Ep 2. Massacres and Matinees

In American Horror Story season 4 episode 2, titled "Massacres and Matinees," a group of townspeople protest outside the Freak Show after learning about the death of one of their own, Meep. Meanwhile, the freaks prepare for their next show, which will feature a performance from Elsa Mars and her troupe.

As tensions rise between the freaks and the townspeople, Stanley, a con man pretending to be a talent scout, visits the carnival and offers Elsa a deal to take her to Hollywood. Elsa cautiously considers the offer, but her loyalty to the freaks keeps her from making a decision.

The episode also delves into the backstory of Jimmy Darling, as he visits a local bar to drown his sorrows after Meep's death. There, he meets a sympathetic woman named Maggie, who introduces him to a group of men who share his deformity. Together, they form a bond over their shared experiences and plan to take revenge on those who have hurt them.

As the night of the show approaches, tensions between the freaks and the townspeople reach a boiling point. The show goes on, but as the performers take the stage, chaos and violence erupts in the audience.

"Massacres and Matinees" is a riveting and suspenseful episode that explores the themes of otherness, loyalty, and revenge. The complex characters and their motivations continue to unfold, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats.