American Horror Stories S2 Ep 4: Milkmaids spoiler free review

The colonial New England was characterized by villages dedicated to farming and Christianity. Even becoming known for the persecution of women accused of witchcraft and what is known today as the Salem Witch Trials. Episode 4 of American Horror Stories season 2 brings us back to this time period but with a different “evil” presence: smallpox. Diseases were seen as a punishment from God and this episode is not the exception. Episode 4: Milkmaids is available to stream on Hulu.

An outcast risk everything in order to save her small town from devastation

Official plot

The cast includes: Cody Fern (American Horror Story) as Thomas, Julia Schlaepfer (The Politician) as Celeste, Seth Gabel (American Horror Story) as Walter, Addison Timlin (Fallen) as Delilah, and Ian Sharkey (Good Girls) as Edward. This episode was directed by Alonso Alvarez and written by Ryan Murphy.

My opinion

While the episode falls on basic folk horror plot is still able to feel fresh enough to keep the viewer interested. Placed in 1757 New England smallpox has arrived. Members of the village are dying since a cure doesn’t exist but a woman claims to be a healer and that she herself is the cure to the disease. Of course, since it’s the 18th century and religious fanaticism dominates the popular opinion she’s seen as an occultist and a sinner. This behavior is not a surprise due to the time period that the episode takes place.

This can be a disgusting episode for some, not because of the disease, but how “the cure” is founded. For other it can be an exciting one since is the return of a fan favorite actor, Cody Fern, who appeared for the first time in American Horror Story: Apocalypse (2018). Milkmaids is an enjoyable episode that doesn’t drops the quality of this second season that it has been well received by fans.