Show Stoppers

"Show Stoppers," the twelfth episode of American Horror Story: Freak Show, directed by Loni Peristere and written by Jessica Sharzer, serves as the penultimate chapter of the season, assembling loose narrative threads toward a crescendo of tension, revelation, and impending reckoning. This episode juxtaposes moments of theatrical celebration with brutal acts of justice and escalating paranoia, capturing the fractured carnival community as it teeters on the brink of collapse.

The episode opens amidst a lively party thrown in honor of Chester Creb (Neil Patrick Harris), newly installed as the owner of the freak show. This festivity, however, is shadowed by an ominous undercurrent as the troupe, including figures like Maggie Esmerelda (Emma Roberts), Paul the Illustrated Seal (Mat Fraser), Amazon Eve (Erika Ervin), Desiree Dupree (Angela Bassett), and the Tattler Twins (Sarah Paulson), unite in mounting tension against the manipulative Stanley (Denis O'Hare). The gift of the museum owner's severed head-a gruesome and symbolic gesture-sets a tone of violent retribution that runs through much of the episode.

Stanley's presence becomes increasingly precarious, culminating in a surreal yet darkly humorous punishment where he is strapped to a knife-throwing wheel operated by Elsa Mars (Jessica Lange). The ensuing succession of spinning blades metaphorically and literally represents Stanley's downfall and the reckoning of his betrayals. The scene is visually striking and tense, marked by Lange's powerful performance as Elsa oscillates between cold fury and her usual dramatic flair. The community's collective justice, while brutal, symbolizes a reclaiming of agency by those she deceived and abused.

Parallel to this, Jimmy Darling (Evan Peters) grapples with severe physical trauma, including the loss of his hands, compelling him toward a reluctant acceptance of his altered body and identity. His storyline is further enriched by the return of Massimo Dolcefino (Danny Huston), Elsa's old friend and an accomplished doctor, who endeavors to provide new wooden hands. This narrative of adaptation and resilience adds a poignant human dimension amid the carnage and chaos.

Chester's mental instability intensifies throughout the episode, especially in his interactions with the ventriloquist doll Marjorie, voiced by Jamie Brewer. The scenes where he hallucinates and eventually murders Marjorie blur the lines between reality and psychosis, adding layers of horror and tragedy to his character's arc. This portrayal foregrounds themes of madness and delusion, contrasting sharply with the more grounded struggles of other characters.

Dandy Mott (Finn Wittrock) continues to be a darkly charismatic and menacing force, providing a counterpoint to the chaos around him. His manipulations and sinister actions cast a long shadow over the troupe, further complicating the narrative's intricate web of conflict and desire.

Visually, "Show Stoppers" combines the gothic, decaying aesthetics of the carnival with high-energy sequences and moments of stark brutality. Cinematography emphasizes close-ups and dynamic movement, particularly during the knife wheel scene and the tense interactions among characters. The editing balances pacing effectively, building suspense while allowing emotional beats space to resonate.

The script manages an ambitious intertwining of plotlines, blending melodrama with horror and dark comedy. It invests in themes of justice, retribution, identity, and the costs of survival in a marginalized community. However, criticism has been leveled at the episode's rapid pacing and heavy reliance on spectacle, which some reviewers argue detract from deeper character development and emotional payoff.

Performances remain a key strength, with Jessica Lange delivering a commanding, multifaceted Elsa, Evan Peters showing vulnerability in Jimmy's struggle, and Neil Patrick Harris providing chilling nuance as the unraveling Chester. Jamies Brewer's voicing of Marjorie adds disturbing yet darkly humorous elements. The ensemble cast's interplay maintains narrative momentum and emotional tension.

Culturally, the episode reflects American Horror Story's ongoing engagement with themes of otherness, revenge, and the monstrous within everyday life, drawing from historical sideshow iconography and contemporary horror tropes. The communal violence against Stanley serves as a metaphor for marginalized communities reclaiming power, albeit through morally ambiguous means.

"Show Stoppers" is a dramatic and visually arresting penultimate episode that propels Freak Show's narrative toward its finale. Its blend of theatricality, brutality, and emotional complexity, supported by strong performances and evocative direction, underscores the season's exploration of survival, identity, and justice in a fractured world. While at times overwhelmed by spectacle, the episode challenges viewers to confront difficult questions about morality and resilience in the face of cruelty.

Elsa has a farewell dinner party with the freaks, Stanley, Maggie and Chester. Politely she asks Chester to leave the table, thanks Stanley and tells that she will project the film "Freaks". Stanley wants to leave, but Elsa gives a gift in a box to him. When he opens, he sees the head of the curator of the American Morbidity Museum Lillian Hemmings in a jar. He tries to flee from the freaks and tells them that Elsa killed Ethel, but they chase him. Elsa and Maggie visits Jimmy that is angry with the death of his father. However, Elsa tells him that Dell killed Ma Petite, and a true artist will make hands for him while Maggie tells him that she loves him, but he says that he will kill her as soon as possible. Els meets Massimo Dolcefino, who made her legs and will make Jimmy's new hands. Chester has sex with Dot and Bette and late has an argument with Margery. The freaks decide to kill Elsa, but Dot and Bette warn her. She meets Dandy in their tent, and he shows the dossier of Chester prepared by his private investigator. The twins tell Chester that they will not be their assistants anymore, but Maggie accepts the task. Chester rehearsal with Maggie sewing her in the magic box, but something happens. Elsa flees and she sells the Freak Show to Dandy.

"Show Stoppers" is the penultimate episode of "American Horror Story". The fate of Stanley is well deserved, but Maggie deserved a better one. Chester is totally insane and should be sent of the mental institution Briarcliff Manor or to the electric chair. Jimmy with lobster claws instead of human hands is kind of silly. Dandy owning the Freak Show is funny and looking forward to seeing what happens to him in the last episode. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Show Stoppers"

As with the first episode I watched of "American Horror Story" there was several things going on in this episode, that I didn't understand. previous plots came to an end as I was watching people been murdered and tortured with very little reason as to what they actually done (if anything) to deserve such treatment. I only watched the previous episode as a TV spot revealed the always brilliant Neil Patrick Harris had a guest spot, and since that episode ended with his travelling salesman/ventriloquist/wannabe magician purchasing the freak show, I tuned in again to the next episode.

Plot In A Paragraph: Dandy gives the Twins his information about Chester, who continues to unravel. The Freaks enforce their harsh code of justice.

The Chester (Neil Patrick Harris) storyline was easy enough to follow, as he is a new character, but I was a bit lost at times, and I'm not sure how the what Elsa did in her last scene will play out, in relation to her deal with Chester. However it certainly is compelling TV that I intend to check out from the beginning sometime soon.

I summed it up with my review of the previous episode and its the same for this one, its just bad and not a great placement given the next episode is the end of the season