I really enjoyed this episode. I liked all the fun, AHS snappy lines with killer delivery from the actors. I thought the acting was solid, for all of the cast. I also liked how it was just a really grounded well told story visually and I was able to get into the narrative, feel like I was in the world, connect with the characters, and follow the story. Super awesome mood throughout but especially in all the flashback scenes. The classic filmmaking style worked with the story being told, the characters, and the world.
I do wish all the other episodes had been up to this level this season, but most have been disconnected in the storytelling from the story they were telling. And bizarre. And not in a good AHS way.
Bloody Mary also packed that extra 'ta-da' elegance so it still felt exactly like what I expect of American Horror Stories and the Ryan Murphy world. Cool one! Cheers to AHSS for S2E5.