Mid-Western Assassin

Last updated
"Mid-Western Assassin"
American Horror Story episode
Episode no.Season 7
Episode 6
Directed by Bradley Buecker
Written byTodd Kubrak
Production code7ATS06
Original air dateOctober 10, 2017 (2017-10-10)
Running time44 minutes
Guest appearance(s)
Episode chronology
← Previous
"Holes"		Next →
"Valerie Solanas Died for Your Sins: Scumbag"
American Horror Story: Cult
List of American Horror Story episodes

"Mid-Western Assassin" is the sixth episode of the seventh season of the anthology television series American Horror Story . It aired on October 10, 2017, on the cable network FX. The episode was written by Todd Kubrak, and directed by Bradley Buecker. [1]

Contents

Plot

A mass-shooting occurs at Kai Anderson's political rally. He appears to have been shot and several people are killed. The police arrive and Ally is shown holding the gun.

Earlier, Meadow Wilton tells Ally Mayfair-Richards that Ally is being targeted by a cult, of which her wife Ivy is a member, before Meadow is dragged away. Ally sneaks over to the Wilton's house and finds Meadow tied up. Ally rescues Meadow and takes her in the Mayfair-Richards' restaurant. Meadow tells Ally that the cult has been responsible for the events that happened to Ally recently, and explains Ivy hates Ally and hence joined the cult. She also explains she fell in love with Kai, but after realizing the feeling wasn't reciprocated, she attempted to leave the cult but was caught.

A flashback to the day after the 2016 presidential election reveals that Ivy admitted to Kai that she hates Ally ever since their son Oz was born, as Ivy is infertile, and Ally wouldn't let her feed Oz. Kai uses this to manipulate Ivy into supporting him, and they plot on how Ivy can leave Ally while gaining full custody of Oz.

After leaving Meadow with Dr. Rudy Vincent, so Rudy can question Meadow and be Ally's witness, Ally goes to see Sally Keffler, a rival candidate to Kai, and tells her about the cult, which Sally believes. However, the cult arrive and Kai kills Sally, making her death appear like suicide. Ally hides, but is found by Ivy. However, Ivy doesn't notify the cult. When Ally returns to Rudy, he says Meadow left after, unknown to Rudy, she got a call from Kai. Rudy doesn't believe Ally about the cult.

At the rally, it's revealed Meadow was responsible for the shooting. When Ally tries to stop her, she reveals she is still loyal to Kai, and loves him. She then shoots herself. Kai is shown to have survived.

Production

On October 7, 2017, it was confirmed that the sixth episode of the season would be edited as a direct result of the 2017 Las Vegas shooting that occurred six days earlier. The episode originally featured a scene lasting 2 minutes and 16 seconds where Leslie Grossman's character Meadow Wilton begins to fire at Evan Peters' character, as well as a crowd, during a campaign speech. The episode was edited to de-emphasize the violence and to mostly have it featured completely off-screen [2] - as a result the opening sequence of the episode was cut in half, several on-screen deaths were removed and two separate close-up shots of the handgun firing were removed. [3]

While only the edited episode was broadcast on FX, the original uncut episode was released via VOD, FXNOW and FX+. [3]

Reception

"Mid-Western Assassin" was watched by 2.15 million people during its original broadcast, and gained a 1.0 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. [4]

The episode received positive reviews from critics. On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, "Mid-Western Assassin" holds an 82% approval rating, based on 17 reviews with an average rating of 7.52 out of 10. [5]

Tony Sokol of Den of Geek gave the episode a 4.5 out of 5, saying "The episode is explosive, obviously, but the subtle machinations of the making of a murderess also helps show the implosion of the political body. The audience sees what the voters see. Violence can erupt at any time, regardless of crime statistics. But we also see how anyone can be a killer, even the bad neighbor next door." [6]

