The Devil is truly in the details as American Horror Story: 13 delivers some major revelations in Episodes 9 and 10, including the truth about Ben’s (Joey Pollari) family history — as well as Constance’s (Jessica Lange) — a centuries-old wager between God and Satan, and a dip back into the events of Apocalypse, which may hold the key to saving the world. Warning: Spoilers ahead for American Horror Story: 13 Episodes 9 and 10.
Constance discovers she has a hellish family history
After a double dose of witches, Episode 9, “The Devil Is in the Details” returns to New York, where Mr. Nas (played by both Fedor Steer and Paul Anthony Kelly) is dealing with some family drama.
The episode picks up at Nas’ penthouse, where Constance Langdon is less than thrilled about being under the thumb of yet another man, even if that man happens to be Satan himself.
Constance has a few demands for his new world order: No more wars, a woman in the White House, and powerful positions for her resurrected children, Addie (Jamie Brewer) and Tate (Evan Peters). Perhaps Addie could run the postal service while Tate takes over Fox News?
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But Nas has a few things to say about Constance’s less-than-stellar history. Pulling out a lengthy scroll of her sins, he reminds her of the murders of her maid Moira (Frances Conroy) and her husband, abandoning Tate, locking Addie in the “bad girl closet,” having her son Beauregard smothered, and stealing Vivien’s (Connie Britton) baby. And that’s just part of the “cavalcade of horrors” that makes up Constance’s past.
Nas insists she was born bad, but offers her a convenient excuse: “The Devil made you do it.”
Things aren’t looking particularly rosy between these two, but Nas attempts to smooth things over with a new red frock, a “party dress for a party girl,” and a little entertainment courtesy of a band of disfigured demons.
After a dance, Constance suggests that if Nas intends to rule the world, he might as well have her by his side as his mate. After all, “I’m deserving, I’m worthy,” she argues, proposing that she become his Mistress of the Damned for all eternity.
Unfortunately, there’s one rather disturbing problem with that arrangement: Nas is her father.
Ben tries to tackle his own demons
Meanwhile, remember Ben? After spending some time away from the action, he’s back, and the mystery surrounding his childhood is getting considerably darker.
Ashley (Elle Chapman) takes Ben to a tattoo parlor to have the strange marking on his lower back examined. But the experience triggers a terrifying flashback involving hooded figures, fire, and what appears to be a ritual sacrifice. Overwhelmed, Ben rushes home for his inhaler.
Later, he discovers that the number 616, branded onto his back, appears in early manuscripts of the Book of Revelation as the Mark of the Beast. Apparently, “666” wasn’t the only number associated with Satan. As Ben researches the marking, the brand begins to hurt and bleed, triggering more disturbing memories.
When Ashley arrives, Ben confesses that he believes he witnessed a murder as a child, possibly involving Satanists. She attempts to comfort him, suggesting that childhood trauma may be causing him a little confusion.
However, another memory suddenly comes flooding back. Ben recalls standing beside Nas, who has a pentagram carved into his chest, while a woman bleeds to death at their feet. Surrounded by worshippers, Ben remembers drinking from Nas’ cup. Now convinced that Nas is connected to his childhood trauma, Ben decides to confront him.
At the penthouse, Nas is occupied with Mr. Phibes (John Waters), allowing Ben to investigate. Using Nas’ virtual assistant, Savant, he searches the history of “Taylor Dorium Nas,” the supposedly respectable Manhattan industrialist and philanthropist.
The search produces a rather revealing discovery: Taylor Dorium Nas is an anagram for “I’m your lord, Satan.”
Meanwhile, Constance is coping with her own problems by drinking. Ashley finds her and expresses concern that Ben may be catching on to their activities, revealing that Ashley is working with Nas and Constance.
Ben makes a move on Nas
Back at the penthouse, Ben makes his move. He attempts to give Nas drugged water, hoping to kill him, but Nas refuses to drink it. Undeterred, Ben draws a pentagram on Nas’ chest, recreating the image from his childhood vision, before attempting to suffocate him.
