Usually after an episode of "American Horror Story," I would immediately start writing my recap. But after the second half of two-parter "I Am Anne Frank," I just needed to compose myself. The real Bloody Face was unmasked, but that wasn't even what got me. What really did it was the thought that this could be the beginning of the end of Sarah Paulson's Lana.
Maybe it's just my ever-growing love for Sarah Paulson that stemmed from Season 1 and became more apparent after every appearance. And then "Game Change" happened. And now, in the second season of "AHS," she has officially stolen my heart. Could Bloody Face really kill her? Better question: Could Bloody Face really kill her in the kill room from "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo"? Because, seriously, it looked like an exact replica.
Going into the episode, I knew Bloody Face was going to be revealed from various synopses. The moment Dr. Thredson and Lana walked through his apartment door, I just knew it was him. I was like, "Oh, come on, Zachary Quinto. Not you! No!" But it was. It was him. It's a good twist, I have to admit. Except does this make Thredson a supernatural being, as we know Bloody Face is alive and killing in the present? Or his is ghost killing? I can't wait to see that explanation if there ever comes one.
Apart from the identity of Bloody Face being unveiled, a lot of interesting things happened. Anne Frank's husband came into the asylum, bringing with him the fact that she is actually Charlotte Brown, a wife and mother apparently suffering from severe postpartum psychosis. The old super-8 film flashbacks were one of my favorite things the show has done, oddly enough. I loved the feel and atmosphere of them, and I found myself wanting more of them. Sister Jude ends up discharging her in the hope of her adjusting back to her normal life, but Anne/Charlotte returns and Arden feels the only solution is a lobotomy. Cinematic lobotomies (and real ones if I ever actually saw it in person) are one of my least favorite things, and I guess it's only appropriate "AHS" would feature one. Anne returns home, seemingly back in Charlotte mode, but underneath, she hasn't forgotten her "past."
Meanwhile, the conversation Kit and Grace held between their solitary rooms was pretty damn cute, and I don't think "cute" is a term thrown around much with regards to "American Horror Story." They're both waiting for their sterilization surgeries when Sister Mary opens Kit's door and lets him know that Jude changed her mind about his impending procedure. But, alas, Grace is left behind with her surgery looming just around the corner. Oh! But wait! What's that light coming from the other side of the door! God? No, son. Aliens! If you've been keeping up with my recaps, you'll know that the alien subplot is my least favorite thing ever. Sure, aliens easily fit into the "American Horror Story" universe, but I don't think they have any right to be in this season. Long story short: they probably impregnated Grace with an alien baby ... and she saw a pregnant Alma. Moving on.
Sister Jude is at her old tricks again. After dealing with a Nazi hunter, Anne Frank/Charlotte, and wickedness himself, Dr. Arden, she packs up her office and bolts ... to the bar, that is. She applies some lipstick and picks up a guy, waking up in his bed the next morning. I know this isn't saying much, but this is the most believable scenario in the show, because Jessica Lange totally could bag a much younger man! I'm just saying!
All in all, part two of "I Am Anne Frank" hit major high notes, changing the course of the season for the better. It was topped off by a deliciously creepy performance from Zachary Quinto. Chills ran down my body when Dr. Thresdon said, "Don't worry; she won't bite," and then placed the Bloody Face mask over his head, "I took her teeth." Yikes. You and me both, Sarah Paulson:
Stray Notes:
This was the first time I realized that it wasn't actually the face of Bloody Face we see but rather a mask. I thought it was his actual face! Ah-doy, Joey. Get it together.
Instead of taking monster-ized Shelley to the woods with the rest of the deformed creatures, Sister Mary takes her into town and leave her to torment school children! Yes, kids, let that image of a disfigured, boiled, and legless Chloe Sevigny sear into your brain. Have fun growing up!
Arden: And I'm very impressed that you managed to get her out into the woods all on your own.
Mary: You'd be surprised. She weighed very little.
Sister Jude's recount of how she had taken in a baby squirrel that she accidentally starved to death only to have her mother throw it in the trash was beautifully devastating in the way that a child is stricken with such disappointment, grief, and unintentional cruelty.
I have to seriously commend Alfonso Gomez-Rejon on the direction of the scene inside Thresdon's apartment. Completely and utterly unnerving.
Did the true identity of Bloody Face surprise you? What do you think will happen to Lana?
