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American Gothic Season 1 Episodes
Season 1 Episode Guide
13 Episodes 2016 - 2016
Episode 1
Arrangement in Grey and Black
Wed, Jun 22, 201640 mins
A prominent Boston family reels in the wake of the chilling discovery that someone in their midst is linked to an infamous string of murders. After 14 years, the case of "The Silver Bells Killer" is reopened and the Hawthorne family find themselves wondering if one of their own could be behind the grisly killings that rocked the city of Boston. As shocking secrets from the past and present are revealed, their mounting suspicion and paranoia that one of them is a killer threatens to tear the family apart.
Episode 2
Jack-in-the-Pulpit
Wed, Jun 29, 201643 mins
As Alison, Cam and Tessa debate on what to do about the silver bells found in the shed, someone else makes the decision for them by his/her actions. The bells in association with their father take their toll on Cam and Tessa, both who turn to old comforts to cope. With her political career still on her mind, Alison is suspect of Garrett and why he returned, especially when he makes the announcement that he wants to say a few words at the funeral. It may be someone else who they have to be more concerned about in saying something inappropriate at the service. Madeline tries to cover her tracks of any wrongdoing at the hospital, which may be difficult seeing that the hospital administration admits to some unanswered anomalies which may be solved by performing an autopsy on Mitchell. Meanwhile, Brady doesn't like the direction that Detective Cutter, the lead investigator, wants to take as to the find in the collapsed tunnel, which is specifically to place Mitchell on the list of suspects as the Silver Bells Killer (SBK). As such, Brady is tasked with getting a sample of Mitchell's DNA, which ends up being more difficult than he imagines.
Episode 3
Nighthawks
Wed, Jul 6, 201643 mins
Brady divulges to Tessa, who in turn tells the family, that new evidence in the Silver Bells Murder case is that he has a photograph of Cam as a teenager wearing the distinctive belt like the one that was discovered as evidence in the collapsed tunnel. Brady believes the easiest course of action to clear Cam if the photograph does come to light to his superiors is to get a sample of Cam's DNA, a request which Cam is advised by the family not to oblige. Brady has to decide if he will take measures against Tessa's wishes in getting that DNA sample. Alison and Naomi believe they can get the support of New England Patriot Stephen Gostkowski, which would ensure an election victory. The campaign event announcing that support takes a turn with an unexpected guest. Madeline continues to take control of the situation, now that she is the owner of Hawthorne Concrete. She also believes that Gunther may be problematic. Jack's latest action leads to Cam finally agreeing to get Jack some therapy. That initial pre-therapy meeting with Dr. Stanhope, who was Cam's own therapist when he was a minor, leads to Cam coming to a realization that some old evidence could be more incriminating than Brady's evidence of the photo. What Cam decides to do could be problematic for Alison. And Garrett runs into his old girlfriend, Molly, the two who have not seen each other since he ran off fourteen years ago at a stage in their relationship when they were talking of marriage. Unanswered questions may trump the sparks that still exist between the two.
Episode 4
Christina's World
Wed, Jul 13, 201641 mins
What looks to be Gunther's suicide is indeed ruled as such with evidence pointing to he being the Silver Bell Killer (SBK), with the Chief wanting Brady to be sure before he goes public. Brady passes this information to Tessa who passes it along to some of the other family members, who are all relieved that their family is no longer under scrutiny for the murders. Regardless, there is general consensus not to divulge to Brady or the police the find of the box of bells in the shed, the evidence which Madeline has since destroyed. Brady in turn hopes that he and Tessa can get back on track personally following his betrayal in obtaining samples of her hair for DNA. That may have to be placed on hold when he and Cutter discover evidence from an unexpected source pointing to Gunther not being the SBK and when Brady finds out some information about the hair sample. Alison and Naomi's secret liaison is also placed on hold when Eva Tyler, the woman who lost a foot in the tunnel collapse, plans to sue among others Hawthorne Concrete and the City. While Alison doesn't initially see it as being a problem as the official report did not place any responsibility of the collapse on the company, Madeline informs her that there are skeletons in the Hawthorne closet that could come to light in the legal discovery process if the lawsuit proceeds. As such, Alison and Tom, as the new owner of the company, have to work together to find a way to make the problem of Miss Tyler go away. When Tyler ends up being more problematic than they initially thought she would be, they discover further information which leads to them co-opting another high profile player to add his considerable resources to combat the problem. Cam learns the hard way that Sophie owes her drug dealer $4,000, money which neither she or Cam have. Cam vows to get the money for her, the only source available to him being Madeline, getting the money from whom which he knows will not be a guarantee. And given the opportunity, Garrett has to decide whether to embark on a relationship with Christina Morales, the daughter of the first victim of the SBK.
