AHS: Roanoke calls in reinforcements from New Orleans to shed some light on the urban legends hiding out in the woods.

Finally, after two weeks of disturbing scenes and stories about nursing homes and ghost-hunting professors, AHS: Roanoke “Chapter 3” unraveled the mystery of the disappearing colony. If you don’t already know the legend, here are the highlights: John White left a colony of 116 people in 1590 on the shores of North Carolina and when he returned they vanished without a trace save for the word “CROATOAN” carved into a tree.

In a similar fashion to other incarnations of AHS, the latest installment hopes to spin a new tale by focusing on John White’s late wife. Of course they are going to turn her into a cleaver-wielding leader, hellbent on keeping settlers off her land.

One story is never enough for AHS. This North Carolina wood is also home to several other displaced groups. There are a few who seem to believe in some higher power who can be righteously served by sacrificing pigs, an ambitious spirit who wants a human friend, and the “hillbillies” who keep everyone company. I’m still not quite sure what the larger picture looks like just yet, but another AHS alum dusted the powdered sugar off his jacket and arrived from New Orleans to lend a helping hand.

The mystery of history

The most intriguing thread running through Roanoke at this time is the connection of the “hillbillies” terrorizing the land. They are alive, comprehensive, and clearly into watching other people have sex. Plus, they are the only physical beings Matt, Shelby, and Lee can give over to the police as suspects.

However, they are never around when the forest starts to come to life and pigs run amuck. Are they possessed by the spirits of the land, doing their bidding by cutting up pigs and kidnapping children while their offspring live off the milk of boars? The mystery of the flannel boys who live in maggot infested barns will have to wait for another day. We have the story of the heart-eating Kathy Bates to… err… digest.

After the hunt for Lee’s daughter turns up a charred sacrifice of Lee’s ex, Mason, a professional arrives by the name of Cricket. Claiming he was “called” to help this family, Cricket’s ability to communicate with the spirits living on the land are anything but a hoax.

In a few short moments, Cricket finds Flora’s attic hiding spot and learns that she is alive thanks to her friendship with Priscilla. When Cricket attempts to connect with Pricilla, the dark woman is summoned instead. Luckily the Croatoan spell works much better on the actual land of its origin than it does in a haunted house in Los Angeles.

The Dark Woman’s history is one of betrayal, injustice, and rebirth under the watchful eye of the natives, namely Lady Gaga.

The Dark Woman was left in charge of the Roanoke colony when John White, her husband, left to return to England for provisions. The men of the settlement blamed her for their hardships and overthrew her power by locking her in restraints and throwing her into the wild. She watched as her own son chose money and power over the protection of his mother.

The butcher presents herself to Cricket in the woods to strike a deal — the mortal girl for the land. If Flora is returned unharmed the house will be burned down.

Everything was fine and dandy up until this moment in the episode. “Chapter 3” did a great job of intertwining the two mystery threads of the story while keeping plenty of dead pigs around to remind viewers to give up bacon for good. But Shelby’s connection to the house is incredibly frustrating at this point.

I’m fine with the weird possessed sex scene and the jealousy and disbelief that Shelby exhibits. After all, if Matt chose not to believe in so many of the odd circumstances of the house thus far she can choose whatever she wants to believe or not believe at this moment.

What I do not understand is why Shelby is so reluctant to leave. Perhaps it will all be revealed in due time. Speaking of which, there are a few theories leading up to episode 6 that we need to unpack now that the Roanoke mystery may be reaching its end.

The Unreliable Narrators

Roanoke is currently giving off some serious Freak Show vibes as we head into “Chapter 4.” (I promise this will be the last time I bring up Twisty this season, indulge me one last time.)

After the set up that the most terrifying villain to ever terrify anyone with a slight discomfort around clowns appeared, he was ripped away after only four episodes. Now the highly-anticipated set up, the plot of the season shrouded in mystery is unpacked, what is left in the box?

There are a few straw dolls, a couple of bonnets, and a few ashes left over from the torches. But I have a feeling that the box would be of better use if it was flipped over and used as a stool for a bigger and better story.

Are we living in Billie Dean Howard’s Lifetime series? If this documentary-style haunting tale is a special of Murder House‘s psychic. During Lee’s interview we witness the first break in the interview style. Rather than keeping the interview to a response only style, we hear the voice of the interviewer and take a step into the interview room as the camera widens.

AHS continues to break style and convention, making the series less conformed to the structure of documentary style edit, we are possibly in the midst of the filming, one that is not edited for style. Will the two sides ever meet? And what about those nurses and Dennis O’Hare’s Professor Cunningham?

Murphy has commented that episode 6 will turn the show on its head and everything that you thought was going on actually is not. So what’s the use in guessing? Until then let’s keep enjoying Bate’s lust for blood and Leslie Jordan’s amazing wig.

Watch AHS: Roanoke chapter 4, Wednesday, October 6 at 10:00 p.m. ET on FX.