Last week on the season premiere of American Horror Story: 1984, a group of friends—Xavier (Cody Fern), Montana (Billie Lourd), Ray (DeRon Horton), Chet (Gus Kenworthy) and Brooke (Emma Roberts)—embarked on what was supposed to be a safe escape away from the city. But they soon learned that their new jobs at Camp Redwood have put them in the eye of the storm.
Here’s what went down in episode two of AHS: 1984, titled “Mr. Jingles.”
When Dr. Hopple (Orla Brady) arrives at Camp Redwood, she immediately tracks down Margaret (Leslie Grossman) and tells her about Mr. Jingles’s (John Carroll Lynch) escape from prison. Against the doctor’s advice, Margaret refuses to shut down the camp. *Eye roll*
“I don’t think you understand. He has an obsession with you—a fantasy of revenge,” Dr. Hopple says.
Still, Margaret can’t be bothered. So, Dr. Hopple gets in her car and drives away only to be confronted with a flat tire. When another vehicle approaches, the physician comes face-to-face with Mr. Jingles, who drags Dr. Hopple out of the car and kills her.
“I am a monster,” Mr. Jingles says before cutting off her ear.
Back in the cabin, Brooke is watching a TV broadcast about The Night Stalker when Margaret interrupts the fun, demanding everyone go to bed.
Later that night, Montana is trying to calm down Brooke by telling her to think positive thoughts.
“When you imagine the worst, it’ll happen,” Montana says.
According to Brooke, “the worst” already happened to her.
Flashback to Brooke’s wedding day. After walking down the aisle, the groom, Joey, drops a bombshell and accuses Brooke of cheating on him with his best friend. Although she claims that nothing happened, Joey proceeds to shoot his best man before killing himself.
Back in present day, Brooke excuses herself to “get some air.” A few minutes later, Margaret turns off the lights. (It’s not like there’s a serial killer on the loose, amirite?)
Brooke is sitting on the pier when she hears a noise from behind. She turns around to find—whaddaya know—The Night Stalker walking toward her. In a totally predictable move, Brooke escapes his hold and makes a run for it.
While Brooke manages to get away, the hiker (Lou Taylor Pucci) happens to be at the wrong place at the wrong time…or so we think. After multiple attempts, The Night Stalker realizes that the hiker comes back to life every time he tries to kill him. Dun dun dunnnn.
Elsewhere, Xavier is exploring the area when he’s grabbed out of nowhere and shoved into a car. We soon learn that his dad, Blake, is responsible for the mysterious messages from episode one.
“You know it’s illegal to threaten someone over the phone,” Xavier says. “Not to mention stalking them.”
After Blake questions his sexuality, Xavier tries (and fails) to escape. In an attempt to buy time, Xavier throws Trevor (Matthew Morrison) under the bus and offers him up as a replacement.
Cut to Blake creepily watching Trevor take a shower. Just then, Mr. Jingles approaches from behind and puts a knife through Blake’s head.
When the group discovers his body, they’re terrified to see that his ear is missing. They need to get out…and fast.
After piling into the car, Xavier gets it to start after several tries. When they’re finally on their way, Nurse Rita (Angelica Ross) darts out of the bushes, forcing Xavier to crash and total the vehicle. Go figure.
Elsewhere, Margaret enters her cabin and finds The Night Stalker, who demands to know more information about an old camp counselor named Jonas, who was supposedly killed the night of the massacre. Although Margaret brushes it off, The Night Stalker proceeds to open up about his past.
“A girl brought me here, but I think I like you better,” he says to Margaret. And then adds, “Can I see your feet?”
After Margaret encourages The Night Stalker to turn his trauma into something positive, she demands that he find Jonas “and make him leave.”
Suddenly, it clicks. Margaret tracks down the hiker and says, “Jonas?” He immediately recognizes her, though he has very few memories after the incident. Although we don’t know his exact role, it’s safe to call him a “ghost.”
The episode concludes with two different scenarios: First, Brooke is in the infirmary with Nurse Rita and Ray. And second, Xavier is in the cabin with Montana and Chet. The problem? Someone is banging at both of the doors, and we have no idea who is at each one.
Guess we’ll have to wait until American Horror Story: 1984 returns to FX next Wednesday, October 2, at 10 p.m.