Unfortunately for Ben, killing the Devil isn’t quite that simple. Just as he makes his move, the younger, beautiful version of Nas appears with an invitation that’s more of a threat. “You want the truth about yourself? Then follow me, Benny Brown Eyes, if you know what’s good for you.”
With that, Ben is about to get some answers about his mysterious past — whether he likes them or not.
Papa Legba reveals a dangerous bet between deities
Episode 10, “The Prodigal Son,” opens in 1939 at the Vatican, where Pope Pius XII receives a mysterious package and offers his blessing. But before we can make sense of the strange scene, we’re back with the coven, where Papa Legba (Orlando Jones) has joined forces with Fiona Goode (Jessica Lange) and Marie Laveau (Angela Bassett). Of course, Fiona isn’t entirely comfortable trusting the notoriously tricky gatekeeper of the underworld.
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Marie attempts to negotiate for Queenie (Gabourey Sidibe), but Papa isn’t interested in making deals that upset the natural order. “Respect the balance,” he warns. Queenie is in Hell, and that’s where she’ll remain until she’s needed.
With the help of a protective spell involving nails, rum, candles, and a little of Papa Legba’s blood, Marie creates a barrier around the witches. Papa then reveals the truth behind the Devil’s latest scheme, which dates back to 1939.
According to Papa, Pope Pius XII discovered an ancient wager between God and Satan: If the Devil could live among humans for 100 years in mortal form, he would gain control of Heaven, Hell, and Earth. Believing Adolf Hitler was Satan, the Pope attempted an exorcism, but he had the wrong man. The Devil was already living in America.
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Why does the Devil target the witches?
Meanwhile, Ben finally gets some answers from the mysterious Mr. Nas, who confirms that he is not only Ben’s father but the Devil himself. Nas explains that he can assume different appearances, including a younger, more attractive version of himself for meeting family, but he must maintain a mortal existence to fulfill his wager with God.
Back at the coven, Papa reveals that Satan has found a way to cheat the clock. By murdering groups of 13 women, he can accelerate his mortal aging and reach the required years ahead of schedule. With 13 years remaining, he’s targeting the coven to complete his plan.
But for the Devil, this isn’t just about world domination. It’s also personal. The Devil wants revenge against the witches for killing his Antichrist son, Michael Langdon (Cody Fern), during the events of Apocalypse. Although that happened in another timeline, Mallory (Billie Lourd) remembers everything, including traveling back in time and smooshing Michael with an SUV. She also admits that she deliberately blocked Supreme Cordelia Goode (Sarah Paulson) from seeing her future, which explains why Cordelia’s powers of foresight have failed.
The revelation leads Fiona to another important revelation: Mallory is the next Supreme.
However, the witches still need a way to stop Satan. Papa Legba offers a possible solution, explaining that the Devil intends to leave Earth in the hands of his living son once he claims the throne of Hell. That son is Ben, and the coven must find him before Satan wins him over.
The Devil makes a bargain as the witches get ready for war
Unfortunately, Nas is already working on that. He offers Ben the power to escape the pain of his troubled childhood and rule the world. “This is what you were meant for Ben; claim your birthright,” he tells his son.
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Ben insists he wants to use his power for good, but Nas dismisses the idea, arguing that absolute power corrupts absolutely. Eventually, Ben appears to accept his father’s offer, and the two embrace.
Back with the witches, Mallory apologizes to Cordelia for keeping her secret, but Cordelia is proud of her. Fiona, meanwhile, is feeling pretty confident about their chances against the Devil. “Thirteen witches, three Supremes, and a Voodoo queen. If I were the devil, I’d start praying.”
Madison Montgomery (Emma Roberts) is growing impatient to take the fight to Satan, but she won’t have to wait long. As the witches prepare for battle, the doors suddenly fly open, revealing Ben standing before them.
“I believe you are looking for me?” he asks.
And just like that, the Devil’s son has arrived at the coven’s doorstep.
American Horror Story: 13, Thursdays, 9/8c, FX and Hulu