American Horror Story: 1984 Review: Mr. Jingles (Season 9 Episode 2)
An attempt to run from his problems causes a death because of Xavier, Mr. Jingles strikes again at Camp Redwood, and Margaret proves just how crazy she can be on American Horror Story: 1984 Season 9 Episode 2, “Mr. Jingles.”
Mr. Jingles and The Night Stalker are the serial killers running around Camp Redwood, but Margaret Booth is the most frightening thing in “Mr. Jingles.”
This holy façade that Booth throws around in everyone’s faces is pretty comical considering she knows that Mr. Jingles is on the loose, yet says nothing to the counselors to try and keep them safe. All she’s worried about is if they’re having sex with each other or near one another after dark. She has no care for their well-being.
On top of that, she willingly sits down with The Night Stalker (Richard Ramirez) and tries to convince him to help her. I mean, sure, why not ask the man who just said he’s the son of Satan to help you out. She thinks that she can trust him, but I think he’ll play along for a day or so before doing whatever he feels like.
If Ramirez does help Booth kill Mr. Jingles, what happens afterward? Does she just keep the serial killer as a pet? No matter what happens the both of them need to die and I don’t see her being able to kill Ramirez. Unless she’s playing him to get what she needs and plans on getting rid of him anyway.
It’s upsetting there isn’t much Montana and what we do get is her, yet again, being overly sexual and trying to make out with Brooke for no reason. Granted, she has been nothing but nice to Brooke and has tried to help her with her fear. But, I’m ready to get more of a backstory on her and dive more into her character because she seems like more of an interesting character.
It’s only episode two and Chet’s voice is already annoying the heck out of me. I don’t know what it is, but I’d rather listen to Sarah Paulson cry all throughout Cult again than to listen to Chet’s whiny voice again. I’m waiting to see more out of his character and Trevor’s, more than just the blatant sex appeal they bring.
Speaking of which, damn, I always thought Matthew Morrison was hot while on Glee, but damn is he fine on this season. He’s nice to look at, but I know there has to be more to him than a nice body and big cock. That can’t be his entire character.
Xavier having a rabid sugar daddy chasing him down is not something that I foresaw coming, but it also isn’t a huge shocker because he looks like the type that would do anything for a buck. It is sad, though, that him running away from his problems brought them into an entirely different place of hell.
As for Brooke, it’s nice to know why she’s constantly afraid of everything and jumpy all the time. After watching her fiancé kill her father, his best man, and then himself, she more than likely has a huge case of PTSD and being at the camp is not helping her at all.
The only thing that genuinely confuses me is what’s happening with hiker, aka Jonas. Has he been asleep the past some odd years because the camp has been closed down, or has he been on the side of the road dying over and over again? Why is he back now and does it have something to do with Margaret?
What I don’t understand is why there had to be some supernatural moment brought into the season. I understand that Ryan Murphy likes his twists, but I was enjoying the fact that there wasn’t going to be anything supernatural this season. Although, I’m sure I’ll eventually love how the supernatural moment plays later in the season.
It’ll be interesting to see what excuses Margaret comes up with to try and still invite campers to the camp, rather than being shut down again before it can happen.
What did you think of this episode of American Horror Story: 1984? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Critic Rating:
User Rating:
American Horror Story: 1984 airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on FX.
Follow us on Twitter and on 
Instagram!
Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!
Cade Taylor
Cade Taylor is a television and film critic living in St. Louis, Missouri. He is a Senior Writer for Tell-Tale TV. His love for television developed at a young age, with a concentration on queer stories, sitcoms, teen dramas, and science fiction thrillers. In addition, he works full-time as a news producer, telling the stories of Missourians and helming "Produced in the Bi-State," a segment spotlighting actors, musicians, and entertainers from the St. Louis area. He can be reached by email at cade@telltaletv.com.