It seems every season of "American Horror Story has an episode that is the highlight of the season. With "Asylum," it was clearly "The Name Game," where it was discovered Sarah Paulson could really dance. With "Freak Show," it is "Orphans," where the focus is on perhaps the show's most beloved character, Pepper. Naomi Grossberg has always been brilliant, and a delight, as Pepper, but with the focus on her here, she rises to the level of Emmy gold. Sher should get one, if there is any justice. I am telling you, if she was watching, MERYL STREEP would be impressed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Salty dies, having outlived the lifespan of a pinhead, and Pepper is inconsolable. So, Elsa concludes something must be done about her--for her own good. It is decided to send her back to her sister, Rita Gayheart (Mare Winngham) and her husband, Larry (Matthew Glave). This turns out to be a mistake, for the House of Gayheart is worse than the Freak Show or the Asylum. Sister Rita is a loser alcoholic, who gives birth to a baby boy, afflicted, just like Pepper. Rita refuses to bond with the child, continues drinking, so Pepper takes care of the poor soul. The whole story of Pepper's abandonment,being found in the orphanage, where her sister abandons her, by Elsa, to become her "first monster" in starting her freak show, will tear at the heart, thanks to Naomi Grossberg's performance. This episode, too, makes it clear why the Gayhearts are a couple who, like Dr. Arthur Arden (James Cromwell) deserve to be tied down, and rolled, still alive, into a flaming crematorium, en route to their own Hell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pepper's next big moment comes when we learn the truth of what happened to her infant nephew. Having Pepper in the house is bad enough, but knowing their own child is the same is something the Gayhearts cannot stand, so they plot to get rid of it. One day, Rita leaves the house, and Pepper is caring for the child. Suddenly, Larry walks into the room, grabs the child away from Pepper, tosses her out, and locks the door! Pepper is furiously banging on the door, hearing the piteous cries of the baby, knowing something bad is happening to it. She wants to save it, but is powerless to do so.
When Rita returns home, Larry claims Pepper drowned the baby and dismembered its ears. Who is going to believe poor Pepper? Which is how she ends up at Briarcliff Sanitarium, and in the hands of Sister Mary Eunice, who takes a liking to Pepper, and makes for a spectacular acting return by Lily Rabe.
"Orphan s" is the most heartbreaking episode in this segment. I am crying for Justice for Pepper, and I hope the Gayhearts get what they deserve!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And poor Salty is now on display with Ma Petite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That bitch, Lillian Hemmings, has it coming to her, too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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