I spent half this episode wondering if this was the
season finale. Had it been, it would have been satisfying. I worry the true
finale will not be as good.
It began with Elsa, gathering up the show for one
last goodbye party. I have to confess that Elsa is my least favorite Jessica
Lange character of the series. I’m not sure if it’s her accent, lack of soul,
or silly delusion of her own star power. If the last episode were Elsa-free
that would be fine. (But, the previews for next week show her in Hollywood).
Chester is excused from the party. They are
planning to show a movie; Legless Sue groans that she hopes it’s not “The Sign
of the Cross,” again. This provides a subtle link to season 2, when Sister Jude
screened that movie in Nor’easter. There is a surprise for Stanley, the
museum curator’s head in a jar. This should be more disturbing; but we’ve seen
so many heads, bodies, in formaldehyde this season that what’s one more?
The con is finally up for Stanley. The troupe
descends on him with knives, and it looks like the end of nobody’s favorite
villain. In a desperate plea to save himself, he implicates that Elsa killed
Ethel. This confession is discussed later among the troupe, and Elsa’s death
warrant is signed.
Meanwhile, Jimmy is writhing in pain after his
double hand amputation. Maggie comes in to change his dressing. This may have
been shocking for some viewers; but, as a former nurse, it should have had pus
and swelling to match his other symptoms. No way a crude amputation would look
so darn clean. (End of lack of medical realism rant)! Maggie implores Jimmy to
forgive him, but he’s not buying her act anymore. I hope these two have more
chemistry in real life, if they’re still together.
Jimmy’s need for new hands reunites Elsa with her
Italian lover, who fashioned her legs. We discover he did more than that; he
hunted down the monsters that cut off her legs.
The main perpetrator is no other than Hans
Gruper/Dr. Arden from Season 2 (Asylum), played by James Cromwell’s son. He is
not so easy to kill, and he tortures the soul out of our poor Italian. An SS
officer who needed someone to build cabinets saves him. You know it’s bad when
the SS guy is the better of the two.
Chester gathers the talent for the new show. He’ll
now have the final act, and it’s his lame magic. Dot and Bette, having learned
he is a wife-murdering bastard from Dandy, refuse to act as his assistants. Maggie
agrees to help, still trying to win acceptance among the group. This was one of
the few moments this season I was actually horrified. The troupe watches as
Maggie is sawed in half; Chester doesn’t seem to believe it himself. The box
opening reveal was just gross. Desiree isn’t having any of it, “Let’s steal her
jewelry and bury the bitch!”
The twins warn Elsa to get going, repaying their
debt to her for rescuing them from Dandy. Dandy returns, providing Elsa with a
getaway and selling him the Freakshow. Chester brings Marjorie’s “body” to the
police station and confesses to her murder. (But, not the real murders he has
committed). Is he off to Briarcliff? And, Jimmy reveals his new Lobster Claws.
Stanley is revealed as the new Meep, a karmic ending for him.
We’ll see how they can top this episode. There has been talk about the
return of Twisty or Edward Mondrake, but that is not what I’m hoping to see.
I’d like to see the ending with a little bit of hope. The series began with the
twins; maybe it will end with them finally being happy.
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