American Horror Story: Freak Show Review – “Magical Thinking” (4×11)

And we're back! I barely remember where we left off, so thankfully the episode begins on a narrative curlicue to “two days ago”, when Stanley convinced Jimmy to give him his left hand by way of an ipecac-fueled fake emergency. (He takes both hands because duh.) I've already expressed my annoyance at Freak Show's continued insistence on double- and triple-tracing its narrative steps, and that holds true here, not just on the level of the opening scene here, but also on a macro-level, with “Magical Thinking” bringing the freaks back into conflict with the Jupiter police again-slash-still.

Fortunately there is new material in the episode as well, with Neil Patrick Harris showing up as traveling salesman/magician/general crazy person Chester. He's carting along a ventriloquist's dummy named Marjorie—it should come as no surprise that he talks to her like a real person, and that, by episode's end, she appears to him as an outright human, played pretty awesomely by Jamie Brewer. “Magical Thinking” is straight up weird, and given the title, “weird” is a place Freak Show hasn't gone to as often as you might expect. Harris jumps into the role with verve, and fits comfortably among the ensemble.

But the episode can be as weird as it wants—it doesn't change the fact that it meanders like crazy. The pacing of “Magical Thinking” is mind-boggling. Characters flit in and out in large chunks of story; large swaths of the episode are dedicated to Chester's backstory, which is doled out so slowly, in fits and starts, as to lose what little interest it held in the first place. So often, Freak Show is convinced of its own coolness, that it can just tell whatever story and its audience will eat it up (this also proves to be frustratingly true. We're trapped in a feedback loop of shit.). But it just keeps telling and telling, piling non-sequiturs miles high, loading on new characters and complications, but entirely forgetting to use these complications to add depth, dimension, or even simple narrative value to the season arc or any of its characters.

To be fair, “Magical Thinking” does resolve (or at least it hints at resolving) the relative lack of direction that has so far plagued Freak Show. The confrontation between the Jupiter police and the freaks toward the episodes end, while a retread of a retread of a plot point, does at least escalate said plot point. Now, will any of this have consequence come next Wednesday? It's basically a fifty-fifty proposition. But in the moment, it works.

In keeping with the abundant weirdness, Chester finds himself a pawn in Bette and Dot's suddenly very urgent quest to lose their virginity to, well, anyone who is willing. It's a super bizarre story, with plenty of (unintentionally) hilarious exchanges, such as this brilliant gem: “I said kiss me, not lick me!” “But I am French!” Raucously funny as shit like this is, you'll be forgiven for finding the whole enterprise pretty gross. The idea of the twins as moon-eyed romantics is one that's been with us since the premiere, but “Magical Thinking” puts a pretty icky spin on it that feels pretty unnecessary to me.

And yet, this week's episode does the one thing that American Horror Story consistently excels at: having a batshit crazy awesome final five minutes that means, damn it, I can't wait to tune in next week. First of all: the final scenes of “Magical Thinking” confirm my theory that Dandy's presence correlates with awesomeness, as when the episode drops the twins' nonsense and has Dandy take an interest in Chester, it's a much needed jolt of excitement. Desiree's confrontation of Dell is one of the more emotionally charged episode's of the season, and hot damn, that final shot (pun intended) is great. Kudos to Jessica Lange—she brings Elsa to life this week in a way that I don't know she or the writers have managed so far. In terms of emotional consequences, Ma Petite's death has paid dividends, and that's a pattern that seems likely to continue.

There isn't really much more to say at this point. You know exactly what you're getting with Freak Show, and “Magical Thinking” has the same strengths and the same weaknesses the season has displayed all along. So, you know, in other words it's business as usual: glimmers of excitement, the occasional genuine moment of pathos, and a lot of unnecessary shit to slog through in between. Welcome back!

Stray Observations:

• Tight close ups of Evan Peters's face all day long, please and thank you.
• “My friend Myrna was at that Tupperware party.” Only on American Horror Story, folks.
• Denis O'Hare is fantastic in the opening scene, chewing scenery and shouting with crazy, elongated-vowel-fueled manic glee. I wish Stanley was more firmly planted in the villain role, but that would require more narrative discipline than Freak Show is capable of deploying at this point.
• This episode was so close to 6.5ish territory, but I let myself be swayed by the last ten or so minutes, even if I know I'm just gonna be burned down the line.