Well that wasn’t very fun.
American Horror Story is usually so adept at cranking up the crazy (and the darkness) while still maintaining a sense of fun, but this episode was a downer in every way. That’s not to say it wasn’t effective, but it was remarkably grim and depressing.
Fiona’s subplot with The Axeman isn’t the most gripping of storylines. While Jessica Lange is always captivating to watch, I can’t help but feel like this whole Axeman shtick is too big a diversion from the season’s main story arc. Thankfully, the writers introduced a bizarre yet intriguing little twist: the Axeman is some sort of spirit/ghost who’s been watching over Fiona ever since she was a child. It’s borderline pedophilic, but it has my attention for now. Let’s see if this turn can make the storyline thematically relevant, instead of merely existing to give Fiona one last booty call.
I’m also not a fan of the Kyle-Zoe-Madison subplot. While it’s great that Emma Roberts is back, I was hoping she’d be investigating her killer instead of engaging in a bizarre threesome with the most boring couple of all time. Again, this subplot is too much of a distraction from what really matters, and I feel like the season will start to fall apart if this is the kind of material the writers plan on focusing their efforts on.
I’m most excited about Queenie jumping on over to Team Marie Laveau. I don’t know why I didn’t see that twist coming, but it makes perfect sense seeing as how Queenie is a human voodoo doll. The truly fascinating part here is the fact that I feel incredible sympathy for Madame Delphine, even though we’ve experienced firsthand the heinous horrors she committed over her lifetime. That’s a testament to Kathy Bates’ marvelously endearing performance, and an incredible caliber of writing that has managed to imbue the madwoman with some fantastic depth. I’m just not looking forward to seeing how Laveau exacts her revenge (because ladies and gents, it’s going to be painful).
Frightful Bits
– I think the sequence with Fiona at the Axeman’s “roach-infested” house went on for far too long. Although the editing of the sex scene with his playing the saxophone was pretty nifty.
– Danny Huston’s breathy voice is really starting to grate on my nerves.
– Delia now knows that Fiona killed Madison, and has warned Zoe that she could be next. Somehow, I don’t think Delia can kill her own mother.
– Good to know Fiona noticed the dead body in the bathroom. I was wondering why she didn’t smell it.
– Epic flashback with little Fiona being bullied by a witch who ends up biting the dust.
– The one comedic highlight of the hour: Queenie and Delphine binging on fast-food drive-thru.
– Did anyone else get hungry watching Laveau cook while playing on Queenie’s insecurities? Another week, another stunning performance by Angela Bassett. She really makes such a powerful, convincing villain.
– The coolest thing Zoe’s done in a while: she gave Spalding his tongue back which forced him to divulge Fiona as Madison’s killer. Then she supposedly killed him which of course is pointless seeing as how everyone’s come back from death this year.
– After Delphine’s husband fathered a child with one of their black slaves, Miss Bates murdered the baby and voila… new face cream. Seriously, horrifying.
– I gotta admit, the episode’s final shot with Laveau slowly painting her face with Delphine’s blood as that ominous tribal music played was pretty darn epic.
Spooky Slurs
Delphine: (to Queenie) I’m starting to understand why you’re so enormous.
Queenie: I dragged my ass all the way here from Detroit to be with my “sister witches”, and instead I’m sitting in the fast food parking lot with an immortal racist. How’d that happen?
Axeman: I wasn’t expecting company.
Fiona: I wasn’t expecting Buckingham Palace.
Conclusion
An underwhelming entry in a season that’s slowly losing steam. Step it up show.
Nad Rating
B-