Lou

The Irons

Lou is an explorer and former mercenary, originally hired by LMG to help explore The City. He is a major character in season 2, and makes major appearances in two episodes of season 3.

## Personality

Lou is enthusiastic, charming, impulsive and a bit goofy. He is well-meaning but slightly naive and immature, charmed by childish dreams without consideration of the broader consequences. Though eager to chime into conversation, Lou isn't the most articulate or descriptive, giving little actual detail, and often seems to start talking without a fully finished thought. He's poor at giving a genuine apology, and rarely seems to fully mean it. Lou is quite social, readily engaging in small talk, and apparently having a broad circle of friends. He's a bit snarky and is capable of being quite rude, though not out of any active cruelty.

After 6 years in The City, he's matured somewhat, no longer so awkward or impulsive. Now a great deal more confident and knowledgeable, Lou is less impulsive and more humble, comfortable to admit when he's made mistakes. A competent leader, he easily directs without being controlling, and is willing to let others take the lead from time to time. He becomes awkward when put on the spot, or having to talk about his own feelings.

Though not outwardly the most gentle, Lou makes effort to be a kind person, from making polite conversation with Dan, volunteering to compete in The Contest for Clara, and seeking out Christine, upon hearing a stranger needed a lift. He's no pushover, and though good at making friends, has no problem making enemies either.

## Physical Appearance

Lou is not described in any great detail, outside of being good looking, Cynthia calling him "a pretty face" and Clara jokingly confirming he's "cute". He is implied to be taller than Clara.

He is most likely in his early to mid 20s in season 2, and late 20s and early 30s in season 3. As some other leviathan-aligned individuals appear not to age conventionally, and time works strangely in The City, it's not clear whether his biological age matches his actual one.

## History

### Pre-Season 2

Little is known about Lou's past. Given his accent it's assumed he spend much of his developmental life in Britain. He seems to have had a wide circle of friends before coming to the city.

Upon going to work for LMG, he is given the name "Lou", which, with Clara, is reminiscent of Lewis and Clark. They seem to have known each other since before The City, but it's unclear exactly how long.

## Relationships

### Clara

Work partners and friends, it's difficult to judge exactly how long Clara and Lou have known each other as they don't talk personal matters on tape, and are in The City for completely different reasons. They bicker a lot, arguing out of a difference in opinion or Clara usually trying to keep Lou away from his own impulses, but are overall pretty comfortable with with each other, and genuinely care about the others well-being. Lou puts on a tough act around Cynthia, asking why he should care about Clara's family, but also offers to compete in The Contest on her behalf with barely a second thought. He seems to be slightly scared of her, and believes she will follow through on her awfully vague threats. When things get tough,

When Lou decides to leave to explore the city, Clara is frustrated with him, and anxious for his safety. Years later, when Chris describes Nicholas as "obsessive, a bit persnickety" but "a good sort", Lou fondly notes he knows the sort.

### Daniel Powell

Dan and Lou never become particularly close but are never actively hostile, either. Lou initially seems to be unsure of Dan, uncertain if he is even human, expressing surprise on learning Dan went to high school,and later stating "told you he was a hipster" (the original script clarifying "was" to "used to be"). However, he does make an effort to be polite, accepting Dan's handshake and attempting small talk, including trying to connect over sports, much to Dan's surprise. During the incident at Vining Towers, it becomes clear that until this time, Lou had very little actual trust in Dan's motives, however this changes dramatically after Dan gets them out, Lou now seemingly comfortable trusting Dan to do the right thing for both himself and Clara, and even confiding in him on occasion.

Lou's lack of self-control provides a source of both exhaustion and amusement to Dan, trying to keep Lou and Clara safe but glad to have some less lethal antics to hear about. The two seem to have little in common, both in terms of general interests and motivation, but find some time to tease each-other, and have similar senses of humor. Lou's goodbye to Dan is kind, but also reflects the lack of understanding they have for each other.

Dan's first personal sentiment in season 3 is a message to Chris, asking "If you see Lou again, say "hello" for me". He additionally notes that Lou has matured a lot since knowing him, and trusts him to be able to help Chris out.

### Rat

Lou never initiates conversation with Rat, and, since Lou is an unchanged human, Rat has little interest or care for him either.

### Mr. Brown

Lou has minimal interactions with Mr. Brown. He expresses no real opinions on the man, and Mr. Brown acts in a completely formal capacity around him.

### Cynthia Closer

Lou's relation with Cynthia varies ever so slightly from his colleagues as Cynthia shows some attraction to him, even uncharacteristically, albeit half-mockingly, complementing him, telling him he's "not just a pretty face". She is still mocking and heavily condescending, but slightly less so than Dan or Clara, and not outright rude as to Rat. She has little patience for him, regardless. Lou dislikes her, calling her a wanker, but brushes it off easy enough.

### The Curator

Lou initially challenges The Curator, but ends up working for it as both compensation for Clara and Dan's cheating in The Contest, and as a way to chase his own dreams of exploring The City. Lou never expresses discomfort working for a Leviathan, and even calls it "The Boss".

### Christine Anderson

Hearing that Chris needs a lift to the Barren Isles, Lou seeks her out and offers a place on his ship. She and Lou hit it off quite well, comfortable joking and light teasing,and fall into an easy friendship quickly and easily. They work well as a team, and are both quick to defend the other, Chris throwing herself into a duel without question just to protect Lou's honour. Lou is comfortable admitting when she's right and he isn't to her, and eventually opens up enough to tell her more of his past. Likewise, Chris is able to shows moments of emotional vulnerability she doesn't normally feel comfortable expressing while with him. Contrary to Nicholas, Lou starts out calling her 'Chris' and eventually moves to calling her Christine, which she does not correct him on. Lou eventually develops apparently romantic feelings for her, and while he appeals to her to stay, also easily accepts she is not in a position to do so. They eventually part and are, as per the payphone bargain, torn away from someone they love, though neither of them is entirely ready to admit their love to the other.

After Chris departs, Lou and the crew spend a lot of time looking for a way to get her back, and do eventually find it. Christine, apparently enamoured both by the lure of adventure and of a crew who loves and cares about her, returns to them, and Lou finally works up the courage to tell her he loves her outright. Slowly regaining her memories afterword, Chris describes him as "wonderful".

### Sonder

Lou and Sonder get along well, Sonder happy to follow Lou's lead and vice versa when appropriate. Lou cares a lot for his young crewmate.

### Teddy

Lou and Teddy are on good terms, and appear to trust each other. Lou considers Teddy a good cook, and describes him as a bit grouchy until you get to know him.

### Xkryxx

Lou and Xyrxx work well together, seem to respect each other and get along well. Lou is consistently amazed by the music Xkryxx makes.

## Appearances

* 12 - Fly, Honeypot
* 13 - Song, Doorway
* 14 - Water, Leviathans
* 15 - Aurora, Cello
* 16 - Vines, Contest
* 17 - Reflection, Retaliation (Mentioned)
* 18 - Collection, Composition
* 19 - Escape, Birth
* 20 - Portal, Ending

Season 3* 28 - Exist in the place you are currently occupying
* 32 - Are we going to have a problem here?

Left of the Dial* 34 - Trucker's Atlas (Mentioned)

## Trivia

* Lou is a big fan of the band Oasis. Wonderwall especially.
* Lou enjoys sports, football/soccer especially. His favourite football team is West Ham United, even naming his ship, The Irons, after one of the team's nicknames.
* While other devotees refer to their Leviathans as their "God", both The Representative of The Curator and Lou refer to The Curator as their boss.
* When asked who he considers the most "good"/kind character to be, Marc has said Lou.