American Horror Story offered us an excellent episode once again last Wednesday, with “Bullseye”. We’re really digging in the Freak Show and all of its characters. Since the last two episodes, the rhythm has accelerated, we have more surprises and twists than I’ve hoped for. I’m really loving this new season, it’s (for now) the perfect balance of horror, developments and twists. Just like back in season one.
“Bullseye” mainly revolved around the disappearance of the twins. We know Elsa took them to Gloria and Dandy Mott, but the freaks aren’t aware of it. Of course, their disappearance made the freaks worry about their safety and it questioned Elsa’s position in the show.
The freaks wondered if Elsa wasn’t involved in Bette and Dot’s disappearance. They all noticed her jealousy over them, and they’re just gone after Stanley, the Hollywood produced, came to see the show. Weird… Even Paul, the Illustrated Seal, had his doubts about Elsa, her lover. Elsa Mars loves the company of men. I’ve ever expected to have sex with Paul. It was both weird and surprising to watch them together in bed, but it didn’t look out of character. Elsa is always desperate for love and attention, she grabs it from everyone she can I guess.
Paul got even more doubts about Bette and Dot when he ran into Dandy at the drugstore. Dandy was buying women’s accessories, for two. Suspicious. But Paul, being a freak was thrown out of the shop. He wanted to buy perfume for his lover, but not Elsa. It turned out Paul had a girlfriend in the city, a regular, young and beautiful woman. Her father is quite controlling over her and her company, it seems. Can’t wait to see how this drama will develop.
Back at the show, Paul tried to talk with Jimmy about his doubts on Elsa but he was quickly shut up by Jimmy. Elsa is a real savior for all those freaks. She is the one who saved them from their miserable lives, who has offered them a place where they could be accepted, where they could work, sleep and eat. Elsa Mars has offered them a family, she's like a mother so I understand it can be hard for the freaks to see Elsa for who she is really. Because she is a envious woman, willing to do anything for her own success.
Paul already saw right through her, he mentioned to Elsa the freaks were having doubts about the twins’ disappearance and her play in it, Elsa was very hurt and angry at them. Jessica Lange was extraordinary in that scene where Elsa woke up all the freaks to scream at them in the middle of the night. It was crazy and so powerful. Jessica Lange portrayed it perfectly, balancing between Elsa’s feelings, her deception but still keeping on pretending. She was terrifying.
Elsa used her old spinning wheel to test her freaks’ trust. Jimmy wanted to be the one tested on it, but Paul decided it was his place. It was quite a stupid choice for him. Some minutes ago, Elsa found out he was seeing another woman. He knew Elsa can stand being shared and not being the only one, the only center of attention.
So, as expected, Elsa missed her last throw and her knife hit Paul’ stomach. I must say I really loved the spinning wheel (especially in the opening scene, with Maggie, Jimmy and Pepper on it), it was very suspenseful with Paul on it. For a second, I thought the knife would hit his man parts. Poor Paul was badly injured and Elsa wasn’t very convincing at being shocked and sad. She didn’t even call for an ambulance. Bitch. She just let Paul in his trailer, bleeding. His girlfriend came to see him. It was so tragic. They could have lived a great life, but Elsa ruined that for them out of selfishness.
Elsa has demonstrated she can be very cruel and cold. Her freaks will soon turn their backs on her, if they discover all the things she did for herself. I really don’t want her to end up miserable and lonely, abandoned by everybody. It’s probably what she deserves, but she is so touching in a way.
The carnies are starting to drop like flies. The twins disappeared, Paul got injured and Ma Petite went missing for 10 minutes and was almost murdered.
The terrible Stanley has still his eyes on the freaks and the money they can provide him. He’s such an horrible man, so inhuman. I really hope something nasty is coming for him, like being killed and having his huge penis exposed in the museum of morbidity. He tried to force Maggie to get Jimmy’s hands to the museum. But Maggie couldn’t deliver Jimmy, because of her feelings for him.
So she elaborated a new plan, to get Ma Petite instead of Jimmy, as she'd be more easy to transport. It was so shocking to watch Maggie’s fantasy about killing Ma Petite in that jar. It was so cruel, it made me feel uncomfortable. Luckily, it wasn’t reality…. Yet.
I really thought Ma Petite was a goner, Maggie seemed first very determined about killing her, and Stanley was putting a lot of pressure on her. Still, I wanted to believe in Maggie’s humanity and it turned out I was right. Maggie didn't go through it, she couldn't resist Ma Petite's adorable face. I'm so glad Ma Petite is still alive, seeing her in Emma Roberts’s hands put a big smile on face. I love Ma Petite, she’s so sweet and cute.
