I try never to reveal major spoilers but I have to warn you, the only possible way to give this episode a fair review is to give away some major plot elements. FULL SPOILERS AHEAD. FALLING ROCKS. You’ve been warned…

After last week’s truly disappointing episode, I had zero expectations for “Edward Mordrake, Pt 2.” But there was a lot to like about this episode—and a bit to dislike. But overall it was a huge improvement in this Halloween two-parter. It started off just awful. First of all, the green mist. I just can’t deal with the neon green mist. It’s so hokey and completely ruins the ambiance for me. But really… if Mordrake were even slightly threatening, I’d deal with the cartoon toxic waste following at his feet. But he’s not. He goes from tent to tent collecting flashbacks in a montage that had me watching the clock. Look, flashbacks and backstory are obviously needed sometimes, but this was an extremely unambitious way of going about it. Developing a character, Mordrake, simply as a plot device to knock out the backstories of our major players in two straight episodes is lazy.

Having said that, the flashback of Elsa losing her legs in an insane German snuff film was the realest moment of terror I’ve felt since the beginning of this season. I’m often shocked at what FX can get away with, and the entirety of Elsa’s flashback, from her time as a dominatrix to the torture porn-esque loss of her legs was edgy as hell. I’m not sure that “AHS” has reached this level of edginess in years.

Meanwhile, out in the woods of Jupiter, Jimmy and Maggie stumble upon Twisty doing his general devious thing and right as Jimmy mentions calling the cops, Dandy sneaks up behind them and knocks them out. Next thing we know, we’re at the Dandy Carnival. All the children Twisty’s captured from previous episodes along with a tied up Jimmy are forced to watch as Dandy starts the “Saw the Lady in Half” illusion with Maggie. Only it’s clearly not going to be an illusion. Jimmy frees her in time and they all take off running as Dandy screams (in probably my favorite part of the episode) “You ruined my Halloween! You stupid girl! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate youuuuuuu!” He’s just the best and I’m not even being facetious. He absolutely makes this season for me.

Back at the freak show, there’s a very real moment where you think, “Wow, they might be killing off Jessica in the 4^th episode.” But she’s saved as Mordrake hears Twisty’s music and seeks him out. It’s at this point that we learn the super sad history of Twisty. A once beloved “simpleton” clown who was driven out of carnival life once the freaks started a rumor that he “did things with the kids.” After years of trying to continue entertaining only to be rejected and bullied, he became violent—first with himself (the mutilated jaw) and then with others. His flashback was sad, and terribly hard to watch. But after two episodes of waiting, we finally found out what the requirement is for Mordrake to drag you to hell…weeping pity. I was sad to see Twisty leave the “Freak Show” cast because I really loved the dichotomous complexity of his character, but he wasn’t being utilized properly so I think closing him out was a smart move. And plus, it made room for our new psychopathic clown… Dandy!

It took a little while, a bit of a slow burn transformation (which I truly loved, nothing wrong with slow burn), but finally! Dandy has made a full transformation. Dandy did it; he took the plunge and made his first human kill. And his maniacal laughter afterwards showed that he loved it. So… good for him! I’m excited to see what sort of fresh hell he unleashes on Jupiter. Twisty had boundaries but it doesn’t appear that Dandy does. So this should get weird.

What I loved: the edginess of Elsa’s backstory, the happy ending given to Twisty (I choose to perceive that as a happy ending: living amongst his kind for eternity, no longer a tortured soul), Dandy’s ‘Patrick Bateman’ transformation, and no musical number!

What needed improvement: the ridiculous way they chose to showcase everyone’s backstories, Emma Roberts’ acting, and the pacing—when it was slow it dragged like mad, when it moved quickly, it was like whiplash. The episode was all over the place, cutting from scene to scene to scene…a bit much at times.

What I disliked: wasn’t a fan of the completely out-of-the-blue and totally unnecessary appearance of Dell, also the season finale-like ending. That end was dissatisfactory on a few levels. It was schmaltzy as hell, but it also felt like the end of the season. Everything was wrapped up in a big, beautiful bow (with sappiness, to boot). Are we to believe the townsfolk are going to get along with the freaks now? Where do we go from here? It’s clear there is still plenty of conflict inside the big top, but is the external conflict over?

What did you think of ‘Edward Mordrake, Pt 2.’? How did you feel about the various deaths, rebirths, and transformations?