11/9 (''American Horror Story'')
| "11/9" | |
|---|---|
| American Horror Story episode | |
| Episode no. |
Season 7 Episode 4 |
| Directed by | Gwyneth Horder-Payton |
| Written by | John J. Gray |
| Production code | 7ATS04 |
| Original air date | September 26, 2017 |
| Running time | 51 minutes |
| Guest appearance(s) | |
| |
"11/9" is the fourth episode of the seventh season of the anthology television series American Horror Story. It aired on September 26, 2017, on the cable network FX. The episode was written by John J. Gray, and directed by Gwyneth Horder-Payton.[1]
Plot
November 2016
On Election night, Ivy (Alison Pill), handcuffed Gary (Chaz Bono) in the grocery's basement with the help of Winter (Billie Lourd), in retaliation after he crudely groped her during their heated argument at the Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton presidential rally earlier that day. Ivy's retaliation also cost Gary his chance to vote in the election. Upon discovering his sister's involvement with Ivy, Kai (Evan Peters) tracks him down in the basement and after listening to his pleading for freedom, hands him a hacksaw to sever his chained hand. At the local polling place for the election, the attendees who took their respective votes were Ivy with her wife Ally (Sarah Paulson), Winter and her friends, Dr. Vincent (Cheyenne Jackson), the Wiltons (Billy Eichner and Leslie Grossman), Beverly Hope (Adina Porter), her cameraman R.J. (James Morosini), and Beverly's rival Serena Belinda (Emma Roberts). Kai carries Gary, who had amputated his hand, to the polling booths. After both he and Kai vote for Trump, Gary emerges from the booth and raises his freshly severed stump in exclamation.
The day after the election, Harrison, who was working as a fitness trainer at the gym, was maltreated by his boss Vincenzo "Vinny" Ravoli (T.J. Hoban). He then returns home one day to discover from a despondent Meadow that the bank has foreclosed on their house. They argue over finances and Meadow unsuccessfully attempts to seduce him. The next day, Harrison's frequent client Kai consoles him after he divulges his financial dilemma. In the midst of yet another verbal abuse by Vinny, Harrison is enticed by Kai to stand up to the latter. Harrison pins Vinny under barbells, crushing his chest and breaking his ribs. He finishes him off with a dumbbell to the head. Meadow catches Harrison and Kai in the act of dismembering Vinny’s body. Harrison introduces Kai to Meadow as "someone to believe in".
December 2016
After recruiting the Wiltons, Kai turns his attention to Beverly who was sent to a psychiatric rehabilitation center thirty days ago when she attacked a teenager in a fit of rage on-air after being humiliated in her live broadcasts by male hecklers who shouted vulgar comments of sexual harassment. Kai finds her slashing the tires of her boss and news anchor Bob Thompson's car, (Dermot Mulroney) after the latter trimmed her reports in favor of Serena's. Kai outlines his plan for world domination and offers her "equal power". To convince the reporter, Kai and the Wiltons, donned in clown costumes designed by Meadow, murder Serena and her cameraman Cole (Bill Parks), who were filming a local pet adoption event. Beverly confronts them at his house but she declares her allegiance to Kai's cult afterwards as well as R.J., allowing the reporter to republish her live broadcast on Vinny's murder.
Reception
"11/9" was watched by 2.13 million people during its original broadcast, and gained a 1.1 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.[2]
The episode has been critically acclaimed. On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, "11/9" holds a 100% approval rating, based on 16 reviews with an average rating of 8.19 out of 10.[3]
Tony Sokol of Den of Geek gave the episode a 4 out of 5, saying "The episode may not be enough to convert new fans to American Horror Story: Cult, but to those preaching to the choir, the Kool-Aid is refreshing." He particularly praised the presence and the development of Peters' Kai Anderson; but also Lourd's performance as Winter, describing her as a "master mind manipulator".[4]
Kat Rosenfield from Entertainment Weekly gave the episode a B+, and appreciated that it was a break from the character of Ally and her "hysterical screaming breakdowns". Moreover, she praised Adina Porter and her acting skills, saying "she's the best thing to happen to this cast since we lost La Lange"."[5] Vulture's Brian Moylan gave the episode a 4 out of 5, indicating a positive review. Like Rosenfield, he praised Adina Porter, calling her a "genius", but also the plot twist of the third act of the episode.[6]
Matt Fowler of IGN gave the episode a 8.3 out of 10, with a positive review. He said "[this episode] revealed crucial backstory and a fun twist that could greatly alter the story going forward. It was staged nicely, separated into three acts—with the third providing a new element that helps add texture to the entire season. It was also fun to watch the "cult" of Cult actually form, and to see some of the side characters be real(ish) people outside of the facade they put on for the sake of Ally and Ivy."[7]
References
- ↑ "AMERICAN HORROR STORY - (#704) "11/9"". TheFutonCritic. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
- ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (September 27, 2017). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.26.2017". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
- ↑ "American Horror Story: Cult - "11/9"". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
- ↑ Sokol, Tony (September 26, 2017). "American Horror Story Season 7 Episode 4 Review: 11/9". Den of Geek. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
- ↑ Rosenfield, Kat (September 26, 2017). "American Horror Story: Cult recap: '11/9'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
- ↑ Moylan, Brian (September 26, 2017). "American Horror Story Recap: Fake News". Vulture.com. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
- ↑ Fowler, Matt (September 26, 2017). "American Horror Story: Cult - "11/9" Review". IGN. Retrieved September 26, 2017.