For an episode that promised one of horror’s favorite motifs
(sullying the sacred/cheerful) in Killer Santa, “Unholy Night” ended up a
relatively minor holiday treat. Of course, there’s nowhere else in the world for
Ian McShane and Jessica Lange to come together in a verbal sparring-cum-caning
as a deranged Santa and pious nun act out a warped staging of the war for
Christmas, and all of our holiday reverence. So, Merry Christmas AMERICAN
HORROR STORY, you’ve kicked off December in a just deranged-enough manner.

