American Horror Story:1984 Review: Rest in Pieces (Season 9 Episode 8)

Jingles returns to Camp Redwood but has no clue what’s awaiting him, Margaret forms a trio to enact her will, and a reporter almost catches Brooke and Donna on American Horror Story:1984 Season 9 Episode 8, “Rest in Pieces.”

This season has had its ups and downs, and ultimately it won’t be in my top three list of seasons, but it’s had its moments. Everything comes to an end with the finale next week and part of me feels like the season has been done for a moment now. The momentum isn’t sticking when the only thing there is to look forward to is Margaret’s death.

If Margaret doesn’t go down as one of the biggest serial killers publicly or at least die at the hands of Brooke then I don’t want it. Other than Benjamin’s revenge the only thing I want is for Margaret to lose everything and spend the rest of her days in jail, or to die.

I appreciate Dylan McDermott returning to the series, but introducing another angle and character right before the end is a tad bit sloppy and doesn’t help out much when it comes to wrapping up storylines. His character isn’t needed to end Margaret’s life or for the Nightstalker to try and get rid of Jingles. Adding another serial killer who’s after Brooke is tired.

The small satisfaction he brought for two episodes isn’t substantial and doesn’t leave any real footing to anyone else on the show, other than he should’ve died on the fence post when Brooke and Donna left him there.

I like that Donna and Brooke are back together to end this chapter of their lives and Donna can get past all of the horrible things she’s done to show Brooke that she doesn’t have to turn into that monster. Killing the reporter is what needed to happen, but I feel like what happened to Benjamin would ultimately end up happening to Brooke if she continued to kill and think that the old her is there no more.

After spending five years in prison I bet that the shred of humanity she has left is trying to wither away, but if she allows that to happen she’ll become what she feared for most of her life. Donna is good for her because she’s been in that situation, she’s helped orchestrate horrible acts, but she’s changed her life around and attempted to do better.

The only thing that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed throughout the entire season is Benjamin’s redemption arc. He’s officially dead and forced to spend the remainder of his life with the rest of the souls at Camp Redwood, but after apologizing on the lake to his late brother everything has changed.

Benjamin has his little brother and mother back for all of eternity and even though he may not be able to save his child in the end, at least he has a potential for happiness now. He won’t be stuck to the grounds where his mother wants him dead anymore and now he can come to visit his little brother whenever he wishes. The only thing that he has to look out for is Montana and her hoard of victims trying to get revenge.

Hopefully, in the finale, we will finally see the death of Margaret.

Other Thoughts:

• Trevor must hate his life horribly to want to die at Camp Redwood just to stay with Montana forever.
• It’s fitting that Donna paints Brooke as the final girl as well.

What did you think of this episode of American Horror Story:1984? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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American Horror Story:1984 airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on FX.

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