The penultimate episode of season one, titled "Feral," marked a new level of strangeness and creepiness in the annals of "American Horror Stories," a testament to the show's ever-evolving ability to shock and awe. This week's narrative delves into the depths of an enduring online myth, weaving a tale of feral cannibals wreaking havoc in national parks.
The story kicks off with a seemingly idyllic weekend camping trip for a family, only to take a dark and terrifying turn when their young son, Jacob (played by Colin Tandberg), goes missing. From the get-go, there's an eerie undercurrent surrounding the three-year-old, a foreshadowing that becomes all the more chilling by the episode's climax.
As they settle into their campsite, amidst the picturesque backdrop, viewers' eyes are drawn to a sinister figure lurking in the periphery. From this moment on, "Feral" veers sharply into uncharted territories of weirdness and disquietude, pushing the boundaries of what's considered palatable in horror entertainment.
While the episode may not be hailed as a masterpiece in every aspect, it certainly stands out for its sheer oddity, especially when considering the real-life belief system that fuels this macabre narrative. The revelation that such beliefs persist in the minds of some adds an intriguing layer of reality to the already unnerving fiction.
Join us as we delve deeper into the events of this gripping "American Horror Stories" episode in our comprehensive recap below. Don't forget to share your thoughts on whether "Feral" managed to terrify or titillate you in the comments section!
The dawn of the subsequent day dawned with profound emotion, as Jay (Aaron Tveit), handing Jacob a compass, embarked on a fishing expedition, their steps echoing through the still morning air. Addie (Tiffany Dupont), bidding her husband and son a heartfelt adieu, her gaze inadvertently settling upon a telltale trace of blood at their campsite. Tracing its eerie path, she stumbled upon a grim discovery – a lifeless deer hanging from the trees' embrace.
Meanwhile, amidst the playful hues of hide-and-seek, Jay and Jacob's bond was suddenly rent asunder when Jay's frantic search for his son yielded only empty echoes and the looming shadow of despair. For the parents, this moment of panic was merely the prelude to a tale that would gradually unravel over the ensuing hours.
A decade later, the narrative skips ahead, revealing a stark reality: Jacob remains elusive, and Jay, now a solitary figure, is consumed by an unwavering obsession to reclaim his son. The relentless pursuit has taken its toll, even costing him the warmth of Addie's love and their once-cherished union.
Into this tempestuous landscape strides Birch (Blake Shields), a hunter whose words carried the faint whisper of hope. He brandished a photograph, its subject a youth lost in the same woods that swallowed Jacob whole, the image captured near the fateful trail. Birch's ominous hypothesis painted a sinister picture – Jacob's abduction at the hands of an illicit pot farm, perhaps even ensnared in the heinous web of human trafficking. To Jay, this was not just conjecture but a beacon guiding him deeper into the treacherous waters of his search.
Addie's heart was heavy with sorrow when Jay presented his newfound theory, initially resistant to any further entanglement. Yet, her resolve weakened, and she reluctantly agreed to fund Jay's quest, joining hands with him and Birch as they ventured back into the unyielding embrace of the forest, hoping to unravel the mysteries that had haunted them for so long.
The relationship between Addie and Jay has undeniably frayed over the years, and their tensions simmer to the surface the moment they venture into the foreboding woods. They're so engrossed in their quarrel that they fail to notice eerie creatures lurking in the shadows around them.
Their journey takes an unexpected turn when they cross paths with Ranger Stan Vogel (portrayed by Cody Fern), who instantly recognizes them from the headlines. Vogel reveals he was on duty when Jacob vanished, and he recalls encountering bizarre footprints near the station. His narrative deepens with a chilling account of being struck on the head, only to awaken to a terrifying sight of what appeared to be Bigfoot abducting Jacob.
The following day, their investigation leads them to the marijuana farm, where they're met with a grim discovery – a gruesome scene of bloodied corpses strewn everywhere. Birch's deceit becomes apparent, and he reluctantly confesses his elaborate scheme. He had orchestrated the whole ordeal, using his nephew as a pawn in a photograph that lured Jay and Addie into the wilderness. His ultimate goal was to team up with the growers and rob them, a convoluted plan that seems more far-fetched than prudent.
Just as Birch unravels his nefarious plot, a macabre twist unfolds. One of the lifeless bodies suddenly lurches to life, sinking its teeth into Birch. In the chaos that ensues, bullets fly, and Jay is tragically hit in the side. Amidst the chaos, Addie and Jay stumble back to the station, desperate for answers from Ranger Vogel, who now holds the key to unraveling this twisted mystery.
Vogel, at long last, unleashed the trove of secrets simmering in the heart of the woods, a tale both intriguing and spine-tinglingly terrifying! He divulged that the enigmatic creatures lurking within were no mere myth, but a carefully guarded secret of the American government. The expansive network of national parks, it transpired, served as a buffer zone, safeguarding society from the Feral Nation, a beastly reality kept hidden from prying eyes.
As Vogel's revelations unfolded, Jay and Addie's memories crystallized, recalling the sudden appearance of National Guard troops on the fateful day Jacob vanished. The truth dawned on them: the soldiers' presence wasn't a coincidence; they were stealthily dispatched to eliminate the ravenous feral cannibals lurking in the shadows.
But as the episode drew to a frenzied climax, the tables turned. The ferals erupted from the shadows, their ferocity unleashed upon the station, claiming Vogel's life in a bloody onslaught. Jay and Addie found themselves corralled, surrounded by the very creatures they'd sought to comprehend, with a sinister figure enthroned in the distance – none other than Jacob, fully transformed into their feared leader.
The transformation, it seemed, had not softened his heart towards his parents. Instead, he had embraced his newfound status with grim determination, declaring them as the next course on the feral menu. As the ferals charged, teeth bared and eyes glowing with primal hunger, the scene abruptly froze, leaving viewers to ponder the grim fate that awaited Jay, Addie, and the now-ruthless Jacob.
