Great Again
- Episode aired Nov 14, 2017
- TV-MA
- 44m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
3.2K
YOUR RATING
Kai sets his master plan into motion as Ally's true intentions are revealed. Ally reveals the truth to Kai.Kai sets his master plan into motion as Ally's true intentions are revealed. Ally reveals the truth to Kai.Kai sets his master plan into motion as Ally's true intentions are revealed. Ally reveals the truth to Kai.
Cheyenne Jackson
- Dr. Rudy Vincent
- (credit only)
Billie Lourd
- Winter Anderson
- (credit only)
Alison Pill
- Ivy Mayfair-Richards
- (credit only)
Annie Ngosi Ilonzeh
- Erika
- (as Annie Ilonzeh)
Monique Asai Blanchard
- Hostess
- (as Monique Blanchard)
Featured reviews
I think it's awesome that the pilot episode of this season was what finally killed Charles Manson. However, I believe Evans character was based more upon Waco with a bit of Manson, Jones, etc. thrown in. Even more upsetting is having any form of entertainment go far beyond a bit of political satire (which is perfectly fine and expected from comedy shows typically such as Laugh-In, SNL, Fridays, Second City TV, and any others I might have missed) HOWEVER this entire season was nothing but more Hollywood attempting to continue its mission of. Rainwashing by insisting that Trump is evil and Hillary is not. Handled differently by a different show...THAT premise would be historically funny! But on top of Hollywood's insistence that anyone watching movies or TV MUST be exposed to homosexual lifestyles and intimate sexual moments. And before anyone complains about my 'narrow mindedness'. I have no need or desire to see anyone having intercourse, full frontal nudity, and all those other pointless skin scenes thrown in just to get the actor more money, and the director a 'reputation', and to push the envelope of what is NEEDED to make an excellent piece of entertainment. I'm no prude and enjoy heterosexual relations whenever possible, but I grew up in the decades from 1960-1980 that saw the rise of public pornography to Heorge Carolina famous sentence about the SEVEN words you can't say on TV. However, although the words he mentions are mostly now permitted. There are far MORE words that can not be said on TV because of all the nonsensical and idiotic ideas of this new thing called Political Correctness. Now THAT is what's TRULY obscene.
This season was nothing but another of propaganda exhibits since season 5 with Hotel. Now that the wonderful Jessica Lange returning to the show might help it recover from how far it has strayed from being a season of different horrorific situations from Murder House thru Freak Show. Supposedly, this new season will be a tie in or tie together multiple seasons that CAN be tied together in a well thought out manner. For example...Asylum has Pepper, then we see her again in Freak Show as well as how Elsa Marrs found her and added her to her troupe. Will something like that be tied together somehow? Not sure since the years shown don't quite match up. UNLESS Asylum chronologically comes after Freak Show which was set in the 1950s. If yes, that means Pepper was rescued from the orphanage by Elsa, did her time with Elsa and the Show. But then after that ended Pepper somehow wound up in an Asylum in NY in the 1960s and hasn't aged a day. Just as long as this new season isn't more politically motivated crap as in the last few seasons.
This season was nothing but another of propaganda exhibits since season 5 with Hotel. Now that the wonderful Jessica Lange returning to the show might help it recover from how far it has strayed from being a season of different horrorific situations from Murder House thru Freak Show. Supposedly, this new season will be a tie in or tie together multiple seasons that CAN be tied together in a well thought out manner. For example...Asylum has Pepper, then we see her again in Freak Show as well as how Elsa Marrs found her and added her to her troupe. Will something like that be tied together somehow? Not sure since the years shown don't quite match up. UNLESS Asylum chronologically comes after Freak Show which was set in the 1950s. If yes, that means Pepper was rescued from the orphanage by Elsa, did her time with Elsa and the Show. But then after that ended Pepper somehow wound up in an Asylum in NY in the 1960s and hasn't aged a day. Just as long as this new season isn't more politically motivated crap as in the last few seasons.
