Scream Queens - Scream Again - Review: "Double Jeopardy!"

It's finally back, idiot hookers! FOX's camp-fest Scream Queens returned for its second season with a killer premiere titled "Scream Again" and it did not disappoint. Despite the first season receiving lower than expected rating and some harsh critical responses, it was a social media success. Season two seems no different, with #ScreamQueens becoming a worldwide trend and social media going ablaze with (generally) positive posts. The season got off to a pretty good start, introducing some interesting new characters and reminding us why we loved some of the old ones so much!

Kicking-off in true Scream Queens fashion, the episode began with a flashback. This time to 1985, and it once again featured what I'm naming the Triple B's; booze, a body and an unborn baby. Anyone else having deja vu? Whilst at a hospital party (oh I wonder which hospital), Nurse Thomas (Laura Bell Bundy) and Dr. Mike (Jerry O'Connell) dump a patient's body in a nearby swamp. The flashback victim this season is a soon-to-be father and no doubt we'll be guessing who the baby has grown-up to be all season long.

Pope Francis asked her "what's next Cathy?"

Cathy Munsch (anyone else still wants to call her Dean Munsch?) is once again in charge, in the present day, but perhaps not for the better. She didn't exactly create much safety for the sorority girls last season, so who seriously let her run a hospital? I guess it just shows that money can buy you anything; including a position running a weird hospital on top of a body-infested swamp. Curtis continues to be the show's Jessica Lange in many ways. Munsch is strong, somewhat bitchy and is not to be messed with. Unlike Lange though, Curtis' character is not quite as interesting as any of the various American Horror Story leading ladies. The actress is the ultimate 'Scream Queen' though and for that reason, I still want her around, for a little longer at least.

This season premiere reveals that Munsch has set-up an initiative called C.U.R.E in a surprising turn of events, considering she has no experience in the medical field whatsoever. The former Dean claims she'd "done it all" and so needed a new cause; reforming America's healthcare system. We now find her in charge of a hospital for incurable diseases which she's funding completely herself. Recruiting previous Kappa Kappa Tau president, Zayday Williams (Keke Palmer) and the fabulous Chanels, Munsch is obviously up to something. Last season, at her own University, she didn't seem to care for the well-being of the students, so it's unlikely she now suddenly cares about the entire American population. The fact she keeps mentioning she has "plans", in a scheming tone, makes it very evident she's not in this with a solely pure motive. 

The only three characters qualified to work in the hospital.

The staff at the hospital seem particularly incapable and so Grey's Anatomy this is not, despite Munsch promising to hire "only the best doctors". It's an unsurprising move as it only adds to the comedic elements of the plot. The primary medical care is provided by Dr. Brock Holt (John Stamos), Dr. Cassidy Cascade (Taylor Lautner) and medical student Zayday. Dr. Holt is an experienced doctor who gruesomely lost his hand in an accident at a Superbowl party. You could not make this show up if you tried, it's ridiculously and hilariously weird. There's some mystery about who his transplanted hand originally belonged to, and it's violent tendecies suggests it's potentially someone infamous. This'll be like when Chanel #3 (Billie Lourd)'s father was revealed to be Charles Manson. Dr. Cascade on the other hand is fresh in the field, supposedly, and seems to just stand around a lot. He's described as physically cold by Zayday, to which he acts all shady. Someone on Twitter suggested that maybe this time Lautner's playing the vampire, but I hope not. I'd put more money on him having risen from the dead. Maybe he was frozen (like those Walt Disney rumours) and was only recently brought back. It's far-fetched but it's more realistic than a vampire plot-line. In a hospital setting, it kinda makes sense that a frozen-body-brought-back storyline is plausible, at least on this show anyway. Ultimately, I have very little hope for the healthcare provided at Munsch's hospital, especially when you throw in the Chanels. 

Speaking of the lovable rich girls, they were back from their Orange is The New Black / American Horror Story: Asylum crossover. The show filled us in by explaining that a Netflix documentary had followed the girls' trial and exposed the true killer, making them a "national obsession" in the process. On a side-note, I would personally love to see Entrap a Kappa Kappa: Murder on Sorority Row so if you're reading this Ryan Murphy, please consider it as a spin-off. A Chanel Oberlin (Emma Roberts) voice-over informs us that despite being exonerated, people found them "guilty of being awful". They became poor, disowned by their families and worked as basic medical assistants. That was until Munsch offered them jobs at the hospital.

The Chanels would not be present without the downfall of last season's "baby in the bathtub" killer, Hester Ulrich (Lea Michele). Although she disappointingly featured very little in this premiere, her one scene was extremely entertaining and it was nice to see justice finally catch up with her. For me it was the highlight of the episode and the funniest moment. Interviewed by the now FBI agent Denise Hemphill (Niecy Nash), Hester confessed to the first season's crimes though hilariously kept trying to use double jeopardy as a loophole to freedom. Unfortunately for her, our favourite security enforcement officer was having none of it and later Hester was arrested. Based on the season promos we know the lunatic twin will make an appearance at the hospital, presumably having pleaded insanity at trial; she was bat-shit crazy so it makes perfect sense. Hemphill will of course also return, as will her ex-lover, Chad Radwell (Glen Powell). The fan-favourite male makes an appearance in the promo for next week, and even has a scene naked; our prayers have been answered! 

