My Review of Grotesquerie: "Red Haze"

 

Written by Ryan Murphy And Jon Robin Baitz And Joe Baken 

Directed by Max Winkler 

Lois: "I hate it here. Something so off about this place."

Sister Megan: "Yes it is."

Picking up from the last episode, Lois and Sister Megan soon realise that the mystery naked woman in their car went by the name of Andrea. As a character, she mostly remained a mystery but she did bring Lous and Sister Megan to a motel in the middle of nowhere.

A motel where both Lois and Sister Megan were desperate to leave but both found themselves getting caught up in events. There was the desk clerk trying to conceal her bruises and the abusive owner Nick, whom took an immediate distrust to everyone. You also had Lois and Sister Megan clash too.

I guess at some point, Lois's cynicism would be a bit much for Sister Megan but even when clashing over their different methods of handling stress, both women were caught up in the craziness of the motel. Fender benders were one thing but the killer showing up, abducting Andrea in from of them and shooting Sister Megan. It all happened way too fast.

It also brought out a harsher side to Father Charlie, who seemed a bit too happy to call out Lois's disregard for others while pointing out the killer was after her specifically. Earlier episodes already established that fact and while it was informative watching Hanover list some of Lois's rogues gallery, it didn't get us any closer to the killer.

Also keeping up with the title of the show, Grotesquerie used Lois being out of town to perform horrific caesarians on pregnant women, killing them and taking the babies. They also left another cryptic clue and Lois also found herself having to calm a woman down in the middle of nowhere with a bloodied baby wrapped in newspapers. This was definitely the most stressful episode so far.

- At least six of Lois's rogues were mentioned with Glorious McKall being the only released around the same time Grotesquerie started killing. Red herring, right?

- Nurse Redd could heard in a phone conversation with Lois talking about end of life for Marshall. 

- Ash mixed with chlorine can make for acidic but purple looking pool. It also reminded Lois of an aviation cocktail.

- Chronology: From where the last episode left off.

Red Haze was shorter than the first four but it certainly was the most batshit one so far. Several moments almost didn't seem real, mostly involving the motel scenes. Speaking of scenes, Lois had some good ones with characters like Jack and Franklin, bringing out a more determined but clear headed side to her.

Rating: 7 out of 10