Monsters Among Us

"Monsters Among Us" is the premiere episode of the fourth season of the anthology television series American Horror Story, which premiered on October 8, 2014 on the cable network FX. It was co-written by creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk and directed by Murphy.[1]

"Monsters Among Us"
American Horror Story episode
Conjoined twins Bette and Dot Tattler
Episode no.Season 4
Episode 1
Directed byRyan Murphy
Written byRyan Murphy
Brad Falchuk
Featured music
Production code4ATS01
Original air dateOctober 8, 2014 (2014-10-08)
Running time64 minutes
Guest appearances

The episode introduces Elsa Mars who runs one of the last remaining freak shows in the United States in the hamlet of Jupiter, Florida, and her recruitment of conjoined twins Bette and Dot Tattler. It also introduces the rest of her traveling performers, and the murderous clown known as Twisty.[2] This is the first episode of American Horror Story to break the anthology format, which includes the character Pepper (Naomi Grossman), who was previously featured in American Horror Story: Asylum (2012-2013).[3]

"Monsters Among Us" is the second longest episode in the series' history, at just over one hour without commercials. It received critical acclaim and positive reviews from critics who praised the characters, acting, setting, its horror elements, and the story's tone. Critics noted the character buildup, particularly that of the Tattler Twins and Elsa Mars, and Elsa Mars' performance of David Bowie's "Life on Mars?" as the episode's highlights. The episode obtained the highest ratings of any episode in the series, and is currently the most-watched American Horror Story episode.[4]

Jyoti Amge, currently the world's smallest living woman, has her American TV debut in this episode.[5][6]

Plot

In Jupiter, Florida, in 1952, conjoined twins Bette and Dot Tattler are taken to a hospital after a milkman finds them injured in their home, near their mother, who was brutally murdered. News spread of the twins' existence, leading local carnival freak show owner Elsa Mars attempting to recruit them to join her troupe. Although skeptical, the twins agree. Elsa's troupe of freaks include Jimmy Darling, a boy with syndactyly, and his mother Ethel Darling, a bearded lady.

Twisty, a killer clown, murders a teenage girl's boyfriend and a young boy's parents and imprisons the young boy and teen girl in an old bus. Jimmy kills a detective after he threatens to arrest the twins for their mother's murder. Elsa's group puts on their first show with Bette and Dot as "The Siamese Twins," there are only two attendees, a wealthy but shallow socialite Gloria Mott and her dangerously disturbed son Dandy. Dandy bargains with Elsa to buy Bette and Dot, but the twins refuse. Elsa later tells Ethel that she brought the twins aboard to get more attention for the show and boost her fame. As Elsa prepares for bed, it's revealed that she is an amputee, legless below the knees.

Reception

"Monsters Among Us" was met with critical acclaim, and received praise from numerous television critics. Review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes holds an approval rating of 92% based on 12 reviews. The critical consensus reads: "Freak Show sets the template for a compelling character-driven narrative with thoughtful pacing and creepy scares."[7] Looper ranked the episode twenty-sixth in their "30 Best American Horror Story Episodes Ranked" list.[8]

Erik Adams of The A.V. Club gave the episode a B+.[1] IGN reviewer Matt Fowler gave the episode a 7.6 out of 10, praising the setup of the characters and the killer clown, although he felt that the introductory elements with Elsa and the twins was overlong.[9] Critics have also praised the performances of the cast, particularly Jessica Lange and Sarah Paulson. Verne Gay of Newsday wrote: "Paulson's performance is so memorable that it's not a completely incidental question. Then, of course, there's Lange."[10]

Ratings

The episode received a total audience of 6.13 million viewers, making it the series' most watched season premiere and the series' most watched episode ever.[11] As a result of these particular high ratings, the show was immediately renewed for a fifth season.[4]

References
  1. Adams, Erik (October 8, 2014). "Review: American Horror Story: Freak Show: 'Monsters Among Us'". The A.V. Club.
  2. Lovett, Jamie (October 1, 2014). "American Horror Story Trailer Introduces Twisty The Clown". Comic Book.
  3. Weber, Lindsey; Abell, Tara (December 18, 2014). "What We Learned Last Night About American Horror Story's Expanded Universe". Vulture. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  4. Stack, Tim. "'American Horror Story' renewed for fifth season after setting ratings record", Entertainment Weekly, 13 October 2014.
  5. "Meet the World's Shortest Woman (and American Horror Story: Freak Show Star!)". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  6. Eggertsen, Chris (August 13, 2014). "Newest American Horror Story Co-Star Is the World's Smallest Woman". HitFix.
  7. American Horror Story: Freak Show, Episode 1, retrieved 2021-11-25
  8. Roe-Owen, Kristi (2021-10-13). "30 Best American Horror Story Episodes Ranked". Looper.com. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
  9. "American Horror Story: Freak Show – "Monsters Among Us" Review". IGN. 9 October 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  10. "'American Horror Story: Freak Show' review: Creepy creatures". Newsday. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  11. Kondolojy, Amanda (October 9, 2014). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'American Horror Story' Tops Night + 'South Park' 'Teen Mom II', 'The Daily Show, 'Key & Peele' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 11, 2014. Retrieved October 9, 2014.
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