An absolutely stupid politically biased season. Some episodes completely lose the sense of the story. I'm not even talking about numerous plot holes and illogical characters' behavior. Well all in all they shouldn't have gone there. No wonder this season has the worst ratings. Just stick with haunted mansions and other paranormal stuff, you're doing it much better.
Ally Mayfair (Sarah Paulson) tries to move on with her life after Donald Trump wins the elections. But their fears are coming back to life when a cult starts a real massacre with political reasons.
No one was expecting a lot of this season after the announcements that it were given to promote the show, it seems to be a very political season. And yeah, it may be deeply a political commentary about fear but it's also a lot more. This season is by far one of the best seasons of the show. The cast is great and the two leading characters played by Evan Peters and Sarah Paulson are stunning, they gave an Emmy worthy performance.
The horror in this season is realism, it doesn't have supernatural creatures and that makes the season better, if you die here, you won't come back, never. There are stakes at risk in this season and the twists and turns shock me. This is a good season.
The only problem I got with this season is the ending. I felt that it was a little bit rushed, but it was a great season after all.
The highlights on the acting department this season are Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Leslie Grossman, Adina Porter and Billie Lourd. This season gets 9 out of 10
No one was expecting a lot of this season after the announcements that it were given to promote the show, it seems to be a very political season. And yeah, it may be deeply a political commentary about fear but it's also a lot more. This season is by far one of the best seasons of the show. The cast is great and the two leading characters played by Evan Peters and Sarah Paulson are stunning, they gave an Emmy worthy performance.
The horror in this season is realism, it doesn't have supernatural creatures and that makes the season better, if you die here, you won't come back, never. There are stakes at risk in this season and the twists and turns shock me. This is a good season.
The only problem I got with this season is the ending. I felt that it was a little bit rushed, but it was a great season after all.
The highlights on the acting department this season are Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Leslie Grossman, Adina Porter and Billie Lourd. This season gets 9 out of 10
"Great Again," the eleventh and final episode of American Horror Story: Cult, directed by Bradley Buecker, serves as a climactic and provocative conclusion to a season deeply entrenched in sociopolitical commentary and psychological horror. This episode ambitiously dissects the misogynistic political patriarchy embodied by Kai Anderson while charting a narrative arc of empowerment, survival, and resistance through Ally Mayfair-Richards' transformation from a fearful victim to a formidable political force. The episode balances graphic violence, tense confrontation, and thematic resolution with a strong undercurrent of dark satire.
The episode opens in a maximum-security prison where Kai Anderson, portrayed with chilling charisma by Evan Peters, remains a self-styled "Divine Ruler." Disturbingly, Kai maintains considerable influence even behind bars, manipulating guards and orchestrating brutal violence, including the graphic removal of a prisoner's face to maintain his intimidating persona. This visceral, horrific imagery establishes the episode's tone of unrelenting menace. Simultaneously, Kai's mental state reflects growing paranoia, portrayed through hallucinations of Charles Manson, further underlining his psychological unraveling.
Parallel to Kai's incarceration, Ally's narrative takes on a more assertive trajectory. The storyline follows Ally and Ivy's fractured relationship, Ally's role in collaborating with the FBI against Kai, and her emerging political ambitions culminating in a Senate run focused on combating patriarchal tyranny and cult violence. The episode's centerpiece is a high-stakes political debate where Ally confronts entrenched sexism and hostile opposition with strategic poise and defiance. This sequence, richly acted by Sarah Paulson, crystallizes the season's themes of resistance and empowerment, symbolizing Ally's evolution into a resilient figure empowered by her trauma and judgment.