Overall I can't help but feel a little underwhelmed by this season so far. I'm still mourning the fact it's not set at a summer camp, as suggested by Oliver Hudson (who played Wes Gardener) back in November. If there's one thing Ryan Murphy could do justice to, it's a 80's-inspired, gay-as-hell summer camp setting. Instead we get a hospital, which is just a little too blah for my liking. Some fans may also remember that the show was reported to be wanting four "hot doctors" who were in their late 20's to early 30's. Where these handsome young doctors are, I don't know. Yes, Stamos is hot but he's way past 30 (he's 53, wow!). And although Lautner fits the age range, he's not my definition of hot. He's attractive but not hot. Where's Colton Haynes at? Where's this male pop-star who was supposed to be one of the four? Let's start a prayer circle that Harry Styles does guest star at some point.

Ryan Murphy's Unholy Trinity 2.0  steal every scene

Speaking of celebrity roles, it would be a travesty to not mention Kirstie Alley's appearance. The actress takes on the role of the hospital's devious head of administration who immediately clashes with Chanel. Teasing her for having a name which sounds like 'I am awful', Chanel gets a shock when the administrator responds with "you mess with me and I will eat you for lunch". The character later seems to be somewhat in cahoots with Munsch, though clearly has her own agenda too. Will she be someone's mother from the first season or possibility the pregnant widow from the season two flashback? Only time will tell. Saturday Night Live's Cecily Strong also makes an interesting cameo, as a woman plagued by werewolf-like body hair. At first it's hard to tell who the actress is, but after a few lines I recognised that memorable voice immediately. Although a comedic character concept, it felt wasted on Strong who should have been given a role with funnier dialogue, instead of a funny aesthetic. Unlike Alley, Strong didn't make it to the end of the episode, so it's likely we won't be seeing her again.

This brings us to the killer. Last season the Red Devil costume was arguably not that scary, but it wasn't the kind of costume you'd wear to a kids party either though. It was generic but memorable, and it worked for the most part. This season the killer looks much scarier, with a green ensemble and a creepy horned mask. Swamp goo drips from his hands also, adding to both the mystery of the swamp body but also the scare-factor of the outfit. The outfit itself was worn by Dr. Mike for the hospital's Halloween party in the opening flashback, before he threw it in the swamp with the body. The costume only returns for the show's final minutes, this time worn by the killer.

It may have only been a few minutes but it felt like forever. I had a terrible feeling that perhaps Chanel #5 (Abigail Breslin) wouldn't make it out of that bath alive, and I was right to fear so. Strong's character is most certainly dead, having been decapitated, but at least there's some hope for us #5 fans. Breslin brought so much humour to the show and it would be a huge shame to see her go so early onto into the season. If #5 is dead, I suspect the body won't be found for some time. There's still some hope that she's alive though, I guess. Prayer circle for her, anyone?

The premiere was overall pretty decent. I do wonder whether this season can live up to the first instalment though, but it's too early to tell. It was as always funny and interesting, and therefore I am still a huge fan of the show. One fan on Twitter summed it up well by commenting that whilst the show may have plot-holes and be ridiculous, that's why some of us love it so much. It's all a big joke and it shouldn't be taken so seriously. It's light-heartened, a little self-critical in many ways and the cast are superbly funny. What's not to love?

Quote of The Week:

"I was an employee of the security firm Secure Enforcement Solutions, along with my dear friend, Shondell, who was later stabbed in the face and pushed out a car" - Denise Hemphill. 

Performer of The Week:

There were so many star performers this week. Kirstie Alley and Abigail Breslin deserve praise for portraying their roles wonderfully but it has go to Lea Michele simply for her hilarious, albeit very short, scene with Niecy Nash. 

Scream Queens continues next Tuesday on FOX with "Warts and All". Be sure to tune in to find out more about this mysterious swamp killer. In the mean time, let me know what you thought of the episode in the comments below. May the killer theories begin...

About the Author - JOEL LEAVER

Joel is a British student who loves all things camp or horror. He is often obsessed with TV shows created by Ryan Murphy, and cites Glee as his favourite show of all time. His other favourite shows, not including those created by Ryan Murphy, include Scandal, Desperate Housewives, Game of Thrones, Scream the TV series, Nashville and Pretty Little Liars - to name just a few. During the 2016 - 2017 season, he will be reviewing Feud, Ransom, Scream Queens and The Exorcist. Feel free to contact him via Twitter.

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