183 replies to this topic

[Futhark]

I shamelessly stole the title of this thread from Door.

I have to admit, I think Lafayette is one of teh standout characters of the show. He reminds me so much of some of my gay male friends in college in North Louisiana. I think trying to play a gay, male southerner is always a challenge, and while I think he is over the top to a degree, I hope they can walk that fine line of keeping Lafayette over the top without being stereotypical.

[Door]

Aww, I don't mind.

I personally LOVE what Nelsan Ellis is doing as Lafayette. He has so many little gestures and nuances that make this character so fun to watch (and quote!).

[Sleepwalker12]

I thought that he was going to be very stereotypical as soon as I heard him utter "honey chile", but in the next few moments after that I fell in love with his character. The exchange with the customer in the overalls was hysterical.

[citizluvme]

I love the fact that he had more than one job on the show,not to mention dude was wearing a skirt,lipstick AND eyeliner and still looked like he beat somebody into loving him. He'd make them "bite the pillow"

[TWoP Bayliss]

I'm not entirely sure you're clear on what that phrase means, but on the off chance that you understand it, I would suggest you use a little more discretion when employing it.

[Circus Poodle]

I loved Lafayette, but I give all credit for that to the actor. Every single one of those lines would've been cringeworthy with someone less capable or talented.

[solaana]

I love the fact that he had more than one job on the show,not to mention dude was wearing a skirt,lipstick AND eyeliner and still looked like he beat somebody into loving him.

That wasn't a skirt, it was a kilt, with all the extra stuff they wear with them! That was the moment I fell in love with the guy, personally. The actor is genius.

[Circus Poodle]

"You can be my Santa Claus." Hee-hee. The actor made those lines seem improvised.

[AraniSatyr]

I know nothing about the actor playing Lafayette, but he made every little moment seem spontaneous. I'm on the Love Train!

[pile of monkeys]

That wasn't a skirt, it was a kilt, with all the extra stuff they wear with them!

Not only that, but it was a Utilikilt! Those things kick ass- they're like cargo kilts. Lafayette was awesome, and I love that he has a day job on the night crew and a night job at the restaurant. He's funny without being stereotypically "sassy" and seems to be an unexpected voice of reason and intelligence.

[gl_shark]

I think the actor playing him is terrific. I think the first time we see him is when he's cooking. He does a little dance when he shakes seasoning into the pan of whatever he's making. I thought that was great. Just using his body language and I can already tell he's going to be quite a character.

Edited by gl_shark, Sep 12, 2008 @ 1:14 PM.

[RattlesnakSmile]

I thought i was going to hate him at first, normally the Sassy Gay character just pisses me off, but Lafayette is just so funny and awesome. He seems like he would be a good person to go to for advise.

[Kris_AB]

In the first episode I didn't think he was the most...stereotyped I'd ever seen that type of character done, but the jury was out on him. Now after episode 2, I like him more, feel more comfortable with the character. Everyone who I was on the fence about in the first episode felt more like real people and just got more varied scenes/tones with this one. I wonder if he managed to get that big "straightest guy here" dude drunk enough to go for him (unless no drinks were necessary, just some private space, heh).

[xenagirlie]

I love the looks Lafayette gives when other characters are speaking. He reveals all with his face. You do not need a narrator for the story of Lafayette; it is all there, and it is amazing.

[Siara]

Someone said Lafayette was over the top... I think all the characters in new shows are over the top. It takes a while for characters to acquire some depth.

[lawless]

Personally I luuuuuuurve Lafayette, and I am not inclined to like characters like him. The actor has a lot of weird, wonderful charisma.

It's like Lafayette is somehow connected to some wonderful crazy musical chord in the universe, that causes him to speak random truths and just groove out on the connection. Maybe's he's sort of like a kind of Native American Berdach/two spirit semi-holy man. Who also does mundane things like road work, operates the deep fryer and goes to parties with his counsin Tara. But yet, hears this strange wonderful music from the cosmos that the rest of us are oblivious to.

I really hope his character stays. Please Alan Ball, please!

[Futhark]

This has been bugging me since Sunday. Lafayette is a short order cook, road construction worker, drug dealer, internet model AND prostitute. Can someone please explain to me when he sleeps? There is no way he can do all of that and get enough sleep not to kill someone.

[Scrapper]

Well he gets two days off from working at the bar. He works nights at the bar and days at construction. I'm sure there are times when construction is slow and he doesn't work that job.

His brand of prostitution is the you find me kind thanks to the website. Which prob features home-made sex tapes. He does live alone and only has to really worry about himself so it's not like he has many responsibilities. He would do it.

I worked full-time, went to school full time, and did an internship.

Though Lafayette's many jobs are more physically daunting. On that note. I love Lafayette and his hundred jobs only makes him better. LOL

[Futhark]

I worked full time, went to school full time and was a Theatre major, so I understand, but still, jeeze. He has to be busier than a one legged man in an ass kicking contest.

[Xiadea]

I imagine Lafayette's prostitute job, website, and drug dealing sort of overlap on his days off...

[xenagirlie]

I totally buy him as a multi-tasker. Especially since he is able to indulge in vamp blood from time to time. If I only had such help during my comp. exams....

