Experiments in Terror has finally arrived!

Experiments in Terror at Samhain Horror Publishing

Experiments in Terror at Amazon

Experiments in Terror Barnes and Noble

Today is May the 5th, Cinco de Mayo for some, and for me, a mark of a rebirth of my own.

Experiments in Terror is a print book, the first horror print book published since Mistress of the Dark from Leisure Books around 2006. It is comprised of two novellas, Captured Souls and Flesh Failure.

This book has themes of resurrection, rebirth, love, lust, horror, narcissism, and more. It has been freeing for me to return to the horror genre and I believe that is where I'm carving out my niche for now.

Experiments in Terror required massive historical research for Flesh Failure and even some research for some of the technological and neurological concepts in Captured Souls. I didn't really look at Frankenstein by Mary Shelley during these re-imaginings as I've read it while writing other homages such as Cyber-Prometheus and Aries: Swinging Into Spring.

Captured Souls uses the diary of the mad scientist as its narrative device. This story follows Dr. Miriam Frederick as she tracks Experiment 698 in her journals. Her current premise is to isolate the sensation of "falling in lust and love" and keep it indefinitely. She hopes to build a family to realize her vision. Her hypnotic methods include music, drugs, and sex on unsuspecting specimens. 

Specimen 1 is a brilliant novelist. He has the intelligence she craves.

Specimen 2 is an athlete. He has the stamina she desires.

Specimen 3 is a gorgeous woman. She has the physical attributes.

Dr. Miriam keeps her specimens in the secret lab in the basement of her Gothic mansion. By day, she teaches at the University. By night she haunts sex clubs and conducts her experiments.

How far will Dr. Miriam go to get what she desires?

Find out in Captured Souls.

Flesh Failure is told in first person from the point of view of the creation, Agatha, who was left for dead in 1888. She pulls herself together and sets off to White Chapel where she attempts to earn a living. However, her hideous looks and foul smell seem more fitting for a freak show. While she looks for the Elephant Man and is wary of Jack the Ripper, she searches for the doctor who created her. 

Will she find her answers in the fog-shrouded streets of London?

Although both of these stories have related themes and subject matter, I never envisioned them as being together in a book, ever. So when Don D'Auria suggested it, I was thrilled.

When I first wrote Captured Souls, I wasn't sure what I was writing. I wrote it in various voices and played with third person narrative a bit. I thought about weaving the story from each person's POV but didn't feel capable of the expertise that would require when I was still emotionally drained from  dealing with some real life stuff. In the end, I chose the journal format because it's fun. It allowed me to write in small snippets as I rediscovered my passion once more after a couple of years of not writing. 

The original form of Captured Souls was much shorter. Right now, Captured Souls is around 55,000 words. Nearly a novel. The original finished product was 17,000 words. At the time, it felt momentous that I'd finished a piece even that long-short. I was in a place in my head where I thought I'd never write again yet I had this story that proved me wrong. 

It took a couple of years to create the piece that is in Experiments in Terror. This final product is a work that I'm proud of and it is my dear hope that others enjoy reading at least parts of it.

How Flesh Failure was created is another matter entirely. Samhain Horror was taking submissions for Gothic novellas. I wrote Flesh Failure with that goal in mind. I didn't get into the anthology but I did get to publish with Samhain just the same and that's all I wanted at the end of the day. 

As I hold my new baby, Experiments in Terror, in my hands, I remember what a rush it is to see my own words on paper. It's like there's a little place in the world for me now and it shines a bit of light in. Next to be published is the erotic horror novella, A Penny Saved. I'm hard at work on a new novel, a full novel, my first in many years. It's been slow going, what with this thing called a life and all, but I'm getting it done!

Please let me know what you think about Experiments in Terror with your comments at the end or on any of the online review sites such as Amazon or Goodreads. All authors appreciate your comments and reviews. Without them, we wouldn't know if you like us or hate us or something in-between! 

I always appreciate it when someone takes the time out of his or her day to leave me a review. And thank you to all who do it!

Experiments in Terror from Samhain Horror Publishing is Ready to Order!

