Orphans (American Horror Story): Difference between revisions
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"'''Orphans'''" is the [[List of American Horror Story episodes|tenth episode]] of the [[American Horror Story: Freak Show|fourth season]] of the [[anthology series|anthology]] television series ''[[American Horror Story]]'', which premiered on December 17, 2014 on the [[Cable television|cable]] network [[FX (TV channel)|FX]]. It was written by [[James Wong (producer)|James Wong]] and directed by Bradley Buecker. |
"'''Orphans'''" is the [[List of American Horror Story episodes|tenth episode]] of the [[American Horror Story: Freak Show|fourth season]] of the [[anthology series|anthology]] television series ''[[American Horror Story]]'', which premiered on December 17, 2014, on the [[Cable television|cable]] network [[FX (TV channel)|FX]]. It was written by [[James Wong (producer)|James Wong]] and directed by Bradley Buecker. |
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Although ''American Horror Story'' is categorized as an anthology series, the episode is notable for being the first in the series to directly tie two seasons together, acknowledging that both plot lines and series of events exist within the same universe. In the episode's finale, Pepper (Naomi Grossman) is institutionalised in Briarcliff Manor, the main location of ''[[American Horror Story: Asylum]]'' (in which she also appears) and is shown meeting Sister Mary Eunice McKee ([[Lily Rabe]]) two years before the events of ''Asylum'' take place. |
Although ''American Horror Story'' is categorized as an anthology series, the episode is notable for being the first in the series to directly tie two seasons together, acknowledging that both plot lines and series of events exist within the same universe. In the episode's finale, Pepper (Naomi Grossman) is institutionalised in Briarcliff Manor, the main location of ''[[American Horror Story: Asylum]]'' (in which she also appears) and is shown meeting Sister Mary Eunice McKee ([[Lily Rabe]]) two years before the events of ''Asylum'' take place. |
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==Plot== |
==Plot== |
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Pepper's life is shattered when she finds that her husband, Salty, has died in his sleep. |
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Pepper awakens in the middle of the night and is horrified to find that her beloved husband, Salty, has died in his sleep. She refuses to leave his body, delaying funeral plans until Elsa finally convinces her to leave his body. Stanley offers to bury Salty’s body but Elsa refuses. |
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In Pepper's tent, Desiree reads to Pepper, ostensibly calming her. She talks with Elsa about what to do about Pepper. Elsa discloses the history of the freak show, starting with her days as a [[chorus girl]] in a [[carnival]] in [[Boston, Massachusetts]], after she immigrated to America back in 1936. Noticing that freaks weren't treated as they should be, she decided to start a company of her own. She first recruited Pepper from an orphanage, and became her mother figure. |
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Though Pepper was a hit with the circus, Elsa soon realized that Pepper had maternal instincts and wanted a child. One day, an Indian prince arrived with Ma Petite as his prized pet. As Elsa tries to buy Ma Petite, he declares payment is insulting since Ma Petite is a [[Dalit]]. Instead, Elsa hands him a [[Dr. Pepper]], and he settles for three cases of Dr. Pepper as a fair trade. Over the next few months, Elsa contacted other orphanages for a male[[Microcephaly|microcephalic]], and found Salty. Pepper and Salty instantly fall in love and Elsa marries them in an unofficial ceremony. |
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Desiree suggests that now might be a good time to reunite Pepper with her sister, as Pepper is too distraught to carry on with the show. Elsa reluctantly agrees, and gives Stanley permission to get rid of Salty's body after he promises to have the body cremated. Instead, he chops off his head and sells it to the Museum of Morbid Curiosities. |
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Stanley then later visits Jimmy in jail. While Jimmy cannot remember what happened due to his drunken state, Stanley assures him he will be fine as long as he has a good lawyer. Stanley promises to get him a good lawyer, but Jimmy says he can't afford one, and Stanley nonchalantly suggests that Jimmy could sell his hands. |
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Back at the freak show, Maggie is met with Desiree and Angus who wants a reading. Maggie engages them at first, but then coldly turns them away. Angry, Desiree confronts Maggie, who then confesses that she and Stanley are con artists. At first, Desiree refuses to believe her, but then realizes that several people have gone missing or died since they arrived. Desiree threatens to kill Maggie if she discovers that Maggie or Stanley hurt anyone. |
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Elsa reveals to Desiree that she began her troupe after noticing the freaks were not being treated as they should be. Elsa found Pepper at an orphanage and recruited Ma Petite to act as Pepper's child and later found Salty. Desiree suggests returning Pepper to her elder sister. |
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The next day, after Dot and Bette attempt to convince Maggie to help Jimmy by getting him a lawyer with the money they saved up for the surgery, Maggie realizes that she must help the freaks. She finally confesses to Desiree of her and Stanley's true intentions, warning her that all the freaks will die soon if nothing is done. The two visit the Museum of Morbid Curiosities, where Desiree is shocked to find Ma Petite and Salty on display. The curator reveals their newest display: a pair of lobster hands, causing Maggie to faint in horror. |
