American Horror Story: Cult Review: 11/9 (Season 7 Episode 4)

With the help of flashbacks, almost all is revealed on American Horror Story: Cult Season 7 Episode 4, “11/9.”

There have been many questions needing answers since the beginning of American Horror Story: Cult, such as: Who are the clowns? Why are they terrorizing Ally? How do the Wilton’s truly come into play? What are Kai’s goals? Who is behind the bloody smiley faces left as a threat?

In a thrilling, informative episode, “11/9” gives the answer to most of our burning questions.

I know that it’s not a lot, because it’s a little obvious with the way Kai acts, but it thrills me that my predictions of Kai being the ringleader of the clowns are true. Ryan Murphy sure wasn’t kidding when he said that this season was going to be based around human monsters and not the supernatural.

Kai is a monster in disguise.

Kai feeds on the weak, easily angered people that he knows he can get to do his bidding. He gets you to believe that he truly cares for your wellbeing and that everything he’s telling you to do is in order to help you, not hurt you.

Kai publicly flirts with Harrison, gets him to tell all of his fears, kills Serena for Beverly, and convinces Gary that his need to vote for trump is greater than his need for keeping his hand. Meadow, on the other hand, well, she’s only joining because she walks in on her husband sawing the head off of his co-worker in their bathtub.

Meadow’s reaction, by the way, is hands down the best thing about “11/9.” When your life has become so depressing and miserable, what else are you going to do when you walk in on your husband committing murder? Find out who it is first, of course. No need to overreact.

Kai originally only goes for Beverly because he can notice the anger in her face on television, but she’s also an essential asset to him. Now he has a loyal follower who works for the news channel and can help spread whatever spin he wants to be put out to the public.

The most frightening thing about Kai is his ability to reason with complete strangers, getting them to flip a switch in their mind and think that they absolutely must do what Kai is saying. Gary knows for a fact that sawing his hand off is an insane thing to do, but after a few moments of listening to Kai preach his false positivity on him, it’s suddenly the most important thing in his life.

What I don’t quite understand is if Kai has two degrees, one in political science and the other in feminist studies, why is he a raging trump supporter? Why is he this fanatic that thinks trump is the be-all end-all? The only thing I can come up with is he’s just psychotic.

It suddenly makes sense as to why Kai did a complete 180 and suddenly started acting nice to Ally; he can tell that she is full of anger and fear so if he can get her to trust him and see his way he thinks that she’ll join him.

I assume that turning Ally would be a big achievement for Kai seeing as how she’s been the one to be in his face the most with her liberal viewpoints.

Speaking of Kai, what deal does he have with Winter that makes her transform from this Hillary-supporting, protest fueled woman who helps Ivy get revenge on the man who assaults her to this woman who helps Kai torment Ally in secret?

It’s sad because the Winter that helps Ivy get revenge is someone who I could see myself liking, but not who she is in the present.

It’s obvious that either Kai has rubbed off on Winter or it’s just a family thing because she has the same charm that can get someone to change their morals and values in a heartbeat.

Ivy would never even think to knock Gary out and tie him up if it wasn’t for Winter feeding her the thought that she should do it. Don’t get me wrong – Ivy and Winter did the right thing by getting back at that backwoods hillbilly, but it doesn’t change the fact that Winter plays a big part in this side of Ivy being let out.

Now we just need to find out why they act like they don’t know each other around Ally. Why was this story not told to her from the beginning? They could obviously leave out the fact that they tied someone up.

Other Thoughts:

• Meadow could pull someone in a moment if she were actually trying, she needs to stop trying to sleep with a gay man.
• Is Meadow going missing all a big show just to mess with Ally now that we know they’re working with Kai and that Kai is the one leaving the bloody smiley faces?
• What’s the purpose of Kai getting them to all dress up as clowns? What’s his ultimate goal to use them for?

What did you think of this episode of American Horror Story: Cult? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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American Horror Story: Cult airs Tuesdays at 10/9c on FX.

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