The episode skillfully weaves tension with biting social critique. The depiction of Kai's "Night of 100 Tates," a planned mass killing of pregnant women symbolizing oppressive patriarchal control, serves as a chilling metaphor for violent misogyny and extremist rage. The narrative's violent climax involves a coordinated FBI raid led by Ally and culminates in a bloody shootout, further stressing the brutal consequences of fanaticism. Ally's refusal to be reduced to victimhood and the portrayal of her survival and defiance carve a compelling counter-narrative to Kai's destructive path.
Bradley Buecker's direction is taut and atmospheric, balancing rapid, chaotic action sequences with intimate character moments. The cinematography utilizes stark contrasts between prison's claustrophobic, dimly lit spaces and the polished, public arenas of political debate, visually accentuating the duality of power and vulnerability central to the narrative. The editing maintains a steady rhythm that heightens suspense while allowing emotional beats to resonate effectively, especially in scenes of confrontation and revelation.
Performances are a major strength of the episode. Evan Peters' portrayal of Kai remains haunting, oscillating between menacing manipulator and deluded visionary. Sarah Paulson delivers a nuanced, multifaceted performance embodying Ally's complexities as a survivor and leader. Alison Pill as Ivy conveys conflicting loyalties and moral ambiguity, while Billie Lourd's Winter and Colton Haynes' Detective Samuels provide layered supporting roles that deepen the narrative fabric.
Thematically, "Great Again" probes patriarchal power structures, the allure of cult leadership, and the complexities of victimhood and agency. It critically examines how misogyny fuels political and social oppression and the capacity for resistance to emerge from trauma. The episode's title, invoking political slogans, underscores its biting critique of contemporary American political culture and the resurgence of reactionary ideologies.
Within a broader cultural and cinematic context, the episode continues American Horror Story's tradition of blending horror with socio-political allegory. It engages with historical and modern notions of cult violence, misogyny, and political extremism, positioning itself as a timely reflection on the sociopolitical climate of its era. Its intertextual references-from Charles Manson to modern feminist discourse-enhance its relevance and depth.
Through a blend of horror, political allegory, and compelling performances, the season finale offers a sobering meditation on power, violence, and resilience. While the season as a whole has been polarizing, this finale stands out for its focused narrative and thematic ambition, challenging viewers to confront uncomfortable realities about the cyclical dangers of fanaticism and the enduring strength of those who resist it. It leaves audiences with a stark reminder that the fight against oppression, whether personal or political, is ongoing and complex.
The episode opens in a maximum-security prison where Kai Anderson, portrayed with chilling charisma by Evan Peters, remains a self-styled "Divine Ruler." Disturbingly, Kai maintains considerable influence even behind bars, manipulating guards and orchestrating brutal violence, including the graphic removal of a prisoner's face to maintain his intimidating persona. This visceral, horrific imagery establishes the episode's tone of unrelenting menace. Simultaneously, Kai's mental state reflects growing paranoia, portrayed through hallucinations of Charles Manson, further underlining his psychological unraveling.
Parallel to Kai's incarceration, Ally's narrative takes on a more assertive trajectory. The storyline follows Ally and Ivy's fractured relationship, Ally's role in collaborating with the FBI against Kai, and her emerging political ambitions culminating in a Senate run focused on combating patriarchal tyranny and cult violence. The episode's centerpiece is a high-stakes political debate where Ally confronts entrenched sexism and hostile opposition with strategic poise and defiance. This sequence, richly acted by Sarah Paulson, crystallizes the season's themes of resistance and empowerment, symbolizing Ally's evolution into a resilient figure empowered by her trauma and judgment.
The episode skillfully weaves tension with biting social critique. The depiction of Kai's "Night of 100 Tates," a planned mass killing of pregnant women symbolizing oppressive patriarchal control, serves as a chilling metaphor for violent misogyny and extremist rage. The narrative's violent climax involves a coordinated FBI raid led by Ally and culminates in a bloody shootout, further stressing the brutal consequences of fanaticism. Ally's refusal to be reduced to victimhood and the portrayal of her survival and defiance carve a compelling counter-narrative to Kai's destructive path.
