Grotesquerie episode 1 recap: A detective and nun form an unlikely partnership

As a seasoned detective with years of experience under my belt, I find myself deeply intrigued by this chilling tale unfolding before us. The heinous crimes committed in the Burnside household are unlike anything I’ve encountered in my career, leaving me shaken to my very core.

The chilling season has arrived, and if you’re seeking a fresh horror television series, I recommend giving “Grotesquerie” a try. Produced by Ryan Murphy, Jon Robin Baitz, and Joe Baken, this FX on Hulu production premiered tonight, September 25, with two inaugural episodes. While it’s not exactly like “American Horror Story“, you can expect the same level of suspense and terror from “Grotesquerie“. The series revolves around a detective and a nun who join forces to investigate a string of murders in their quaint town.

WARNING: Major spoilers for Grotesquerie episode 1 are below.

The narrative initiates by presenting our main character, Detective Lois Tryon (played by Niecy Nash-Betts), as she’s jolted awake from a troubling dream. Scattered around her are telltale signs of her habits – an empty liquor bottle and cigarette butts. A phone call about fresh murders disrupts her peaceful slumber, and without delay, she rushes to the crime scene. Upon arrival, Lois discovers that a family consisting of a mother, father, and their three children have tragically lost their lives within the household. A fellow officer informs her that the incident is classified as a hate crime. Intrigued, Lois inquires about the specific target of the hatred, to which he responds ominously: “Everything.” The sight of the murders leaves another police officer retching near the flowers, indicating the severity of the crime.

Lois steps into the house and surveys the scene, finding blood and dismembered body parts everywhere. The mother and two children are situated at the dining table, while another body, missing its head, lies on the kitchen floor. Upon entering the kitchen, Lois notices a pot simmering on the stove filled with an ominous green liquid.

That evening at home, Lois prepares dinner and engages in conversation with her daughter, Merritt (Raven Goodwin). They spend the night enjoying a TV program together, and it seems Lois is frequently taking sips from a drink. The show’s narrative appears to be subtly hinting at something, and Merritt senses that her mother might be troubled. She inquires about any issues at work, but Lois prefers not to discuss it.

Lois’ husband

Lois goes to see Marshall (Courtney B. Vance) in the hospital, where he’s been on a ventilator for 28 days. A nurse named Nurse Redd wants to talk to Lois privately and mentions they might need to reconsider their approach if they wish to continue life support for Marshall. Lois admits she no longer feels her husband’s presence, and Nurse Redd advises her to spend more time with him when she visits. This advice upsets Lois, and she is surprised to learn that the hospital has cameras in the rooms. Lois tells Nurse Redd that her marriage is her own concern and leaves, emphasizing that even though there may not be much conversation between them, her marriage is still a bond she cherishes.

At the police station, the detectives find themselves puzzled. The DNA discovered at the crime scenes matches that of the family, the Burnsides, with no fingerprints or traces of a potential killer present. They ponder over the family’s background, noting their respectable professions and academic achievements. Lois posits that the murderer might not be a novice, although another detective reports they’ve yet to find anything in the databases so far. Lois expresses a sense of deja vu about the murders, as if she’s encountered a similar situation before.

Grotesquerie episode 1 recap: A detective and nun form an unlikely partnership

A reporter nun comes to the police station to see Lois, and she introduces herself as Sister Megan (Micaela Diamond). She works for The Catholic Guardian, and admits that reporting on crimes and cults has increased their website’s viewership. Lois seems to take a quick liking to Sister Megan and is willing to help her. Sister Megan believes the Burnsides were killed ritually, mentioning the fact that they were devout. She says their priest is a friend of hers and Lois says she would like to speak with him.

The heinous crimes

Afterwards, Lois confides in Sister Megan about the gruesome case, disclosing that the parents and two kids were bound to a dining table with wire, while the father was allegedly cooked in an oven for two hours. His face was cut into pieces and served along with his internal organs such as liver, lungs, and kidneys. There are signs that the family consumed some of him. Lois then hints at what was simmering in a pot, but struggles to express it. She implies to Sister Megan that it’s the most appalling sight one could ever witness boiling in a pot, suggesting it might have been the infant. Tragically, the mother and children succumbed to heart attacks brought on by the intense shock of the horrifying scene they were subjected to.

I, personally, continue to share that a neighbor mentioned an instance of loud Mozart music emanating from the Burnside residence. Intriguingly, a fellow fan like me, Sister Megan, was offered vodka, which she politely declined. Curiosity piqued, Sister Megan inquired if the tune was “The Requiem,” to which I was taken aback. Amazed, I questioned whether she had somehow intuited it, but Sister Megan simply stated she felt it instinctively. In a moment of urgency, I then asked for her assistance, explaining that an unusual substance covered our entire home and we’ve been unable to identify its origin. I described the scent as similar to hair burning. Before parting ways, she inquired about the reason behind my revelation.

In the following sequence, I find myself observing two individuals comfortably ensconced in their home, engrossed in television, giving off an intoxicated vibe. The rhythmic pounding on their door and persistent ringing breaks the tranquility, prompting one of them to rise and approach. Peering through the peephole, he then cuts to a chilling scene – Lois’ arrival at a crime scene, with a rising count of gruesome murders. Upon entering, she’s repulsed by the filth, eventually stumbling upon the dismembered bodies of the two men, artfully arranged on the walls and ceiling. The police have yet to locate any blood, but traces of the same strange fluid that was previously found, are once again present on the floor. Sister Megan makes an appearance, and I refuse her entry at first. However, after a brief conversation, I reconsider and allow her to enter, albeit under strict instructions not to disturb anything while she takes notes.

Grotesquerie episode 1 recap: A detective and nun form an unlikely partnership

Someone’s out to get Lois

Lois goes to see Marshall at the hospital and updates him from bed. She tells him something urgent has happened, and she needs him back home. When she gets home, she suspects someone is there and grabs a gun to check. She hears music in her kitchen, wondering if it’s “The Requiem.” Seeing someone in her yard, she chases them outside, firing shots but they get away. Later, Merritt appears asking what happened, so Lois tells her to go back inside.

At the police station, Sister Megan recites a biblical passage to Lois in an attempt to relate it to the recent string of homicides. Lois suspects that the perpetrator is targeting her specifically, but Sister Megan remains uncertain. Lois acknowledges her reluctance towards the case, as there aren’t many she can trust with it. However, she finds herself getting along well with Sister Megan, which may make the situation less daunting.

Lois informs Sister Megan that they’ve discovered the substance at the crime scene is sulfur dioxide. Instantly, Sister Megan starts leafing through her Bible, seeming somewhat distressed. “Well then, we’re dealing with a religious fanatic,” Lois remarks. This case promises to be challenging, but with their combined efforts, they stand a better chance of solving it. They need to act quickly to stop any further killings.

2024-09-26 06:28