As The Vampire Lestat cascade into Canada, their lone international gig, Lestat agrees to sit with Daniel and delve deeper into his makings. Meanwhile, Louis settles a score on behalf of a loved one.
“Toronto” is the strongest episode yet, settling with the familiar mold of Molloy interviewing a vampire. Lestat replaces his fledgling, forced to tell the story of his first love, Nicolas de Lefent. Arriving in Paris at 29, the young stutterer is drawn to the violinist’s music. Their affection heals Lestat’s speech impediment as he ascends as a stage talent. Unfortunately, the fanfare draws unwanted attention, with the obsessive Magnus kidnapping Lestat.
Once free, he attempts to hide his new nature from Nicolas, who insists if he loved him, he would share the gift with him. Gabriella warns it’s a mistake, but Lestat turns him anyway. Reminiscent of Lestat’s hesitance to turn Claudia. Nicolas’s mind cannot handle the gift. The musical savant is driven insane, mutilating himself. In the end, Armand silences the tortured lover. Daniel, ecstatic with Lestat’s vulnerability captured on camera, loses all joy realizing Lestat telepathically erases the footage.
Meanwhile, Louis tracks down the coven led by “Killler.” He eradicates each member, frees the human feed and awaits his target. After snatching vertebrae from his spine, Louis reads Claudia’s account of Bruce from her diary. Simultaneously, Lestat drives haunted by Magnus’ ghost. As Louis details Claudia’s pain, we learn Magnus violated Lestat. A burden he kept buried for centuries. Louis burns Bruce to a crisp as Lestat crashes, walking away before the car explodes in flames.
He survives for that evening’s show, delivering a sobering performance. Louis, mission complete, settles at a diner with a waitress, Regina, who resembles Claudia. We close with Alex, the spurned bandmate, at an AA meeting in Ohio. After lamenting over his feelings about the band, the next person speaks. His name is Arun, an addict we know as Armand.
Merely halfway through the season, “Toronto” delivers a season-best episode, feeling the most reminiscent of the previous two installments. Sam Reid is majestic as Lestat, controlling the narrative as viewers and Eric Bogosian’s Daniel Molloy await with bated breath. His ability to articulate the storm of emotions and experiences endured in a single look or monologue is astounding. Reid is equally matched by Jacob Anderson’s piercing portrayal of Louis, who despite all things, has rightfully never forgiven himself for Claudia’s fate.
As if those two aren’t Emmy-worthy enough, guest star Joseph Potter steals scenes as Nicolas, along with Jennifer Ehle and Bogosian delicately evoking everything with single looks. And the amazing performances match top-tier direction, witnessed in the decision for Louis to narrate Lestat’s sexual assault. A harrowing reminder of he and Claudia’s unwavering commonality.
Rating: 10/10