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American Horror Stories: What’s really happening in Ward X?

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American Horror Stories: What's really happening in Ward X?

As someone who has lost loved ones to cancer and has always been captivated by the darker side of humanity, I found “American Horror Stories” episode “X” to be a chilling exploration of the lengths we might go to eradicate this dreadful disease. The black-and-white cinematography perfectly encapsulates the grim atmosphere, harkening back to the classic horror films that have always held a special place in my heart.

A point that almost everyone concurs on is the game-changer a true cancer cure could be for us. Yet, one may wonder just how far mankind is prepared to advance in pursuit of this discovery. Could we possibly overstep boundaries in our quest? Is there such a thing as reaching too far?

In one of the latest episodes of American Horror Stories, titled “X,” which was released during the 2024 “Huluween” event, the topic is delved into. This episode features Henry Winkler portraying a malevolent doctor/scientist who has concocted a cruel method to eliminate cancer. The entire plot revolves around the enigmatic “Ward X.

Nurse Mia Isaac, also known as Claire, is the lone individual who’s persistently trying to expose the ominous plot brewing within the hospital. Regrettably, the outcome turns out to be disastrous.

What’s going on in Ward X?

The title-earning episode is intriguing due to a supposed non-existent ward. The story unfolds as a strange woman enters the hospital, wandering its corridors. She maintains an open mouth, giving the chilling impression of being stuck in that position, adding to the eerie and unsettling atmosphere.

In the narrative, Claire endeavors to aid a patient named Alice. However, an unfortunate event occurs when Alice kills one of the attendants, causing Claire immense fear. This terror intensifies when Alice traps Claire in a storage room, leaving her hospital ID behind. Using the wristlet, Claire manages to uncover some details about Alice, including the fact that she was moved to Ward X.

It appears that Dr. Eric Nostrum (Winkler) has been utilizing this ward for testing cancer patients, with devastating consequences. He conducts experiments on these individuals in an attempt to discover a cure, often leaving them disfigured or severely injured. This is how Alice ended up the way she currently is.

When she breaks free, Claire sets out to locate an individual capable of permanently halting Ward X and Doctor Nostrum’s schemes. She gives it her all to achieve this goal, but as she delves further into the intrigue, she uncovers more individuals implicated in the conspiracy. Eventually, Dr. Nostrum manages to apprehend both Claire and Malcolm (Dyllon Burnside), who was the only other person aiding her in her mission.

Despite Malcolm and Claire not having cancer, Doctor Nostrum plans to induce illness in them initially for his new experimental subjects. Claire manages to free herself from his grip with Alice’s aid, killing Dr. Nostrum in the act. When she regains consciousness, she encounters the detective assigned to her case and another nurse. She proposes taking them to Ward X to reveal the doctor’s activities, but it is then that we encounter our chilling final revelation.

It’s revealed that both the detective and the nurse are part of this entire scheme. The detective, driven by his daughter’s leukemia diagnosis, has pledged to do whatever it takes to find a cure. Despite Dr. Nostrum’s demise, the experiments will carry on. Claire is bound to a chair, seemingly destined to be the next target.

Why the black-and-white style choice?

Upon starting to watch “X”, viewers are immediately struck by the fact that it stands out among the others due to being the sole episode shot in black and white. What led to this choice?

In other words, since the show doesn’t provide direct information about it, I can only guess that the black and white color scheme was a deliberate decision by the episode’s creators. Typically, such schemes are used to represent a specific time period in film. It appears that “X” is set before 1950, possibly as far back as the 1930s, based on the opening Ella Fitzgerald song, which suggests an older era.

What about considering the reason behind choosing the 1930s instead of the present? One possible reason is that it allows us to pay tribute to the iconic horror films from that era. Additionally, there’s a certain horror in contemplating how cancer was so prevalent back then and continues to be an issue today. Lastly, the greyscale aesthetic, particularly for horror stories, adds a unique and chilling touch.

All five new episodes ofAmerican Horror Stories are now available on Hulu as part of season 3B.

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2024-10-16 03:25

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