Grotesquerie double episode premiere recap: A string of gruesome murders

As a seasoned horror enthusiast with a penchant for dark storytelling and a soft spot for complex characters, I must say that “Grotesquerie” has quickly become one of my favorite addictions on television. The first two episodes have left me utterly captivated, much like the murderer’s gruesome concoctions seem to ensnare the victims.

Ryan Murphy and his team have unveiled their latest horror show, titled “Grotesquerie,” merely a week after the Netflix premiere of “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story“. On Wednesday night, this new series debuted with two episodes. The show features Niecy Nash-Betts as a detective who joins forces with a nun to track down the culprit responsible for a string of grisly crimes haunting a local community.

At the outset of “Grotesquerie”, a grim and chilling atmosphere is established as Detective Lois Tryon (Nash-Betts) arrives at a gruesome murder site, where three bodies lie, arranged around a dining table with a disturbing addition: a substance in their mouths. This grotesque discovery reveals that the family’s patriarch was used as an ingredient, meticulously prepared by the killer. The scene is reminiscent of Eli Roth’s “Thanksgiving”. To make matters even more unsettling, it appears that the infant was boiled in a stew pot, causing the police to retch at the grisly sight.

On that particular evening, the stage is set to reveal Lois’ personality and her relationship with her daughter, Merritt (portrayed by Raven Goodwin). In an attempt to unwind after a long day, Lois spends time with Merritt, watching Jeopardy!, sipping from a bottle of vodka. It’s clear that Lois struggles with alcohol, but the scene is effectively designed to display Merritt’s intelligence, as she answers every question correctly on the game show.

Later on, the setting shifts to a hospital scene in “Jeopardy!”, where Lois goes to see her husband Marshall (played by Courtney B. Vance). It turns out he’s been in a coma for an extended period. A stern nun named Sister Redd (Lesley Manville) is taking care of him, and there’s frequent tension between Lois and this Nurse Ratched-esque figure over the treatment of her husband.

The next day at work, Lois encounters Sister Megan (Micaela Diamond), a nun who doubles as a journalist for a local newspaper. Interestingly, she’s quite profane and has an avid interest in true crime. She’s particularly intrigued by Lois’ current case, making a spot-on guess about the song that was playing when the police arrived at the scene. This precise deduction makes Lois wonder if Sister Megan could be the culprit, but she reassures Lois that her knowledge comes naturally. Lois then requests Sister Megan’s assistance in identifying the unusual substance left behind at the crime scene.

In many instances similar to these narratives, the series of killings persists. The subsequent crime scene presents three corpses devoid of blood, their torsos affixed to the wall in a manner reminiscent of crucifixion. Sister Megan appears at the scene, and Lois extends an invitation for her to examine and record observations. It appears that Megan holds her insights in high regard. During a subsequent discussion, Megan discloses to Lois that the substance is likely intended to represent brimstone, as it’s rich in sulfur dioxide. This suggests that the perpetrator may be influenced by religious beliefs, which aligns with the show’s overall atmosphere.

Grotesquerie double episode premiere recap: A string of gruesome murders

Grotesquerie episode 2 recap

In the following episode, we delve into a flashback of the past, showcasing the Tryons’ family life before Marshall fell into a coma. Although the reason for his condition remains unknown, this glimpse offers a somber look at their troubled marriage. To put it mildly, Lois and Marshall’s relationship was far from simple. Marshall had multiple infidelities, leaving Lois expressing feelings of wishing he were dead at one point. Marshall responds by expressing hope that she doesn’t regret saying that. As it turns out…

The situation at the hospital becomes increasingly bizarre as Lois confronts Nurse Redd, alleging that she sexually assaulted Lois’ husband in his bed. The tension between these two is palpable, and it leaves one questioning if we’ll ever learn more about their past interactions.

Let’s return to the primary line of inquiry. Lois is exploring different hypotheses and hints at home, considering whether the perpetrator might have ties to the local university. However, her conversation with Sister Megan suggests a shift in focus. The nun intuits that the killer may be someone far more sinister than just a university acquaintance, someone who was unknown to the victims. Additionally, she believes that this individual is not an ordinary person, but rather someone aspiring to play the role of God.

If you’ve been following “Monsters” on Netflix, you may find Nicholas Chavez familiar when he appears as Father Chavez. His dynamic with Megan is intriguing, as they both seem fixated on murderers and there appears to be a hint of flirtation between them. Later, we witness a scene where the priest is seen alone, masturbating in his room and then punishing himself with a whip. Father Charlie suspects that the crimes could have a Satanic origin.

As a fan, I can’t help but share my excitement about the latest twist in the story. When Megan and Lois resume their conversation, Megan raises the topic of Satanism, but Lois seems hesitant. Instead, she suggests they pursue a DNA lead, one that tracks down Sullivan Firkus, a recently freed convict. Tracing his whereabouts, they discover his lifeless body alongside another woman’s at his residence. What catches Lois’ eye is the chilling calling card left behind by the murderer: “grotesquerie.” Upon investigation, it turns out that Firkus has been deceased for quite some time. The blood found outside the family massacre was nothing more than a clever red herring and a deliberate misdirection from the killer.

On her journey home, Lois encounters a homeless individual whom she provides money, then presents an enigmatic box found at the Firkus crime scene to her daughter Merritt for analysis. Perplexed by its nature, Merritt can’t quite decipher what it is. Matters grow peculiar when Lois falls asleep, and from our vantage point, we observe a cryptic figure wandering through their house subtly in the backdrop. Lois retrieves her weapon but subsequently lays it aside once more.

Another phone call interrupts her night once more, with news of a grisly event: a series of murders taking place at a church this time. The perpetrator has struck again, claiming the lives of twelve individuals and arranging their bodies to mimic The Last Supper. Remarkably, the man found in the center is the same one Lois had recently offered money to, just moments ago on screen.

Fresh installments of the series “Grotesquerie” will be broadcast every Wednesday evening at 10 p.m. Eastern Time, exclusively on FX. If you miss the live telecast, don’t worry! You can catch up with the episodes on Hulu as well.

2024-09-27 04:25