions. Because all uncomfortable stuff aside, what vampirism held to here, and has held to for centuries in this universe… punishes and imparts pain left and right. Since it prevents happiness and prevents any measure for peace in one’s soul. For these beings are so bound to the past and pain oddly enough and well, that reality made it clear how troublesome traditions can be and that perhaps… it is best we let the rotten ones go so people don’t have to suffer so much. But alas, in this universe, suffering is all that awaits, and we will now be counting down the minutes to see what kind of pain will be imparted by Lestat’s vengeful return to the spotlight. Until next time.

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