AHS: Freakshow "Bullseye"
Thursday, November 13, 2014 at 10:51AM While Nathaniel catches up with his DVR post-AFI, here's Adam - Editor.
American Horror Story, and in particular this season's "Freak Show," has about as much forward progression as a treadmill. This week's episode trudged ahead with its story by the smallest margin possible that could still be labeled "forward". Miraculously, the episode somehow managed to contain four plotlines: Elsa, further displaying her ruthlessness to survive on her birthday of all days, reveals a dangerous new act for the Freak Show (after surely watching Theo James perform a similar routine in Divergent); Stanley exerts pressure on Maggie to murder the Freaks; Paul indulges in a secret romance with Penny as he juggles his illicit affair with Elsa; and Dandy attempts to woo Bette and Dot much to the chagrin of his mother.
Most Quotable: Elsa dismissing Penny’s entrance into her tent as she consoles a wounded Paul, “Speaking of cheap perfume.”
Best Line Reading: In the midst of Amazon Eve expressing her concern on Ma Petite’s absence from breakfast, she manages to still include her curiosity for her eating habits, “She never misses breakfast – I don’t know where she puts it.”
Best Entrance: A swaddled Ma Petite being opened from her box as Elsa’s birthday gift.
Episode MVP: Jyoti Amge, the world's smallest woman at 2'6", as Ma Petite. Runner up: Costume designer Lou Eyrich for Elsa's Temple Grandin outfit in the opening scene.
Movie/TV References: The chair Elsa sits in while she opens her gifts resembles the Iron Throne from Game of Thrones. How well do you think Elsa would fair in the world of Westeros? My guess is that Cersei would dispense with her with the same ease that Bette ate that spoonful of caviar.
Body Count: None, right? Unless I missed something, but Paul isn't looking too great.
Funniest Moments: At least this episode had a handful to get me through to the end credits, like Elsa cuddling Ma Petite on her throne, Ma Petite's butterfly imitation with her tiny figures inside a specimen jar. And Paul, accused of pickpocketing Dandy wiggling his fingers and dryly countering, “That’s a laugh.”
Episode Grade: D. As evidence I list for you the following scripted lines in all their subtlety:
- Paul articulating his loss of innocence, “Before life stole my innocence.”
- When prompted by Ethel to blow out her candle and make a wish, Elsa exclaims through voiceover that all she wants is to be loved by another person by saying, “I just want to be loved.”
Reader Comments (17)
Not much to talk about at all but I will say that I loved Jessica's version of September Song. I listened to the full version and it's really quite beautiful. It can't beat Anjelica Huston's version from Smash though since there's way too much history behind Anjelica's rendition.
Paul's not a bad looking guy. The grey hair and the eyes are a nice combo.
Did Angela Bassett go home or something? I would at least think she would show up for Elsa's birthday and the subsequent Mommie Dearest impression.
Derreck. - Right? After having a superb showcase last episode Bassett was nowhere to be seen. This season is truly terrible at balancing multiple characters' storyline. They probably should've watched the first two seasons of Orange is the New black and taken notes.
I knew you would like Ma Petit in the box!!
Adam - It was just so odd. Maybe i'm forgetting something but I really don't see any reason why she was completely non-existent this episode.
Plus, I'm hoping Frances Conroy gets more to do because while she kills it when she can as Gloria, there's not alot going on with her. Myrtle Snow was probably the best thing about Coven (especially after she lost the ability to give a shit after being barbecued) and the Angel of Death was completely enchanting in Asylum. The whole characterisation and that 1940's Dior widow look was everything.
I guess the main problem is that it's because it's such an embarrassment of riches being controlled by Ryan Murphy's ADD.
Derreck. - Frances Conroy was in probably my favorite scene from the first season: During the Halloween episode, when she's visiting her mother who has just died, and her mother asks her to move on with her and Frances says she can't. Fucking heartbreaking and so many feels. Such a vital asset to the show.
Stanley and Maggie need to actually act -- these flash-forwards that go nowhere are a bit annoying.
Ma Petite is my absolute favorite.
Jessica Lange continues to work wonders with yet another hateful character. I don't think there's been another actress since Bette Davis so adept at making you care for a shrew.
I almost lost my breath when I thought the Lil One was dead. That was some terrible fakeout.
Tyler - Preach.
Bia and brookesboy - Not to be a terrible person, but Ma Petite's squeaking while the jar was being filled was so grating I wanted the fantasy to be real (only for like a second, then I felt bad)
Best Line Reading (alternate): "My son has no friends." (Gloria)
Adam--LOL! I can't argue with that hehe
Paul Outlaw - Yes, yes, yes. Love it.
I'm a defender of this season's slow-pace but I agree, last night's episode was a bit of a chore at times. But then everything after Dandy's underpants party was bound to be a bit of a let-down. (In related news, "Dandy's Underpants Party" is my new favorite phrase.)
Oh and I made a Ma Petite gif again this week because I can't help myself. Her butterfly impression has immediately found permanent residence amongst the private language my boyfriend and I are developing to amuse ourselves.
So Elsa had a sister. Wonder if her name was, "Laura?" ;)
So Elsa had a sister. Wonder if her name was, "Laura?" ;)
I'm with JA; I'd rather it be slow than an a weird ecstasy rager buffet of stuff that eventually gets slept on, but things really need to pick up soon.
The issue for me is that, like in Coven, the main plot and the villain plot run parallel (with few intersections, like this episode) leading up to a grand SHOWDOWN that will inevitably not live up to the buildup (or that doesn't even happen because you got distracted by witch hunters or whatever). Hopefully the Freaks vs. Dandy situation will pick up steam in an effort to get the twins back, and we can forge a somewhat clear path to the end soon.
I'm holding out hope that Paul is still alive, simply because Mat Fraser was so excellent this week. He's been great support all season, so I'm glad he got (at least one) showcase episode.
For my money the best line/line reading was Gloria saying 'Hindsight is 20/20, dear' after Dandy complained about preferring Dora to their new maid.
And I echo the hope that Paul not die for purely shallow reasons. He's nice to look at plus, accent.