Mid-Western Assassin

"Mid-Western Assassin"
American Horror Story episode
Episode no. Season 7
Episode 6
Directed by Bradley Buecker
Written by Todd Kubrak
Production code 7ATS06
Original air date October 10, 2017 (2017-10-10)
Running time 44 minutes
Guest appearance(s)

"Mid-Western Assassin" is the sixth episode of the seventh season of the anthology television series American Horror Story. It aired on October 10, 2017, on the cable network FX. The episode was written by Todd Kubrak, and directed by Bradley Buecker.[1]

Plot

Meadow reveals to Ally that she had fallen in love with Kai and decided to desert the cult when her feelings were not reciprocated. Ally plans to use Meadow's testimony to expose Kai and pays an opposing candidate of his, Sally Keffler, a visit to ask for her help. In the midst of their conversation, the cult breaks into Sally's house and Kai shoots her in the chest. He stages her murder as a suicide. The next day, at a political rally, Meadow shoots several people, including Kai. Ally attempts to wrestle the gun out of Meadow's hands and Meadow shoots herself in the mouth. Ally is arrested after a SWAT team arrives to the scene and finds her with the gun in her hands. Kai had ordered Meadow to attempt to assassinate him so that his figure would be elevated to a national level. In addition, Meadow was instructed to bear witness to Ally on the grounds that no one would believe a "crazy woman".

Production

On October 7, 2017, it was confirmed that the sixth episode of the season would be edited as a direct result of the 2017 Las Vegas shooting that occurred six days earlier. The episode originally featured a scene lasting 2 minutes and 16 seconds where Leslie Grossman's character Meadow Wilton begins to fire at Evan Peters' character, as well as a crowd, during a campaign speech. The episode was edited to de-emphasize the violence and to mostly have it featured completely off-screen[2] - as a result the opening sequence of the episode was cut in half, several on-screen deaths were removed and two separate close-up shots of the handgun firing were removed.[3]

While only the edited episode was broadcast on FX, the original uncut episode was released via VOD, FXNOW and FX+.[3]

Reception

"Mid-Western Assassin" was watched by 2.15 million people during its original broadcast, and gained a 1.0 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.[4]

The episode received positive reviews from critics. On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, "Mid-Western Assassin" holds a 88% approval rating, based on 16 reviews with an average rating of 7.52 out of 10.[5]

Tony Sokol of Den of Geek gave the episode a 4.5 out of 5, saying "The episode is explosive, obviously, but the subtle machinations of the making of a murderess also helps show the implosion of the political body. The audience sees what the voters see. Violence can erupt at any time, regardless of crime statistics. But we also see how anyone can be a killer, even the bad neighbor next door."[6]

Kat Rosenfield from Entertainment Weekly gave the episode a B, and enjoyed Ivy's flashback and the reason behind her hate for Ally. However, she also criticized the constant reuse of some sets, like the Butchery's.[7] Vulture's Brian Moylan gave the episode a 3 out of 5, with a mixed to positive review. He praised the character of Meadow and the statements made by this season and this episode, especially about gun violence and "the fear-mongering Trumpian dystopia that we’re living in and the myopic identity politics of the liberal elite". However, contrary to Rosenfield, he criticized the character of Ivy and the reason that made her join the cult. He also expressed some doubts about why the cult decided to target Ally.[8]

Matt Fowler of IGN gave the episode a 7.6 out of 10, with a positive review. He said "Cult remains steady in its storytelling, using a behind-the-scenes look at Kai's demented movement to show us just how the general public's strings are being pulled. With this episode ending in a final gruesome stunt (that unfortunately hits very close to home, headline-wise) designed to catapult Kai to the top of politics, we're due for a bit of a reset. If one doesn't come, let's hope this episode marks a turning point for the season in some way."[9]

References

  1. ↑ "AMERICAN HORROR STORY - (#706) "Mid-Western Assassin"". TheFutonCritic. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  2. ↑ Hayes, Dade (7 October 2017). "Ryan Murphy On Why He Re-Edited Mass Shooting In 'AHS: Cult': "I Believe In Victims' Rights"–New Yorker Festival". Deadline.com. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  3. 1 2 Reiher, Andrea. "Here Are the Changes FX Made to AHS: Cult After the Las Vegas Shooting". Popsugar.com. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  4. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (October 10, 2017). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.10.2017". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  5. ↑ "American Horror Story: Cult - "Mid-Western Assassin"". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  6. ↑ Sokol, Tony (October 11, 2017). "American Horror Story Season 7 Episode 6 Review: Mid-Western Assassin". Den of Geek. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
  7. ↑ Rosenfield, Kat (October 10, 2017). "American Horror Story: Cult recap: 'Mid-Western Assassin'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  8. ↑ Moylan, Brian (October 4, 2017). "American Horror Story: Cult Recap: Beautiful Meadow". Vulture.com. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  9. ↑ Fowler, Matt (October 10, 2017). "American Horror Story: Cult - "Mid-Western Assassin" Review". IGN. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
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