AMERICAN HORROR STORY: APOCALYPSE (S8E8) “Sojourn”: A Filler Episode Lacking Creativity & Interest

After the immensely satisfying and intense conclusion following the end of “Traitor” last week, I was overwhelmingly excited to dive into “Sojourn” only to find myself supremely disappointed with the lack of progression it presented. With only two episodes remaining and many unanswered questions, doubt that a satisfying conclusion might be on the horizon is starting to form.

While this may seem dramatic, there is still a vast amount of information left to present to audiences both before and after the bomb drops bringing annihilation to the world. Never mind the past leading up to the future, there is still the present – the witches confronting Michael – to resolve as well. “Sojourn” did live up to the definition of temporary it carries, though not as was assumed or speculated. It was not a temporary reprieve for the witches following their strike on Michael (Cody Fern), but instead the absence of Miriam Mead (Kathy Bates) in Michael’s life.

The “Upside Down” World of Christianity

“Sojourn” was a Michael centric episode, inching us forward ever so slightly – a means of reintroducing Ms. Mead and giving Michael his launchpad to finish he rise to power. Having vowed to kill every member of the Coven for the deaths of his comrades (as well as the spell hiding their souls), Michael wanders into the woods, lost both physically and metaphorically. Drawing a satanic circle and calling upon his devilish father, Michael cries out for direction, refusing to move forward unless some confirmation of his presence and direction is provided.

There has been an inundation of satanic media in recent weeks – i.e. American Horror Story, Halloween and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. A part of me wonders if it is Hollywood’s intention to saturate TV and theaters with forms of the devil as the US elections draw closer – especially as many see the current leader as the devil incarnate. Coincidental – probably, but the observation is worth mentioning.

Beyond a political viewpoint, the rampant examples of satanism – specifically AHS and the recent reboot of Sabrina – continued the tired trope of presenting Satanism as turning the Church upside on its head. It literally feels like Satanism is the “upside down” world of Christianity. There is no originality, no modernization – just a dark mirrored image of the lighter side. It is a hand holding attempt to bring viewers into the world of Satanism by maintaining characteristics, beliefs and practices of the Church and turning them dark. Calling Satan “Father”, collection baskets, and creating a world before the son arises are some of the countless elements recycled in a hedonistic form. Its use sucks any air and movement out of this episode, leaving boredom and annoyance.

With Michael having a crisis of faith, praying to his “father” for a sign of his presence, announcing he would rather die in the woods if no sign is permitted, we reminded of the ancient text of the Bible. And much like the Christian Gospels and text of those wondering in crisis, lost, Michael too finds his way by following the signs and stumbling onto a church to provide him the direction he so desperately needs. Yet, while the similarities are eerily familiar, the use of them is over done and old.

The church of Satan Michael finds himself in is reminiscent of an exuberant TV broadcast Sunday Church program headlined by a charismatic preacher, in this case in the form of Sandra Bernhard (which was an awesome casting I might add). Overly underutilized as a cameo and a character, she calls out her clergy for the sins they have failed to commit, replacing the Christian held belief of doing good. She tells the congregation that they have not done enough to make the world a terrible place for Satan to arise within – coinciding and contradicting  with the Christian belief that Jesus will rise, saving the souls of those who had done good throughout their time on earth. He is coming, and yet they have failed him in preparation. Little do they all know, the antichrist is already here.

Satan Rises – Again

Sitting in the congregation, lost and unsure of his next step in fulfilling his destiny – a destiny Langdon is currently questioning  – an older woman named Madeline (Harriet Sansom Harris) notices his state and offers to bring him home and fix him a meal. Contradictory of the the preachers words of spreading evil deeds rather than good ones, she defends her kindness, “We all can’t be perfect”. While humorous at times, these obvious attempts to make the audience clear of the division between good and evil have quickly grown tiresome this episode, and as I notice we are only about half way through, disappointment sets in as the realization that nothing much has happened this episode.

While home, Madeline proclaims her loyalty to Satan and all the riches he has bestowed upon her for her devote loyalty – including the biggest perk: “Every Wednesday night, Brad Pitt comes over and f*cks me till the sun comes up. On Friday Nights I get Ryan Reynolds”. Literally, the best moment of the episode!

Trying to keep Langdon’s spirits up, she proclaims about the one who is to come, the one who will end the world – which shockingly Langdon announces to be himself. Sadly, the episode follows a predictable pattern from here with regards to Langdon (again) rising and proving himself the antichrist – once again I might add with a ritualistic slaughtering of the lamb (this time a social worker and a Doctor without Borders).

Yet, while he has found his followers and his church, there is still something missing from Langdon’s life…

More than one character returns tonight

“Sojourn” finally answered any remaking questions regarding Miriam Mead, both before and after the bomb. Stating his grief over the loss of Ms. Mead, Langdon is informed of a network of Satanic worshippers throughout the country, each different from the last. The woman knows of two gentleman who can bring his Ms. Mead back to hi. Bringing him to their facility, asking in return for only the hottest of hell fires to burn her soul in the afterlife. This was the the biggest and really only breakaway from the clichéd depiction of Satan and his followers – a motivation for why one would follow and sell ones soul (even if it is insane).

Viewers are whisked inside, before Langdon, revealing our two Satanic Silicon Valley geniuses: Mutt (Billy Eichner) and Jeff (Peter Evans), two nerdy biomechanics behind the leading innovations in robotics technology – whose coke addiction and business is kept in check by none other than Ms. Venable (Sarah Paulson)! Having pledged their souls to the devil, they have found wealth, success and nights with Veronica Secret models – though Thursday nights are saved for Ryan Reynolds (seriously, best joke of the night!). With a bit of convincing, they pledge themselves too Langdon as well, the antichrist risen to annihilate the earth, promising him the return of his Ms. Mead.

Conclusion: Two Episodes Remain

While they deliver, and Ms. Mead awakens, there is nothing more than disappointment as the credits begin to role. Sadly, this episode felt nothing more than filler; a need to keep the season at a 10 episode arc and a quick way to answer lingering questions. There is a tiredness within “Sojourn”, an inability to reinvent the Satanic image, instead presenting it on the coat tales of previous attempts, limping through with darkly recycled canon.

While there are still two episodes left of the season, as a viewer I felt robbed, not only of a meaty, intense episode, but of the vibe and feel that had been created through dedication thus far. I felt lost in the woods, doubting the existence of the shows creator Ryan Murphy. How could he have let this happen?

I hope that this was a fluke episode and the season does not putter out so dully – though with American Horror Story, nothing is really ever as it seems.