FX’s official episode summary contained the phrase “a new patient claiming to be Anne Frank exposes Arden’s past,” and it took me literally .06 seconds to come to the realization that Arden was a Nazi. A predictable background was played out for Grace, and a potentially clever device to reveal more info on other patients at the asylum turned in to yet another “what do you guys think we can get away with on television?”
I have a very hard time with snark free commentary of the content of this show, as it plays out like a really pretty Troma film, so once again I marvel at the technical details. I feel like I’m trying to crack a code when paying attention to the cinematography. Tight, symmetrical centered close ups focused on Lana; a centered head shot with a crooked background was used for Kit, and for Anne a motion shot with parallel lines was employed. All the styles are different enough to notice, but not so much to cause any Gaspar Noe type effects on the viewer. Lana even got a push-pull! MAN am I a sucker for the push-pull!
I would be remiss if I failed to mention the second masturbation scene tonight – this one with bonus vomit! Actually, I wouldn’t be remiss. It had no bearing on the story and did not propel the plot. If I were extremely generous I would claim that this scene proved Dr. Thordsen’s misguided good intentions, as he plans to help Lana escape the asylum. As such, I predict her death within two episodes.
Handsomely sinister Monsignor Howard returned tonight to reveal his cahoots with Dr. Arden. The show ended on a cliffhanger in which “Anne” called Dr. Arden by his real name an- OH MY GOD HIS NAME IS HANS GRUBER AND I SERIOUSLY CANNOT DO THIS ANYMORE. No, no, I got this. I’m fine now. The fuzz is on to Dr. Arden, thanks to that hooker he let loose a couple episodes ago. Anne is played by Franka Potente, who apparently owes someone a huge favor, but it’s a bonus for us because she is always amazing.
As much as I complain, there was an important character development tonight. From conversations with minor characters I now believe that Sister Jude is in her own deranged way the hero of this tale. Sister Jude genuinely believe that her medieval torture is the only path to healing these poor depraved souls. Even so, the show is still deep sea fishing for sharks to jump. Anne Frank? Really? I can see the writers’ room: “We need a really prominent historical figure to really shake things up.” “Genghis Kahn”? “Nah.” “Neil Armstrong?” “Nah, too soon.” “Hitler?” “That’s too easy, but I like where you’re goin’ with that one . . . ” Come on. Anne Frank. The dramatic conclusion will follow next week.