As the season rounds its halfway point, we are also celebrating 100 episodes of American Horror Story! This episode had a lot of pressure weighing in on it as we leave that night in Camp Redwood and take a look at where our characters are now. “Red Dawn” left off with Brooke (Emma Roberts) in the back of a police cruiser, the rest of the group dead at the hands of Camp Redwood’s murderous curse, and Ramirez (Zach Villa) and Benjamin “Mr. Jingles” Richter (John Carroll Lynch) cruising down the highway in a stolen cop car.
Last week’s episode was about freedom and settling into a new way of existence. As life is thrown upside down again, plans are made to return to the beloved grounds of Camp Redwood.
1985: Old Wounds Don’t Heal
It has been one year since the notorious murders of Camp Redwood and we catch up with our serial killer bromance; Jingles and Ramirez. Cleaning up his act, Richter now sports a fresh haircut and goatee while on the other hand, Ramirez is still bathing in the blood of his victims. The duo’s interactions now seem strained, and it is clear Richter is desperate for another life, not plagued by Ramirez’s satanic impulses. He manages to escape while Ramirez is chased down by a mob in a small town.
1989: Where Have They Been?
We are back in Camp Redwood and all that is left is our ragtag bunch of Purgatory pals who are preying on unsuspecting wanderers that enter the camp. Montana and Xavier (Cody Fern) are left to their own devices, flirting with the unknown rules of death while Ray (DeRon Horton) is desperately trying to speak to the living and get answers on Brooke’s case.
Meanwhile, on death row in a janky prison, Brooke has just been sentenced to death by lethal injection. Margaret (Leslie Grossman) has gotten off scot-free once more, her murderous tendencies bubbling below the surface so that she can make big bucks off of turning infamous murder sites into get rich quick schemes.
Hoping that even just one other person to survive other than poor Brooke, we find out that Trevor (Matthew Morrison) narrowly escaped death and is now married to Margaret (even though he did this as blackmail, I still say it was a poor choice). Now, he can snort all the coke he wants to bury his guilt for not exposing the real Margaret Booth as the vicious killer she truly is.
Let the Games Begin
With Brooke’s impending execution, Margaret decides to head back for the third time, to her old killing grounds. With her continuous returns to the scene of her murders, Margaret has gained attention from the ghosts haunting Camp Redwood. Chet (Gus Kenworthy) finally makes his reappearance, going on about the perils of drowning and his bloodlust for Margaret.
Our good pal Ramirez has reclaimed his Nightstalker status and attempts to compel Brooke to join the forces of evil and pledge her life to Satan. As she denies him and marches off to her death, we cut to a now peaceful and content Richter who now shares a home with his then-prostitute wife and an adorable baby boy. He has a riveting job at the Video Shack and could not be more content with his life. What could go wrong?
In a not so shocking turn of events, all our characters are forced to prepare for their reunion at the fabulous Camp Redwood. Brooke is given another chance at life by an unsuspecting ally and The Nightstalker has escaped using a satanic ritual. With a thirst for blood on his lips, Ramirez exacts his revenge on Richter, who snaps at the tragedy Ramirez brings to his home, and reclaims his position as Mr. Jingles.
Next Stop: Camp Redwood
I must say, each and every episode this season has yet to disappoint. With it’s classic homage to 80’s era slasher favorites and a sentiment to creating wonderfully developed character arches, AHS 1984 continues to deliver a nail-biting experience. By this episode’s completion, we now know everyone is on the hunt for revenge and a bloodbath. Who will be victorious in the great clash of 1989? Only one way to find out. Tune in this week for AHS 1984 and what will surely be the goriest episode thus far.
Happy Halloween, everybody!
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