Magical Thinking

The whole filler episode sub plot with the killer doll and crazy guy being the main focus before the finale was a mistake, this would have been acceptable earlier in the season not at the episodes that are setting up for the finale, I really hate the placement of these two episodes right before the finale killing all or really any excitement left for it

"Magical Thinking," the eleventh episode of American Horror Story: Freak Show, directed by Michael Goi and written by Jennifer Salt, navigates the intertwining themes of delusion, desperation, and the search for identity within the collapsing world of Elsa Mars's carnival. Marked by a blend of psychological horror and dark humor, this episode introduces Neil Patrick Harris as Chester Creb, a delusional ventriloquist whose arrival adds a fresh but unsettling energy to the season's escalating chaos.

The episode opens by reintroducing Elsa's relentless pursuit of fame and stability. Jessica Lange portrays Elsa with her customary mix of theatrical grandeur and raw vulnerability, as she negotiates new deals and contemplates relocating to Hollywood. Elsa's desire for reinvention and control is poignantly juxtaposed with the deteriorating state of the Freak Show and the losses the characters have suffered. Lange's performance here oscillates brilliantly between commanding diva and desperate survivor, embodying the episode's central tension between illusion and harsh reality.

Chester's arrival brings a compelling new layer to the carnival's dynamics. Played with eerie innocence and creeping menace by Neil Patrick Harris, Chester's relationship with his ventriloquist dummy Margery (voiced by returning series actress Jamie Brewer) is chillingly ambiguous, blurring lines between mental illness and supernatural possession. Chester's unsettling behavior and the puppet's sinister suggestions inject tension and unpredictability into the narrative. His interactions with the Siamese twins, Bette and Dot (Sarah Paulson), who serve as his assistants, are charged with a complex mix of humor, desire, and latent danger, particularly as Chester's mental state deteriorates.

Meanwhile, the episode follows Jimmy Darling's (Evan Peters) ongoing struggle for freedom, heightened by the alliance between Amazon Eve (Angela Bassett) and Dell Toledo (Michael Chiklis), who execute a violent plan to liberate Jimmy from captivity. The brutality of this rescue mission, including Dell's lethal confrontation with law enforcement officers, is visceral and impactful, underscoring the season's recurring themes of loyalty, violence, and the lengths to which these marginalized individuals must go to survive. Peters conveys Jimmy's physical pain and emotional turmoil with raw intensity, further grounding the show's more outlandish elements in genuine humanity.

Maggie Esmeralda's (Emma Roberts) growing suspicions about Stanley's (Denis O'Hare) manipulations reach a boiling point, advancing critical plotlines about betrayal and survival. Elsa's reaction to Maggie's revelations and her own impending loss of control illuminate the precariousness of power in the freak show world. The writing here captures the inhabitants' fraught attempts to hold onto a semblance of order amid encroaching anarchy.

Visually, "Magical Thinking" stands out for Michael Goi's atmospheric direction, employing a muted color palette punctuated by surreal lighting and meticulous composition. The episodes balance scenes of claustrophobic tension with moments of gallows humor, manipulating space and shadow to emphasize the characters' isolation and psychological fragility. The editing supports the story's fragmented narrative, weaving between character-driven moments and suspenseful developments smoothly.

The script weaves complex emotional and thematic strands-madness, control, identity, and the corrupting desire for fame-while maintaining narrative propulsion. Chester's character offers a fresh perspective on insanity and companionship, introducing philosophical questions about agency and delusion, whereas Elsa's arc confronts aging and obsolescence in an unforgiving world. The interactions among characters highlight the fragile bonds of family and community forged in adversity.

Performances across the board elevate the episode. Harris's unsettling yet endearing Chester is a standout, deftly balancing creepiness and sympathy. Sarah Paulson remains emotionally resonant as the dual twins, with particularly evocative scenes showcasing their contrasting desires and vulnerabilities. Lange's portrayal of Elsa continues to captivate, revealing complex layers beneath the showgirl's mask. Supporting cast members maintain strong portrayals that enrich the intricate tapestry of relationships and tensions.

Critically, "Magical Thinking" received generally positive reviews, praised for its introduction of an intriguing new character and the blend of horror and dark humor, though some pointed to a slight loss of momentum in the broader season arc. The episode's tonal shifts-from eerie and suspenseful to bizarrely humorous-are typical of American Horror Story's eclectic style, appealing to enthusiasts of its genre-bending approach.

Contextually, the episode fits within the series' broader engagement with themes of insanity and spectacle, drawing on ventriloquism and puppet folklore as metaphors for control and fractured identity. Chester's storyline echoes motifs present in classic horror and psychological thrillers, while the episode's set pieces and character dynamics reflect the overarching narrative of marginalization and survival.

"Magical Thinking" is a compelling blend of psychological horror, dark comedy, and emotional depth that revitalizes Freak Show as it nears its climax. By introducing a fascinating and unsettling new character in Chester and advancing critical plotlines with strong performances and evocative direction, the episode challenges viewers to reconsider notions of madness, loyalty, and identity within an extraordinary world under siege. It leaves audiences anticipating a gripping finale while offering a thoughtful meditation on the fragility and resilience of those living on society's edges.

Stanley lures Jimmy and offers to hire a defense lawyer, but Jimmy has no money. Stanley tells him that he knows a collector that would pay lots of money for one of his hands and Jimmy accepts the deal, but Stanley removes both and Jimmy wakes up in the hospital. Dell visits his son and feeds him, and they decide to buy the Freak Show from Elsa. Dot and Bette decide to have sex for the first time and try to select one man to deflower them. The traveling salesman arrives at the camp to sell chameleons and offer a magic act. He shows Elsa his presentation, including the ventriloquist dummy Margery, but she does not get excited. But when he says that he is a good accountant, she hires him to help her. He invites Dot and Bette to be his assistants. When they hit on him, he recalls what happened to his wife and her girlfriend. When Margery disappears from her trunk, Chester looks for her and meets Dandy instead. Dell and Amazon Eve decide to release Jimmy from the jail and attack his transportation and Dell kills two guards. Soon the police arrive at the camp to search for Jimmy. Maggie asks Elsa to come with her to see something and she hears Dell's confession to Desiree that he killed Ma Petite, smothering her.

"Magical Thinking" is the antepenultimate episode of the Fourth Season of "American Horror Story" where another insane arrives in the show. And the worst, buying the Freak Show from Elsa. The guy is completely unbalanced and disturbed with his dummy Margery. Chester and Dandy together seem to be very dangerous. Dell had what he deserved, but Jimmy now is a wanted handless freak, and his father is gone. How the deaths of the police officers will be resolved it will be interesting. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Magical Thinking"

It makes no sense to introduce a new character when the show's about to end. Neil Patrick Harris always seems like he's performing when he acts. Like he's on the verge of breaking into song. He's horrible here, and having so much time cramming in his backstory, right after meeting him, is really lame. Meanwhile, the Jimmy story is much better. Sadly, that's the b-story.