AMERICAN HORROR STORY: APOCALYPSE: (S8E7) “Traitor”: Old Characters Return & Retribution Avails

This was by far the best episode of the season, which only heightens my excitement for more episodes still to come. “Traitor” brought new powers, retribution and the first shot made – culminating into an intense and satisfying episode, setting the stage for the apocalypse, and the inevitable aftermath. We are just months away from the atomic bomb dropping, and the loose ends leading up to the decimation of humanity are each tying up nicely.

A New Voodoo Queen and A Deal with the Devil

The craft behind American Horror Story is its ability to juggle an immersive collection of characters, not in just one season but throughout them all. Characters forgotten are never left behind. Each is given an essential role, and a timely return. “Traitor” reintroduced Dinah Stevens (Adina Porter), though not as a hideaway witch in Outpost 3 but as the pre-apocalyptic New Voodoo Queen.

“Traitor” opens with the eerie and haunting submersion of viewers into the murderous exploits of the Voodoo Queen, as she seeks to level the score for a paying customer. Since rising to power, replacing Marie Laveau (Angela Bassett) from Coven, Dinah has found strength as a new leader; but with no followers to lead, she has turned to soliciting her “unique” abilities to the wealthy and betrayed.

While I would have loved to see more of a backstory regarding Dinah, it was what she was currently able to provide that gave viewers one (of many!) of the best character returns this season – the return of Papa Legba (Lance Reddick). In a moment of crisis, having learned the true nature of Michael Langdon (Cody Fern), Cordelia (Sarah Paulson) once again turns to Voodooism, this time not to bring a child into the world, but to defeat the child of Satan. She petitions Papa Legba to help her trap Michael in Hell, preventing the unspeakable annihilation he will bring upon the world. With such a risky request, Papa Legba informs Cordelia that he will need something worth his collusion. Recalling fondly to the deal he had made the last time a Voodoo Queen and the Supreme (Jessica Lange) united, Papa Legba tells Cordelia that he will help trap Langdon, if Cordelia promises to him every member of her Coven – much like Nan (Jamie Brewer) was given to him (the other best return of the season!).

Unable to sacrifice her coven for the fate of the world, Cordelia turns down Papa Legba – a deal that would only be offered once. Feeling as though she had made the right choice, her fear returns as Dinah tells her she has made the wrong decision, that because of her 6 billion people will die. You have to wonder, though, would she have been able to trap Langdon in hell? Papa Legba had given no assurances that the ploy would have worked, and the coven would have still been forced to become minions of hell. Langdon has traveled to Hell and back, bringing witches long deceased, so it would be safe to assume that he could resurrect himself, breaking free of the turmoil Papa Legba would have been able to inflict.

As Dinah stormed out of the room in fear of the future, leaving Cordelia to contemplate her choice, I found myself wondering how these two would cross paths again. The two must unite later on, as the Voodoo Queen is one of the resurrected by Cordelia in Outpost 3 – as well as referred to as a “sister” of the coven. Something that is still to come will reunite these two, hopefully strengthening the magic and power to fight Michael. But what could seemingly erase centuries of animosity  – could the end of the world finally be strong enough to unite both worlds?

Powers Heightened in a Time of Crisis

CoCo’s (Leslie Grossman) “powers” have been a source of comedic relief this season. Her ability to detect the presence of gluten in food fitting to her lifestyle. Her unique power has grown, though, no longer is she restricted to the ability of detecting gluten, she is now able to state the amount of calories within anything – even after a bite has been taken. Hilarious and absurd as this is, it presents a moment to shine the light brighter on Mallory (Billie Lourd), as CoCo dies from choking on the remainder of a snowball.

As none of the girls are aware of CPR or the Heimlich Maneuver (probably one of the most ridiculous scenes in AHS history), Coco falls to the floor to the horror of all around her – except Mallory. Entering a peaceful and trancelike state, Mallory kneels beside Coco, magically slicing her neck open to remove the blockage, healing her and then bringing her back to life. While everyone is fearing Michael’s ascension to Supreme, Zoe (Tassia Farmiga) relays to Cordelia her belief that the true Supreme is Mallory.

While CoCo was seemingly a tool to push Mallory’s story forward, there is more to her than meets the eye. Next episode should be a true reveal of her powers, as Cordelia is sending her on a mission that could give them the final pieces of information to defeat Michael. While CoCo breaks through her own boundaries, the confirmation of Mallory as the Supreme is finally obtained. Mallory’s seventh test, after Zoe shows off her new power, was to resurrect John Henry (Cheyenne Jackson) from only his ashes – a final test of the seven wonders showcased in the traditional silent film composition (a wonderful continuity that has followed through each time the wonders are attempted). As Michael’s final test was unique for the coming of a different future, so too is Mallory’s, maintaining the ying and the yang between them.

While many have been speculating that Mallory is the true Supreme, her exhibition of power makes for an interesting dynamic set up in the future – as well as raises further questions for the world following the bomb. What is her place in all this and in the coming battle with Michael? She seems to be his equal counterpart on the side of good, but will they destroy each other, or will one reign Supreme?

Also, with confirmation that Mallory will be the next Supreme, there is a question as to why Cordelia is still alive after the bomb drops. As we approach the moment of the bomb in this timeline, Cordelia is dying. She exhibits immense strength and power when she brings the girls back to life in Outpost 3 – power she had been swiftly losing. She was also able to resurrect herself after the bomb had dropped. How did she regain her strength? And why does it seem as though Mallory has stopped draining the life force out of her post-apocalypse?

If you haven’t started asking it yet, join me know… Is everything as it seems?

Conclusion: A Coven United

The entire season, it felt as though the Supreme and the Coven were always one step behind, each move they made countered by the warlocks and Michael. Finally tonight, the witches took the upper hand, taking the first shot. Their stand against the anti-Christ was not alone. With the resurrection of John Henry, the unity of magic is forged for the first time. In Coven, the Voodoo Queen and the Supreme united, even if only for a brief moment. “Traitor” saw the unity of not only the Voodoo Queen and the current Supreme, but also the Coven and the Warlocks – a unity that could be a threat to Michael. With the next episode titled “Sojourn”, this unity and moment of success may only be temporary.

Michael’s rage at the passing of those who were to ensure his rise to power could be a force Cordelia and the Coven are not prepared for. What is the outcome of angering the devil? Yet, couldn’t Michael bring both warlocks and Miriam Mead (Kathy Bates) back from hell? He brought Madison and Queenie, so it is plausible that he would and could do the same for those he lost. Yet, as we know in the future, Miriam the robot is made in the image of someone he lost long ago – so we know he doesn’t. But why?

“Traitor” was packed with old characters returning, answers and satisfying moments – yet there are still many questions that remain. With only 3 episodes left in the season, time is running out for all.

Have do you feel the season has been? Was that not the most satisfying conclusion yet? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!