After a terrific Halloween episode, especially the second part of “Edward Mordrake”, American Horror Story : Freak Show is really getting into its new season. I enjoyed the introduction of everyone in the cast, even if it was a bit slow, but now we’re in what AHS is really about. I loved all the twists and revelations of “Pink Cupcakes”.
Stanley was briefly introduced to the freaks last week, and thankfully this week, we got to see more of him and of his twisted fantasies. He only saw in the freaks all the money they could bring when they’d be exposed in the museum of morbidity. I was quite surprised when we first saw Paul inside the tank.
But of course, the worst scene was the one with pink cupcakes. Stanley invited Dot and Bette outside to have a nice chat about their future on television and he offered them pink poisonous cupcakes. Bette quicly ate it and felt sick. During the whole scene, I really thought it was real and I was so stressed and shocked Sarah Paulson’s characters would die so soon. It was so heart breaking to watch Bette’s dead head next to Dot. Oh God, Stanley is a true psychopath. He wants the money from the freaks but he doesn’t mind hurting them.
Stanley and Elsa’s scenes were all extraordinary. Jessica Lange and Dennis O’Hare are so great together, they’re both amazing actors, but reunited it feels like they’re so much better. The dynamic between their characters was absolutely perfect as well.
First, Stanley offered Elsa a television show, where she could be the only star. But Elsa thought she deserved more and better. She revealed she hated the television, only motion pictures mattered to her. I loved her line about movies being the expression of the soul.
Then came one of the most sad moments of AHS Freak Show, Elsa Mars performed “Life on Mars” again, in front of the people of Jupiter and they didn’t react well. They made fun of her, and threw pop corn on stage. Poor Elsa, it was so heart breaking to watch her with so much despair in her eyes. It really made me ill at ease watching it. Her dream was crushed in front of everyone, especially Stanley who took a great pleasure watching it.
Afterwards, Stanley came to visit Elsa once again and this time she wanted to know more about the television show. Elsa only wants to be loved and admired for her talent, if the people of Jupiter can’t recognize it, maybe the television will. The look in Jessica Lange's eyes was so touching, the mirror scene kinda reminded me of Constance’ speech in the first season finale.
Elsa’s interrupted performance wasn’t the only drama that happened at the show during “Pink Cupcakes”. Jimmy Darling, the new hero of Jupiter ran into some troubles. First, he got rejected by Maggie the fortuneteller. They clearly shared a connection, but Maggie always keep her distance with him, because of her secret mission. She revealed her true feelings in a way by telling Jimmy to leave the show as soon as he could, before Stanley could kill him and expose him.
But Jimmy didn’t understand it, he only saw her rejection. So, when he went looking for Dell, who was MIA at the show, Jimmy only found Desiree, alone in her trailer. And, what was expected happened. They were both miserable and rejected from the one they loved, so they kissed. Desiree wanted to feel something, Jimmy used his magical hands, but poor Desiree started to scream and stopped everything when she felt she was bleeding. I was first quite afraid something very bad happened to my girl.
Desiree rushed to the hospital with Ethel. I loved that scene, it was so great to watch Angela Basset and Kathy Bates together again, and so different from last year Coven. Ethel is such a good woman. Desiree revealed more about her past, being a hermaphrodite and all. But the doctor revealed to her that she was actually a woman and she had suffered from a miscarriage. It was so touching to see Desiree learning she was a real woman, with an enlarged clitoris and a third breast, and the ability to bear children. She, and her family, had been wrong about her for her whole life. I can’t wait to see how much they will affect her in the next episodes.
It has already affected her relationship with Dell. And we got a revelation about Dell this week. It turned out he is gay ! I would have never imagined that. Now, it makes more sense why he dated a beard woman and a hermaphrodite and still couldn’t get it up. His lover turned out to be Andy, played by Matt Bomer. Their scene in the bar was very good, I’ve never thought of something like that from Chiklis but Dell’s story touched me. He still has a bad temper but he is torn between his wife, his life pretending to be straight and his love for Andy. He desperately wants to be with Andy but he can’t. Andy revealed he was actually working in the club, because he was a prostitute. That was when he met up with Dandy !
Dandy went total American psycho this week in “Pink Cupcakes”. Killing Dora last week gave him confidence. His mother discovered the body and knew he was responsible, yet she didn’t report him, she just sent him to his room. The smile on Dandy's face was always so scary and terrifying. He always gets so much joy from pain.
Of course, as usual, Frances Conroy was absolutely divine. Gloria decided to hide the body and revealed to Dandy she had a plan for him to continue his activities without being noticed and arrested. She also revealed her theory about why Dandy is a killer, and I must admit I kinda agree with her. She 's such a dedicated mother. I’m very fond of their relationship and of Conroy and Wittrock’s chemistry. It’s always so very dark and twisted and yet, they always both seem so bright and light.
But I can feel things won’t go as planned. Regina (played by Gabourey Sidibe, so happy she’s back this year !), Dora’s daughter called up Gloria, worried about her mother. I don’t think she’s the kind of woman to fall into Gloria’s lies so easily. I'm sure she'll be back soon. And just when Gloria hung up on Regina, Dandy showed up, almost naked (yumm) but covered in blood (eww).
Dandy has murdered someone else. I knew that once he started, he would ever stop. I loved the scene where he got prepared, with the voice over and the self-confidence, looking at himself in the mirror and training with only his white underpants. It was really sexy, reminded of Patrick Bateman. So, Dandy had found his new victim : Andy, in a gay bar. He took him to Twisty’s trailer in the woods, thinking they’d have sex but Dandy had something else in mind. I’m glad he decided to keep Twisty’s mask, but not the clown outfit.
Poor Andy, he suffered so much with Dandy. He’s not very experienced yet so he’s still making some mistakes. Dandy wasn’t able to actually kill Andy at first, he had just injured him, badly but not enough. At least, Dandy knows how to hide a body, acid is always very effective. But, now, I’m a bit afraid for Dandy. He has murdered Dell’s lover, and after what he done to Desiree’s doctor, I’m guessing he will crack Dandy’s neck if he ever finds out about Andy’s death.
The episode ended on a great note. Someone was knocking at Gloria’s door. First, I thought it was going to be Regina, already there to catch Gloria in her lies and to try to see her mother. It turned out it was Elsa Mars, in flesh.
After being humiliated on stage, she was ready to follow Stanley and have her own television show but at the last minute, she saw Stanley leaving with the twins. Since the start of the season, it’s been established Elsa is dead jealous of Bette and Dot. She decided it was time to finally get rid of them, so she could be the only star. She brought her favorite Siamese twins to Gloria, so Dandy can play with them. Oh God, I can’t wait for next week !
“Pink Cupcakes” restored my faith in AHS Freak Show. I was afraid for a moment this season would be slow but since last week, Freak Show has really proved to be an exciting new installment.
“Pink Cupcakes” was full of revelations and twists. The story is now moving fast, and I’m sure things will accelerate in the next episodes.
Did you love “Pink Cupcakes” ? Are you excited about Freak Show and the next episodes ? Hit the comments !
Carnies notes :
• Jimmy is still struggling with his guiltiness over Meep’s death.
• Elsa’s face when Stanley said “television”. Priceless
• The music during Elsa’s performance was so beautiful. It gave me shivers, along with Lange’s performance of course.
• Desiree finds out Jimmy is actually Dell’s son. I’m not sure she’ll keep the secret very long… I’m glad she left Dell. She can find a new doctor to operate her and she can have babies. Can't wait for that.
