FK General Discussion: Why Nick?

[switchbladeeyes]

Forever Knight never explained what led up to that night in Paris in 1228 when Nick was turned into a vampire. We saw Janette seduce him and then introduce LaCroix into the mix to turn him into a vampire. But... why?

Janette certainly wanted him, but why as a vampire companion and not as a mortal plaything to be devoured?

Why did LaCroix agree to bring Nick across?

I assume LaCroix and Janette must have discussed it at some point because LaCroix was prepared to bring Nick across as soon as Janette prompted LaCroix to reveal himself. It was LaCroix who convinced Nick to become a vampire; we didn't see Janette say anything to Nick once LaCroix was on the scene. Janette was running the sexual seduction, LaCroix the immortal one, an approach that proved effective to lure Nick in.

Had Janette had her eye on Nick for a while? What about LaCroix?

Why Nick?

Theories?

(There was somewhat of an explanation in the script for "Night in Question" that didn't make it into the episode. I'll put scans of those pages in the comments because they're interesting.)

Comments

[calliope24]

Excellent question, and one I have to admit I had not contemplated all that much.

I love looking at these pieces of the scripts to see more of the intent, how they were written versus what we actually saw on the screen. This one is particularly intriguing. I have to say that I'm happy that they made the changes that they did. I think the passage about the vampire blood seems unlikely given the dating of the flashback. It would have been fine rolled into the many flashbacks in 1228, but at this point in the narrative of FK, it seems out of place.

I also struggle with the reference to fates. I agree with PJ that if their fates are intwined, it's because LaCroix wants them to be! The additions to the flashback do make some of the comments in the present day make a little more sense, but I think I like the version we saw better.

I think you make an excellent point about Janette having a grudge against both soldiers and the Catholic church--and she is a woman who fully embraces the desire for revenge, but that's not the vibe I feel here. Granted she must be a magnificent actress, so she could have been playing Nick, but even as he is waking up she seems as enthralled with him as he is with her.

So why him? As FruitBat and PJ have said, I don't think it was a snap decision. I think that Janette and Lacroix had been watching him and his companions for awhile before they made their choice. And I do feel it was a 'they' choice. I just don't see LaCroix bringing a contestant across just for Janette's pleasure--although that undoubtedly that was a huge factor. I think LaCroix saw something in Nick as well. I think there was an element of physical attraction for him as well, but that wouldn't be all.

Tell me if I'm incorrect, but I think the 'inner light' PJ was talking about was in Nick? I can see that as being intriguing to both of them--for different reasons. And I know Janette talks about the darkness in him--silly passage of dialogue there imho--but I suspect it may have been more about his light.

I also wonder how many times they had done this before they were successful with Nick? Absolutely nothing to base this on, but I suspect it was quite a few. I can see a lot of circumstances for failure here from Janette not finding someone a suitable bed companion, to candidates not responding well to the offer either out of fear, or religiosity, a desire to go home to a wife and family.

I also think that there's some biochemical response to coming across that can just go haywire at times. Yes, Nick makes a really bad vampire master, but is there more to it than that? It's occurred to me more than once that part of his objections to bringing Natalie across (but considered it with Tracy) is that he fears the same thing would happen with her as did with her brother, 'parenting' factors aside.

Great discussion! Thanks!

[switchbladeeyes]

Yes, you're correct about PJ's comment on inner light. I mistook who was seeing it in who lol.

Very interesting thought re biochemical response. Like some people are genetically pre-disposed in some way to be soooooo changed and out of control that they shouldn't be brought over? (Nick can really pick 'em lol.)

That does better explain Nick's hesitancy with Nat that he didn't have with Tracy. Like, aside from not generally wanting Nat to be a vampire, being a vampire will spiral her out of control, leading to her death just like with Richard. It would doom her. It does seem to fundamentally change some people, like the personality that made them "them" them dies. Happened with Richard. And also that plague doctor.

Maybe LaCroix has a better sense for these things than Nick. (Though, interestingly, LaCroix would have been fine with Nat coming across in the end, so maybe any risk Nick perceived of Nat turning out like Richard wasn't there... but by that point, Nick was already deep in his death wish, sigh).

Also, Nat not thinking about what vampirism did to her brother in LK vexes me.

[calliope24]

Maybe LaCroix has a better sense for these things than Nick. (Though, interestingly, LaCroix would have been fine with Nat coming across in the end, so maybe any risk Nick perceived of Nat turning out like Richard wasn't there.

Or Lacroix really didn't care how she turned out. Bye, Felicia! Don't get me wrong, I think LaCroix had a grudging respect and even affection for Natalie by the end. But his #1 goal in life was keeping Nick by his side. He'd do anything, including accepting Natalie to make that happen.

I think we are both haunted by Richard Lambert.

[switchbladeeyes]

Good points, good points. Once he arrives on the scene, he assumes Nick is coming with him. So "bring her over or let her die"... doesn't matter because either way, Nick will be with him.

Yes, agreed on Richard. FK had a way of dropping haunting characters on us. And almost never doing any follow-up. (Divia being an exception.)