For Immediate Release Experiments in Terror by Sèphera Girón from Samhain Horror Publishing May 5, 2015

Format: Tradepaper
Length:224 Pages
Published: May 5, 2015
ISBN: 9781619229747


Pre Order Today from Samhain Horror Publishing: https://www.samhainpublishing.com/book/5456/experiments-in-terror

Toronto horror author Sèphera Giron’s gothic duet Experiments in Terror from Samhain Horror Publishing examines the Frankenstein mythos; one story is from the monster’s viewpoint, the other is from the doctor’s.

“...the loving homage to Mary Shelley's seminal work Frankenstein is palpable throughout the narrative....” - Frank Raymond Michaels, reviewer

Giron returns to the horror genre with a vengeance. Experiments in Terror represents Giron’s return to full length horror and trade paper print. She is working with Samhain Horror’s Don D’Auria on more projects. The book Experiments in Terror contains two novellas, Captured Souls and Flesh Failure.

In Captured Souls, narcissist Dr. Miriam Frederick, (a modern-day University professor and mad scientist), records her musings from her secret government grant funded basement laboratory where she conducts experiments exploring human sexuality on only the best specimens; a writer, an athlete, and a model.

In Flesh Failure, Agatha wakes up in a park and realizes that not only is she now a monster, she must create a new life for herself while searching for her creator in the fog-filled streets of Jack the Ripper’s London.

Sèphera Girón is the author of over twenty books ranging from horror to erotica. She is best known for her work with Leisure Books, which has been re-released from Necon eBooks. Her newly reissued Leisure titles include House of Pain, The Birds and the Bees, Borrowed Flesh, and Mistress of the Dark.

Sèphera has self-published a few books. Weird Tales of Terror is a collection of previously published and hard to find tales as well as one horror novel.

Sèphera has served as the Canadian Chapter head of the Horror Writers Association for nearly twenty years. She runs monthly meetings for the Ontario Chapter in Toronto. You may see the chapter at events such as The Word on the Street, Fan Expo, Ad Astra, Comic-Con, and various library presentations and literary events.

Sephera also dabbles in showbiz and served as Vice President for the Meadowale Music Theatre for a few years. She also was Chairperson of the Parent Board for Cawthra Park Secondary School of Performing Arts. She has performed in many theatrical productions since she was a child. She’s also been in some movies and videos. Her most recent acting gig is as a fortune-teller in Killer Rack directed by Gregory Lamberson, coming soon to a festival near you. Girón previously worked with Lamberson as “Ruby” in Slime City Massacre (2010).

Sèphera was born in New Orleans, grew up in London, Ontario from 1967 to 1982, attended York University and graduated with a B.A., and currently resides in Toronto (Mimico). She has two adult sons. In addition to writing, she works as a freelance editor and has enjoyed helping other writers for over ten years. She also is a tarot reader and paranormal investigator.

Sèphera is available for interviews, signings, lectures, workshops, or any other type of presentations. She can discuss horror, writing, editing, self-publishing, ghost hunting, tarot reading, or any other subject related to her work. Please contact: Sèphera sephgiron@rogers.com or sephgiron@gmail.com

Review copies of Experiments in Terror and more information about the book’s release on May 5, 2915 can be obtained from Kaitlin Osborn, Marketing Coordinator at Samhain Publishing kosborn@samhainpublishing.com


Praise for Captured Souls

"In Captured Souls--her latest erotic thrill ride, Sèphera Girón has created a terrifying new character: a female rendition of Dr. Frankenstein given to detailed scientific human experimentation combined with the sexually predatory and obsessive nature of Nabokov's Humbert Humbert. Horrific and unforgettable." -Lisa Mannetti, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of The Gentling Box and Deathwatch

“A queasily beguiling blend of erotica and body horror, Sèphera Girón's Captured Souls pits a sexy female mad scientist with a literal fetish for fleshy modification against the self-set challenge of not just finding the perfect lover, but making one. Think Frankenstein in a bustier, with a cool, sleek, Cronenbergian edge. The result is an imaginative Grand Guignol freakout with porno flair, pumped full of dry black humor and nasty surprises, explicit in every way possible--overall, quite disgustingly entertaining.” -Gemma Files, The Hexslinger Series

