The ever-recurring and ever-intriguing theme of American Horror Story (AHS) takes on a new depth as the cultural Zeitgeist is ignited. The Mai Tai Killer (Whitley), a character whose complexity and even sympathy have only deepened with each episode, reveals to the two young men trapped in the elevator with him in episode four, his meticulous plan to create a body using the parts of several others. This macabre creation, intended to be displayed during the NYC Pride parade, serves as a poignant reminder of the struggles and pain endured by the city's queer community, despite the lip service they often receive. The Mai Tai Killer seeks to effect change and force the world to confront the truth, hoping that by murdering these gay men, the entire gay community will benefit. Later, in episode six, we learn that Whitley has been forced to work for the mob to help dispose of bodies, a fact that threatens to expose his sexuality to his family unless he complies.
The episode also reveals a profound connection between Patrick and Sam: they both accidentally killed a young man on Fire Island two years prior. Wearing a gimp mask and chained to a pillory, this young man accidentally suffocated while both Patrick and Sam unknowingly railed his dead body. This gruesome scene is perhaps the most AHS-y moment so far, revealing a dark secret that colors their characters more than their previous suggested sadistic tendencies. Sam calls upon Henry for help disposing of the body, and it's here that we gain a deeper understanding of Whitley's critique of the city's hypocrisy—he has firsthand knowledge of how innocent gay men are treated as disposable, with the city as an institution turning a blind eye.
As the story between Patrick, Sam, Henry, and Whitley unfolds, Gino discovers their horrible secret too, bringing him closer to uncovering the identity of the Mai Tai Killer. In fact, as the episode ends, he's about to follow him back to his house (or apartment?) of horrors.