Kat Rosenfield from Entertainment Weekly gave the episode a B, and enjoyed Ivy's flashback and the reason behind her hate for Ally. However, she also criticized the constant reuse of some sets, like the Butchery's. [7] Vulture's Brian Moylan gave the episode a 3 out of 5, with a mixed to positive review. He praised the character of Meadow and the statements made by this season and this episode, especially about gun violence and "the fear-mongering Trumpian dystopia that we’re living in and the myopic identity politics of the liberal elite". However, contrary to Rosenfield, he criticized the character of Ivy and the reason that made her join the cult. He also expressed some doubts about why the cult decided to target Ally. [8]

Matt Fowler of IGN gave the episode a 7.6 out of 10, with a positive review. He said "Cult remains steady in its storytelling, using a behind-the-scenes look at Kai's demented movement to show us just how the general public's strings are being pulled. With this episode ending in a final gruesome stunt (that unfortunately hits very close to home, headline-wise) designed to catapult Kai to the top of politics, we're due for a bit of a reset. If one doesn't come, let's hope this episode marks a turning point for the season in some way." [9]

Related Research Articles

<i>American Horror Story</i> American anthology horror television series

American Horror Story is an American anthology horror television series created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk for the cable network FX. Each season is conceived as a self-contained miniseries, following a different set of characters and settings, and a story line with its own "beginning, middle, and end." Some plot elements of each season are loosely inspired by true events. Many actors appear in more than one season, often playing a new character. Evan Peters, Sarah Paulson, and Lily Rabe have returned most frequently, all appearing in nine of the ten seasons, with Frances Conroy appearing in eight, while Denis O'Hare and Emma Roberts in six. Other notable actors such as Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett, Adina Porter, Finn Wittrock, and Jamie Brewer appear in five of the ten seasons.

Jamie Brewer American actress and model

Jamie Brewer is an American actress and model. She is best known for her roles in the FX horror anthology television series American Horror Story. In its first season, Murder House, she portrayed Adelaide "Addie" Langdon; in the third season, Coven, she portrayed Nan, an enigmatic and clairvoyant witch; in the fourth season Freak Show, she portrayed Chester Creb's vision of his doll, Marjorie; in the seventh season Cult, she portrayed Hedda, a member of the 'SCUM' crew, led by feminist Valerie Solanas; and she also returned to her role as Nan in the eighth season, Apocalypse.

"She Wants Revenge" is the ninth episode of the fifth season of the anthology television series American Horror Story. It aired on December 9, 2015 on the cable network FX. This episode was written by Brad Falchuk and directed by Michael Uppendahl.

<i>American Horror Story: Cult</i> Seventh season of American Horror Story

American Horror Story: Cult is the seventh season of the FX horror anthology television series American Horror Story, created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. It premiered on September 5, 2017, and concluded on November 14, 2017. The subtitle Cult was announced on July 20, 2017. This season takes place in the fictional suburb of Brookfield Heights, Michigan, during the year 2017, and centers on a cult terrorizing the residents in the aftermath of Donald Trump winning the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

"Don't Be Afraid of the Dark" is the second episode of the seventh season of the anthology television series American Horror Story. It aired on September 12, 2017, on the cable network FX. The episode was written by Tim Minear, and directed by Liza Johnson.

"Election Night" is the first episode and season premiere of the seventh season of the American horror anthology television series American Horror Story, subtitled Cult. It aired on September 5, 2017, on the cable network FX. The episode was written by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, and directed by Bradley Buecker.

"Neighbors from Hell" is the third episode of the seventh season of the anthology television series American Horror Story. It aired on September 19, 2017, on the cable network FX. The episode was written by James Wong, and directed by Gwyneth Horder-Payton.

"11/9" is the fourth episode of the seventh season of the anthology television series American Horror Story. It aired on September 26, 2017, on the cable network FX. The episode was written by John J. Gray, and directed by Gwyneth Horder-Payton. Adina Porter was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for this episode.

