American Horror Story: Double Feature Review: Blood Buffet (Season 10 Episode 4)
The Chemist’s origins are explored as American Horror Story: Double Feature Season 10 Episode 4, “Blood Buffet,” takes a time jump to the past.
Finally, the show answers most of the questions viewers have been asking via a five-year time jump. “Blood Buffet” centers on The Chemist’s journey into town and how she became the innovator of a lifetime. One red flag about The Chemist is that she spent nine years in the military as a molecular biologist. So, even without the creation of the pill, she’s someone never to double-cross.
It’s wise to dedicate an entire episode to the backstory of the locals, even when pushing a deadline like Red Tide is. Belle hasn’t been unlikable, but she hasn’t had enough information revealed about her to get a natural feel until “Blood Buffet.” The same goes for Austin; besides that he likes to sing and hang around Belle all day, nothing substantial about the character is revealed until this episode.
The reveal of Belle’s tragic backstory allows the audience to connect with her character on another level, garnering her more fans. It’s pleasing to see Belle living her life loud and proud after knowing what she had to endure to get where she is. Nobody deserves to be a victim of spousal abuse, whether physical or emotional, so there are no hard feelings about her ex-husband getting what he deserves.
From the beginning of the season, it’s known through context clues that Belle is a big deal in the town, and “Blood Buffet” explains why; she’s the first success. She is the first person to thrive off the pill and not go off the deep end.
While some people may have the ability to sing or do certain things well, it doesn’t necessarily mean one is talented. The formation of the first flesh phantom showcases that even if someone believes deep down they have talent, that doesn’t make it a reality. While the guy from the bar isn’t given a name, he plays a vital role in the history of the pill because of his transformation.
With flesh phantoms roaming the streets of Provincetown in the present, it’s safe to assume there is some sort of meaning behind their survival. With a string of consistent murders throughout town, why is he still roaming free five years later?
Are the police officers in the town in on it as well, or have they genuinely not caught the flesh phantoms due to their lack of ability to do the job? Even in a small town, there is a decent number of police officers, so why have we still not seen any walking the streets?
The scoring to “Blood Buffet” is riveting yet haunting at the same time, but I expect nothing less from Mac Quayle. His reputation and productions speak for themselves. Quayle is your guy if you want your television show to have an emotional depth that nobody else can achieve.
Frances Conroy also exudes excellence on “Blood Buffet.” Conroy continues to showcase what a force she is and just how eloquently she can change demeanor on a whim. She’s been a powerhouse actor for years, and I love getting to see it in action.
It’s safe to assume that most of the regulars in town are aware of the pill situation and use it to the best of their advantage.
With the end of Red Tide fast approaching, it begs the question: what will happen to the Gardners? How will the story wrap up and transition into Death Valley?
There are many fan theories as to what will happen, my personal favorite being the one where Doris’ child eats its way through her stomach. Doris clearly has no natural talent of her own, and Alma is counting the seconds until she can deal with that issue herself.
There would be no surprise if Alma slipped Doris a pill, hoping it would kill her because she isn’t thinking about the child. Either the child forcibly rips itself out of Doris or transfers its talents to Doris while still inside of her, forcing her to do its bidding. No matter what, something demonic will happen with that child.
Red Tide comes to an end shortly, so there are high hopes that it will end with a bang.
Other Thoughts:
- Out of all the drag queens to cast for a b*tch role… I’m underwhelmed and not satisfied with the choice.
- We still haven’t been given a reason for the red porch lights, so I hope that’s explained on “Gaslight.”
- By this point, I think that Death Valley will end up being the story that Harry is having greenlit in Hollywood during Red Tide. At the moment, there doesn’t seem to be another valid theory that makes sense, but I’m always open to being proven wrong.
- I love that “Blood Buffet” shows the locals of the town flooding the streets. We need to see more of that in the present, or have an explanation as to why nobody is ever seen walking outside unless they’re interacting with the main characters.
What did you think of this episode of American Horror Story: Double Feature? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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American Horror Story: Double Feature airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on FX.
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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.