This episode carries on from where the last one left off, continuing to tell the story. It returns to tell the history of ‘The Lost Colony’ and of the house. The show moves well into American Horror Story territory, being scary at times. In particular the scares became more real, moving away from hidden or disappearing dangers.
“The Loathsome Becomes Lethal”
Stuff gets real in this episode as the Miller’s continue to search for their lost niece. Shelby confronts Matt about the scene in the woods and comes face to face with The Pigman. This scene was a bit stereotypical, taking place in a bathroom, but was scarier than things that have happened thus far. The home-video star Dr Elias of an earlier episode (Denis O’Hare) comes to join the various stories of the house together, delves further into The Colony story, and reveals the power of the word we keep hearing ‘Croatoan’, which repels spirits. Yet his insight doesn’t last long as he is shot down. This is an episode of almosts as Flora is found in the company of seemingly harmless Pricilla but lost again. Hope appears once more in their psychic friend Cricket who tells them playtime is over as the 6 day cycle of the dying grass-moon begins.
“The Bitch with the Real Power”
Women show real power in this episode. Shelby for all her fear and screaming is the one who calms Matt down when he loses it over forgetting his transgression in the woods. It is also her voice that bring him back from being bewitched by the Wood Witch again. Yet it is The Butcher and the mysterious witch that are the real powerhouses in this episode. The butcher gets a full backstory, particularly concerning how she went from being the leader of The Colony to the mass murderer of her name. Yet, as Cricket explains, the Wood Witch is the woman with the power. It is her that brings The Butcher to an immortality of sorts and it is her that makes The Colony the threat they are. Lady Gaga is in fine form in this episode, even if her accent, similarly to everyone in The Colony, is a bit dodgy. Yet we cannot forget the brilliant men of this episode. Cuba Gooding Jr is particularly fantastic in this chapter of the tale. Fan favourite Cricket also provides some of the best quotes, and titles of my first two paragraphs. Cricket is the means by which we get Wood Witch’s backstory and the conclusion to The Colony tale.
“We Were Next”
This episode uses some of horror’s typical tropes; the bathroom scene, and the characters still not believing in ghosts and rationalising everything. Yet one particular one that works in this case is the vain hope of escape which is quickly dashed. When Cricket goes to seek information from the Wood Witch, the Millers exclaim that they hate feeling like there’s nothing they can do. This is a feeling that returns in the final chilling minutes when The Colony arrive. The Millers witness something grotesque but all they can do is watch. Matt says that cliffhanger of a line – “we were next”.
