‘American Horror Story: Apocalypse’ Season 8, Episode 3 ‘Forbidden Fruit’ Recap

American Horror Story: Apocalypse launches us into oblivion on tonight’s episode, titled “Forbidden Fruit.” It’s Halloween night, and what better way to celebrate that holiday by making us question reality, and helping us see that things are not what they seem in Outpost 3. Episode 3 continues to be ominously mysterious, but it definitely raises the bar after last week’s sexually-charged “The Morning After” episode.

In this week’s chapter of American Horror Story: Apocalypse, Michael Langdon’s (Cody Fern) interrogation of all the wealthy survivors continue. However, Miss Venable (Sarah Paulson) plans something sinister with Miss Mead (Kathy Bates) that could ensure her entry into the Sanctuary that The Cooperative promises. We also see a little bit of Mead’s backstory, but things are not as it seems. It all wraps up into a glorious entrance, where we finally see The Coven make their badass return.

Who is worthy?

“Forbidden Fruit” opens with Langdon completing his interrogation of Mr. Gallant (Evan Peters), manipulating him into believing that his mother, Evie (Joan Collins) died peacefully in her sleep. Langdon also tricks Gallant into thinking that the Rubber Man did not exist. Coco St. Pierre Vanderbilt, on the other hand, proved to be too dumb for Langdon to allow into the sanctuary. Although, Coco feels as if Langdon likes this, and goes on a tirade of all sorts about how smart and worthy she is. “You’re too shallow for any kind of meaningful negativity,” Langdon concludes.

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Mallory is also placed in the hot seat, but this is where an interesting twist happens—Mallory isn’t entirely human. Towards the end of their interview, Mallory admits that she feels as if there’s something inside her wanting to crawl its way out. And when Langdon provokes her by revealing his demon face and forces her to stay, Mallory throws him across the room, X-Men style, and leaves. It’s a power she never thought she had, and Langdon is horrifically puzzled at who she is.

Langdon then seeks the guidance of his father, Tate (or Satan, in its proper context). Langdon thought he destroyed Mallory’s kind, so he asks the spirit of his father to open his eyes. As if on cue, the snakes appear, indicating his father’s response.

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The Halloween Party

Last week hinted that Mead’s possibility of being a half human and cyborg hybrid. Tonight, however, confirms that she is indeed a robot. Mead pours her robot heart out to Venable and tells her about her fake childhood memories. To sum it up—robot costume for trick or treat, going through adolescence with hatred for physical intimacy and growing up a trained assassin during Halloween night. Venable assures her that even though she feels alone, Venable will be her family. Mead then affirms her loyalty to her.

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Meanwhile, we also find out that Brock (Billy Eichner), Coco’s ex-boyfriend, is still alive albeit riddled with sores and cancer from the courtesy of the radioactive fallout. He’s now a skilled apocalyptic warrior killer and is still looking for Coco. He asks a group of cannibal survivors if they know where the nearest shelter is (thinking Coco checked herself in it) and kills them all when they fail to answer. When a carriage passes by (similar to the one that Langdon came in), Brock hitches for a ride.

The carriage arrives at Outpost 3 and turns out that its full of fresh apples. That’s when a sinister plan hatches from Venable’s twisted brain. Venable and Mead inject poison into it so all the survivors would die once they eat it. And what better way to have them all eat at the same time than a Halloween ball?

The ball goes smoothly, but Brock gatecrashes, wearing a witch doctor mask. Coco, thinking that the costumed man is Langdon, seduces him and offers to have sex. When she’s about to go down on him, Brock reveals himself and stabs Coco in the head. Later, Venable and Mead bring out the apples for all to enjoy after a game of water bobbing apples. When all the survivors have acquired an apple, they eat it together only to vomit, choke, and die after a few seconds.

Bitch you thought!

Now that all those being considered for a spot at the Sanctuary are dead, Venable and Mead storm into Langdon’s room. He’s about to announce his selection, but Mead and Venable inform him that he won’t be joining them to the Sanctuary. Venable has Mead point a gun at Langdon, but this is when the tables turn. It turns out that Mead was programmed to follow Venable until Langdon says enough. Mead then shoots Venable. To comfort the shaken robot, Langdon reveals that Mead’s design was inspired by Langdon’s caretaker when he was a child.

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Now comes the moment that we’ve all been waiting for. With Outpost 3 abandoned, a trio of hooded individuals arrives at the gate—Cordelia Foxx (Sarah Paulson), Madison Montgomery (Emma Roberts), and Myrtle Snow (Frances Conroy) aka The Coven. Cordelia instructs the two to find their “sisters.” Madison and Myrtle retrieve the bodies of Coco, Mallory, and Dinah Stevens (Adina Porter). Cordelia breathes life into them, and they wake up in a shocked stupor.  Madison kneels down in front of Mallory. “Surprise, Bitch,” Madison says. “I bet you thought you’d seen the last of me.”

‘American Horror Story: Apocalypse – Forbidden Fruit’ Overall Verdict

Finally. After waiting for two episodes, The Coven’s return has finally come. “Forbidden Fruit” is an excellent episode that sets up the Coven/Murder House crossover, and I couldn’t be more excited for the coming weeks. Despite everyone dying right away, it’s good to see the plot move forward, and I can actually see how the entire season would flesh out well. However, The Coven’s arrival and obliviousness of Langdon’s presence seems to hint that The Cooperative is The Coven’s enemy. Given how slightly bothered Cordelia appeared, it makes sense to see Langdon go head to head with the sister soon, but not until my suspicion is answered. Nonetheless, this week’s episode of American Horror Story definitely made my day.

American Horror Story: Apocalypse continues next Wednesday, October 3rd, with “Could it be… Satan?” at 10/9c on FX.