‘American Horror Story: Apocalypse’ Season 8, Episode 4 ‘Could It Be… Satan?’ Recap: Witches vs. Warlocks

It’s amazing how American Horror Story can veer away from its central theme and yet maintain the steady grip on the overall narrative. AHS Apocalypse just did that tonight, with the beloved return of entire Coven and giving us that much-needed backstory into how Michael Langdon (Cody Fern) became the “antichrist.” But that’s not the only thing that made “Could It Be… Satan?” a great episode. Hotel Cortez also makes its ominous return, complete with that annoying James March (Evan Peters) for maximum effect. The first three episodes showed us the end of the world as we know it. The fourth, however, does a complete 180 and shows us the spat between witches and warlocks.

“Could It Be… Satan” follows the origins of Michael as he learns to control his powers. He’s taken in by the warlock academy heads John Henry Moore (Cheyenne Jackson), Behold Chablis (Billy Porter), BD Wong’s unnamed character, and it’s headmaster Ariel Augustus (Jon Jon Briones). But the magnitude of Michael’s abilities shocks them, leading the head warlocks to call on a meeting with the Coven headed by Cordelia Goode (Sarah Paulson), Myrtle Snow (Frances Conroy), and Zoe Benson (Taissa Farmiga). That’s when things go out of hand, especially when Michael decides to do what Cordelia couldn’t do—resucing Queenie (Gabourey Sibide) and Madison Montgomery (Emma Roberts) from their personal hells.

Coven vs. The Antichrist

“Could It Be… Satan” opens with Michael telling Ms. Miriam Mead (Kathy Bates) teen years under the care of a widow devil-worshipper (whom Mead was designed after). Michael liked her, and she genuinely cared for her demonic foster child. As he wraps up his story, he senses the presence of Cordelia, Myrtle, and Madison in Outpost 3.

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Meanwhile, Mallory (Billie Lourd), Coco St. Pierre Vanderbilt (Leslie Grossman), and Dinah Stevens (Adina Porter) are shaken from their resurrection. It’s revealed that the three of them are also witches who were put under an identity spell for their protection. Michael appears and engages in a staredown with Cordelia and the Coven.

Michael’s “Warlock” Roots

We are then taken back three years before the nuclear fallout over Los Angeles. Outpost 3 used to be a school for Warlocks, with the four masters presiding over each Warlock course. In the middle of his enchantment class, Behold is called to welcome the headmaster, Ariel. He then shows the other three head warlocks footage of Michael breaking a police investigator’s bones during interrogation. With the powers that Michael exudes, Ariel thinks he could be the “Alpha,” a warlock who’s capable of having the same powers as a witch Supreme (which is currently Cordelia). John Henry expresses his iffiness about Michael’s powers, calling it “sinister.”

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Ariel visits Michael in prison and tells him about his potential as a Warlock. Michael shares how he was “wrongly accused” of killing someone. In a flashback, we see Michael using his powers to stab a butcher after he disrespected his foster mom. Ariel breaks Michael out and introduces him to the warlock academy. The warlocks used to live in peace, but when Cordelia outed them, they were driven out by the humans and were forced to build an underground sanctuary. A month later, the warlock heads conduct a series of tests that would determine which warlock level Michael belongs to. Michael passes all tests, which impresses them all (except John Henry, of course).

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Michael’s last test shows them that he might not be what they think he is. Ariel, however, believes that Michael is the Alpha, even though they almost died after Michael made it snow in the room. During dinner, John Henry tries to point out the malevolence in Michael, but the other three heads remain hopeful.

The Seven Wonders Trial

At Miss Robichaux’s Witch Academy, Zoe trains the new witches on harnessing their imaginative powers. Mallory stands out, impressing both Zoe and Cordelia. Myrtle then tells them about the warlock’s emergency council meeting that they have to attend.

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Cordelia, Myrtle, and Zoe arrive at the academy, and Ariel tells them about Michael’s capabilities. They are requesting that Cordelia conduct the Seven Wonders test to know if Michael really is the Alpha. But it only brings painful flashbacks to Cordelia—mainly the death of Misty Day after failing the test and Cordelia’s inability to help Queenie break free from Hotel Cortez after disappearing. Cordelia tried many times to save Queenie, but the Hotel (and its founder James March) just wouldn’t let her leave.

Despite Ariel’s assurance that Michael will survive, Cordelia refuses to administer the test. There’s never been a man who rose up to the ranks of Supreme, and Cordelia wouldn’t allow it to happen as well. Meanwhile, Michael overhears the meeting (seemingly possessed) as he sketches the facade of Hotel Cortez.

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Back at the Hotel, Queenie plays 56,433rd game of cards with James. Michael appears and offers to save her. “I’m here to do for you what your Supreme couldn’t,” Michael says. At first, Queenie has none of it, but James encourages her to do so because he feels something different with Michael. True enough, Michael succeeds in getting Queenie out of the Hotel.

Next, Michael goes after Madison, who’s stuck in a perpetual customer service hell in a department store. Lines of annoying customers bother Madison, and her manager orders her to fold the towels when she loses her cool. Michael appears with Queenie and offers to save Madison. He then tells them that he needs Queenie and Madison to prove a point when they return to the academy.

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Cordelia Meets Her Match

Back at the warlock academy, Cordelia feels a disturbance (in the Force?). As the Coven leaves, they are seen off by the disappointed eyes of the academy students and the warlock heads themselves. When Cordelia steps out of the bunker with Myrtle and Zoe, Michael arrives with Queenie and Madison. Seeing this, Cordelia collapses.

‘American Horror Story: Could It Be… Satan?’ Overall Verdict

Four episodes in and “Could It Be… Satan” is already my favorite chapter of American Horror Story: Apocalypse. It finally gave us the Coven action we needed, and wonderfully wove us into the thread of another AHS property, Hotel. I was so caught up in the Coven-Murder House crossover teases that I did not see this coming at all. It’s a good episode that sets up a broader and more interesting narrative for AHS Apocalypse, and this just makes the wait for Jessica Lange’s return more exciting. And with what the episode teased in the beginning, it looks like there’s going to be a big boss fight between Michael and the entire Coven this season.

American Horror Story: Apocalypse continues next Wednesday, October 10th, with “Boy Wonder” at 10/9c on FX.