The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

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Come one, come all, ‘American Horror Story: Freak Show’ shocks and delights

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by Oleah Olaguera (contributor)

Warning: This article contains spoilers.

The new season of FX’s “American Horror Story: Freak Show” promises absolutely no shortages of the spooky, disturbing, and downright terrifying.

Set in 1952 in the small town of Jupiter, Florida, a band of circus performers struggle to survive amidst a town that doesn’t take too kindly to their presence.

At the same time, a series of murders begin to take place, thanks to a crazy, killer clown with a freakish mask who has a tendency to kidnap children.

Although the killer clown has nothing to do with the circus performers, tensions are high, and the townspeople are all too eager to place the blame for the murders on the circus.

Ring-mistress Elsa Mars (played by Jessica Lange) is willing to bet high stakes on the siamese twins Bette and Dot Tattler (both played by Sarah Paulson) to bring in the crowds.

But if there’s one thing seasoned “American Horror Story” fans know, it’s that nothing is as it seems, and everything only gets more complicated from here.

Out of all the seasons of “American Horror Story,” this season’s characters are probably the most intriguing, simply because they’re so diverse.

Producers Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk love to reuse their actors, as much as the fans love seeing them.

Aside from Lange and Paulson’s characters, there’s Jimmy “Lobster Boy” Darling (Evan Peters), whose fingers are fused together into lobster-shaped hands; and Jimmy’s mother, Ethel Darling (Academy Award winner Kathy Bates), also known as “The Bearded Lady.”

Other characters in the circus are the world’s largest woman; the world’s smallest woman (who can fit in a birdcage); a woman who only has her upper body, a man with deformed arms, and more.

Bette and Dot are by far the most interesting characters. Conjoined at the neck, they are forced to share one body. Yet, their personalities are so distinct and so perfectly portrayed by Paulson that it’s easy to see them as two individuals.

As for the season’s scare factor, it promises to be one that will definitely disturb many people.

Murphy and Falchuk certainly don’t shy away from making people uncomfortable, especially since this season is just as sexually and erotically-charged as the past three.

And if the idea of a killer clown doesn’t seem terrifying now, it probably will be after you watch this season.

Overall, “American Horror Story: Freak Show” looks to be an enticing and captivating addition to the series. With complicated characters and a twisted plot, there is much to look forward to in the coming episodes.
“American Horror Story: Freak Show” airs at 10 p.m. Wednesdays on FX.

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