American Horror Story: Cult becomes a family as a TV reporter pokes holes in a candidates promise.

ThisAmerican Horror Story: Cultreview contains spoilers.

The newsroom isnt a place for sensationalism and fake news sells.

American Horror Storyfinds its scares in likely and unlikely places.

Its easy to control the population through fear.

Small towns are like bees in the hive body, and fear is a contagion that spreads like honey.

In this case, the tactics become more violent and more satanic.

These people are up against true evil, real career politicians.

But also bastions of journalistic integrity, like Bob Thompson, who have more than skeletons in their closets.

They also have gimps in the attic hanging from hooks in the skin like sadomasochistic fakirs.

Everyone has secrets onAmerican Horror Story.

In the cult, it indicates weakness.

No one in town knows secrets and weakness like Dr. Rudy Vincent (Cheyenne Jackson).

It appears mental acuity and a propensity for manipulation run in the family.

As the series progresses, more and more members of the secret society are revealed.

So is the groups plot.

Everyone in the inner circle has a direct line to one person who is slowly being driven mad.

Dr. Vincent is doing his best to stem the tide of madness.

No scarier than Latin.

Ave Satanus, the cult intones as they perform their blood sacrifices.

The last words the veteran newsman hears wont be heard or known outside of the people in the room.

The terror is for his sake only.

Kai isnt content to take out his victims.

They have to convert before they die.

Not to his cult, necessarily, but to fear.

Fear is a modern American horror story thats become a reality TV trope.

The cult members arent bonded by political, class or ethnic ties.

They are bound by rage.

It is interesting to note that the only person we see turning the tables on Kai is Beverly.

She also has the most rage.

It comes into her from every direction.

She is the one who gets Kai to admit his secret.

The father got abusive after he was paralyzed.

This feeds into Kais constant need to affirm.

He recruits from the helpless by letting them help themselves.

Winter Anderson (Billie Lourd) will turn out to be the genius of the family.

It brings every day horrors to theAmerican Horror Storylandscape.

American Horror Storyhas a formula that runs arc-wide.

Weve learned who the conspirators are and now we will get to see the conspiracy.

It feels like the trap thats been set for Ally will be pulled soon.

Her nerves are beyond frayed.

Allie is finally told about the cult.

But that knowledge does not give her any comfort.

She should go out and vote.

Holes was written by Crystal Liu, and directed by Maggie Kiley.

Rating:

4 out of 5