The tenth and final hour of the season was a disjointed array of not one but three more “reality shows” and a “Comic Con” type event. The suspense regarding the “reality” of the previous four episodes was explained but in a very unsatisfying way. The finale did tie Roanoke to the vastly superior Asylum series by bringing back investigative journalist Lana Winters. Unfortunately, the viewer also had to endure “episodes” of “Crack’d” and “Spirit Chasers.” (The later being a lampoon of Ghost Adventures.) All the deaths depicted in the previous episodes were real and Lee Harris has the distinction of being the lone survivor of Roanoke. The finale tried to tie up many loose ends but the season was one big ugly knot trying to be “meta” and clever by mocking social media and celebrity culture.
The hour opens with a flashback to a March 2016 fan conference entitled “Paley Fest” featuring the cast and crew of “My Roanoke Nightmare.” A drag queen with an enormous bouffant wig hosts the event. Fans wear Pig Man masks and wield fake “Butcher” knives. The cast members are treated like rock stars. A woman from London asks Lee a question before presenting her with a drawing of Lee and Flora. Rory enjoys attention from women in the crowd, much to Audrey’s chagrin. Agnes notes that she feels the Butcher has more of a story to tell and hopes she will return for the rumored Season 2.
The London fan appears on a YouTube video stating, “It’s been a year since “My Roanoke Nightmare” and everything has gone to shit. Season Two turned an artistic achievement into something crass. Many questioned whether it was real or not but people died!” In this manner, it is confirmed as wild as “Return to Roanoke” appeared it did happen. Although Season Two did not air as planned, it is presumed that fans eagerly consumed the “found footage.” I share the woman’s opinion that "Return to Roanoke" ruined "My Roanoke Nightmare.".
Lee is on trial for the murders of Monet, Jether and Mama Polk. Another YouTube video pops up with Lot Polk sitting in a tractor holding a gun. He says, “The courts won’t do shit! Polk’s ain’t ever got justice. They took my babies! If the law won’t deal with her, I will!” The video ends with him cocking his weapon.
A special episode of “Crack’d” airs focusing on the life and trial of Lee Harris. It sensationalizes her biography of a cop turned mother. It describes how Lee cracked under the burdens of her addiction, divorce and loss of custody of Flora. District Attorney Phillips is interviewed. “We had no smoking gun but I knew that Lee Harris had killed her ex-husband in cold blood.” The show highlights Lee's trial for the "Return to Roanoke" murders. The defense had the testimony of a toxicologist. “The Polk strain of marijuana made you hallucinate.” The conclusion was drawn that Lee’s stressful ordeal coupled with the drugs made her not culpable for her actions. A juror states she believed Lee had “diminished capacity” during the commission of her crimes.
Lee was acquitted of the “Return to Roanoke” murders. The decision split public opinion just like the infamous O.J. Simpson trial. The D.A. Phillips decided to go forward and prosecute Lee for Mason Harris’s murder. During this trial, the “confession tape” and Matt’s security footage was shown to the jury. The prosecution calls Flora to the witness stand. She testifies she saw her mom and dad fighting in the woods. She claims her mom picked up a rock and proceeded to hit her dad repeatedly until he was motionless. “You killed Daddy!” Lee whispers something to her female attorney.
Lee’s attorney approaches Flora to cross-examine her. She tells Flora that her father thought her mother was hiding her but that wasn’t true. She asks Flora why she chose to hide in the woods. Flora states, “I felt safe.” The attorney wonders how she could feel safe all alone in the woods and Flora replies, “I wasn’t alone, I was with Priscilla.” The lawyer asks, “The ghost girl from television?” Flora confirms she was happier with Priscilla than with her mom and dad. The lawyer concludes Flora is an “imaginative girl from a broken home.” The defense has cleverly discredited Flora in order to dismiss her damning testimony. The jury deliberates for sixteen days before rendering a “not guilty” verdict.
The D.A. disgusted with the verdict calls Lee a “good actress.” Lee tries to call her daughter after the trial but is not able to speak with her. The D.A. continues, “No one won this case, Lee may have lost a lot more.” He implies while Lee won the case, it came at the price of her relationship with her daughter. The Crack’d logo appears again, signaling the conclusion of the show.
The next show to feature Lee Harris, “the most revered and reviled woman in America” is Lana Winters. Lee has been working as a paid speaker, promoting her “tell-all” memoir. Lana Winters has come out of retirement to conduct this exclusive interview with her.
Lana’s first question to Lee is simple, “How are you doing?” Lee explains she continues to hope and for her hope is Flora. Lee explains how her desire to be with her daughter has kept her going. Lana points out that Lee has had a “spare relationship” with her only daughter. Mason’s parents retain full custody of her. Lana probes further, “People see you as a murderer, and you basically called Flora a liar.” Lee replies defensively, “I didn’t come here to be put on trial again!” Lana asks why Lee chose to do her show, after declining to be interviewed by other famous journalists such as Barbara Walters and Diane Sawyer. Lee explains she chose Lana because of what Lana endured, murdering her own son.” It’s Lana’s turn to become defensive, “I killed a psychopathic murderer. I did what I had to do!” Lee nods, “So you know there are extenuating circumstances.”
