...After the Phantoms of Your Former Self

Plot

In the present, Louis and Daniel Molloy have dinner during their second interview session. Louis says he no longer preys on people and that his last victim was in 2000. Louis's story resumes with Lestat disposing of the priests he killed in the church graveyard. Louis, still transforming, tries to taste blood from a corpse but Lestat warns that dead blood can kill vampires.

Lestat helps Louis find his first prey at a bar; they bring the man to Lestat's house, where Louis feeds while Lestat instructs him. Overwhelmed by guilt, Louis leaves but sunlight burns his skin, forcing him back to Lestat's, who invites him to sleep in his coffin. The next night, Lestat teaches Louis to hear heartbeats and thoughts. Louis asks Lestat to read his mind, but Lestat says he can no longer do so after turning Louis.

Louis visits his mother and sister Grace; while hugging Grace, he senses she is pregnant with twins and tells her. Later, Louis asks Lestat to support his plan to buy the Fair Play Saloon, and Lestat agrees. Five years later, Louis visits his family and learns Grace has another baby. When she asks him to hold the infant, Louis nearly eats it but forces himself to leave. He tells Lestat about the shame of almost eating his nephew.

Production

On May 13, 2020, AMC Networks acquired the rights to Anne Rice's The Vampire Chronicles and Lives of the Mayfair Witches. On June 24, 2021, AMC ordered an eight-episode first season of Interview with the Vampire, with Rolin Jones as writer, executive producer, and showrunner. Alan Taylor was confirmed on July 19, 2021, to direct the first two episodes and serve as executive producer. David Tattersall was the cinematographer. Principal photography took place in New Orleans from November 8, 2021, to May 18, 2022. The episode was written by Jonathan Ceniceroz and Dave Harris. It stars Jacob Anderson, Sam Reid, and Eric Bogosian, with recurring cast Kalyne Coleman and Assad Zaman.

Reception

On linear television, an estimated 0.525 million viewers watched the episode on AMC, with a 0.09 ratings share, a decrease from the previous episode's 0.622 million. The episode received critical acclaim. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 100% approval rating based on six reviews, with an average rating of 8.8/10. Tony Sokol of Den of Geek gave it 5 out of 5 stars, praising Anderson and Reid.

Ashley Bissette Sumerel of Tell-Tale TV rated it 4.7 out of 5, calling it even more breathtaking than the first episode. Whitney Evans of TV Fanatic gave 4.5 out of 5, highlighting the cinematography and performances. Kathleen Walsh of Vulture gave 4 out of 5, and Greg Wheeler of The Review Geek gave 3 out of 5, noting a slower pace and less plot progression but appreciating its setup. Sean T. Collins of Decider described it as heady, funny, nasty, sexy, and opulent, praising the writing and directing.

Sara Netzley of Entertainment Weekly said the episode was even better than the pilot, noting more layers of Lestat and Anderson's range. Several critics pointed out the humor as a highlight.