Episode 5
The Artist in His Museum
Wed, Jul 20, 201640 mins
With Gunther cleared as the Silver Bells Killer (SBK), the police's attention returns to the Hawthornes, most specifically Cam as the one whose belt which was used in the last murder was found. This focus on Cam makes Brady have to perform yet another balancing act in doing his job as a homicide detective on the one hand, and abiding by Tessa's wishes in leaving their family alone in the matter on the other hand. Knowing that he has to hide out from the police while he goes through withdrawal, Cam is able to make his way back to the mansion, where all three of his siblings vow to help him. Through the process: Cam has some recurring hallucinations of a dead body, which, during his more lucid moments, he has to figure out if they truly are hallucinations or repressed memories; Garrett and Alison in their time alone together may come to a better understanding of each other; and, Garrett asks Christina for help, despite he running off without a reason during what was supposed to be their sexual encounter. It's bad timing for Alison as a staffer is blackmailing her as she secretly caught Alison and Naomi in a compromising position. With Alison having to attend to Cam, she leaves it to Naomi to be the fixer, she who may have a difficult time without giving in to the blackmail demands. During all these goings-on, Madeline has gone AWOL. While she tells Tessa via telephone that she is decompressing at a spa, she in reality is revisiting her past, dealing with a specific issue she believes may be an emerging problem.
Episode 6
The Chess Players
Wed, Jul 27, 201640 mins
News that Cam's DNA has been collected and that he is not the SBK but that there is a familial match (meaning that a blood relation of Cam's is the SBK) quickly hits the media which in turn derails what was a successful debate Alison was having against Mayor Conley. The police issue warrants to collect DNA from all the Hawthorne family members, which they are able to do except from Garrett who has disappeared without anyone in the family knowing where he is. With the vultures as Jack calls them i.e. the media circling the mansion, the family members feel trapped inside. In their confinement, they start to act the vultures themselves in attacking other family members. Beyond some railing against Tessa and by association Brady for allowing Cam's DNA to be collected and tested, Madeline, Cam and Alison all have their own theories about SBK in relation to their family. Within the situation, Sophie, who is able to gain access to the house, tries to convince Cam that she is not the source of his problems but that the Hawthornes are and tries to convince him that they and Jack should become a nuclear family again. And Tom has to decide what to do in the revelation he has that Alison and Naomi's sexual liaison is not just sex, which is allowed in the agreement he and Alison have, but love. Meanwhile, to where Garrett has disappeared is camping with Christina Morales, the two who are trying to find a deeper connection than they have managed to date. What starts off as a promising romantic encounter turns into a potentially more dangerous and violent situation.
Episode 7
The Gross Clinic
Wed, Aug 3, 201643 mins
News that it is Mitchell's DNA that matches that on the belt and thus that he is the Silver Bells Killer (SBK) hits the media. With this fact, the police shut down the investigation believing they now have their man. However, Brady questions one specific aspect of Mitchell being the SBK, which leads to him doing more investigative work and a rare point of cooperation between him and Cutter. A hospitalized Garrett comes clean to the family about what he knows to be the truth regarding his father,...or so he says. Beyond Madeline who also knows the truth, one other person questions Garrett's view of reality. The news effectively shuts down Alison's run for mayor. With that, Tom, who is also affected in that clients are pulling their business, issues Alison an ultimatum: him and the family or Naomi. Feeling the stress from the news, Cam, given the opportunity, may fall off the wagon. Tessa and Brady negotiate the next step in their personal life, which may be threatened by Brady's action against Garrett, all in his prior belief that Garrett was the SBK. What Tessa decides to do is affected by further news she receives. She also agrees to take temporary custody of Jack while Cam deals with his issues. This decision does not sit well with Sophie. Jack's latest bizarre act may be the final straw before Cam or someone in his place makes the decision to get him some definitive professional help.
Episode 8
Kindred Spirits
Wed, Aug 10, 201643 mins
Garrett has decided to rejoin the family fold, which in his mind means taking control of certain issues with which he knows his mother cannot disagree, at least not openly to other family members. Alison is finding reporter Jennifer Windham problematic in that she is reporting on information not only about the campaign but issues of sensitivity about the family about which only trusted sources would know. While Alison and Madeline decide to approach the issue head on with Jennifer, Jennifer's response makes Garrett think of an alternative more permanent solution. That path leads to some information that Alison may not like. Tessa is concerned about her pregnancy in more ways than one, the baby about which she has not yet even told Brady. Cam has settled into rehab and befriends a nurse named April, while Sophie contemplates taking an extreme move for her to remain close to Cam. Jack is taken to the camp for troubled children, which is billed to the attendees as something a little more friendly and less threatening. Jack's initial hatred for the place takes a turn when he meets who he believes may be a kindred spirit in fellow camper Sadie. He may finally have met his match. And Brady and Cutter follow a lead regarding the car in the video. While Cutter initially believes it to be a dead end lead, Brady has other thoughts.
