As Interview with a Vampire: Part II As the story heats up, as Season 2’s opening title card says, we’ll learn more about not only Louis de Pointe du Lac (Jacob Anderson) but also his powerful lover Armand (Assad Zaman). Taking cues from Anne Rice’s broader Vampire Chronicles, showrunner Lorin Jones incorporates perspectives from her other novels in episode 10, “Without Pain.” And with it, comes a hint of the tragedy of Lestat’s first love, Nicholas de Renfendt.
Yes, before Louis, before Armand, Lestat (Sam Reid) was obsessed with Nicholas (Joseph Potter), and while the poor violinist is marooned in the orchestra pit in episode 10, Rice’s readers know where his story actually ends.
Who was Lestat’s companion, Nicolas de Lenfendt?
As a sequel to the novel Interview with the Vampire,rice Vampire Lestat The film depicts the often bitter upbringing of her classic The Brat Prince. Before he became a vampire, Lestat was a humble human actor in 18th century France, infatuated with his childhood friend, Nicolas de Lenfant. As young adults, the two pursued their arts together in Paris, with Lestat as a stage actor and Lestat as a passionate violinist – until Lestat was unceremoniously kidnapped by the mad vampire Magnus and turned into a monster of the night. Nevertheless, Nicolas and Lestat formed a strong bond as humans, one that continued even after Lestat became undead.
‘Interview with the Vampire’s’ latest Easter egg may hint at a bigger storyline
Armand portrays Nicholas as Lestat’s lover.
Asad Zaman plays Armando in season 2 of Interview with the Vampire.
Credit: Larry Hollicks / AMC
In “No Pain,” Nicholas is abruptly introduced in a flashback as Armand recounts his story to human journalist Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian). When the vampire Lestat arrives in Paris, Armand’s centuries-old vampire blood senses the pretentious newcomer. Armand, who leads an underground coven that believes vampires should live in the shadows and follow a strict code of conduct, is outraged when Lestat returns to the stage as a vampire.
“A vampire shouldn’t reveal his true nature to a human being and then leave him alive,” Armando explains to journalist Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian), “but here he is, frolicking and preening like a well-dressed monk in front of 500 people every night.” (Kudos to the lead Lestat, who is brilliant as a theatrical actor prancing about with bravado rather than discretion!)
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Armand was awed and infuriated when he saw Lestat frolicking in front of a crowd of humans. “I had to get him under my control, by any means necessary.” His efforts began by taunting the telekinetic vampires, promising answers about their race that Lestat’s father could not answer. When he fails to get Lestat under his control, Armand kidnaps Lestat’s human lover, because Armand considers their romance “heretical.”
A brief scene of Nicholas and Lestat strolling through the late-night streets of Paris is all Armand tells us about their relationship. To rescue Nicholas (Lestat calls him Nicky in the book), the cocky vampire not only bursts into the dank lair of Armand’s coven, but also disillusions everyone. The cult disbands, and Lestat escapes with a tortured Nicky in his arms. The next time TV audiences see the violinist is in the orchestra pit of the Vampire Theatre, watching helplessly as Lestat seduces Armand. Then Lestat abandons them both. (At least, that’s what Armand says.)
What happened to Nicholas in the book?
Lestat (Sam Reid) breaks into Armand’s hideout with the crucifix and rescues Nicholas (Joseph Potter, below left).
Credit: Larry Hollicks / AMC
After his abduction, Nicholas begged to be turned into a vampire, which Lestat agreed to. Nicky, however, was not happy with his dark gift, and fell into despair and madness. For a time, Nicholas became a respected member of the vampire troupe, earning the nickname “Our God’s Violinist” from the undead ensemble. But Nicky became increasingly imprudent.
His public outbursts and prodigious violin skills attract the wrong kind of attention. Desperate to keep humans from noticing the vampire’s presence, Armand chops off Nicky’s hand to stop him from playing the violin. Ultimately, like the Romanian vampire at the beginning of Season 2, Nicky exits the metaphorical stage by walking voluntarily into the fire.
This dark ending may explain why Nicholas is not there when Louis and Claudia arrive at the theater. Interview with the Vampire: Part II Either reveal his fate directly, or let it be hinted at by a sad look cast from the orchestra pit onto the balcony of betrayal looming.
How to watch: Interview with the Vampire: Part II It airs Sundays on AMC and AMC+.
