American Horror Story (9×06) Episode 100 Review

For our review of the last episode of American Horror Story, click here.

Synopsis: With the horrors of the night behind them the survivors deal with the fallout of their choices. (IMDb)

Before getting into the semi-organized chaos that was last night’s episode, lets take a minute and praise American Horror Story. It’s not often that a series manages to reach 100 episodes and in some cases, it can be a painful process on the viewer as they watch a series limp across this finish line. American Horror Story falls just short of this pain threshold as it has provided just enough entertainment and twisted humor to be worth coming back for nine seasons (and a 10th) thus far.

The fact that it has been able to tell stories across different worlds featuring many unique characters that possess a connective thread is a true achievement. Sure, they’ve had major growing pains accompanied by forehead-slapping groans from its audience followed by “WTF?” and yet, we are still here each week in support of something that is truly different and pushes the line each season. There is vast admiration for a product that can consistently provide that emotional roller coaster. The trick to enjoying the ride is simply to let go and allow it to take you where it will. Here’s to 100 more episodes AHS! – just kidding – let’s hope it’s only 14 more.

All roads lead back to Camp Redwood.

Episode 100 kept the audience on its toes as it proceeded to time-jump from 1985 to 1989 and then back again. We are shown that Brooke has been denied her appeal resulting in her execution while Margaret has made an empire off of her horror-themed immersive experiences at previous locations of serial killers. Meanwhile in a brief flashback, we see that Trevor didn’t, in fact, die by Margaret’s hand and through his attempt to blackmail her she is able to turn the situation in her favor by forcing him to marry her in exchange for her wealth. This is so that he will never be able to testify against his spouse in court.

According to her amazing assistant, Courtney (R.I.P. Cricket), Booth’s business has reached its peak success providing a perfect scenario to sell the company. Margaret dismisses this in hopes to revitalize her venture by hosting a large music festival at Camp Redwood, which has been in the news once again as the location for more murders.

We understand this is possible, along with Trevor and Margaret, because Camp Redwood is haunted by those who have died there who now treat it as their hunting ground for wandering tourists and avid bird enthusiasts. Xavier and Montana have perfected the art of murdering these clueless victims while Ray seems to believe there is something more meant for their purpose of being trapped on the campgrounds. Chet, who is also among the dead at camp, is not bothered by his situation but is more focused on killing Margaret now that she has returned to camp to promote her music festival.

The other major portion of the episode dealt with The Nightstalker and Mr. Jingles. After a year on the road together murdering at will, Jingles expressed his displeasure with killing and walked away from what their life and into a completely new one while leaving Nightstalker to be apprehended by the police and placed on Death Row (alongside Brooke). Jingles’ new life allowed him to emerge as, Donald, a Videoshack employee with a wife, Lorraine (Tanya Clarke), and a newborn son, Bobby, who happily live in a corner of Alaska.

It’s only when The Nightstalker is released from prison by his Master and subsequently murders his wife that he is thrust back into the role of the killer known as Mr. Jingles. This is something that was painful to witness as Donald finally received the life that he had stolen from him by Margaret and now Nightstalker but his return to the keys and cowl was exciting to see as he will hopefully wreak havoc on the entire camp (which deserves it).

Brooke is also released from prison, albeit not from the Master, but by Donna Chambers who clearly looks to make amends for the events that her hubris had caused. Why she has waited this long, we hopefully will find out soon but for now, we are left to hope for an eventual Mr. Jingles/Brooke murder duo that will exact justice on Camp Redwood.

The story arc of Mr. Jingles has been impressive and left me guessing at each turn, a surprising feeling to undergo without anger or frustration with this season. So far, none of the characters have felt redeemable or even worthy of emotional investment besides him and the way they have now enabled his path of vengeance is something that has left me anticipating what is to come.

Everything is pointing towards a major confrontation at Camp Redwood – one that better not be cut short or rushed and will hopefully end with a satisfying conclusion for Jingles, Brooke and…..maybe Ray.

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Critics w/o Credentials

Trying my best to get all thoughts about TV and Film out of my head and onto the interweb.