AMERICAN HORROR STORY: FREAK SHOW “Edward Mordrake Part 1 & 2” Review

Last night, we got a double dose of American Horror Story: Freakshow. Check out what we had to say about it.

Part 1
The Freaks refuse to perform on Halloween due to an old carny superstition. Jimmy is smitten by a woman claiming to be a fortuneteller. Ethel receives life-changing news.

Part 2

Edward Mordrake continues his search for a Freak to add to his ghostly coterie. Elsa tells the grisly story of her days in Germany. Jimmy and Maggie have a run-in with the Twisted Clown.

American Horror Story: Freak has really kicked it up a notch with their two part Halloween episode. In true fashion, we see that we can expect the unexpected. There are new characters, new ideas, and superstition that are brought to the table that will change the lives of our freaks forever.

We had several things that are revealed that really foreshadow how the rest of the series is going to play out.  We are taught about Edward Mordrake, a man who killed himself because he had a second face that would tell him to do evil things. However, instead of dying, he wanders the earth looking for freaks who are performing on Halloween, he always takes one. Instead of heeding this warning, Elsa performs because she believes that she is going to make it big. This brings him forth and we learn about the freaks and what has brought them here. This, includes, Ethel, who has revealed she is dying and her back story is brought to life. The biggest part of this is that Twisty the clown’s backstory. We find out that he is mistaken for a pedophile because some dwarves make him out to be. This brings him to the killing world. However, Mordrake claims him as his victim and he dies. This is where we see Dandy pick up the mask and he claims his first victim and he really likes it. Finally, Jimmy (Dolphin Boy), saved everyone who was taken by the clown and the townspeople come out to thank him and there is a nice moment of community with everyone.

Kathy Bates is the actress that shined during this; she has some really intense moments of sadness and terror that made me cry. She just delivers a stellar performance and is the most believable. Then, Jessica Lange, who is always of favorite of mine, delivers some great moments and allows us to feel for her character, instead, of just thinking she is evil. Plus, she sings s a Lana Del Rey song that is amazing. Everyone does a great job but these two are the ones that stick out.

Overall, the episode is fantastic. I recommend watching, both, at the same time because they are, literally, suppose d to play together. This episode brings a lot of interesting ideas forward and makes ready for more.