American Horror Story: 1984 Episode 5 Review: "Red Dawn" Felt Very Much Like A Season Finale

We're five episodes into "AHS: 1984". The FX show was created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. It features their usual trope of core actors. Missing this time around are Sarah Paulson and Evan Peters. They're probably taking some well deserved tmie off.

Here's the basic setup:

A woman named Margaret Booth (Leslie Grossman) plans to reopen Camp Redwood. It was the site of a horrific 1970 massacre by Vietnam vet Benjamin Richter (aka Mr Jingles). He is played by the always wonderful John Carroll Lynch. Margaret barely escaped with her life (but missing an ear). Several young people who drive out from LA will serve as counselors.They arrive before the kids The group may not have as good a time as they hope. Margaret is a Bible thumper and stickler for the rules. The other main characters include:

Brooke (Emma Roberts)- a goody two shoes. She heads to the camp in order to try to escape The Night Stalker (who previously attacked her in her home). Will she be the final girl? Odds are not very good now since she had sex (for the first time) with Ray. In slasher movies sex=death.
Montana (Billie Lourde)- a free spirited aerobics instructor
Xavier (Cody Fern)- another aerobics instructor
Trevor (Matthew Morrison, from another Murphy property "Glee")- the camp's activities director
Chet (Gus Kenworthy)- his dreams of Olympic gold are shattered when he tests positive for steroids. He hs been wandering aimlessly since then.
Ray (LeRon)- friends with Chet.
Nurse Rita (Angelica Ross)

We later learn there are not one but TWO killers-- Mr Jingles and Richard Ramirez (aka The Night Stalker). He was a real serial killer who in the mid 80s in California offed 13 people and tried to kill another five. He's a truly horrifying individual. Here he is played by Zach Villa.

As the season unfolds, we learn that everyone is concealing lots of secrets. Chet and Ray try to escape but end up in a hole. Chet has a bamboo stake through his shoulder. Ray confesses to having accidentally killed someone in college. He climbs out of the pit and abandons Chet. Ray heads off on a motorcycle but is decapitated by Mr Jingles.

Nurse Rita is not Rita at all. Her name is Donna Chambers. She is a psychologist who released Mr Jingles from the asylum. She wants to observe him in his natural environment (ie Camp Redwood). We later learn that Donna's father was a serial killer. She may have more darkness in here than she cares to acknowledge.

Margaret encounters Richard. She calmly listens as he goes on about being wronged by the world and is thus justified in killing people. Margaret suggest he use God as an excuse. Margaret is too cool...so obviously something is up.

It turns out Ramirez and Montana previously had a thing (after he killed someone in her aerobics class). She wants him to kill Brooke because... at their wedding Brooke's husband-to-be went crazy and killed everyone, Her brother (who was best man) was killed as well.

Jingles and Rairez have a battle in the woods. Jingles kills Ramirez ala Jason style. He picks him up and stabs his head through a tree branch. Is Richard out? Nope. Rita later sees him floating mid air. He has been resurrected by Satan. Uh oh.

In another shocking turn of events, Jingles encounters Margaret and finds out he did not kill anyone in the 1970s. It was MARGARET. She murdered everyone for bullying her and pinned it on Ben. Since he has so many drugs and shock therapy in the hospital, Ben began to believe the stories. Margaret shoots Ben a few times. Is he dead? Trevor arrives and she shoots him as well (and blames Jingles). Of course Jingle's body disappears. He is apparently resurrected by Satan via Richard (I think).

Next Margaret offs Xavier. Then she and Chet go in a boat to find help. But nope, she attaches him to an anchor and throws Chet overboard.

Brooke eventually finds out the truth about Montana. She roll around trying to kill each other. Brooke gets the upper hand. While she's stabbing Montana, a bus full of campers arrives. That's a lot of eye witnesses. Margaret sees the "goings" on and stabs herself in the leg. She runs out screaming Brooke killed everyone.

Brooke is hauled off by the police. Ramirez and Ben steal a police car and head towards LA. Meanwhile the ghosts of Jonas (1970s camp counselor), Ray and Montana are just hanging around at the camp. So if you are killed on camp property are you tied to the site for eternity?

Grade: 4 1/2 Monsters (out of 5). I've enjoyed what I've seen thus far. 80's teen slashers are right up my alley. Thus far the show has paid homage to a number of classic horror films. Mr Jingles release from the psych hospital is very reminiscent of "Halloween". The camp setup is of course the same as "Friday The 13th".  There have been lots of fun twists and turns.

But, as I mentioned earlier, "Red Dawn" feels very much like a season finale. Where do we go from here? There are 9 episodes this season (so 4 more to go). Will the ghosts be involved as with "Murder House"? Will they start a whole new story? Will Richard and Jingles terrorize LA? It's anyone's guess. If "1984" follows the typical "AHS" pattern, the finale will be weak. It seems like they realize it's time to quit and throw something together. I've always loved "AHS". I just hope they can stick the finale for a chance. If not, it undoes many of the great characters and stories that have been created throughout the rest of the season.