Episode 5 - Holes
So, this cold open had a BIG reveal. Except it didn't. I'm the least perceptive television viewer in the world and even I guessed it in literally week one. It's a shame they made it so obvious as the feeling you get going into the credits shouldn't be; "Yep. And...?".
So the opening introduces us to every member of Kai's cult. No real surprises but I appreciate the clarity. Still no word on why they chose the clown motif though. Also, lampshading that they wore the costumes for people who are going to die anyway doesn't make it any less ridiculous. It makes sense when terrorizing Ally or trying to get on the news but otherwise it was clearly for the audience's benefit, which was pointless since, as I said, there are no real surprises. Some do come later though but we'll get to that.
This week things actually start to feel like a horror show. After a brief exposition scene between Ally and Dr. Rudy (which re-emphasizes her "trypophobia") we cut to the now-revealed clown gang committing a murder. I can't get into too much without spoilers but suffice to say that revenge plays a part in the choice of victim. It also becomes apparent that there is a twist and a bit more to this when we see that the victim had a gimp. It's a nice touch to use this horror weirdness to show how ruthless two of the gang are, and just how uncomfortable it makes one or two others. Kudos Ryan Murphy.
Next up comes a real surprise as Ivy finds Meadow in a hole (get it?) six foot deep. It's not clear at first if Ally is hallucinating or this is real as she ignores Meadow's pleas for help, runs away and locks herself in. Dick move, Ally! But then she hears what appears to be the clowns trying to get through her door only for Meadow to jump up at her window (nice inverted jump scare) and she reveals to Ally that it's a cult, they're crazy murderers and EXACTLY WHO IS IN IT! This was a shock. Ally knows. In Episode 5. I have to see what happens with her next, and the episode seems to know that, so cheekily that's where we leave our favourite lesbian coulrophobe for this week as Meadow is bagged and dragged off. Loving the pace and storytelling so far after that weak opening.
Our next scene is where I start regretting asking for more horror. One member of the cult introduced in the opening was clearly a red shirt (look it up if you don't know the reference) and, sure enough, the co-leaders decide to take out this weak link. But the manner in which they do so is truly horrific. I can watch a lot, and maybe it's just me, but I was super grossed out, relieved that more was implied than explicitly shown, and agonizing at the prolonged and disturbing suffering. I can't cite that as a complaint though because in my previous review I asked for horror and the show delivered. That'll teach me. Kudos again.
Finally the episode gifts us with Kai's back story and a couple more cool reveals. If you've wondered where Kai and Winter's parents are or what the door with a rose pinned to it meant in Episode One well now you have answers to both of those questions. Oh, and they have an older brother, and we know him! I'll admit this was a cool shock, I suspected something was off about him but not the nature of this close, familial connection. Kudos a third time. The back story then gets very interesting and very AHS. For the better and the worse. I have real issues with the plausibility of the last reveal but after discussing it things make a bit more sense in my "head canon" so only half an anti-kudos.
In conclusion a very good episode which seems to have given away a lot but still leaves some things tantalisingly mysterious (No Twisty again, why the clowns?, seriously what is the deal with the green gas?). I'll be tuning in diligently for part six.
****(4/5)
MM
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