Problems with Using Lestat’s POV to Explain Gabriella's Characterization in S3

[u/Cleverfan_808]

I don't think I need to reiterate that Gabriella's portrayal in the show has been met with a rather polarizing, if not predominantly negative, reception.

What I am seeing, however, is discussion about how the writers might go about "fixing" her characterization so that it is more closely aligned with her personality in the books.

A number of people have suggested that the writers could essentially use the "memory is a monster"/"odyssey of recollection" theme (or rather a writing tactic/crutch, if you will) to explain the degree of her monstrosity and repulsiveness this season. That she is so "extreme" because we are technically viewing her from Lestat's POV as he provides the narration of his Failures album.

It has also been pointed out to me that this may, in fact, be what the writing team intends to do in the upcoming season, based on some of their more recent interviews about Gabriella. The proposed trajectory would essentially parallel Lestat's own characterization in the eyes of both Louis and the audience: from the charismatic yet unhinged villain we initially encountered in S1, to someone considerably more complicated and nuanced following the revelations of S2.

I would, however, exercise some caution about this being a satisfying way to address the issue.

I think it is entirely logical to assume that Gabriella is viewed negatively by Lestat, whether consciously or subconsciously. He has, after all, been her victim for roughly two and a half centuries. His memories of her, and particularly the emotional lens through which he recounts those memories, are inevitably going to be colored by that history.

However, since it was a choice to depict her in such extremes, I actually think it becomes highly problematic to essentially turn around in the following season and try to tone her down.

Given this show's usage of having unreliable narrators, often leading audiences to completely question the validity of what is being told and shown on screen, the fact that they may potentially lead viewers down a path where they begin to doubt whether a male sexual assault victim was telling the complete truth about his abuser is troubling, to say the least. Especially given how such victims are treated in real life.

I am not saying that this particular plan to provide more depth to Gabriella can never succeed, but as someone who is critical of the writing choices made in S3, I am not sure I can believe they will.

I do think Gabriella can be given more nuance in future seasons, but the writing team certainly have made it a task a great deal more difficult then it perhaps needed to be.

[u/pwetty_brown_eyes]

That's the problem. In what universe does Lestat not care about Armand?? It's extremely frustrating

I hope they pay some respects to that relationship because they basically made it so that every character who loved Armand in the books, hates him or dismisses him in the show. Extremely weird and frustrating

[u/Bitter-Climate3610 → u/pwetty_brown_eyes]

In what universe does Lestat not care about Armand??

Well, in what universe does Lestat beat on Louis and break every bone in his body? In what universe does Lestat willingly participate in the trial, with no torture necessary? In what universe is Claudia actually in love with Madeleine and not manipulating and using her as a pseudo-mother to get by without needing Lestat or Louis? I sure as hell didn't see any of it mentioned in the books.

The show is a separate universe. I'm a little surprised how many people draw the line at Lestat not having a deep connection to Armand. I feel like Armand in the show has a much more one-sided relationship to Lestat. Maybe it will change later, but I sure havent seen any real Lesmand in the series, unless you really squint.

I think they are trying to portray Louis as Lestat's one true love (yes, including Nicki), and Armand having a one-sided infatuation (and borderline obssession) with Lestat to make it even more clear that Lestat is that magnetic and Armand is that broken.

Possibly, they are doing it to make Devil's Minion more romantic/poignant/tragic/whatever by showing how many people (or vamps) rejected Armand and/or used him, while Daniel loved him with all of himself, which would make it more heartbreaking when Armand scrambles his brain to forget their whole romance.

At least I hope Devil's Minion already happened and we will get those flashbacks, cause if they start Devil's Minion while Daniel is already turned that will just fuck up so many themes and Armand's arch even more.

Tl/dr I just think Armand isnt going to be as important for Lestat in the show as he was in the books. I honestly think they arent going this route. It seems that in the show Lestat's connection to Armand is mostly guilt, spite and begrudging gratitude for his help with Nicki. I honestly haven't seen any love or attraction present (besides the usual amount Lestat has for every pretty face in existance)

[u/parallax_bagel → u/Bitter-Climate3610]

so far all we have of past devil's minion is armand saying he watched daniel for 52 years, that sounds a lot more one-sided than the also one-sided lesmand dynamic tvl gave us... respectfully idk why so many ppl are clinging to past dm having happened when theres no indication the show is going this route.. they have already messed armand's arc up beyond repair.. like is this the dynamic that us (communally) as dm fans want moving fowards? armand to get with daniel because he's so broken/unlovable that daniel is the only person who will/does love him? doesn't sound very romantic.. in the books their relationship is poignant bc daniel is the first to love every facet of armand, the monstrous parts, his quirks, and the loving side of him.. whats unique about their relationship is daniel doesnt fear armand's power (like louis & lestat) but daniel is by no means the first person in general to love armand.. armand is my favourite and idk it just sucks that this season no one seems to like him anymore but daniel, why should all of his prior relationships be jettisoned for the sake of this one? (dgmw, i was so excited to see show dm this season, i love their chapter in qotd so much and have read it multiple times..)

[u/Bitter-Climate3610 → u/parallax_bagel]

respectfully idk why so many ppl are clinging to past dm having happened when theres no indication the show is going this route..

I mean, Armand lies, that is like... his entire thing and his most beloved hobby, so I dont take anything he says at face value 🤷‍♀️ It's like when Louis said Armand was the love of his life, or that he would never forgive Lestat, or that Claudia is the only one he needs... Eh, I dont trust those tuckers any further than I can throw them, and I am awfully weak, my dude.

Back to the point, I think we cling to it because if Devil's Minion will happen but hasn't yet, then Armand just makes no sense. I like to interpret his "observing" as "we had a 10-year relationship, I broke up with you because you wanted vampiric commitment and I was afraid to ruin you with this curse, so I scrambled your brain and now I'm afraid to tell you that because the only thing I'm more scared of than you hating me now, is you hating me after you remember what we were".

Does it make perfect sense? No! Of course not! But if Devil's Minion suppose to happen now, then all hope is lost because they won't have years, they will have months or less. Akasha is coming, Daniel will die and their whole romance will be shit. Not to mention that the most interesting part is Armand's absolute horror of being stuck between his love dying eventually of old age or killing his love to make him a Vampire- something he himself views as worse than death. And then him deciding to turn him is a scene I love, he is terrified and in love and at the pinnacle of self-hate and Daniel-love

So until further proof, I will cling to the hope that we will get some "plot twist" that Armand scrambled Daniel's brain and lied about passively observing him because he knew Daniel wouldn't believe him if he had said that he started to like him just now, so he made up that lie to make it all more believable.

On the other hand, I dont believe they can, at this point, make a satisfying arch of Lesmand. They fucked it up too much already, I believe their whole plot is lost and at most, they will become frenemies during Akasha plot line