Alice Rush reviews the fifth episode of American Horror Story: Freak Show…
This week’s episode of Freak Show titled ‘Pink Cupcakes’ really exemplifies one of the best attributes of American Horror Story, and this is exposing and questioning the “norm”. Every theme this show has covered, whether it be a haunted house or an asylum, has managed to use stereotypical horror stimulus but has turned it inside out and upside down. Freak Show is probably the most aesthetically “weird” season of the show and so instead of using the freak aspect to draw in and unsettle the viewer, instead focus is drawn to finding the crazy in the normal. Expectations of this series have been well and truly taken down a different path as we see Twisty, who became the shows scary mascot, being replaced by an even more terrifying figure: Dandy.
This week sees him take centre stage more, inheriting the toothy mask from Twisty and attempting to carry on his ‘work’. Gloria, played by the irreplaceable Frances Conroy, allows us a deeper glimpse into Dandy’s reasons for violence as she reveals that he is a child of incest and we are also treated to a fantastic Patrick Bateman style inner monologue from the psycho himself, as he exercises and displays his impressive body whilst comparing murder to art. It’s all very modern and juxta-posed but never feels cliché, as he stumbles through his murders with not quite as much beauty as he would have hoped. The glimpses we get into his estranged relationship with his mother and his almost typical young male frustrations of being stifled are excellently played by both actors to a degree of such heightened realism that it becomes clear show runners Murphy and Falchuk are encouraging us to think about the real nature of freakishness.
Along these thematic lines is the other most fascinating aspect from ‘Pink Cupcakes’; flash-forwards. We’re used to AHS playing around with timelines but this week we get a glimpse into the future of some of our beloved freaks. Showcasing another prime example of finding the freakiness in the norm comes with a flash forward scene of Stanley and Maggie attending the opening of an art exhibition. The art on display, however, is revealed to be none other than deceased freak favourite Paul and subsequently Bette and Dot in another scene. As the room marvels at the displays it’s the ‘normal’ people who unsettle and distress the audience, not the freaks. It’s unsure if these flash forwards are to be totally trusted however, as one scene depicting Stanley murdering Bette and Dot is immediately replaced by a scene in which said murder never happens. As always, it seems the emphasis is on questioning reality and accepted norms, which is something AHS does extremely well.
On a more basic narrative note, this week sees the reception of the freak show booming amongst the town folk after Jimmy’s actions last week. Ever the tortured hero, he finds himself unable to accept this adoration as he holds himself reasonable still for Meep’s death. He pines after Maggie and finds comfort in the arms of Desiree who too is dissatisfied with her life, namely that of Del’s reluctance to be intimate with her. Del is a really interesting character, as one week he seems to be the most level headed of the group and making positive acts towards helping the show and then suddenly he’s a raging drunk getting violent with Desiree as she reveals she is leaving him or, as we saw last week, a twisted soul willing to pimp out his own wife and child. It serves for a great performance from Michael Chiklis, especially as its revealed this week that Del is in love with a man but feels he cannot betray his dominant male persona. As much as I want to hate him I can’t help but feel for him, a character trait that is definitely carried across many of the casts from all seasons of the show.
Overall this week saw a more focused effort on taking each of the main characters to their next level, introducing either new factors which could alter their lives or developing their motive and reasoning. The town of Jupiter is now accepting of the freak show so the real drama can only lie within the camp, with the jealous Elsa making what could be a fatal mistake (depending on how vicious she truly is) in selling Bette and Dot to Gloria and Dandy. I do enjoy delving into each of the characters more as I feel this season the writing is so rich, but I also can’t help but miss some of the exciting action that characterised the first two seasons. Development is good but so are exorcisms, murderous ghosts, demon babies and psychotic murderers. We have Dandy but I’m beginning to worry that Freak Show is going to way of Coven, switching too haphazardly between characters in an attempt to keep viewers entertained. We’re here, we’re watching it, we love all the characters already: just give us some action!
Alice Rush
Originally published November 8, 2014. Updated April 13, 2018.
