Rowan gathers the entire Mayfair family at the First Street house to lure Lasher into a trap. She recognizes that he is hunting members of the family. He is drawn to their scent. It is irresistible. It's easy for him to seduce them as well. Even though he has killed three of them already, he still engages in the same behavior. Sure, his encounter with a New Orleans vampire would suggest he has no idea what he's doing. The memory of Alicia's death reveals him to be surprised by the hemorrhage. At this point, it's not shocking any more. In fact, it's exciting to see a member of the family resist his charms. Everything comes so easily to him. He doesn't have to work hard. The family is accustomed to their powers. They don't have to exert any effort to engage in the world as humans. Rowan is annoyed when she has to turn lights on or light candles without magic. She has come to enjoy those perks. They are a constant. It's all a gift from Lasher. And so, that's the inherent tension that creates doubt over whether to kill him. An argument could be made that Rowan feels a mother's love for her child. The execution of the story just doesn't work in that way. The other reading of events is more successful. That's the way things should be perceived.
Rowan is repeatedly told she needs to kill the devil. She even insists she will do precisely that. She's annoyed when Moira interrupts the party to demand the truth about Lasher. Rowan fears she will lose power within the family by revealing what Lasher is truly like. Everyone has idolized him as a god. The men of the family have manipulated women in order to obtain some of that power for themselves. Cortland was imitating his father even though he insists they are nothing alike. Rowan and Jojo are betrayed by him. He set all of this into motion. He doesn't deserve forgiveness. Yet he is free once more. He wields influence. The family listens to him. He's successful in gathering everyone. He teases the grand introduction of Lasher. The family is eager to meet him. Rowan doesn't want that expectation. She has a plan to prevent Lasher from hurting anyone else. It isn't death though. That's striking as well. She wants to trap him in a perpetual dream. She will know precisely where he is. He will remain with her at the First Street house. That's far from the promise she makes to kill the demon responsible for harming the family recently. Rowan shares the truth but doesn't follow through on the action.
Importantly, Jojo and Daphne are the ones subjected to the thrall. Daphne believes Rowan lied to her. She wasn't honest about how her mother died. Everyone strives to protect her. Yet they are all withholding crucial information that applies directly to her life. Rowan can't afford to let anyone leave. Touching the door triggers the spell. She draws the family in with the offering of protection from an apparent curse. Lasher missing is the reason why harm has suddenly come to the family. It's a convenient story. She can't commit to it. She's horrified upon meeting Lucy's father. She is faced with the reality of what has happened. She covered it up. She was responsible for bringing Lasher into this world. She feels the duty to be the one to take him out of it. She can't afford to hesitate. She does precisely that. Moira wants to trust her. She hasn't proven herself worthy of such consideration. Sip and the Talamasca are still new to her as well. However, she was able to read Sip's mind. She's prevented from doing so with Rowan. She's blocked despite Rowan claiming to be open. That means the Talamasca are ready to step in the moment Rowan decides to protect Lasher instead. The creature they wanted to be reborn is within their control. Meanwhile, Rowan is left unconscious on the street failing to deliver on another promise.
Jojo warned Rowan against freeing their father. Rowan felt desperate and made the choice to rely on him. That affords Jojo a moment to speak her truth. The narrative acknowledges her trans identity. She felt accepted by her father when she came out. But now, she knows he always wanted a daughter. She fulfilled that wish for him. It was a personal journey for her. One that required a lot of reflection and acceptance. She stepped forward as who she was. That was a beautiful thing. Meanwhile, Cortland only saw the potential benefits given the power women wield within this family. Rowan overhears all of this. She locks Cortland in his father's old room. He hates being in that place. He can't deny the comparisons. He also isn't trapped in the more precarious situation. Fates are worse elsewhere. It's still powerful when the show delivers this moment. It's unfortunate it comes in the same episode with the laughably over-the-top version of New Orleans vampires. That pales in comparison to what Interview With the Vampire has accomplished in two seasons. The narrative aspires to blend the worlds of Anne Rice's creations. The focus should remain on personal identity. Rowan and Lasher are essentially at a loss for who they want to be. They are full of internal contradictions. They are deadly because of the power they have. That's a constant. The family praises them. They fear them as well because of the constant lying and distrust.
