Today: Dec 09, 2024

Freaks and Zombies: American Horror Story and The Walking Dead

Jene Thomas – General Assignment 

The sun was shining and the sky was clear blue, which seemed to be the perfect day for a picnic. The couple fooled around on the blanket with laughter and kisses on the date. All was well until Twisty came along and stabbed the boyfriend repeatedly in front of his girlfriend.

American Horror Story, Freak Show, had only been on mere minutes until the audience was introduced to its new character, Twisty the Clown. The FX show favorite premiered on Oct. 8 to welcome the horror that accompanies Halloween. With its fourth season, the show features a circus of “freaks,” including a bearded woman, a man with claws and of course, Twisty.

“It’s nothing too scary, but I can always use that something extra,” Shawn Copeland said.

At Southern Connecticut State University, the students were racing to watch the season premiere. In West Campus, crowds of people flooded suites for viewing parties. Each group had their own location for watching, but when the show ended, they all had similar thoughts.

“I feel like the show provides a lot of suspense but the clown is scary,” said Caitlyn Gould.

Despite Evan Peters and Jessica Lange’s return, the students could only talk about Twisty.

To those who are unfamiliar with the show, Twisty has a round face with clown makeup on and long, drooping eyes. He also wears a mask of a smile around his mouth. In the most recent episode airing on Oct. 15, the mask came off briefly, revealing an open mouth of rotten teeth.

“I like the clown,” Christian Schlegal said, “his smile’s nice.”

The clown was trending each Wednesday the showed air, but the show features more than that.

The group of misfits tries to find a home within the circus. Sarah Paulson returned for yet another season as a two headed woman who killed their mother. Jessica Lange plays the role of Elsa, the ring leader, tells Paulson’s characters to come with her instead of going to jail for the murder. The seemingly normal leader revealed that she had two prosthetic legs in the season premiere.

Meanwhile the gang killed a cop who was investigating the murder of the mother, which then brings more cops. When they don’t find the answers they are looking for, they arrested Meep, a little man a part of the freak show and killed him.

However, October will have plenty of killings on television with the fifth season of the Walking Dead, which premiered Oct. 12.

After being separated for half of a season following the destruction of their prison home, the zombie killing gang managed to reunite themselves with most of their companions. Rick finally reunited with his baby daughter, Judith, while Daryl and Carol shared a long hug. Tiesha Teasley said this season is full of hope.

Beth’s location though is still a mystery.

“I liked it,” she said. “It’s fresh yet just enough of the classic Walking Dead to keep me watching.”

The reunion wasn’t easy though.

Rick, Glenn and Daryl were captured and almost decapitated until Carol shot a gas tank and two warning shots at the building her friends were taken hostage in. She then put on a bloody cape to blend in with the zombies before letting them into the site. The facility was then overrun with the walking dead.

It was nothing a few bullets and knife swings couldn’t stop.

The show features character building, relationship forming and conflict within the groups, but some viewers, like John Piazza, watch the show for only one reason.

“I love the zombies,” he said.

Photo Credit: Two21

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