Episode 9
The Oxbow
Wed, Aug 17, 201643 mins
Brady has arrested Garrett on the discovery of the knife with the chipped handle in his cabin. During his incarceration, Garrett is able to reflect on the fourteen years he lived out in the woods including how he came about the cabin which he lived in for most of that time, how he learned to trap for food, the unexpected companionship he received leading to a specific act near the end of that time period, and how he learned that Mitchell was in the hospital. Madeline and Darcy Campano, the lawyer that Madeline hires to represent Garrett, tell him not to say anything to the police, with Darcy further telling him not to say anything to anyone, including to her. Regardless of that advice, Garrett acts like he is guilty, he wanting to make amends to each individual person in the family, the talk with Tessa which is the especially difficult one for both of them. Garrett is unaware that Brady has asked Tessa to gauge Garrett's guilt or innocence both by what he says and how he acts, not only for Brady's own benefit but also for her own sense of possible closure if Garrett is indeed guilty. However it is the discussion that Garrett has with Jack that could be the game changer. Meanwhile, Alison decides further to use Jennifer Windham to her benefit. What Alison asks of Jennifer has an unexpected outcome.
Episode 10
The Veteran in a New Field
Wed, Aug 24, 201642 mins
Jennifer Windham's murder, which was videotaped by the perpetrator, leads to the police now believing that person Mitchell's SBK accomplice, especially as there are certain aspects of Windham's murder which match the SBK M.O. and that were never made public, meaning that this is not a copycat murder. As such, Garrett is released, his first priority which is to find pregnant and now in hiding Christina. Alison's theory of who the accomplice is she hopes to use to her political advantage, although she does feel guilty for her role in Windham being murdered. Tessa also has her own theories based on increasing bold face lies and half truths, but she also wants to know why Garrett could not tell her that he had never killed anyone. However, Brady isn't quite ready to absolve Garrett of all blame for SBK despite he being in jail the time of Windham's murder. Meanwhile, Cam has completed his rehab. Madeline wants him to pursue sole custody of Jack. His decision on the matter may rest on a specific incident as Sophie helps Jack with his Boston History presentation. Cam also knows he wants to date Nurse April despite she perhaps having a clearer picture of what is best for his recovery regardless of their mutual attraction.
Episode 11
Freedom from Fear
Wed, Aug 31, 201640 mins
Brady is able to track down Garrett and hold him at gunpoint as Garrett is digging up a buried skeleton in an isolated field in Maine, that dead body which he had intended to destroy by putting through a corn grinder. Simultaneously, Alison, Cam and Tessa confront their mother, who they catch in yet another lie, this time that the person who stoned teenaged Cam had seen being dragged down the stairs of their house was not Caleb O'Connor as she had stated. Garrett, who refuses to go back to jail because of Christina's condition, and Madeline feel they have no choice but to come clean to their accusers in light of the situation, both telling much the same story of what happened the night that person was dragged down the stairs, which was also the same night that Christina's father, Dave Morales, was murdered by SBK. However, the one of the two who has a more complete picture of what happened that night leaves out some key pieces of information. All the Hawthornes now know is that SBK's accomplice is still alive, is Jennifer Windham's murderer and is now out to get them, the accomplice who seems to have relatively easy access to their house.
Episode 12
Madame X
Wed, Sep 7, 201643 mins
Because of Madeline and Garrett coming clean about the events of the night of David Morales' murder as they know it (or purport to know it), Brady has no other option but to charge them for their various crimes. They assisting and cooperating in the on-going investigation as to SBK's identity and his accomplice could help their cause in the long run. The one favor Garrett asks in return is to be able to contact Christina in whatever form so that she can hear the story directly from him rather than through a third party. In general, the family and the police believe the safest place for them away from whoever SBK's accomplice is at the house. In the process of safeguarding the house, Alison discovers more about the events not only of that night but also about the recent deaths of her father and Jennifer Windham, these discoveries which could further affect the family dynamic. Alison also gets a telephone call from Naomi, who she has to decide if she will let back into at least her professional life in light of she being mired in SBK and the imminent election, which she still has a chance of winning..., that is if certain information stays in the closet. The one person who decides not to stay at the house is Cam, who believes he knows what is safest for him and Jack. Cam may regret his decision.
Episode 13
Whistler's Mother
Wed, Sep 7, 201643 mins
It's election day. Most of the family is at Alison's campaign headquarters, both as a measure of support to Alison and as it is perhaps the safest place from an attack by SBK's accomplice being so public. There are two conspicuously absent family members: Madeline, who may no longer be welcome based on the confrontation she and Alison had; and Alison herself, she who has missed some key engagements on this important day, and who is not picking up her cell phone. Alison's absence worries the family, as she being possibly abducted by the accomplice. As Tessa passes this news to Brady, he and Cutter may have to work fast to discover who the accomplice is, they knowing that it is SBK's daughter, who would now be in her thirties and may have worked her way into a position of trust within the Hawthorne family circle. While most of the family is at campaign headquarters, Madeline is oblivious to what is happening being self sequestered at home with her private security detail, which may prove not to be the most secure location as the accomplice has proven in the past to be able to get in and out of the house easily. Meanwhile, Garrett and Christina are able to reconnect at the campaign HQ. Garrett may have to make a difficult decision based on what Christina tells him. And Cam, who through the lawyer hired by Madeline has basically cut all ties with Sophie including filing for sole custody of Jack, is happily in a platonic relationship with April. However, on this day, he has to provide some comfort to his son who still pines for his mother. Through all these issues, the discovery of who SBK's daughter and thus accomplice is may not be as straightforward as it appears on the surface.