AHS 1984 (S9E3) “Slashdance”: Backstories, Reveals & Deception Further Engrain One Of AHS’s Best Seasons

Horror films find there success in gore, chills, scares and unexpected happenings; they are staples required for success. AHS 1984 has proven, with the first two episodes of the season, their knowledge and understanding of these elements, delivering a season thus far that is ripe with passion for a genre and dedication to executing it to perfection. “Slashdance” is no exception.

Starting right where audiences were left last week, the camp counselors “shockingly” split up, each facing the terror and impending doom of more than one killer. As they hide in their cabins, escape looking less and less of a possibility, death may have found them at their most vulnerable.

Mr. Jingles

As our first pack of counselors find themselves trapped in one of the cabins, Mr. Jingles (John Carroll Lynch) terrorizes them from outside. Brutal and unrelenting, much like his murderous counterpart lurking else where on the campgrounds, the gang find themselves facing their final moments as a bag of flaming poo is thrown into the cabin, revealing a more heinous surprise – a yearly prank commemorating the anniversary of Mr. Jingles rampage.

Relief and confusion instantly set in as the masks are removed, three local teens soaking in their success. The joy and euphoria of terrifying the counselors is short lived as they come face to face with Mr. Jingles – a man who does not find the humor in their mockery. With three new fresh bodies on the campgrounds, audiences are not just given more kills, they are also given insights into the minds and actions of our main cast.

With the addition of the teens out in the woods, mocking both the past massacre and the murderer who carried it out, AHS has found and intriguing and unique way of drawing bodies into the episode rather than killing of its main characters. The ability to recognize the audiences’ need for gore and a body count (and some amazing kills at that) is a strength AHS is not afraid to flaunt and enjoy.

The Night Stalker

If there is one thing that drives a murderous horror villain, it is the incessant need to finish off those who have escaped their clutches. In this case – Brooke (Emma Roberts). Having followed Brooke to Camp Redwood, distracted only for a moment by the questionable Margaret (Leslie Grossman), has found Brooke again. Unrelenting, Richard ” The Night Stalker” Ramirez (Zach Villa) forces his way into the cabin, further splitting the group, Brooke and the nurse heading to the lot with the car keys, Chet (Gus Kenworthy) and Ray (DeRon Horton) veer off, running blindly into the forest.

While Brooke stumbles upon trouble of her own, a cliffhanger in its own right, Chet and Ray stumble into one of Mr. Jingles Vietnam inspired traps, becoming impaled by the wooden spikes below. As Chet succumbs to shock, Ray deluges him, and the audience, with his back story, proving that he has just as much reason as Chet to flee LA, finding sanctuary in the seclusion of Camp Redwood – and proving his past may have already sealed his future.

Deception

Deception, as with most horror films, can raise the stakes, the tension and the success. the double crosses and the misdirection constantly keeping characters and viewers on their toes. Predictability kills, and AHS is well aware of this pitfall.

While last week kicked murderous Mr. Jingles and Ramirez into full swing, leaving questions and mysteries in their wake, this week, backstories and last minute reveals brought elevation to the series. From the start of the season, there has always been a risk that a drawn out horror film could run its course, thin out and bore audiences along the way. The inclusion of deception further heightens the confusion and engagement from audiences. The back stories present the motivation, creating investment and understanding for the characters, yet the deception is what truly makes this episode, as well as the series. With it, there appears to the perfect set up formulating for the anticipated mid season twist.

Conclusion

With each episode, AHS 1984 further stands out as one of the best seasons of the series. With a return to its roots, AHS 1984 is stronger than it has been in a long time, delivering the horror and the entertainment of genre films of the past, with the success only Ryan Murphy could conjure.