American Horror Story: Red Tide — 10 Questions We Still Have After The Final Episode

The second half of American Horror Story season 10 is in full swing, but the first half, Red Tide, is still very much on fans’ minds. While many of Red Tide’s storylines were wrapped up, others were taken in unexpected directions, and some were left feeling incomplete.

The character of the Chemist remains a mystery, and some characters’ deaths had little impact on the overall narrative. After the divisive finale, viewers have been left with lingering questions. With no confirmation that the two parts of the season will connect, these questions may remain unanswered.

What Was The Significance Of The Truro Family Murders?

At the beginning of the season, Harry reads an online article about a family murdered in Truro. While American Horror Story loves to take inspiration from true events, this seems to have no significance to the plot.

It’s likely that the murders were committed by someone taking the black pill, but it’s strange that the story never comes up again. When Harry is reading the article, it seems like a setup for a future storyline in the season. That said, the Truro family murders aren’t revisited, so it’s unclear, beyond the possible link to true events, how this story ties into the overall plot.

Who Is The Chemist?

Through flashbacks, fans see the Chemist arrive in Provincetown where she plans to experiment with and supply the black pill. Although viewers learn that she is a highly intelligent and independent person, little is known about her past.

The show is unclear about how the Chemist began developing the pill. Even her real name is never revealed. Having a character who is so mysterious is intriguing, but it would have been rewarding to learn more about her motivations and history. If Death Valley links to Red Tide, it’s possible fans may see this character again, and she could be developed further.

Why Did Alma Hate Her Mother So Much?

Even before she takes the black pill, Alma has a lot of rage and holds a lot of contempt for her mother, Doris. Alma’s only apparent reasoning for this hatred is her mother’s supposed lack of talent.

It’s possible Alma picked up on Harry’s hidden resentment toward Doris, but she is very angry and bitter for someone so young. Doris has a lot of love and affection for her family which makes Alma’s contempt towards her even more unnerving. While Alma was the most villainous character in Red Tide, it would have been interesting to discover the true reasoning behind her dark motivations.

What Stops The Pales From Attacking The Talented?

Early in the season, it becomes apparent that the Pales attack only those who haven’t taken the black pill. The Pales don’t attack each other the talented, which is information Belle uses to control Karen.

The talented’s protection from the Pales is reiterated several times, but Ursula is able to persuade them to go after Belle and Austin at the end of the season. If there is a physical reason the Pales can’t attack the talented, it’s strange that Ursula’s persuasion is enough for them to turn on Belle and Austin. In the fifth episode, the Pales are unable to attack Karen as soon as she puts the pill into her mouth. This suggests a physical aversion to the talented and leads to more confusion regarding this question.

Why Is Belle Comfortable With Breaking Her Own Rules?

Belle is one of the best characters in Red Tide, but her rules are confusing. After Harry takes the black pill, Belle informs him that he should kill only those who won’t be missed and always outside of Provincetown. After he breaks this rule, the Chemist orders Belle and Austin to kill all of the Gardners.

Although she uses Karen to collect the babies, Belle’s drinking of their blood and killing them goes against her own rules. When she issues these rules to Harry, it’s clear she does so to protect the talented from the police and not to restrict him. The missing babies within Provincetown would surely draw attention to the talented, which is something Belle is desperate not to do.

Why Did Mickey Suddenly Change His Mind About The Black Pill?

In the flashbacks, fans learn that Mickey has been supplying the pill for the Chemist for some time. However, despite being told he is talented and has high aspirations, Mickey refuses to take the pill himself. Toward the end of the season, though, Mickey starts using the pill, and he earns acclaim and success as a result.

While it’s clear that Ursula’s faith in Mickey encourages him to take the pill, he’d already been told he was talented several times before this, yet he remained firm about not taking it. Mickey is also disgusted by Belle’s need to feed on him, so his decision to use the pill feels sudden and would have benefited from further explanation.

Why Did Harry Suddenly Turn On Doris?

Although it’s clear the pill brings out people’s rage and narcissism, Harry is determined through most of the season to protect his family including his wife, Doris. Early on, it’s clear Alma is against her mother, but Harry genuinely loves his wife.

Even when Alma and Ursula begin gaslighting Doris, Harry is very comfortable with the situation and is angry when he discovers Alma has poisoned her mother and condemned her to become a Pale. Yet Harry quickly turns on Doris and locks her away when she does become a Pale, insinuating he would have divorced her after finding success. Harry then releases Doris to be with the other Pales, but the switch in his feelings here is sudden and jarring.

What Did Karen Paint?

Karen is one of Sarah Paulson’s most likable characters on American Horror Story and her story comes to a devastating conclusion in the fifth episode of Red Tide. Karen takes the black pill rather than be savaged by the Pales, but she is not prepared to live a life of murder like the others. As a result, Karen fulfills her newfound blood lust by feeding on Mickey, then painting her “masterpiece” before walking into the sea.

While it is an interesting direction to take, Karen’s painting is not only left ambiguous but is not even mentioned in the following episode. It’s suggested that Karen is highly talented, which is what makes her eventual sacrifice all the more devastating. Not showing Karen’s painting in the finale is understandable, but glossing over it completely is strange choice because fans never learn whether she would have earned acclaim.

How Does Red Tide’s Ending Impact The Wider American Horror Story Universe?

Although American Horror Story is an anthology show, fans have come to expect connections between the seasons. Characters like Lana Winters, Pepper and the Coven Witches have provided some of the best character crossovers in American Horror Story.

Ursula’s distribution of the black pill at the end of Red Tide creates chaos and leads to many Pales dominating the streets. Season 8 suggests that the end of the world will come no matter what happens, and the Pales wreaking havoc certainly supports this. With so many Pales being created, it’s impossible to avoid the implications on the wider universe and how it could affect future seasons as well as past characters still alive in the present day.

How Will Red Tide Connect To Death Valley?

Unlike the previous nine seasons, season 10 is split into two halves: Red Tide and Death Valley. The two stories are significantly different, with the first focusing on creativity, success and murder while the second is about extraterrestrial happenings, conspiracies and even male pregnancy.

Although a connection between the two halves of the season has yet to be confirmed, it seems likely they will connect considering they take place within the same season. The first half of the season touches only lightly on the origin of the black pill, but it’s possible it could be related to the alien plot in the second half. Fans will be watching eagerly as the season progresses to see just how Death Valley might intertwine with Red Tide.

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