“Sèphera Girón knocks that stereotypical male sexual predator on his head. You won't find another book like this one out there. If you want lust, insanity and horror plaited together into one easy and fun-to-read diabolical story, Captured Souls is for you!” -Nancy Kilpatrick, Writer - Power of the Blood, Editor - Expiration Date

Praise for Flesh Failure

“Any time you set a horror novel in Victorian London and throw in a retelling of Frankenstein and a dash of Jack the Ripper(even the Elephant Man makes an appearance), then you immediately have my interest peaked. How Giron presents this story is somewhat unique and keeps you intrigued. From the opening Giron keeps her foot on the pedal and keeps it there until it's mashed to the floor. Keeps you in suspense the whole way while you're trying to piece together what happened to our main character Agatha. Flesh Failure really was a lot of fun to read and at the same time it makes you think. It has heart and soul, I guess one could say.” - Haze Blackmon, Reviewer

“Talk about a well-written, engaging story.” - David Bernstein, Witch Island

“Girón’s language is simple but elegant, and the story progression offers some interesting surprises.” - Lisa Lane, Reviewer

Oh, Dandy, How I'm Going to Miss You!

Superdeduper Spoileramas for American Horror Story: FreakShow

I began watching American Horror Story: FreakShow during the second part of the two-part Mordrake story arc. I didn't really like the Dandy character much and thought he was totally out of place in the FreakShow universe.

I eventually was able to finally view the series from the first episode right up until Tupperware Party in pretty much a two-day binge.

The character of Dandy made way more sense to me, obviously, and I fell in love with his man-baby, blood bathing, puppet-making ways.

When we first meet him, he's wide-eyed at the FreakShow and wants to become part of it. He knows he's "different" and hopes that maybe the freaks will accept him. He also wants to buy the twins who have two heads and one body. His mom gives it a shot but Elsa refuses to sell them. Dandy also wants to become part of the FreakShow but Elsa turns him down.

Dandy is bummed out and bored. He's well read and loves the theatre. He dreams of becoming an actor, a star, but his mom won't let him become common theatre folk. However, she attempts to cheer him up by renting him a clown that she finds wandering the road. Of course, she has no idea that Twisty the Clown is a demented serial killer.

Dandy plays with the clown a bit, but the clown isn't into his puppet shows. The clown is bored of Dandy and knocks him out. Dandy wakes up and follows him, likely for revenge, but he has the time of his life when he sees what Twisty is really all about.

It is around this time that the audience sees the character of Dandy evolve through an arc that is actually carrying into the final episode.

Along the way, Dandy finally gets to have his twins in his playroom and he's thrilled and spoils them rotten. One of the twins falls in love with him. The other twin loves Jimmy the Lobster Boy. The twins leave when Jimmy discovers where they are and takes them back to the circus.

Dandy is beyond despair at the loss of his loves. He wanted to marry them. Even worse, they lose their virginity to a crazy ventriloquist and Dandy has the pictures, provided by his P.I. We actually feel sorry for Dandy when he realizes what's happened. When he says, "They were supposed to be mine," we know that this isn't over by a long shot.

Now, at the end of the latest episode, "Show Stoppers" Dandy owns the circus and essentially, owns the twins, again. What a thrilling and chilling moment!

Storyline, character, actor, director, and photographer have combined to create a work of horror art/iconic psychopath that hasn't been done in a while. Dandy was already a costume this past Halloween and that was before the Dandy/Finn Wittrock fan base blew up.

Dandy is a perfect commentary of the modern psychopath/sociopath/narcissist. Material greed, selfishness, hovering narcissistic mom, unlimited resources, and boredom is indicative of many households in modern times. Even without unlimited resources in a family, a narcissist usually manages to find a way to get others to pay. Dandy is the modern man-baby, it's all about him. His bedroom is like a child's nursery though he's a grown man, perhaps early twenties? It doesn't matter that FreakShow isn't a modern story, the parable is, on many levels.

Fun things about Dandy is that he drinks booze from a crystal baby bottle. He's obsessed with his looks. He likes puppets and theatre. He likes learning new skills. He's not afraid of exotic adventures. It's all about what he wants though he doesn't know what he really wants except to be an actor, well, until he decides he's much more.