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Stanley convinces Elsa to let him take care of Salty's body after telling her he would have the pinhead cremated, but he chops off the head and sells it to the Museum of Morbid Curiosities. Maggie confesses to Desiree that she and Stanley are con artists. The two visit the museum and are shocked to find Ma Petite's body, Salty's severed head, and Jimmy's hands on display. Elsa tracks down Pepper's sister, Rita, and convinces her to take in Pepper. |
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Elsa tracks down Pepper's sister, Rita, and convinces her to take in Pepper. Elsa and Pepper emotionally part ways with Elsa kissing Pepper on the hand, telling her that if she ever feels lonely, she must bring her hand to her face to remind her Elsa will always love her. However, once Pepper has settled in the house, Rita and her husband, Larry treat her coldly, forcing her to make martinis for Rita who despises her deformed son, Lucas. Realising that Rita is not close with Lucas, Larry decides to kill Lucas. The next day, Larry locks Pepper outside and then proceeds to drown Lucas in the bathtub and slices his ears off. |
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Nine years later, Rita gives birth to a deformed baby, and her husband convinces her to frame Pepper for the baby's murder. After committing Pepper to Briarcliff, Sister Mary Eunice has Pepper assist her in the library sorting magazines. While doing so, Pepper finds a magazine with Elsa on the cover. |
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Pepper is framed by Rita and Larry for Lucas’ murder, to which Rita wrongly commits her to Briarcliff Manor. [[Sister Mary Eunice McKee|Sister Mary Eunice]] takes Pepper under her charge. Although initially disgusted by Pepper’s apparent crimes, Sister Mary Eunice views Pepper’s constant crying as signs of remorse and a seek for redemption. Happy that Pepper can be a saved soul, Sister Mary Eunice decides to enlist Pepper in the cleaning of the library. While cleaning the library, Pepper finds an edition of [[Life (magazine)|''Life Magazine'']] with Elsa as the front cover. Excited that Elsa finally became famous, Pepper holds her hand to her cheek in reminiscence. |
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==Reception== |
==Reception== |
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[[Category:2014 American television episodes]] |
[[Category:2014 American television episodes]] |
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[[Category:American Horror Story: Freak Show episodes]] |
[[Category:American Horror Story: Freak Show episodes]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Fiction about filicide]] |
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Latest revision as of 04:49, 4 January 2025
| "Orphans" | |
|---|---|
| American Horror Story episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 4 Episode 10 |
| Directed by | Bradley Buecker |
| Written by | James Wong |
| Production code | 4ATS10 |
| Original air date | December 17, 2014 |
| Running time | 53 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Orphans" is the tenth episode of the fourth season of the anthology television series American Horror Story, which premiered on December 17, 2014, on the cable network FX. It was written by James Wong and directed by Bradley Buecker.
Although American Horror Story is categorized as an anthology series, the episode is notable for being the first in the series to directly tie two seasons together, acknowledging that both plot lines and series of events exist within the same universe. In the episode's finale, Pepper (Naomi Grossman) is institutionalised in Briarcliff Manor, the main location of American Horror Story: Asylum (in which she also appears) and is shown meeting Sister Mary Eunice McKee (Lily Rabe) two years before the events of Asylum take place.
Plot
[edit]Pepper's life is shattered when she finds that her husband, Salty, has died in his sleep.
Elsa reveals to Desiree that she began her troupe after noticing the freaks were not being treated as they should be. Elsa found Pepper at an orphanage and recruited Ma Petite to act as Pepper's child and later found Salty. Desiree suggests returning Pepper to her elder sister.
Stanley convinces Elsa to let him take care of Salty's body after telling her he would have the pinhead cremated, but he chops off the head and sells it to the Museum of Morbid Curiosities. Maggie confesses to Desiree that she and Stanley are con artists. The two visit the museum and are shocked to find Ma Petite's body, Salty's severed head, and Jimmy's hands on display. Elsa tracks down Pepper's sister, Rita, and convinces her to take in Pepper.
Nine years later, Rita gives birth to a deformed baby, and her husband convinces her to frame Pepper for the baby's murder. After committing Pepper to Briarcliff, Sister Mary Eunice has Pepper assist her in the library sorting magazines. While doing so, Pepper finds a magazine with Elsa on the cover.
Reception
[edit]Reviews
[edit]On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the episode has an approval rating of 85% based on 13 reviews. The critical consensus reads: "A deeper look into the sad story of Pepper makes "Orphans" one of the more heartfelt episodes of Freak Show."
Emily L. Stephens of The A.V. Club praised Naomi Grossman's "almost wordless" performance as Pepper, opining that it "strikes a ringing note of feeling".[1]
Ratings
[edit]The episode was watched by 2.99 million viewers during its original broadcast, making it the highest rated cable program of the day although a minor dip from the 3.07 million viewers the previous episode totalled.[2]
External links
[edit]- ^ "American Horror Story: Freak Show: "Orphans"". The A.V. Club. December 29, 2014.
- ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (December 18, 2014). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'American Horror Story' Tops Night + 'The Daily Show', 'The Colbert Report', 'Mob Wives' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on December 31, 2014. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
| Murder House | |
|---|---|
| Asylum | |
| Coven | |
| Freak Show | |
| Hotel | |
| Roanoke | |
| Cult | |
| Apocalypse | |
| 1984 | |
| Other seasons | |
| Related | |
