Eric Bogosian as Daniel Molloy and Assad Zaman as Rashid - Interview with the Vampire _ Season 1, Episode 4 - Photo Credit: Alfonso Bresciani/AMC
As fans await the premiere of The Vampire Lestat, Assad Zaman shared some insight into Armand’s psyche in an all-encompassing character profile with Nerdist. When it came to talking about Armand’s fledgling, Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian), Zaman’s comments got us thinking.
When asked about Armand’s decision to break his own cardinal rule in turning Daniel into a vampire, Zaman’s response was insightful: “Vampirism to Armand, I think, acts like a form of self-flagellation, similar to the way prayer and punishment go hand in hand. So yes, there’s agency in turning Daniel, but also, he’s punishing a man whom he also worships in a fucked up way.”
It’s a beautiful response. Poised and elegant, to be sure.
But I can’t help think about this part: “[Armand’s] punishing a man whom he also worships in a fucked up way.”
A man whom he also worships.
While it behooves no one to jump to conclusions based on a snippet from a beautifully written character profile, Zaman’s words spark some questions and playful speculation.
We know that Armand and Lestat were an item back in the day before the Brat Prince burned Armand’s carefully regimented coven to the ground and ushered them into a new era.
We also know that Armand and Louis forged an unlikely relationship after Louis lost Claudia (Delainey Hayles) in Paris. They were together for decades before Daniel Molly came along and shattered the illusion that Armand had crafted.
At the end of Interview with the Vampire season 2, it’s easy to imagine that Armand turned Daniel into a vampire out of spite. Daniel did, after all, blow Armand’s life to smithereens. It’s not surprising that Armand would be rather irked about it.
But what if there’s more to it?
Armand made a point to tell Daniel that he saved his life back in San Francisco. Young Daniel (Luke Brandon Field) was in way over his head when he set out to interview a vampire after their chance encounter at a bar. Then again, Daniel started to remember what really happened and this was the first fissure that would ultimately crack life in Dubai wide open.
Let’s imagine an allegory where Armand is a snake and Daniel is the mouse dropped into the aquarium to become his latest meal. At first, the snake preys upon the mouse relentlessly, eager to break its will and consume it. The mouse evades the snake, over and over again, proving its steely will to live is stronger than anything else. Eventually, the snake stops preying on the mouse and they enter into a peaceful coexistence.
Yes, if the allegory sounds similar to the “Devil’s Minion” chapter in Anne Rice’s Queen of the Damned, you’re correct. That’s essentially what happened between Armand and Daniel. Ultimately, Armand’s intense love for Daniel led him to make Daniel into a vampire. In the book, their relationship spanned years and they spent time together before the deed was done.
In the series, the timeline is murkier. We know they knew each other in 1970s San Francisco and we know they are together in 2020s Dubai. It doesn’t seem like there has been time for a Devil’s Minion-esque story to unfold.
Perhaps, in Rolin Jones’ vision of the Anne Rice Immortal Universe, Armand’s feelings for Daniel unfold in a different way. Just as the snake and mouse eventually live together, what if Armand’s “punishment” for Daniel is actually a cover for the admiration he feels for him? Daniel is the rare mortal who survived two encounters with vampires and lived to tell about it. (Sort of) What if Armand
“He’s punishing a man whom he also worships in a fucked up way.”
What if Armand is obsessed with Daniel because he wants to be Daniel?
What if Daniel represents everything that Armand always wanted without ever knowing he wanted it?
What if Armand admires Daniel’s strength and wants to consume it?
What if, instead of being angry with Daniel for destroying his relationship with Louis, he instead feels a surge of emotion for the man who figured out that it was all based on lies?
Suddenly, their unhealthy relationship takes on a whole new light. Yes, it’s all still messed up and complicated. But it’s a million times more intriguing.
We’ll learn more about Armand and Daniel when The Vampire Lestat premieres on June 7. Until then, our imaginations are already off and running with theories about this dynamic duo.