Where I went from not really like this character to thinking he was the best thing I'd seen in forever occurred when he was sawing off Matt Bomer's arm. Sure I loved seeing him running around in his undies, especially both of them together. Absolutely. But Dandy was just another pretty spoiled TV-show boy until that moment. That classic moment when he's sawing off the arm, and Matt is still alive. Dandy has the best moments there. I was laughing and horrified at actor Finn Wittrock's brilliance. How hammy that could have been (don't get me wrong, this character is over-the-top but it IS about freaks and showbiz) or how wooden as so many other "psycho" actors can be. Finn hit the mark and it rocked.

He had a couple of now classic lines that he delivered magnificently as well throughout the series that have been made into countless memes. Especially some of his comments to Twisty. They are priceless. That Julliard training paid off for Finn Wittrock.

Dandy's droll observations really make for great entertainment. And really, that's all I want in any show. To be entertained. So thank you writers.

When the curtain comes down tomorrow, Dandy will be gone. It doesn't matter if he dies or not, the magic of this character creation in this season is over. Dandy Mott will live on in reruns but we'll never see anything original about him again. I'm sure Murphy is well aware of how many new fans Finn Wittrock has garnered and will likely put him in Season Five and who knows? Dandy may make an appearance or Finn may play someone else, as he's stated he wants to do in various interviews. But Dandy will never be Dandy how we know Dandy now. So enjoy him tomorrow night no matter what happens in the plot.

I will miss Dandy and his crazy adventures.

Can't wait for tomorrow's final episode.



Added thought:
Long ago we saw the twins in a bottle at the museum. I guess that this was just a fantasy?

It would be kind of cool if somehow Dandy became curator of the museum as well and put his beloved twins in his collection after they meet their demise.

I also had high hopes that Stanley's appendage would end up in a bottle as well.

What do you think?

Psychopath Sunday: Meet the New Boss, Same as the Old Boss

Obviously this contains spoilers for American Horror Story: FreakShow Episode Twelve "Show Stopper!"

Well, I give kudos to American Horror Story: FreakShow writers for tantalizing us with the idea that they might actually be exploring the story arc of frustrated-actor-obsessed-with-the-twins Dandy Mott (Finn Wittrock) taking over the FreakShow for the final episode. He may be a horrifying boss, we have yet to see, but not any worse than the lovely lady from whom he purchased the show.

Elsa Mars (Jessica Lange) is a frustrated actress who only wanted to be a star. Due to a series of horrifying life events, she became a reluctant star for deviants with specific appetites. She discovered a sense of belonging as she created the freakshow, collecting her monsters, quelling her sexual cravings, and most importantly, being the headliner in her own Freak Show. A con artist plants the seed in her head that she could be big on TV so after offing a few of her loved ones, she's off to Hollywood to make it big. She knows exactly what will happen if she sells the show to Dandy. She knows he loves the twins. She knows he's a psychopath. She's one too so she figures the show will be what it will be.

All Dandy Mott ever wanted to be was a star.

But it was hard to be a man-child with a domineering mom who put the kibosh on any aspirations he had towards going to Hollywood to be an actor.

Bet she's sorry now.

Dandy finds his muse in a serial killer clown and inserts himself as his eager protégée. When Twisty meets his demise, Dandy carries on the killer clown mantle for a while, but grows bored, as psychopaths do. Through a series of events, he eventually finds himself the owner of the very FreakShow that had turned him down for a chance to belong. He now not only gets to belong, he's in control.

I can't wait to see what happens next!

American Horror Story FreakShow : Magical Thinking Thoughts

As always, lots of spoilers!

I've come to accept that American Horror Story will always be disjointed and scrambled so I've given up on plot lines and any real resolutions. Hell, I still have a mountain of questions from "Coven!"

However, I'm along for the ride on the FreakShow merry-go-round and with only two episodes left, I'm not looking for anything but an entertaining slice-and-dice finale.

