“American Horror Story: Hotel” fans were treated to a shocking reveal in this week’s episode that aired on Nov. 11 on FX. The Countess (Lady Gaga) visited the twisted Dr. Charles Montgomery claiming to be three weeks pregnant; while her belly obviously indicated she was much further along. The mad doctor attempted to abort the baby, which turned out to survive as a monster.
Diehard AHS fans undoubtedly had to draw a deep breath in this revelatory moment – and then again when The Countess’ son Bartholomew’s disfigured face was finally revealed. Anyone who has watched this groundbreaking anthology series from day one should instantly recall Vivien Harmon’s (Connie Britton) accelerated pregnancy and the freaky ultrasound that showed one of her twins as a creature with hooves inside her belly. The child was a product of being raped by sociopath Tate Langdon (Evan Peters).
How can anyone ignore these rather overt similarities? Along with the fact that the child Constance Langdon (Jessica Lange) took (as her grandson) killed his nanny in cold blood. And, Constance’s son Bo also had a disfigured face. She kept him tied up in the attic until she summoned her boyfriend to suffocate him. Shudder, shudder! What do all of these similarities mean? According to an Eonline theory article, baby Bartholomew could be the Antichrist or at the very least, the evil core of the hotel (as offspring of Mr. March).
In the sweeping, big picture a theory that “American Horror Story” as a whole is a story of how evil and psychosis spreads within a mentally deranged family tree. Every season has featured a mass murderer or villain of some kind either being the product of a twisted parent, or spawning an evil child of their own. Check it out: Constance Langdon gave birth to Tate who killed innocent teens in a school shooting spree. Vivien was raped by Tate (as Rubber Man) and produced Michael, who killed his nanny at the end of season one.
In “Asylum,” Lana (Sarah Paulson) was raped by serial killer Oliver Thredson (aka Bloody Face) and gave birth to Johnny (Dylan McDermott) who followed in his father’s murderous footsteps. In “Coven” Fiona Goode (Jessica Lange) wanted to kill her own daughter Cordelia to achieve immortality. And, Madison Montgomery (Emma Roberts) who shares a last name with season one’s mad doctor brought Kyle back to life as a Frankenstein-type monster.
In “Freak Show” Dandy (Finn Wittrock) got his psychotic tendencies from his father (who we never met). Dandy slit throats and bathed in his victims’ blood. Was his father related to The Countess? After all, she told Tristan in “Hotel” that he reminded her of someone. Tristan, as the same actor, definitely looks similar to Dandy Mott from “Freak Show.”
Previews for next week confirm that The Countess was indeed married to James Patrick March (Evan Peters). It’s been speculated before but bears repeating: Is Constance the daughter or granddaughter of March and The Countess? This would make Tate Langdon March’s grandson or great grandson. If this is the case, then Vivien Harmon is eternally linked to the family as well, after giving birth to Tate’s monster child. Remember when Vivien ate brains while she was pregnant? This is what the baby craved. Perhaps, because, he was a Jeffrey Dahmer serial killer in utero.
The parallels are maddening. It’s almost as if an obvious connection is being dangled in front of our face but the pieces don’t quite fit yet. Speaking of maddening: What is going on with John Lowe (Wes Bentley). It appears he’s having a breakdown or worse yet, he’s being mentally manipulated to believe he’s having one. A lot of signs are pointing to him being the Ten Commandments Killer. Why else is James Patrick March so intrigued with him and allowing him to live?
Also, it’s both shocking and sad to see The Countess evil, self-serving side emerge. Until now, it has felt like she has been “saving” the people she turns. But Tristan finally hit the nail on the head. She’s using her “slaves” for her own pleasure and to further her own agenda. She draws them in and they are helplessly beholden to fulfilling her every wish and whim. Poor Liz Taylor (Denis O’Hare) to finally fall in love and then watch The Countess slit his throat in cold, calculated rage!
Denis O’Hare and Finn Wittrock did incredible work in Liz and Tristan’s intimate scene and as they beseeched The Countess to allow them to be in love. Tristan’s murder was the most tragic of the season thus far because of the horrible emotional loss for poor, benevolent Liz. Will Liz find a way to go on? More importantly, will The Countess ever pay for the heartless acts of cruelty she has perpetuated for decades?
Finally, another common series-wide thread in “American Horror Story” seems to be abduction. Charles and Nora Montgomery’s baby was abducted in “Murder House.” Wrongly-accused Kit Walker’s wife was abducted in “Asylum” (and later gave birth to two alien-human hybrid twins). Kathy Bates as Delphine LaLaurie abducted slaves and tortured them in “Coven.” Conjoined twins Bette and Dot were abducted in “Freak Show.” And now, in “Hotel,” The Countess abducts children, with John and Alex’s son Holden being one of her victims. It just seems like this recurring “pattern” can’t be just a coincidence.
The other hugely probable theory remains that all of the seasons represent cycles of Hell. Spirits are trapped eternally and made to suffer in different ways, time and again for their sins. Reference was made to the ghosts at Hotel Cortez spinning on a hamster wheel of misery for all eternity until they find “their purpose.” Hotel Cortez obviously traps the spirits within and so does Murder House. The greatest link of all would be if it turns out that James Patrick March built “Murder House.” That would also support the “ancestral evil” theme.
Though it drives us crazy to wait for further “American Horror Story” season-to-season connection clues, we have no choice. Here’s to hoping we get a Langdon-March familial connection reveal this season. Above all, let’s hope things look up for Liz Taylor! Liz is definitely a light in the darkest season of them all.
“American Horror Story: Hotel” airs on FX on Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET.
