AHS: Hotel said farewell to a main character tonight as another’s backstory finally came to light, and an AHS alum checks in!

Three interesting plot twists rose from the bullet ridden floor of the Countess’ penthouse on tonight’s AHS: Hotel episode 11. The choices for tonight’s episode were, if Mr. March were to describe them, “inspired.” Although the connection to AHS: Coven felt a bit cheap, the pay off was a solid trajectory for at least three of the main stories, just in time for next week’s season finale.

A few new rules came into play in the world building of the AHS universe. For example, ghosts take away witches powers. Some people, even those with ancient blood viruses, become ghosts while others do not. So while Tristan is dead and gone, the Countess is doomed for an eternity with her estranged husband. It may be late in the game to pull all the strings neatly together, but tonight’s AHS does takes some care to tie up a few loose ends.

‘Coven’ comes to ‘Hotel’

Still looking for patterns in the carpet that connect the AHS: Hotel to Asylum? Well, tonight’s episode drew viewers’ attention with flashing signals as bright as the stage lights on The Price is Right to connect Coven‘s Queenie to the Hotel universe.

Not only does Queenie check into the Hotel Cortez, much to the delight of Liz Taylor who followed the New Orleans witches like a modern day soap, but she used her voodoo powers to put up a good fight with a starved Ramona. Let’s just assume that the reigning Supreme Cordelia did more than enchant Queenie’s tickets to Drew Carrey and wiped her memory of what her best friend Delphine LaLaurie and Marie Laveau looked like.

The saving grace of ‘Hotel’ – Liz Taylor and Iris

It was a bumpy road, but Iris and Liz Taylor are the duo fans of the AHS franchise deserve. Not only does the episode open with the two ladies gearing up to take down the Countess with zero hesitation, but the entire episode shows the two sticking up for one another. First, when the Countess drags herself away from the shooting, Liz assists Iris in freeing Donovan from the Cortez. Second, Liz decides that freeing Ramona from her chains is the most dangerous, yet only option the two have left.

In the words of Tina Fey, “Bitches get stuff done.” And though the final result did not come the way they expected, Liz and Iris are on their way to taking the Hotel Cortez under their tender wings.

How Sally got her crimp

Spoiler, she always had it! The year was 1993, drugs were the hot ticket item into the music world, and for Sally, a way into the lives of many of Los Angeles’ most desperate lot. But Sally’s need for human connection went a bit too far after she sewed herself to her two partners in music, drugs, and sex. (In this season’s actress bingo, Sarah Paulson checked off giving a man a shot of heroin in his nether regions.)

As a result of her selfish actions, the Addiction Demon came to her after two days and assaulted her until she could not bare the abuse any longer. So Sally, very graphically, ripped herself free. Saving the Countess after bullets tore her apart would be the only way for Sally to get John back in the Cortez. Once he is inside the walls he must die in order to live out his days with Sally.

Parents of the year

John and Alexis pick up whats-her-name from grandma’s before she is promptly abandoned again as the Countess fulfills her mission to get John back into the Cortez. In other bad parenting news, Iris finally says farewell to Donovan. Acting as a human shield for the Countess, Donovan was on the brink of death when Iris fulfilled his final wish to die outside the walls of the Cortez. Iris says her final farewell and hears the only phrase she ever wanted from Donovan, “Thank you, Mom.” Though bound to the Cortez through her bond to Liz Taylor, Iris seems free and at peace.

The final kill

Ramona versus John Lowe. Who has more to lose? Who has more the gain? John owes Mr. March one final commandment — thou shalt not commit murder. Ramona seeks revenge for 20 years of torture and suffering. Refuelled by the witch’s blood coursing through her veins (RIP Queenie), Ramona cannot go through with her murder as the Countess explains her desire to break free from the false sense of security she placed in the hotel. But after a frolic in the sheets with her former lover, the Countess is greeted by death in the elevator doors as John Lowe kills the Countess and mounts her head in March’s vault.

A worthy representation of her sin.

With next week’s season finale fast approaching, what will become of the Hotel Cortez with it’s marital ghost issues, diva show runners, and outsiders who just cannot seem to stay away?

Watch the final AHS: Hotel episode 12, “Be Our Guest,” Wednesday, January 13 at 10:00 p.m. ET on FX.