"Holes" is the fifth episode of the seventh season of the anthology television series American Horror Story. It aired on October 3, 2017, on the cable network FX. The episode was written by Crystal Liu, and directed by Maggie Kiley.

"Valerie Solanas Died for Your Sins: Scumbag" is the seventh episode of the seventh season of the anthology television series American Horror Story. It aired on October 17, 2017, on the cable network FX. The episode was written by Crystal Liu, and directed by Rachel Goldberg.

"Winter of Our Discontent" is the eighth episode of the seventh season of the anthology television series American Horror Story. It aired on October 24, 2017, on the cable network FX. The episode was written by Joshua Green, and directed by Barbara Brown.

"Charles (Manson) in Charge" is the tenth episode of the seventh season of the anthology television series American Horror Story. It aired on November 7, 2017, on the cable network FX. The episode was written by Ryan Murphy & Brad Falchuk, and directed by Bradley Buecker.

"Drink the Kool-Aid" is the ninth episode of the seventh season of the anthology television series American Horror Story. It aired on October 31, 2017, on the cable network FX. The episode was written by Adam Penn, and directed by Angela Bassett.

"Great Again" is the eleventh and final episode of the seventh season of the anthology television series American Horror Story. It aired on November 14, 2017, on the cable network FX. The episode was written by Tim Minear, and directed by Jennifer Lynch.

"The End" is the first episode and season premiere of the eighth season of the anthology television series American Horror Story. It aired on September 12, 2018, on the cable network FX. The episode was written by Ryan Murphy & Brad Falchuk, and directed by Bradley Buecker.

<i>American Horror Story: 1984</i> Ninth season of American Horror Story

American Horror Story: 1984 is the ninth season of the FX horror anthology television series American Horror Story, created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. It premiered on September 18, 2019, and concluded on November 13, 2019. The season has been described as being heavily influenced by classic horror slasher films such as Friday the 13th and Halloween.

"Slashdance" is the third episode of the ninth season of the anthology television series American Horror Story. It aired on October 2, 2019, on the cable network FX. The episode was written by James Wong, and directed by Mary Wigmore.

"True Killers" is the fourth episode of the ninth season of the anthology television series American Horror Story. It aired on October 9, 2019, on the cable network FX. The episode was written by Jay Beattie, and directed by Jennifer Lynch.

"The Lady in White" is the seventh episode of the ninth season of the anthology television series American Horror Story. Written by John J. Gray and directed by Liz Friedlander, it aired on October 30, 2019, on the cable network FX.

References

  1. ↑ "AMERICAN HORROR STORY - (#706) "Mid-Western Assassin"". TheFutonCritic. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  2. ↑ Hayes, Dade (7 October 2017). "Ryan Murphy On Why He Re-Edited Mass Shooting In 'AHS: Cult': "I Believe In Victims' Rights"–New Yorker Festival". Deadline.com. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  3. 1 2 Reiher, Andrea. "Here Are the Changes FX Made to AHS: Cult After the Las Vegas Shooting". Popsugar.com. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  4. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (October 10, 2017). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.10.2017". ShowBuzzDaily. Archived from the original on October 12, 2017. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  5. ↑ "American Horror Story: Cult - "Mid-Western Assassin"". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  6. ↑ Sokol, Tony (October 11, 2017). "American Horror Story Season 7 Episode 6 Review: Mid-Western Assassin". Den of Geek . Retrieved October 11, 2017.
  7. ↑ Rosenfield, Kat (October 10, 2017). "American Horror Story: Cult recap: 'Mid-Western Assassin'". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  8. ↑ Moylan, Brian (October 4, 2017). "American Horror Story: Cult Recap: Beautiful Meadow". Vulture.com . Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  9. ↑ Fowler, Matt (October 10, 2017). "American Horror Story: Cult - "Mid-Western Assassin" Review". IGN . Retrieved October 10, 2017.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.