The season’s penultimate episode pairs viewers with whom this journey began — Lestat and Louis. Two years to the day that TVL formed, Lestat, now Sheraton Blackford, welcomes his forever companion to his home. The duo appear to be in a better place, which if history serves us correctly, always leads to tragedy.
Despite critics panning the album (a 3.1 on Pitchfork), fans anticipate TVL’s final show in Montreal; a hunting ground for 55,000 vampires congregating for the Great Conversion. Our two lovebirds go back and forth about cancelling a meeting that evening. Their playful bickering continues through Daniel’s final interview, which goes awkwardly smooth.
The two rehash the book and their feelings during and post Paris. Louis admits he was weighted with guilt over Lestat’s death, which is why he carried his consciousness throughout France. When they return to the concert venue, Louis officially meets Sofia. The two have a somewhat normal exchange while Lestat performs a new number. It’s clearly a song about Louis. Louis insists they reconsider the concert, while Sofia suggests he not come, given his enemies may be present. But, she vows to protect him.
Our couple continues their harmonious bliss until Daniel and Armand leak footage of Lestat and Sofia. In the video, the two confirm Sofia’s identity as Gabriella, Lestat’s mother. The incest sends Louis over the edge; Lestat in a manic state. Somehow, they reconcile this complicated fact as they have reunited for a particular goal.
Lestat introduces Louis to Merrick Mayfair, a witch he’s recruited for a particular task. They want her to conjure Claudia’s spirit. With her old yellow dress and journals, Merrick calls upon Papa Legba, Virgin Mary and angels Michael and Gabriel to awaken Claudia. The undead spirit consumes Merrick by force, before appearing before her surrogate family.
While Louis was hoping for a proper farewell, Claudia unloads decades of rage upon him. In her sad truth, she admits hating Louis for not knowing who he was, delcaring more respect for Lestat. And while they have summoned her from her torturous rest, her true love, Madeline, remains lost from her. She resents them with all her might and vows them to never call her again.
Following this dramatic encounter, the duo park on a nearby bench, reminiscent of their time in New Orleans. It’s clear they still hold much love and affection for one another. Suddenly, they see Alex in his Halloween costume from afar. Confused by his arrival, the two miss the blades from behind slicing both their heads clean off. Blades wielded by Armand and Daniel.
“Montreal” encapsulates the nucleus of this series — Sam Reid and Jacob Anderson’s undeniable chemistry and scene work as Lestat and Louis. We’re reminded that, in its bare bones, we’re experiencing a story of love trying to survive the darkest of places. Immortality has a way of cementing a necessity for failure, just to feel somewhat alive. We see this in how, despite their issues, the two seem to find each other.
The episode is also wildly humorous, with its present-day quips of Drake, and newlyweds Taylor Swift and Travis Kelece. The writers room has such fun playing with these characters and the version of our world that surrounds them.
While Reid and Anderson are magnetic, Delainey Hayles’ return as Claudia is a triumphant performance. Even as we’re to believe that Regina may be their long-dead daughter reborn, Hayles manages to mark the look-a-likes as two completely different people. Excellent work for Hayles to embody dual roles with such honesty.
Rating: 10/10