Ep 3. Edward Mordrake

In American Horror Story season 4 episode 3 titled "Edward Mordrake," the freak show is back in action and preparing for Halloween. As the performers practice their acts, an air of unease lingers over the group, as a legend about a mysterious figure named Edward Mordrake circulates among them. According to the legend, Mordrake was a wealthy Englishman and aristocrat who suffered from a rare deformity- a face on the back of his head that whispered demonic things to him at night.

The legend goes that, after many years of the disembodied voice tormenting him, Mordrake went mad and committed suicide. Since then, his ghost has appeared to those deemed unworthy, allowing them to plead their case before deciding whether or not to take them with him. The freak show members are nervous that Mordrake's ghost will visit them on Halloween, allowing them each to tell their stories.

Despite the obvious fear the freak show members show towards Mordrake, Elsa Mars (Jessica Lange) sees an opportunity here. She arranges for the group to hold a Halloween performance so that Mordrake himself will see the show and be impressed. The star act is to be Ethel (Kathy Bates), who will sing a song of her choosing. Elsa uses the Halloween show to launch Ethel and herself into the limelight, and although the performance goes off without a hitch, Elsa seems particularly nervous about the supposed legend of Mordrake.

As the freak show members celebrate the successful Halloween performance, the real terror begins. Suddenly, strange noises are heard outside of the tent, and the power begins to flicker. A dense fog descends, and Ethel seems to hear whispers even though nobody is around. Suddenly, the legend of Edward Mordrake springs to life, as a figure with a pale face and hair descending from his skull appears.

As promised by the story, Mordrake has two faces, one beautiful and one horrifying. He speaks only to the freaks, allowing them to tell their tales before deciding whether or not to take them with him. Meanwhile, Elsa reveals a deep dark secret to the handsome and charming Mordrake, one that she's kept hidden from everyone, even her closest companions.

The episode builds up tension masterfully through the use of creepy sound effects and stark lighting, culminating in a Hitchcockian homage that will leave viewers simultaneously thrilled and chilled. Edward Mordrake's appearance is indeed a highlight of the episode; the grotesque and stylized makeup used to create Mordrake's two-faced visage is quite impressive.

The actors all give solid performances, with Evan Peters being particularly memorable as the seemingly reluctant and melancholy Mordrake. Jessica Lange is also incredible in this episode, as Elsa gradually reveals more and more about her past and her dark secret. The production values are excellent, as always on American Horror Story, with the freak show set design being particularly worthy of praise.

Overall, "Edward Mordrake" is a strong entry in the freak show saga of American Horror Story. It manages to be both unsettling and intriguing, with plenty of suspenseful moments peppered throughout. The use of lighting and sound design is especially effective, making this an episode that is likely to stick with viewers long after the credits roll.