In this episode we get to see wild imaginations, murderous rampage, an emotional discovery, and a family’s dark past, all rolled into a hour episode. With Twisty gone, the writers have to pick up the slack in finding another point of interest to keep the audience intrigued and wanting for more. From the start of the episode, we see the final outcome of Stanley and Maggie’s con game, but to our relief it hasn’t happened yet. Many secrets have been revealed, but the one that takes center stage is Dell’s dark desires, and Desiree’s surprise discovery. Dandy and Gloria’s family past is exposed and Gloria begins to question her way of raising Dandy.
The Good
-I love the fact that Angela Bassett, Desiree, delivers a top quality performance tonight when she discovers the truth about herself and about Dell. She is a very strong actress that commands the scene. I loved her in last season, and I love her in this one.
-Finn Wittrock, Dandy Mott, takes the essence of American Psycho and put his twisted version on it. The man-child uses the mask of Twisty to transform himself into a murderous fiend.
-We finally get to see Dell’s dark secret, a closet gay man. But his rage and temper overshadows his secret. He wears his anger and temper like a cloak to hide his secret. He uses his aggressiveness to control anyone who he thinks is a threat. He definitely is a force to be reckoned with.
-Frances Conroy, Gloria, does everything in her power to control her son’s murderous lust. But it is her weakness and vulnerability that speaks volumes about her character.
The Bad
-It is sad to see the sympathetic town doctor that helped Ethel and Desiree, get seriously injured by Dell. He didn’t deserve having Dell break both of his hands and threaten him and his family. It made Dell look like a common thug.
-Elsa’s story is getting a little boring and pathetic compared to the Motts family issues. We know that Elsa wants stardom, and will do anything to get it, even selling the twins to the Motts, but I think that being reminded of her dreams every week is getting monotonous. I just hope that it will get more exciting as the season continues.
-The twin’s story is not getting enough screen time. Hopefully next week we’ll see more of their journey as she is now property of the Motts.
In Conclusion
It is not the best episode, but it is good. Each of the main characters has subplots that I hope will intertwine throughout the season. The relationship between Jimmy and Maggie is a bit predictable, where she cares enough to warn him about the coming danger, but is afraid to walk away from her partner in crime. Gloria is trying to be a good mother, despite the fact that her son is a murderous psycho. We know that Gabourey Sidibe will soon join the cast, and I hope her character will add more spice to the season. Dell is definitely becoming more of a problem for the traveling circus. Elsa’s behavior is raising a lot of doubt within the community of the carnies, which needs to be addressed.
