**7 / 10. FX’s American Horror Story: 1984 is a fun 80s slasher fest, one of my favourite seasons so far – until a tone changing disappointing final act – and no actual Billy Idol ☹ *SPOILERS***

Episode 1: Camp Redwood - It’s a Cruel Summer

Set in my favourite decade, this season has a great opening sequence, an 80s culture/slasher homage - created by a fan and Murphy and Falchuk loved it, so they kept it. The start of a fantastic 80s soundtrack (Bananarama – ‘Cruel Summer’, Def Leppard – ‘Photograph’) and typical over the top 80s characters are introduced over some aerobics framed by Frank Stallone’s ‘Far From Over’ – obviously.

The gang make a road trip to re-opened Camp Redwood. There was a mass slaughter of campers there by infamous killer Mr Jingles in 1970, so of course that’s the best place to go for a summer holiday. At camp they meet the strict and mysterious Margaret Booth, who has reopened the camp.

Mr Jingle’s escape from the asylum on a dark and stormy night is reminiscent of the Halloween scene when Michael Myers escapes and a Dr Loomis like Dr Hopple (Orla Brady) is there to provide exposition on his sordid history.

There are 80s horror film nostalgia and references throughout the season. The aerobics studio is called Perfect 10 like the Jamie Lee Curtis movie, who obviously is the original Scream queen from Halloween – and was also in Scream Queens, which I really liked.

I love all the returning cast; Leslie Grossman, Billie Lourd, Cody Fern and Emma Roberts, the new additions fit right in as well; Matthew Morrison is great.

The Night Stalker appears following his brief appearance in AHS: Hotel (albeit a different actor), Zach Villa is perfectly cast, and looks/acts just like Richard Ramirez. The first episode didn’t grab me as other season’s first episodes have, but excited to see where this goes as it’s never a straightforward ride.

I always feel like somebody’s watching me – they are.

Episode 2: Mr Jingles – it’s a Nice Day for a White Wedding

In typical AHS style, some context setting flash backs for Brooke (Emma Roberts), with a perfect use of Billy Idol’s ‘White Wedding’ here. Richard Ramirez also gets some back story - the start of a psychological theme touched on throughout - are psychopaths born or made?

Montana Duke is a fun and feisty character (Billie Lourd, channelling Carrie Fisher’s cool and sass).

A second fantastic aerobics session of the season with Montana leading the scene to the inimitable Billy Idol’s ‘Rebel Yell.’ Montana and RR bond over a love of Billy, revenge and death. Mr Jingles (John Carroll Lynch) continues his spree in true gory slasher style, but he’s just not scary. More revelations from the past, alliances and reasons for vengeance against Jingles and others become clear and true natures surface.

Welcome to Serial killer Thunderdome - Two apex predators enter – one leaves?

Episode 5: Red Dawn (Not the one with Patrick Swayze)

With 20 minutes to sunrise there’s a lot at stake, Nurse Rita / Dr Donna’s 1980 past becomes clear to explain her fascination with killers and the nature/nurture serial killer creation debate - everyone has a dark side. RR now seems to be a demon incarnate. Xavier (Cody Fern) adds humour and some great lines (Robin Hood lol), Sarah Paulson and Evan Peters are absent this season, and I’ve missed them.

They have all been playing a long game and it’s about to end – and the real mastermind is winning. There are big revelations and the survivors fight it out, most are lost, but not gone as they can’t leave - as unwitting kids arrive screaming at the murder scenes, and now Brooke looks like the bad guy.

There is no Montana, Only Zuul.

Episode 6: Episode 100 – Flash Forward & Back

In a jump to 1985, Zach Villa’s performance just gets better, the combo of RR and Billy idol is perfect, even the song lyrics match with the story.

We flash forward again to 1989 with Mistress of the Macabre Margaret cornering the market in haunted houses - Winchester, Spahn Ranch, Briarcliff Manor - links back to Asylum season. Leslie is in her element in this role, and glad to see Leslie Jordan as Courtney, he’s fabulous.

We also catch up with the ‘dead’ campers at Redwood and other old victims. Events transpire to get everyone alive, in prison and/or dead all back together for a final showdown – no one wants to be a one hit wonder and the devil answered his acolytes’ call.

Billy Idol is to headline the concert – shut the front door!

Be kind, rewind.

Episode 7: The Lady in White – Reunions Abound

Lily Rabe makes a very welcome return to AHS in a flashback to 1948, to explain Mr Jingles tragic past and family events. Was he born or created?

Jingles and everyone are back at the Camp and there are some unexpected reunions (Why is he still dressed like that? He must be boiling). Montana is the leader of the death wanderers, where time doesn’t exist. The stories have now all cleverly come together, and will Brooke earn redemption and gain a new life?

Episode 8: Rest in Pieces – Kajagoogoo’s Second Coming

The soundtrack to this season has been amazing, (CCR, Foreigner, Survivor, Duran Duran, Billy Idol, etc). Good to see Dylan McDermott back – playing a killer again. Is budding RR fan Bruce a famous one?

Montana and Trevor are reunited, much to Margaret’s chagrin. RR comes to protect Billy Idol and Jingles comes for his revenge. Some fun scenes at the concert preparations with Courtney and the bands.

A great Friday 13th homage at the end, but the tone of the episode seems different.

Save It ‘til The Morning After.

Episode 9: Final Girl

I loved this season up to the end. It’s been a fun gory season, but there was a big shift in tone for the final act and a happy ending for most, and whilst I think some characters deserved peace and redemption, it should’ve still had some darkness to the ending, it was a bit disjointed. I’m disappointed that Billy Idol didn’t make an appearance, his music was used he was mentioned throughout. When this happened in Coven with Stevie Nicks I was delighted when she made a guest appearance, so that was a bit of a let-down.