AHS 1984 (S9E4) “True Killers”: This Season Is Far From Slowing Down

AHS 1984 was back last week, continuing the intense and exhilarating thrill ride it has lunged its viewers on this season – and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon. As the fourth episode of the season concluded, there is an even higher anticipation as we draw closer to the mid-season, the potential for a major twist lurking in the shadows coupled by the continuation of a nightmare that seems to have no conclusion.

While the final moments of “True Killers” left new questions (seriously, what the- ), plenty of answers were finally delivered – each more unpredictable than the other.

Ramirez and Montana

Appropriately named, “True Killers” revealed some of the mastery of the puppeteers behind our two main killers. At the end of “Slashdance”, it is revealed in the final seconds that Montana (Billie Lourd) and Ramirez (Zach Villa) have been working together, their relationship both emotional, passionate and violent. As they reacquaint in a lustrous kiss, Montana demands to know why he hasn’t killed Brooke (Emma Roberts) yet. In these last moments, viewers come to the understanding that there is more than just two killers in lurking in the woods.

“True Killers” opens on the night theses two first met, Montana instructing an aerobics class, Ramirez murdering the man who insults her and Billy Idol. After the deal, a Natural Born Killers vibe between them, is sealed with passion, Montana asks if he will kill anyone for her. She tells him of her brother who was gunned down by a jealous groom, suspecting his bride and her brother were having an affair. As it turns out, this is the same wedding Brooke had relayed a couple episodes earlier. Montana blames Brooke for the death of brother, bringing the one missing element of a successful horror film into full focus – revenge.

As the two run around the campground trying to find Brooke before Mr. Jingles (John Carroll Lynch) does – because dead by someone else’s hand is not good enough – further examples of Ramirez’s ties with Satanism begin to take hold. He offers his blood in a ritual to find Brooke, believing that Satan will show him the way – give him a sign. Through the depths of his loyalty and the power of satanism, the devil does not show itself until the end – not until a Jason Vs. Freddie match up takes things to a whole new level.

Jingles and Margaret

Ah, Mr. Jingles. everyone’s favorite horror brute, limping through the woods, overpowering victims left and right. At this point, he has to have a bountiful necklace of ears. Yet, that is just the thing. With serial killers, there is always an MO. Yet, “True Killers” gives Mr. Jingles the chance to have further depth, and adherent to the rules (hello Scream!) of a horror film – killers always come back stronger in the sequels and trilogies. Mr. Jingles himself is superhuman – stabbing and shooting him won’t work. If Randy were here, here would be proud.

“True Killers” has Mr. Jingles evolve in his murder. Rage is exhibited towards Chef Bertie (Tara Karsian) for her betraying him. She offered him a sandwich just the way he used to like it, yet attempted to stop him from killing Xavier (Cody Fern). His method of killing is also changing. The cook was murdered repeatedly, and Xavier was left in an oven, conscious to cook to death – and still retained his ears. Change in MO, the body count is higher and the killings are more elaborate.

Yet, it is not the evolution of Mr. Jingles that made this episode, rather the true reveal of the “True Killer”. As Jingles finally arrives at Margaret’s (Leslie Grossman) door, he, and viewers, learn the truth of that night back in 1970. A truth that dives deep into the psychology of Mr. Jingles both for the events of back then and the events of the night. Nothing is as it once was, and everything has permanently changed forever.

Conclusion: Who’s left?

As we reach the episodes end, as well as the mid-season possible twist, viewers cannot help but look back at who is left at Camp Redwood.

Sadly Trevor (Matthew Morrison), who lived longer than I expected he would, has met his end this episode along with the cook. Brooke has once again escaped Ramirez and Jingles, solidifying her place as the Final Girl (if anyone was still questioning this). Montana’s cover is still not blown, yet her time is most definitely numbered. Xavier made it out of the oven, though with the way he is looking and his narcissistic nature, one is left to wonder how he will handle the burns that ravage his body and lungs. Our psychologist Donna (Angelica Ross) is also alive, though as she faces Ramirez in the final seconds of the episode, she is also not long for this world either. And Margaret – she is still letting the “Lord” guide her path.

Oh, and since we mentioned the rules of a horror movie earlier, it is important to note here that none of the characters knows how to survive a horror film – well none of the ones who truly mattered this episode. You need to shoot them in the head if you are to truly kill a killer. So as our remaining survivors watch their last hope of escape go up in flames, the two killers we started the season out with have found their resurgence, alive to lurk the woods another night.

Oh, and lest we forget – anyone else get overly excited as the cook was playing Stevie Nicks? Could it be a simple AHS reference or something more? Let us know in the comments below!

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