The writers of AHS: FREAKSHOW likely had no idea that the character of Dandy would have such a huge cult following. Although people loved Twisty, the character of Dandy has taken psychopath love to new heights. And I'm right on that bandwagon myself. So even though we've been going nuts waiting to get a Dandy "fix" again after three weeks, he wasn't even in the episode until almost halfway through. Before he showed up, I was getting depressed that it would be like the last episode with Pepper, no Dandy at all. But yes, he was there, scheming away.

I've been trying to decipher why "regular" folk are falling in love with creepy killer Dandy. I don't have to figure out my own personal love for him; I'm a horror writer and have had handsome/beautiful psychopaths in several of my stories and have a weakness for bad boys as my romantic history can attest. And he bathes in blood! Gotta love him!

However, lucky for Finn Wittrock, the rest of the world loves this creepy psycho too! I'm sure his acting card will be filled for years to come. I'm not familiar with his other work, yet, though I fully intend to get acquainted with it. I do find it interesting in my own little mind that he was on All My Children, the only soap I ever watched, which I watched for about twenty years, but stopped several years ago. Obviously I've never seen him on it. And with him in Angelina Joilie's new movie, his starvation days are likely now safely behind him. And if anyone ever makes my novella, Captured Souls (Samhain Horror, 2014), into a movie, I want Finn Wittrock to play Specimen One, who is not a psychopath but he's an egotistical writer being held captive by one!

Dandy's storyline is great fun and any actor would likely love to play him. Finn's nuances are fabulous. Since I've had my own real life run-ins with psychopaths, I have to say he does a great job. His mood swings, the bursting into tears at the drop of a hat, his maniacal smiles, his quivering lip petulance, the man-child innocence, and of course, working out in his underwear, are all very well done. So far, he's not turned Dandy into a crazy cartoon, and likely, this is why we've all fallen in love with him.

Not a lot of guys could pull off that crazy fur coat on the merry-go-round either, but Dandy-Finn does! As soon as I find a good picture from that scene, I'll put it up here.

I found a Dandy-Finn coat picture!

Okay, enough of my Dandy-thoughts. With two episodes left, I have some comments to make.

Why did we waste the first ten (?) minutes of the episode with Jimmy and the hand amputations? We already knew there were two lobster hands in the jar from weeks ago. All we needed to know was if they were in fact  Jimmy's or a relative's. Since we already knew he lost them both, it wasn't a surprise or even a horror. Also, Jimmy was painted as somewhat savvy in this series yet he was easily hoodwinked for this horrific amputation.

I guess instead of Jimmy using lobster hands, he can use those stumps to please the ladies...

If Esmeralda saw his hands and fainted in the other episode, why didn't she rush to the jail to see if he was okay, even though she was getting the Ma Petite jar? I guess she'll go see him in the next episode.

I have no idea why Elsa sold the circus to Chester. Does he have a thousand dollars? He looks like he doesn't have one dollar! Did they have a payment plan? Yes, I understand that she thinks he's "well-heeled" yet on the other hand, she was creeped out by him as well and could have pulled the contract.

The whole twins suddenly deciding they don't need diaries any more was weird. And the whole losing their virginity quest was odd too in a way, although both the girls have fallen in love with others; one with Jimmy, the other with Dandy. Yet neither one even thought about their "loves" during any of this! And why weren't they utterly creeped out by Chester and his doll, although I suppose you sort of have to get it where you can when you have two heads. A threesome/foursome with the twins, Jimmy and Dandy would be way more delicious than with Chester and his creepy doll!


When Dandy's PI tells him how the twins were frolicking with the ventriloquist, Dandy's really bummed out. And we feel sorry for him. And we fear for Chester. Dandy really had the hots for one of the girls, if not both!

Sure enough, Dandy takes Chester's precious Marjorie and taunts him about it. It would be way too easy for Dandy to just kill Chester. Dandy is a psychopath and is going to have a good time playing cat and mouse until he finally kills him. If he does. Maybe Chester will kill Dandy.

Is sawing the twins in half Dandy's spiteful idea? Did he plant the idea in Marjorie's/Chester's head? Is Marjorie really just a little doll on the stage that Chester hears speaking to him at the end of the episode? Did Dandy hire someone to act like the doll to instruct Chester to kill the twins? But if Chester hears the doll and then if someone is acting like the doll, will there be two dolls? If Dandy put the doll on the stage in the big top, he obviously has a plan. He wouldn't just give the doll back so that's why the ending is confusing.

