Episode 3 of Interview with the Vampire Season 2 begins with a pulse-racing scene as Molloy dines alone in a restaurant's dimly lit ambiance. An enigmatic stranger approaches, his words like a cold dagger piercing the air - Molloy's computer is compromised. He alludes cryptically to a "Great Conversion" and chillingly shares tales of four others who attempted a similar path, meeting grisly ends.
We rewind to the interview setting, now at Louis and Armand's abode. This time, it's Armand who takes the reins, while Louis remains ensconced in his slumber. Intrigued by his encounter with the stranger, Molloy seeks to unravel the mysteries of how vampires evade digital traces. His query rings out: "How do vampires evade the omniscient gaze of Google?"
Armand muses that vampires maintain a minimal contact with humanity, cocooned in a willful ignorance, easily distracted by the relentless march of technology. He apologizes for the unintended intrusion into Molloy's memories during the previous session.
As they engage in conversation, Molloy scans his computer screen, his eyes widening as he discovers files that were not there before. To delve deeper into Molloy's query, Armand transports us to the year 1556, when Lestat arrived in the bustling city of Paris. Unlike the other local vampires, Lestat rejected the medieval five laws that governed their kind.
According to Armand, his coven hid in the dank sewers, eking out a meager existence in relative peace. However, when his maker was beheaded for violating one of the laws, Armand felt a sense of failure for his coven. Then, Lestat entered their lives, a magnetic figure who performed live shows at the local theater. He mastered the art of concealment, blending seamlessly into the fabric of society, captivating both the audience and Armand. However, Armand's attempts to bend Lestat to his will were met with disastrous results.
Armand observed that each rejection from Lestat ignited a fiery rage within him, further destabilizing the fragile harmony of the coven. It was the first time the coven members realized they no longer had to cower in the shadows, drowning in shame. Ultimately, it was Lestat who led to the demise of Armand's cherished coven, yet surprisingly, Armand acquiesced to its fate. Deep within, he yearned for a fresh era and forged an alliance with Lestat, paving the way for the establishment of Théâtre des Vampires.
However, shortly after confessing their affection for each other, Lestat vanished into the ether, never to be seen again. Armand's heart was shattered, and it took the arrival of Louis to mend his broken spirit. Looking back, Molloy sagely remarked that Armand should have never revealed his heart to a narcissistic tempest. Molloy's wit and humor were indeed a breath of fresh air.
And now, Louis finally enters the narrative, gracing us with his presence. As we know, the arrival of Louis and Claudia presented Armand and his coven with their own set of challenges. The coven frowned upon Louis's distance and infrequent visits to the theater. Meanwhile, Claudia strived to fit in, urging Louis to tread carefully to safeguard their safety. They painstakingly crafted their 'story', smoothing out every minor falsehood. Eventually, the coven deemed it appropriate to formally induct Claudia as a full member and introduce her to the five laws of the vampires.
Amidst the bustle of the theatre, Claudia finds solace in her craft, whereas Louis's world revolves around the lens of his camera. On a starlit evening, Armand joins Louis in his photographic realm, yet his heart is heavy with concern. The coven's whispers echo with their dissatisfaction over Louis's apparent disinterest in their vampiric way of life. Louis stands firm, declaring his desire to chart his own path, clarifying that his independence does not pose a threat, but rather a testament to his quest for a fulfilling life, for himself and for Claudia.
Armand, a leader burdened with duty and compassion, struggles to maintain control while grappling with his feelings for Louis. He senses a secrecy in Louis's soul, and it troubles him deeply. As they spend more time together, Armand's focus on the theatre wanes.
One fateful night, Armand's presence in Louis's mind becomes undeniable. He feels Louis's thoughts drift towards Lestat, whose spectral form seems to haunt Louis's mind at random. Louis eventually confesses to killing Lestat, and Armand reveals he has known for months.
Louis's fear of Armand's vengeance prompts him to lie, shielding Claudia from the truth. Armand admonishes Louis for breaking one of the sacred laws, but Louis protests his ignorance, knowing that Lestat had kept such knowledge to himself. Overcome with emotion, Louis accidentally slays a mortal stranger, striving to hide his turmoil from Claudia's concerned gaze.
The coven learns of Louis's inadvertent killing and voices their concerns to Armand. They decide that Louis must meet his fate on the same night they induct Claudia as their newest member. Unaware of the impending danger, Claudia is thrilled by the coven's acceptance, feeling as though she has finally found her kindred.
As the present moment unfolds, a break is called for Louis and Armand's business meeting. During this hiatus, Molloy seizes the opportunity to peruse the documents sent by the enigmatic figure. Among them, he stumbles upon a news article from the mid-1990s, recounting a devastating fire that had razed the Théâtre des Vampires.
On the eve of Claudia's initiation, we return to the alluring streets of Paris. As the coven concludes her ceremony, Armand beckons Louis, who, as a non-member, cannot bear witness to the entire rite, to take a breath of fresh air. Their steps echo through the dimly lit sewers, and Louis's intuition sharpens, sensing imminent peril. Yet, he remains resolute, entrusting Armand with Claudia's care. Armand's words chill Louis's heart; he warns that Claudia, created at the tender age of 14, will succumb to the fragility of her youth. Her mind, he says, will shatter under the weight of time. Louis, however, pleads with Armand to safeguard her fragile existence.
To Louis's astonishment, Armand escorts him home. The vampire queries Louis about Lestat's influence, and Louis confesses that the memory of their encounter still lingers, a lingering pain. Armand, who knows this pain well, shares his own struggle to forget Lestat. Then, in an unexpected turn, Armand pulls Louis into an intense kiss, their lips melding in the dimness. Rather than fleeing, Louis invites Armand into his abode.
Back at the Théâtre des Vampires, Claudia's joy is abruptly shattered as the coven unveils their latest play. She is destined to portray a young girl, a role that etches a look of despair on her face. Her happiness, fleeting as it was, is now replaced with anguish and distress.
