Written By Tommy Tracy
Warning: Full Spoilers Ahead
Scream Queens was a great breath of fresh air into my usual TV lineup, masterfully mixing some of my favorite things: horror, 90’s flashbacks and bitchy women. Queens started out as strong as one possibly could and remains the only entertainment piece I’ve ever given a perfect TEN to. And yes, like most episodic series’, Queens lost a bit of its muster as the show progressed but it continued to make me laugh and had me guessing from day one who the killer(s) could be.
Naturally a series finale is designed to pack as much information and closure in as possible and we got that in spades here. We left off last week with Pete admitting he was a killer and Grace decides to hear him out. Turns out that Pete wasn’t actually a killer (though he did kill Roger and Boone) but just an observer who agreed the “whores” of KKT needed to die. He reveals that he knows who Boone’s sister is and as soon as he’s about to spill the beans, she spills his blood all over the floor. This was genuinely frightening as it brought us a jump scare we hadn’t seen before that was quite effective. Classic slasher trope and it worked very well. Oh, and the second (or third or fourth, depending on how you look at it) killer is…
Hester. Boom, called that one from the beginning. But I digress. Yes, it was Hester but this wasn’t without controversy. She tries to fake a stabbing (so gory) and then sets up a series of events that prove the remaining Chanel’s are the killers. Yes, it’s ridiculous and anyone with a brain can tell that Hester is making this up but that’s the brilliance of this. No one on this show is smart and they all easily believe her story of Chanel #5 being adopted or Chanel #2 trying to blow up the pizza guy.
Hester’s plan is so genuinely flawed and would only work on this show. She’s evil, diabolical and is responsive for some truly grizzly murders with her dear departed brother, Boone. Her whole motivation wasn’t to kill the Chanel’s but to frame them for the murders. The Chanel’s are also hilariously found non-guilty by a jury but when Chanel goes off on how ugly they all are, they hastily change their answer and sentence them to a lifetime in an insane asylum (which I’ll get back to in a moment). Munsch confronts Hester, stating she knew all along but when Hester one-ups her with blackmail, they stare each other down and then part ways, okay with their secrets and actually shake hands afterwards. This is the funniest scene in the episode because, again, the absurdity is so welcome and out there, you can’t help but chuckle at what you’re seeing.
Now, onto the asylum. We end with the Chanel’s actually happy that they’re there because there’s no prejudice, no reason to be top bitches. They don’t have to remain skinny for men or eat cotton balls. Number 2 finally embraces her lesbian side, Number 5 is finally tolerable (poor Abigail Breslin, she took a beating this season) and our main Chanel is finally at peace. As our episode takes its final breath of the season, Chanel opens her eyes in her tiny bed to see the Red Devil standing above her, holding a knife and Chanel screams us into the credits, leaving us to decide her fate (for now).
There are a few other things I won’t cover in full detail but really struck a funny chord for me. Chanel #5’s parents actually hate her and pretend like she was adopted. Chad Radwell and Officer Denise form a relationship but promptly break up because of the FBI. And Wes and Munsch begin a relationship based solely on the “best sex ever.”
I loved Scream Queens. What an absurd concept that shouldn’t have worked but was quite amazing. Many people have made correlations between this show and the likes of Mean Girls and Heathers but in truth, it’s a one of a kind show that I hold dear. Yes, it had some lows (and they weren’t even that bad) but what show doesn’t? I found myself laughing more than questioning and critiquing and that’s all I could really ask for. The season finale was the best episode since the premiere. I can’t wait for Season Two.
Scream Queens Season One Finale Grade: 9.5/10
In Memoriam:
Pete
Chanel Oberlin (?)
