EJ Moreno reviews the third episode of American Horror Story: Apocalypse…
Only three episodes into the season, and American Horror Story: Apocalypse just flipped the script. When prepping for this review, there were nearly five pages of notes to go through. With more insane moments and shocking twists than some seasons combined, the episode “Forbidden Fruit” will undoubtedly be a season highlight.
Things started off hot with Langdon interviewing the outpost, still trying to pick people for The Sanctuary. His interactions with Coco, Timothy, and Mr. Gallant are strong, but it was Mallory’s and Dinah’s interviews that standout. It turns out that Langdon and Dinah know each other from another outpost, having issues there that Langdon doesn’t want popping up here. She says she isn’t powerful enough to take him down and she will only work to get to The Sanctuary. Now, things with Mallory are much different as their interaction goes up in literal flames. Mallory shows off some powers and alludes to a mysterious backstory, while Langdon shows off his true demonic face. This moment shakes him and further confuses her, but turns out to be one of the best scenes for the viewers.
The episode jumps to another strange story as there’s some backstory about Ms. Meade and her robotic life. It turns out she is an android and is from The Cooperative. Ms. Meade is supposedly programmed to serve Venable, but that turns out to be very different later on. The pair does team up to kill everyone in the outpost, deciding to kill everyone with apples that mysteriously show up by carriage. To get everyone to eat these poison apples, Ms. Meade and Venable throw a Halloween Masquerade Ball. It doesn’t go as planned with unexpected guests and a shocking ending.
In a fun turn of events, we finally see what the post-apocalyptic world above the outpost. It’s like a horror-filled Mad Max world with cannibal zombies filled with pus and radiation. Attempting to sneak into Outpost Three is Billy Eichner’s Brock. The character was last seen in episode one where Coco joined Mr. Gallant, Evie, and Mallory to leave him behind. Brock is now a radiation mutated man trying to find his ex-girlfriend and get his revenge. He does just that when he sneaks into the outpost and hides during the Masquerade. He tricks Coco into thinking he’s Langdon and gets her to go into a room alone. There Brock reveals himself and attacks Coco, stabbing her dead in the forehead. By episode’s end, there’s no word if he escaped or not.
Speaking of Langdon, the deliciously evil villain phones his father, Satan, and tries to connect with him. This blood ritual Skype conversation is an attempt to figure out who or what Mallory is and regain his upper hand. Langdon then manipulates Ms. Meade into doing his evil-doing, going as far as suggesting the poison apples. His plans go as through precisely as he planned with the party guest eating the apples and dying in horrifying ways. Langdon also gets Ms. Meade to turn on Venable, shooting her dead, to the shock of every viewer. In another moment, Ms. Meade is revealed to have a past with Langdon. Seems like she helped raise him and there is a real connection.
Even though Venable appears dead, Sarah Paulson isn’t off the show yet. In a shocking twist ending, the witches of AHS: Coven return to the show and storm Outpost Three. Cordelia Foxx, Myrtle Snow, and Madison Montgomery show up to resurrect a few of the dead members of the outpost. The trio pick Dinah, Coco, and Mallory and use their powers to bring them back to life. They call them their sisters, allowing us to believe these ladies are witches as well. Explaining Mallory’s abilities, but there is still something deep within her character. The last line of the episode is Madison’s iconic line: “Surprise bitch, bet you thought you’d seen the last of me.” This isn’t the last we will see, and every reviewer can rejoice as the season is officially starting!
Everything about “Forbidden Fruit” showcases the very best of American Horror Story. The cinematography was sharp, as per usual, but seeing the surface level added another layer to the color palette. It was great to see odd blues, instead of the orange that is usually associated with post-apocalyptic movies. Also, the camera work felt fresh with some surreal effects used during the poison apple scene. The camera work for Mallory especially stands out. Seems like the odd effect is motivated by her power as it stood out for a reason. Let’s see if things further develop with that as well.
The story is getting wild with the pieces of the puzzle finally coming together. AHS: Apocalypse might be one of the most complex seasons yet with so many intricate parts to this well-oiled horror machine. Mixing so many elements are something I doubted the show could handle, but this is starting to feel like the Infinity War of the AHS universe. Everyone and everything is coming together in the best way possible.
EJ Moreno