Lana shifts the conversation back to her guest’s problems. Lana notes Flora won’t talk to Lee and gives Lee the opportunity to address Flora on television. Lee faces the camera and pleads, “I want to tell you from my heart, I love you, and that will never stop until we are together again.” Lana confronts Lee, stating Flora has been missing for the last hour. Lana fears Lee has staged the interview to cover up her kidnapping of Flora. Lee rises from her seat stunned. She begins to leave stating, “I have to find my daughter.” Her statement is punctuated by the sound of gunfire close by. Lot Polk shoots down the door of the interview room. Lana attempts to diffuse the situation but Lot has committed to killing Lee as justice for his family. Lana urges him to “tell his truth” reminding him they are on live television with millions of people watching. Lana encourages Lot to speak about his mother and put the gun down. Feed up with the host, Lot uses the butt of his gun to strike Lana down growling, “She talks too much!” Seconds later, Lot is shot by law enforcement. The screen displays color blocks with the text “Technical difficulties.” Lana Winters knows how to make interesting television.
The viewer is now presented with yet another television show related to Roanoke. “After much consideration and the approval of the surviving members, this network has decided to air the controversial November 18th episode of Spirit Chasers. Viewer discretion is advised.”
The “Spirit Chasers” excitedly report that this will be a special episode focusing on the Roanoke mansion. The hosts are two white young men named Bob and Dave joined by a woman named Tracy and a paranormal investigative team. To add interest, they’ve invited the re-enactor Ashley Gilbert, who portrayed Cricket in “My Roanoke Nightmare.” The mansion has been blocked off, with both the public and the media denied access onto the property. Bob proudly shows his audience that they plan to cut the fence and trespass in order to conduct their investigation.
Ashley helps led the team through the mansion. The home is a mess; graffiti covers the walls with messages like “Satan lives here!” Tracy shows off the special thermal cameras they’ll be using. Ashley states he was glad he wasn’t in the second season. (Or he’d be dead!) The cameras are in place as night falls on the “Blood Moon.” Dave notes the magnetic readings are “off the charts” in the spot where Rory died. Curtains flutter and loud bangs scare the investigators. Ashley finds Priscilla’s bonnet in the debris. Shadows appear in the hallways.
Lee Harris walks up to the Spirit Chasers crew asking, “Are you crazy?” She is there to try to find Flora; the girl has been missing for over two weeks. The crew offers to help her but she yells at them to get out of the house. A loud crash is heard; the computer techs see an image of the Chen girl crawling on the ceiling. EVP readings pick up loud groans. Bob states, “Chasers don’t run!” Bob follows the sound of laughter, seeing a ghostly apparition of Priscilla on camera. In the hallway, Pig Man appears. Ashley yells, “Croatoan!” The Pig Man butchers the short actor. The Chaser’s flee in all directions. Dave has his back against the wall but is suddenly grabbed from above by the Chen girl. Tracy runs away abandoning her friend. Bob sees the dead nurses and flees outside. Emergency sirens are heard in the distance.
The next action sequence happens at a frantic pace. Outside the mansion, Tracy and a cameraman are intercepted by the Butcher and murdered. Bob makes it to the front gate to warn the cops of the danger but he and several officers are shot with arrows. The Blood Moon hangs overhead.
Inside the home, on the third floor near the heart shaped window, the thermal camera picks up a human figure. Another figure joins the first. Lee says to Flora, “I just wanted to keep you safe!”
News broadcast airs; stating Lee and law enforcement have been involved in a fourteen-hour standoff. (But it is still dark outside?) At the television studio, the actor who portrayed the professor is interviewed. He adds little to the discussion besides stating he “decided” not to take part in Season Two. A handsome young male reporter interviews Lana Winters from her home. He describes her as a “national treasure” but notes her and Lee’s propensity to attract trouble. Lana bristles but states, “I understand Lee. We both have the capacity to be singular of thought. For Lee, her motivation has always been Flora.”
Flora draws a picture in the thick dust on the floor. Lee speaks of her desire to settle down, someplace safe, just the two of them. She urges her daughter to eat something. Lee tries to explain how hard she’s tried to be a perfect mother but acknowledges her failures. Flora states, “You killed Daddy.” Lee counters, “A girl needs a mother, Daddy didn’t understand.” Lee states she lives to be with Flora.
Flora explains she wants to stay with Priscilla instead. Lee is horrified, “You can’t survive!” Flora reasons she could if she “became like her.” Flora reasons she could help protect Priscilla and others from the Butcher. Flora has asked for Priscilla to “make me like her” (kill her) but the ghost has been reluctant. Lee offers to take her daughter’s place in death. “What if I stay fought the Butcher? Priscilla can kill me and you can go live with your grandparents.” Flora approaches the ghost girl with Lee’s plan.
Outside, SWAT forces storm into the mansion. An explosion blows out a window. Flora walks out the front door unharmed. Lee moves to take the ghost girl’s hand in death. Other explosions rock the mansion and the whole house begins to burn. Flora is a safe distance away, blankly watching her mother burn inside. SheF slowly waves goodbye to Lee and Priscilla.
From a vantage point above the property, the Colony approaches chaos surrounding the burning home. The Blood Moon hangs overhead.
The Roanoke season has been unique in the American Horror Story franchise. Many say it’s their favorite of the series but I disagree. I appreciate the attempt to call out the “found footage” and the public’s obsession with reality television. However, I found its execution has been quite unbelievable and heavy handed. It was hard to care about most of the cast who ended up as casualties of a “slasher” type film.
There remain some plot holes and lingering questions. Why did Lee eat the pig heart last episode and appear to be working with the Butcher only to vow to fight the Colony in the finale? Did the Return to Roanoke ever air and if so how could all the murders be shown on television? If the paranormal activity in the first season was all orchestrated by the producers, did the showrunners ever believe Matt and Shelby’s original story or did they just think it would make a sensational “reality show?”
I sincerely hope next season will return to stories revolving around a singular theme or location with the same talented cast members. The only part I enjoyed in tonight’s finale was seeing Lee sacrifice her life for Flora. Lee’s final moments felt authentic within a very “trumped up” season of deceit and lies.
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