What happened to the two-headed puppet that Dandy made of mom and the Tupperware lady? Is it rotting and collecting flies somewhere now that he has no servants to clean up after him? Is his mansion a mess now? Did he hire new staff? Has anyone noticed mom's not around?

Has he used up all his bathing blood? Does he need more? Is there a fly problem at the mansion?

Dandy has one of the best scenes in the episode (again). When the PI is telling him about how Chester murdered his wife and lover, Dandy's expression and comment is priceless and already the stuff of a thousand memes. "What a sicko!" and then he gets all child-like with glee. "Tell me, how did they die?"

I don't doubt that there will be a big Dandy/Chester showdown, literally. If Chester knew that Dandy wanted to be an actor, he likely could have bargained with him for a part in the circus since Chester now owns it. Or Chester could sell Dandy the circus and then Dandy could have the twins as pets again! But of course, Chester doesn't know that Dandy has it in for him or even who Dandy is. Chester went from kind of normal chameleon lover salesman to bat-shit crazy in forty minutes. Good job, Neil Patrick Harris.

So, two episodes to go! I can't wait to see what happens next.

Let me know your thoughts and predictions in the comments!

Psychopath Sunday:Musings and Observations

While I was walking today, I had deep thoughts about American Horror Story:Freakshow that I binge-watched last night. If you've been following my blog, you know I started watching this season late, the episode when Twisty was led away by the Halloween spirit. My thoughts are many and I don't have a lot of time to ponder in my blog, as tomorrow begins my back-to-work writing and editing life! However, like millions of others, I've been fascinated and repelled by the storyline concerning Dandy and his evolution from spoiled mama's boy to serial killer. This blog isn't really about that either.

Psychopaths Entertain Us!

I could likely write several non-fiction books about the power of the real-life psychopath and how normal folk are drawn to their dark, dangerous ways, however, I'm sticking to fiction. And even then, I'm just having a few scattered Sunday thoughts.

Some of the best stories are about psychopaths, serial killers, and other deranged folk. It's easy to see why we use them in entertainment. I myself often write about psychopaths, they are my favourite monster. When I look at my favorite books, movies, and stories, I seem to favor tales about psychopaths and narcissists.

Some iconic psychopaths have a lot in common in how they've been portrayed in film and television. They are often good-looking or unique-looking, have a hang-up or obsession, and inevitably have scenes that exposes their human-like vulnerability.  Although psychopaths themselves have no empathy, the average viewer has empathy for them and this is the key to how we love and hate these psychopaths. We see how they are "misunderstood" as we are privvy to their behind-the-scenes madness. This makes them human to us, and we root for them even though we know we shouldn't.

Psychopath Rituals

We get hooked in by scenes such as Eric Roberts in Star 80 working out and self-talking in the mirror for confidence. On my first viewing of this movie, at the Toronto Festival of Festivals (our film prof recommended we score tickets, if possible, so I did) this was one of the scenes that creeped me out the most. If you've ever seen All That Jazz, you'll recognize that Fosse used this idea though with another kind of narcissist. Jessica Lange is in All That Jazz, one of my favorite musicals. 

Real-life narcissists and psychopaths have to self-talk as well to get through their daily routines of deception and maintaining the illusion that they are human.

Many psychos are insecure despite their immense narcissism.   

Dandy has deep thoughts while doing push ups.

In American Horror Story: Freakshow, we were treated to a montage of Dandy working out and losing his mind. Nice work, Finn Wittrock!

Psychopaths think best in a warm tub.

Alex in bath. 

Dandy in his bath.

They also spend a lot of time in bed or on couches, thinking, obsessing over their idols and hobbies, and playing with themselves.

Alex in bed.

Dandy in bed. 

They love to dress up for their nefarious deeds and may even wear a mask now and again as they clown around.

Clowning around in A Clockwork Orange

Dandy Clown

Sometimes they just like to do normal stuff, which is why we like them.

