AHS 1984: Episode 3 Offers New Twists and Theories

So things finally got interesting in this week’s episode of AHS. Not everyone is who they seem, which I expected, but the mystery behind why this is all happening still remains. Before I get into theories, this is what we know so far:

Nurse Rita is actually Donna Chambers

As the first twist of the episode, we learn that Rita is not a nurse, but actually Donna Chambers, a psychology student who wants to rehabilitate Mr. Jingles. In an effort to supposedly study him, Donna provides the serial killer with an escape plan, the tools for him to act out his murderous behavior and the camp counselors as lab rats. She abducts the real nurse Rita on their way to the camp and the counselors stumble upon her as they try to hide from Mr. Jingles. We still don’t know what Donna hopes to gain from this, though, but I believe we’ll find out later on the series.

Mr.Jingles is most likely not responsible for the Camp Redwood massacre

In his interview with Donna, Mr. Jingles explains that he doesn’t remember what happened the night of the massacre. We also learn that he was a veteran possibly traumatized by the war. In next week’s preview, we see someone who looks to be wearing Margaret’s nightgown, holding knife to one of the camper’s throats. It is now more obvious than ever that Margaret is most likely responsible for the Camp Redwood massacre and pinned the crime on Mr. Jingles.

Ray killed someone in his past

We learn that Ray was in a fraternity, and during a night of hazing, a pledge accidentally falls down the stairs of the frat house. To protect himself and the fraternity from being involved in a crime, Ray decides to take care of the body by setting up a fake car accident. However, it turns out the pledge was still alive. The wheels were literally already in motion and Ray could not save him from plummeting to his death. This all causes Ray to quit college, get a job as an orderly and run off to camp redwood when he fears the cops are after him.

Montana is working with The Night Stalker

In an even more surprising twist, Montana and the Night Stalker make out and we learn that they’re working with each other to, presumably, kill Brooke. Montana wants her dead for some reason revealing that she and Brooke have some kind of connection. By this logic, this leads me to believe that Brooke isn’t exactly who she’s portraying herself to be which I’ve been knew.

My Theories

Expect the worst from Xavier and Brooke

In my previous posts I’ve talked about how duplicitous some of these characters appear to be. Like, how some of their traits straight up contradict their actions. Xavier seemed callous and careless earlier in the season, but when faced with danger he cowers. He has also saved Chet from dying in a pit of spikes and went back to get the cook, demonstrating that he’s somewhat caring of others. Then there’s Brooke who portrays herself as a traumatized, shy and fragile young woman, but somehow has managed to fight off three attacks by two serial killers. Since it’s been revealed that other characters aren’t who they seem, it further leads me to believe that I am right about Xavier and Brooke not being who they are, too. I have a feeling that the truth of who they really are will be far worse than the ones we’ve seen so far.

Reality Isn't What It Seems

We know these character aren’t who they seem and are likely darker versions of themselves, and with the hiker-reveal last week, we also know that the reality in which these events are taking place isn’t entirely normal. So what’s really happening here? Why is everyone concentrated in one place? Why is this all happening on one night? Will we ever get to see the next day? I have some theories.

This is a movie

Some viewers have pointed out some interesting things that might be clues as to what’s happening. Youtuber Think Story pointed out a continuity error that may be a clue. When the Night Stalker smashes into the cabin, right before he attacks Ray, we get a shot of Ray’s shirt stained with blood. A few shots later, Ray’s shirt is spotless.

What could this mean? Is this continuity error on purpose because what we’re really seeing is a movie being filmed and all of these characters are actually actors? The promos did show each character doing screen tests and, at the beginning of the season, they were introduced with title cards. So, is this a movie within a tv show, or is it something else…like a simulation?

This is a simulation

Ray’s final words before his gruesome death were “Suck a nut camp Redwood. See you in another life.” Could this literally mean that Ray has more than one life; that he could be at Camp Redwood again? Well, that seems possible. We did learn last week that the lost hiker is actually from the 70s camp massacre and he seems to be stuck in a time-loop, so the idea of Ray coming back somehow isn’t farfetched. So, does this mean people become ghosts or do they have multiple lives because they’re in some kind of simulation?

My theory is that perhaps these characters are in a simulation where they are being studied. Perhaps, they’re killers who are being rehabilitated through technology, and the more unassuming their characters are in the simulation, the worse they are in real life. And maybe, being in someone else’s shoes—like, a victim—could help rehabilitate them.

Final Thoughts

Episode 3 was a better episode. Scenes and backstory keep the story moving forward. “Slashdance” is also a great title. It’s play on words for the movie Flashdance, but more than that, this episode was a kind of a dance itself. The groups of counselors navigated around the camp grounds avoiding the killers, the killers missed the counselors, and the counselors with ulterior motives attempted to carry out their own plans while keeping a facade. Overall, I am looking forward to what the rest of the season has to bring.

What did you think of the episode? Do you have any theories? Leave a comment below!

Hi! Shantal here. I’m a writer and a storyteller. I created Shantal Writes to share my experiences with writing fiction. I also provide new writers with tips, tools, and writing advice. I hope you find something helpful while you’re here!