[Door]

I just wanted to say I love Nelsan Ellis' eyes. They are such a beautiful shape.

[Kris_AB]

I know others have worried about the character in the episode threads, but I had to say in his character thread that Lafayette has a giant target on his back as a potential kill-off in the future. He's liable to piss off vamps with the V-juice dealing and he's already pissed off some of the town homophobes (some of the same guys that ended up falling for Bill at Gran's meet-and-greet after initially going to mess with him apparently...I'm not sure if they were purely won over by his heartfelt story, or if they were won over by his patriotism. Maybe Lafayette just needs a tactic to endear himself to them too. Trouble is, I see guys like that being way more likely to accept vamps before they accept non-straight dudes).

He's so in-your-face too, that it's only gonna antagonize his haters more. Hopefully I'm wrong and he survives well into the series.

[Teshi]

I like that Lafayette is simultaneously such a sympathetic and entertaining character, and also a creep of a drug pusher. Every other dealer on TV and film seems to come straight out of the petty villain department of the stock-characters factory.

[Quintana]

I like that Lafayette is simultaneously such a sympathetic and entertaining character, and also a creep of a drug pusher. Every other dealer on TV and film seems to come straight out of the petty villain department of the stock-characters factory.

I'm in agreement, Teshi. They are doing a really great job with this character, both the writing and the acting. I have to admit, when Lafayette first appeared, I thought "Oh great, another stereotype on top of a stereotype." But man, this character has blown that assumption right out of the water.

The fact that his offer of more v-juice to Jason has sparked so many interpretations is a testament to how well this character comes across: you can see so many sides to his personality that many different explanations make sense.

I will say this: at heart, Lafayette is a hustler. You can see it in him every day. He hustles at all 134 jobs that he has. He hustles with his drug trade. He hustles with his body. He is looking out for himself first and foremost, and he has a plan to realize his dreams (whatever they may be). In a different environment, with diffferent advantages, Lafayette could be working Wall Street or an L.A. agent. In Bon Temps, he is what we see.

The thing about a self involved huslter is this: you can't trust them because they primarily care about themselves. But, being so wrapped up in their own game, they really don't have the time or interest to judge you. Lafayette's going to be accepting of people on a whole lot of levels because he's got more important things on his mind than hating on you. And yeah, it probably helps that he's a gay black man in the South. Gotta learn some tolerance with a pedigree like that.

And whether he gave Jason the V to make money, open his eyes, or a little of both, I think you can safely say that he wasn't too concerned with hurting Jason. If you'll do it to yourself, you usually won't hesitate to do it to someone else. And Lafayette definitely samples his own wares.

I hope he sticks around for a long time.

[Albino Girl]

Lafayette is a short order cook, road construction worker, drug dealer, internet model AND prostitute. Can someone please explain to me when he sleeps? There is no way he can do all of that and get enough sleep not to kill someone.

I actually don't have a problem with it for some reason. The way that I see it is this:

1) Tara only referred to him as a prostitute in regard to his "relationship" with the senator. Although, I'm sure he may indeed have other such "relationships" here and there in his spare time. Why give it away if you can get something for it? Never one to turn down an opportunity to make money, is our LaFayette. Still, it's not like he's working the street corner every night.

2) Yes, he does have two official jobs. The road crew and short order cook. And I'm sure those two usually overlap with some really long-ass days where he's running from one job to the other along with some days where he only works the one job and the rare day off completely.

3) The internet model/sex video business can easily be done in his off hours, especially on those days/nights where he only has to show up at one job. It would only take an hour or two to "update" the site, leaving him plenty of time to sleep in.

4) The drug dealing is easiest of all. As he pointed out to Jason, he keeps a stash in his car. It would be very simple for any of his customers to find him and for him to take a "break" from whichever regular job he is at long enough to run to the car and conduct a little "business" as well as having customers try to catch him at home if he is not on the job.

5) Last but not least, he is obviously sampling his own wares. So yeah, that would definitely come in handy on those days when he has to be at both jobs or those weeks that he's working one or both for days on end with no day off. Then of course, when he finally does get a day off, he crashes hard and I would not like to be the one who knocks on his door and wakes him up.

Edited by Albino Girl, Oct 6, 2008 @ 9:17 PM.

[MBenzN]

Personally, I don't like the character. He feels so cartoony and I find him unlikeable. The drug dealing pretty much sealed it for me -- dealing V-Juice is probably much like dealing in kidneys.

[EduardoDinero]

You don't often see an openly gay character in television being allowed to beat the crap out of deserving redneck homophobes. Yes, yes--violence doesn't solve anything, but how long have we been waiting for a character to really retaliate, much less on THREE idiots? Fantastic!!

I heart Lafayette.

[Door]

I was talking to a friend last night about Lafayette and we've decided that if Nelsan Ellis doesn't become a huge star then there is something badly wrong with the world. He has taken a character that could so easily have been a one-note caricature and given Lafayette layers upon layers. His total commitment to bringing Lafayette to life as a real person is truly admirable, and I hope he gets recognized for it when awards season rolls around.

[Wompir]

I hope you're right, Door! Lafayette is by far my favorite character in the show, because Nelsan Ellis is such a master at the role.