Are you ready for your close-up?

Mmmm...

Though sometimes they can freak out their friends with their enthusiasm.

"Hey! Why don't you want to take a bath with me like we used to when we were little?"

Which can lead to bad things happening.

Dandy did it this time!

Sometimes there's a mom ready to wipe up the psychopath's mess. 

Dandy and his mom

Of course, where would we be without the original movie, Psycho and the modern series, Bates Motel and those twisted mother and son stories?

Bates Motel finally starts up again very soon. I can't wait to see what's next in this sick soap opera!

Norman and his mom, Norma.

And since the big wigs in television land know that we are used to seeing our bad boys running around in tightie-whities, they've thrown in some big brother eye-candy for good measure. Norman's older brother, Dylan is essentially a good guy but has enough bad boy for us to love him.

Norman's hunky older brother, Dylan ends up shirtless in every episode and often is covered with blood and bruises! Yum.

So what's going to happen next on American Horror Story: Freakshow? Are they going to kill off Dandy so that the new cast members can shine? Will they make use of the psychopath storyline they've begun? Will Dot and Beth, the two-headed woman get their men, mortal enemies Dandy the psychopath and Jimmy the alcoholic Lobster Boy? Or will that potentially weirdly fun (and could be bizarrely erotic) and violent storyline get discarded because the series needs to wrap up fast?

I think that the lobster hands we saw in the jar were from one of Jimmy's relatives. Lord knows they've mentioned them enough over the past few months.

Like I said, these were a few of the thoughts that tumbled around my head this Sunday afternoon in January. I'm already thinking of more to add and maybe I'll have a Psychopath Sunday every week.  Remember, truth is often stranger than fiction. Watch out for the psychopaths in your own life!

Feel free to add your thoughts about psychopaths and American Horror Story: Freakshow.

American Horror Story: Shows and The Interview

First I'll share my thoughts about this week's episode of American Horror Story.


American Horror Story: FreakShow

All week I'd been waiting to see what crazy deeds Dandy would do next But alas, they chose not to include his storyline this week.

That's AMS for you.

I came into the series at Coven but even then, I saw what they would do and should have expected it. Just when you get entranced by a specific storyline, the writers switch gears and do something else.

Pepper's story on FreakShow was fine. However, it felt like filler after the past two weeks of mayhem. The story is creepy and certainly was well done. I hadn't seen Asylum but I figured that this was one of the tie-ins that I'd read about in the past.

I'm not sure if it matters what happened to Pepper.

I'm not sure I really cared about the story. I kept waiting for the "real" plot lines, the museum, crazy Jessica, the other freaks, and of course, Dandy.

I liked the story of Pepper. However, when I know that this season is near to the finish line, I wanted to stay with the other stories.

I'm of two minds about the episode.

I'm looking forward to the addition of Neil Patrick Harris as a psycho ventriloquist.


The Interview

Was it a publicity stunt?

Is Hollywood really bowing down to the whims of a political figurehead of another country?

Even days later, I'm of two minds about what should have been done about The Interview.

It seems ridiculous for a political leader to dictate the entertainment content in another country. Sony should ignore them despite the hacking.

On the other hand, Sony has a social responsibility for its customers. In this day and age, one can't be too careful about threats. There is an uproar because they cancelled. There would be an uproar if something should happen, whether related to the threats or by an unrelated lone wolf.

Sony is in a difficult position and I don't envy their task.


My Five Wives SisterWives

I should have placed bets.

When I first saw the trailers for the show My Five Wives, I had the fleeting thought that Kody of SisterWives would take a fifth wife to keep up. After all, that's what a narcissist does. And who knows? Maybe Brady will take a sixth!

I'm not certain if Kody is really taking a fifth wife or if TLC is just teasing us and its really a sister or an exchange student or some other visitor moving into the Brown's. I'll Google it later. Who knows what's going to happen with the Browns in the new season in January.

As for My Five Wives, all I can say is that I'm surprised Brady didn't have a heart attack earlier. However the stress of five wives, one pregnant, twenty-four kids, job, and school, he has a lot on his plate. Since he was tweeting tonight, he obviously will be okay.

Happy Solstice!