AHS Freak Show: Episode 12 Recap: Give Me A Hand

AHS's penultimate episode entitled "Show Stoppers" continues Ryan's Murphy's trend of putting what should be the finale a few episodes before the actual end of the season. Of course I havent seen the last episode yet so I could be entirely wrong. But if the story goes off the rails next week, I will declare this the true ending of "Freak Show".

Better Enjoy Those Arms And Legs While Ya Can Stanley

We join the gang as they sit around the table. They're celebrating Elsa's making it big in Hollywood. Elsa suggests they watch the movie "Freaks" (which is what this season is based upon). If Stanley had seen the movie, he'd know to run like hell. I saw it as a teen and still havent gotten the images out of my head. Yep it's that distressing.

I Will Accept Tips Should They Be Offered, Just Saying

But I digress. I really enjoy the group scenes because "Freak Show" is best when all the freaks are together. They have a gift for Stanley. It's Lillian from the American Morbidity Museum. We'll, it's actually just her head. The jig is up. The freaks know Stanley had Ma Petite killed and dismembered Jimmy. They put him on the "Spinning Wheel of Death". He screams that Elsa killed Ethel but no one cares. They chase him around the circus grounds with knives, axes and other pointy objects. He hides under a trailer. That doesnt deter Legless Suzy or Paul. They crawl in too. Stanley, meet justice. Justice, meet Stanley.

Meanwhile Dot/Bette and Chester do the nasty. This time he doesnt let Marjorie participate so progress is being made (or is it?). Later he performs the "sawing a woman in half" trick but no one will agrees to be the victim. Dot/Bette refuse. Finally Maggie/Esmeralda volunteers. That is worse decision ever! So much for being a psychic. He locks her feet in place so she cant pull them up. Chester alternately hallucinates his wife, her lover and Marjorie. Maggie comes to a horrible end. I could have done without seeing her innards. I didnt think she would be killed that easily but whatever. Sorry Maggie, you never really grew on me.

Suddenly the freaks come to the realization that Stanley was telling the truth. Elsa did kill Ethel. Off they go to kill her. Dot/Bette help her escape in the nick of time. Mental Note: Dont make a bunch of freaks mad (especially after they've been drinking).

Remember Me? I'm Axe Man, Err I Mean Danny Huston, Err I mean Massimo

Elsewhere poor Jimmy is being taken care of by Elsa, Maggie (before she was cut in half) and Amazon Eve. Maggie wraps his stubs (in a cringe inducing scene). Jimmy is distraught but things are looking up...sorta. Elsa's personal prosthetic maker Massimo happens into camp at the perfect time. He has been searching for Elsa for decades (because he loves her). We see more cringe inducing WWII snuff film scenes. After Massimo bandaged Elsa up, he went looking for revenge. I thought that was a strange sequence until we learn who Massimo is pursuing. Elsa's assailant was Hans Gruper. Who cares, you may say. It turns out that Hans is none other than Dr. Arthur Arden from "Asylum" (and he's played by James Cromwell's real life son John). Shocking! This is the second connection between the two shows that we know of (the first being Pepper and Sister Mary Eunice).

It's Time For A Lobster Claw Smackdown

Back in 1950's Jupiter, Jimmy is told that Maggie is dead. How much tragedy can one poor guy take? His mother Ethel is killed by Elsa, his estranged father is AGAIN killed by Elsa (but in her defense he did kill Ma Petite), and his on again/ off again girlfriend is killed by Chester. Jimmy may have permanently checked out. I cant wait to see what damage he does next week with he new wooden lobster claws.

And Now I Own A Freak Show Too

Dandy buys "Fraulein Elsa's Cabinet of Curiosities" for $10,000. I guess we'll just forget about Chester being the owner? Chester is currently indisposed because he's at the police station hysterically reporting that he killed Marjorie (remember he stabbed her a gazillion times). Dandy thinks he's the king of the world now. He struts around camp surveying his realm. In the last scene we see Stanley in a cage. He's now a mini meep. The freaks have liberated him from his arms and legs. Now that is horrible! But he had it coming in spades.

Favorite Quotes:

"I know how the trick works."- Maggie before she is sawed in half (apparently you dont Maggie, apparently you dont).
"She had it coming. Steal her jewelry and bury the bitch."- Desiree after Maggie after her death.
"Im not in distress but I am in a rush."- Elsa to Dandy. She has to get out of town before the freaks catch up to her.
"Im a puppet."- Marjorie informing Chester that he's the one that killed his wife and her lover, NOT her. Cause she's just a puppet.

I Had Nothing To Do With Those Murders. Besides There Are No Puppet Prisons.

Grade: 4 Monsters (out of 5). FINALLY Stanley gets his just deserts. Maggie went much easier than I expected. Any predictions for next week? I hope Twisty comes back and kills everyone on the show except Legless Suzy, Paul, Lizard Girl and Dot/Bette. Everyone else can go (although there really arent that many people left to kill).