Of course, Stanley was very angry at Maggie and made it clear he will get Jimmy’s hands. Poor Stanley, he didn’t get that Maggie finally fell for Lobster Boy. It was a quick change of mind, last week she rejected him and now they’re kissing, but I didn't mind. It was just really great to watch Emma Roberts and Evan Peters’ chemistry on screen.
But, I’m not sure about this couple future. Jimmy is a murder and Maggie is a liar, that could really complicate and mess up with them. It’s nice for them to enjoy their happy moment, because happiness never last.
Just like Dandy’s happy moment with the twins didn’t last very long. At first, everything was perfect for the unusual couple. Dandy was very fond of his mother’s gift, he really believed he was in love with them and he even wanted to marry them. Gloria wasn’t thrilled about that idea, one murderous freak in the family is enough.
Bette was, as expected, fonder of Dandy than Dot. Dot is always cold and distant, and Bette so sweet, she's always smiling and biting her lips. Sarah Paulson has really done an amazing work, and I absolutely loved her interactions with Finn Wittrock.
I also quite enjoyed watching Dandy falling in love with Bette, holding hands, winking at each other while Dot was sitting there, watching them with disgust. It was unexpected for both of them to have this attitude. It was cute in a way, but only on the surface. But, a news changed Dot’s mind about Dandy and how to use him. She heard about the first surgery on conjoined twin, and she dreamt of being only one in her body. It was crazy of her to believe she could get the money and do the operation. There’s no way anyone could separate the twins and make them two people. Even if you cut one head, you have to get rid of all the extra organs.
Anyways, the twins quickly saw the real face of Dandy. After refusing to participate in his game about secrets, Dot, and Bette, watched one of the famous Dandy’s tantrum. Finn Wittrock is really excellent, I hope he will be back next seasons because his portrays of a serial killer is totally amazing. He is so attractive and repulsing at the same time.
I really loved the scene where Gloria read him Dot’s diary, and their talk afterwards. He was so powerful and so touching. There’s something so pathetic (not in the bad way) about Dandy. Dot expressed all of her hate in her diary and it really hurt him. Dandy feels misunderstood and alone, he finally realized love isn’t for him after all, even bought love, like Gloria is used to. Dandy is totally deranged.
“Bullseye” was really all about love. Elsa, revealing for her birthday wish, she only wanted to be loved. Anything she does, she does it to gain love and attention from her people, from everyone. Dandy was also looking to be loved too, for who he really is and not for his money and the gifts he can offer. But his hopes were crushed and I’m sure it will trigger something worst in his psychotic mind. The lack of love and attention really damaged Elsa and Dandy, not in the same way, but it both made them selfish and arrogant.
Jimmy and Maggie might be the only ones to have a real chance at love, if they can work out their problems. If they have enough luck, their secrets will be kept and they can have a happy ending.
What did you think of “Bullseye” ? What do you think of Freak Show so far ? Hit the comments !
Carnies notes :
• Where the hell were Dell and Desiree ? I really missed them. After everything that happened last week, I really wanted to see them. One more week to wait...
• “Ma petite, je t’aime plus que les autres” Oh Elsa, I second that.
• Oh God, Dandy at the drugstore, he’s such an arrogant and spoiled brat. Is it bad if it makes him more attractive for me ? I want to bring him snackies too.
• Ethel really meant she was going to kill Elsa ? Because, Jimmy knows Dandy has the twins so… Elsa better hope Ethel’s liver kill her before.
• It was such a terrible birthday week for Elsa. But I'm loving the concept...
• Jimmy coming to Dandy at the end ! Oh God ! What will happen next ? I’m quite afraid for the twins, we haven’t seen them since Dandy read Dot’s diary…
• Bette is fond of caviar. How that didn't surprise me ?
• "Now I demand you start having fun this second !" That's an order from Elsa Mars !
Favorite recap ever, I want to bring Dandy snackies too
ReplyDeleteVery good recap, thanks :)
ReplyDeleteJessica Lange was just amazing. Her performance was outstanding.
I feel like this is gonna be the best season of the show.
J.Lange speaking French, what a good surprise !
Well, à la semaine prochaine !
Paul's girlfriend is Penny the candy striper from the first episode.
ReplyDeleteMaggie rejected Jimmy before because she thought he was safest just getting away from Stanley's plan.
My favorite line was "And I was a shut-in for the first thirty years of my life, so boring me is not an easy thing to do."