(Note: This post contains spoilers through the Oct. 10 episode of “American Horror Story: Cult.”)
Even when they think you know what’s going on in “American Horror Story: Cult,” the show manages to throw some ridiculous twists at fans.
First, “American Horror Story: Cult” opened with a shooting at a campaign rally for secret cult leader Kai Anderson (Evan Peterson). And it looked like Ally (Sarah Paulson) was the shooter.
My reaction when I find out Ally is the shooter at the beginning of the episode #AHSCult pic.twitter.com/t8EzaKCO1c
— Krystal Flack (@KrystalLeigh) October 11, 2017
That was a shocker for fans at the start, but the episode then dialed back in time to another major event: Ally rescuing Meadow (Leslie Grossman) from the cult. Finally, it seemed, Ally had a friend who could help her deal with this whole murder clown thing.
Meadow spilling all this tea #AHSCult pic.twitter.com/aooamycG9v
— babygirl (@extratayrestria) October 11, 2017
https://twitter.com/INSOMNIAhuman/status/917937107083190274
Ally and meadow bout to tag team them all #AHSCult pic.twitter.com/XmopCxAl1K
— Dibrianys Duran (@dibrithenerd) October 11, 2017
https://twitter.com/_lovelylissa525/status/917937299677175813
But plenty of fans were also immediately suspicious. They’d been burned by seemingly non-cult characters before. Repeatedly.
Can't tell if Meadow on Ally's side #AHSCult pic.twitter.com/1Q0p2iV504
— Master of Coin (@amoridescent) October 11, 2017
For some reason I feel like Meadow isn't telling the whole truth ? #AHSCULT
— Sarina Hamling (@Sarina_paige) October 11, 2017
https://twitter.com/chill_justshoot/status/917938098746679296
I’m still trying to figure out why they didn’t just kill Meadow instead of beating around the bush multiple times. Issa scam ??♀️ #AHSCult
— Yolanda (@LadyMockingjay) October 11, 2017
This episode also saw the introduction of “American Horror Story” regular Mare Winningham, who popped up as Sally, a woman who sees right through Kai’s brand of fear-mongering. Fans were pretty delighted to see her take him apart in public during a city counsel debate.
https://twitter.com/leasemylov/status/917938369623154688
https://twitter.com/I_Like_Koalas/status/917938389529300992
#AHSCult she just signed her own death warrant
— NoraTene' ? (@NoraTene) October 11, 2017
https://twitter.com/sdp4u/status/917939949206495233
But the heart of the plot of most of “American Horror Story: Cult” has been Ally and her relationship with her wife, Ivy (Alison Pill). This episode featured quite a bit about Ivy’s induction into the cult, and her resentment toward Ally. Turns out, Ivy really was gaslighting Ally with her clown pals, as lots of fans suspected.
In general, though, fans had some questions about the pair’s choices.
https://twitter.com/JensShoeDiaries/status/917940041292316673
https://twitter.com/alyciasmarvel/status/917940009713459201
Ivy's confession got me like:#AHSCult pic.twitter.com/paWd8ed00g
— 꽃 유쿠? (@woojae2peachy) October 11, 2017
Dang Ivy that hurt #AHSCult pic.twitter.com/P7EWycdIQa
— A (@stfudxryl) October 11, 2017
So Ivy teamed up with Kai to help drive Ally crazy and to hopefully run off with Ozy #AHSCult pic.twitter.com/L68UV24Y06
— Pretty Keia (@keiafar) October 11, 2017
https://twitter.com/chyleighdnvrs/status/917940859366240256
https://twitter.com/IzzoKendall/status/917941855488061440
https://twitter.com/MellyXCV/status/917940744266055681
Ugh, Ivy! #AHScult pic.twitter.com/GoMTD8lGBg
— Whitney (@wqueen1) October 11, 2017
As many fans expected, Sally wasn’t long for the show — but most were pretty annoyed with Ally’s usual “freak out and shutdown” response in the face of danger.
https://twitter.com/AngelusPravus/status/917941882352734208
So Ally not gon call the police?! #AHSCult pic.twitter.com/apdd6HmhDR
— LiLi (@lifeoflili_) October 11, 2017
https://twitter.com/shanruss07/status/917942992329236480
Ally in every scene of #AHSCult #AHS7 pic.twitter.com/CKLPrXa9sw
— Kc (@93pct_stardust) October 11, 2017
Ally sees that Meadow was telling the truth #AHSCult pic.twitter.com/fM8H623pi1
— ???✨DeVonna ✨??? (@DeVonna13) October 11, 2017
Sally standing up to Kai was great, and plenty of people continue to be irritated with Ivy, but it was the episode’s big ending twist that blew the most minds.
#AHSCult they all setting Ally up!!! pic.twitter.com/b5o60CE6Q5
— ☀️?Goddess BR111☀️? (@Bri_Bankston13) October 11, 2017
https://twitter.com/Juanito29434/status/917945711131611136
https://twitter.com/birmingmix/status/917945662901190656
Poor Meadow didn't get that Kai had her kill two birds w/one stone- get him national attention & take herself out as a complication #AHSCult
— Nicole Walker (@tniwalker) October 11, 2017
I KNEW THERE WAS A PLAN WITH MEADOW !! #AHSCult
— Ana Karen (@melananncholy) October 11, 2017
https://twitter.com/MESSYTESTES/status/917946411039195136
https://twitter.com/darrell_harry/status/917946405267955715
There were still a few things fans were wondering about, though. News circulated last week that this episode of “American Horror Story: Cult” had had its shooting scenes recut in response to the mass shooting that took place in Las Vegas last week. To many, “AHS” still seemed pretty graphic.
Me trying to figure out if this is what they kept in then what did they cut out ? #AHSCult pic.twitter.com/B4SCz0z6jH
— ✨loraina✨ (@_DopeLolo) October 11, 2017
And one other question still lingered on fans’ minds:
https://twitter.com/Angel_Fish10/status/917947811169173504