Looking at the more central players this season, “Monsters Among Us” does a stellar job with introductions. In Elsa, Lange may have found her most delicious and dramatic role to date – and perhaps appropriately so, given that Freak Show is the actress’s last go-round on this Ryan Murphy carnival ride. Lange is such an asset to American Horror Story in that she can immediately command any part with emotion and gravitas, and Elsa proves no different. Though the character initially appears a little too ridiculous for her own good, Lange sets the record straight later in the episode, revealing Elsa as a deeply feeling woman with ungraspable dreams of Marlene Dietrich-level stardom. She also has more in common with the freaks she manages than she lets on, we find out.
Paulson is the star of the episode, however, creating two fascinating characters in Bette and Dot. Though it would be easy to attribute the ease with which we buy her appearance to some neat visual effects work, the actress’s graceful balancing act of a performance cannot be overlooked. Elsewhere, Peters does fine work as Jimmy, communicating his frustrations and warrior spirit in only a few scenes, and Kathy Bates makes a strong first impression as his mother, Cajun-accented bearded lady Ethel. The other freaks will almost certainly step up into the spotlight within the next few weeks, but there’s not a weak link in sight.
We’re in for a pretty wild ride this season, that much is clear. By planting its flag firmly in the 1950s with this premiere, Freak Show seems to be promising a more focused, serious season – and that’s completely fine as far as I’m concerned. If there’s one thing that past seasons have shown us, it’s that Murphy’s penchant for WTF shocks can easily overtake the storytelling, but he’s had ample time to figure out the formula at this point, and sticking in one time period should allow for a greater emphasis on plot.
As compared to past seasons, Freak Show is closest in tone and depth to Asylum, but it’s also very much its own beast. The jury is of course still out on it will be able to make as many insightful points about society as that previous high-water mark for the series, but the set-up seems conducive to a truly fascinating and unpredictable narrative.
If it can balance such a diverse cast of characters, a compelling story arc and genuine scares, American Horror Story: Freak Show could prove to be the series’ most spectacular act yet. “Monsters Among Us” is one hell of an opening, and Murphy has secured our attention. His next challenge will be proving that he deserves to keep it. And with oddities like Elsa and Twisty in the mix, something tells me that won’t be a problem.