Bradley Buecker's direction is taut and atmospheric, balancing rapid, chaotic action sequences with intimate character moments. The cinematography utilizes stark contrasts between prison's claustrophobic, dimly lit spaces and the polished, public arenas of political debate, visually accentuating the duality of power and vulnerability central to the narrative. The editing maintains a steady rhythm that heightens suspense while allowing emotional beats to resonate effectively, especially in scenes of confrontation and revelation.
Performances are a major strength of the episode. Evan Peters' portrayal of Kai remains haunting, oscillating between menacing manipulator and deluded visionary. Sarah Paulson delivers a nuanced, multifaceted performance embodying Ally's complexities as a survivor and leader. Alison Pill as Ivy conveys conflicting loyalties and moral ambiguity, while Billie Lourd's Winter and Colton Haynes' Detective Samuels provide layered supporting roles that deepen the narrative fabric.
Thematically, "Great Again" probes patriarchal power structures, the allure of cult leadership, and the complexities of victimhood and agency. It critically examines how misogyny fuels political and social oppression and the capacity for resistance to emerge from trauma. The episode's title, invoking political slogans, underscores its biting critique of contemporary American political culture and the resurgence of reactionary ideologies.
Within a broader cultural and cinematic context, the episode continues American Horror Story's tradition of blending horror with socio-political allegory. It engages with historical and modern notions of cult violence, misogyny, and political extremism, positioning itself as a timely reflection on the sociopolitical climate of its era. Its intertextual references-from Charles Manson to modern feminist discourse-enhance its relevance and depth.
Through a blend of horror, political allegory, and compelling performances, the season finale offers a sobering meditation on power, violence, and resilience. While the season as a whole has been polarizing, this finale stands out for its focused narrative and thematic ambition, challenging viewers to confront uncomfortable realities about the cyclical dangers of fanaticism and the enduring strength of those who resist it. It leaves audiences with a stark reminder that the fight against oppression, whether personal or political, is ongoing and complex.
Season 7 - Cult
Unexpected
The most original and unpredictable season so far. The first few episodes I was on the verge of giving up. It balanced on the edge of boring and I thought it was a cheap horror that totally misses the mark, but soon it turned out that my premature conclusions totally missed the mark and that there was something much more complex before me, which would not have occurred to me.
Under the guise of a silly horror cliché, the stage was set for an excellent social satire with phenomenal characterization and constant unexpected twists. Although it is not horror in the classic sense of the genre, this season is a mirror of the horror in which we live. "Cult" delivers a story that is fundamentally strong and impressive and I can't wait to see if the writers manage to surpass her in the following seasons.
8,5/10.
Unexpected
The most original and unpredictable season so far. The first few episodes I was on the verge of giving up. It balanced on the edge of boring and I thought it was a cheap horror that totally misses the mark, but soon it turned out that my premature conclusions totally missed the mark and that there was something much more complex before me, which would not have occurred to me.
Under the guise of a silly horror cliché, the stage was set for an excellent social satire with phenomenal characterization and constant unexpected twists. Although it is not horror in the classic sense of the genre, this season is a mirror of the horror in which we live. "Cult" delivers a story that is fundamentally strong and impressive and I can't wait to see if the writers manage to surpass her in the following seasons.
8,5/10.
Did you know
- TriviaKai's (Evan Peters) character and this season is based loosely on the idea of notorious cult leader Charles Manson. Manson died five days after the airing of this episode.
- GoofsThis season takes place in Michigan. However, the background for the news anchor announcing election results shows Chicago. Chicago news stations wouldn't usually give air time for the results of a Michigan senatorial race, particularly if it doesn't have impact on Illinois or have significance at a national level.
- Quotes
Beverly Hope: If she turned down Lana Winters, why would she talk to Rachel fucking Maddow.
Details
- Runtime
- 44m
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 16:9 HD
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