Unholy Night

"Unholy Night" is the eighth episode of the second season of the FX anthology television series American Horror Story.

The episode, written by executive producer James Wong and directed by Michael Lehmann, originally aired on December 5, 2012.

Ian McShane guest stars as Leigh Emerson, a man who has a psychotic break and kills dressed as Santa Claus.

Jude sneaks into her office and holds a straight razor to Mary Eunice's throat, threatening to end the Devil's possession by killing her.

Thredson finds Lana at Briarcliff and tells her he's destroyed all evidence relating to Bloody Face.

"[2] "Unholy Night" was watched by 2.36 million viewers and received an adult 18-49 rating of 1.4, an increase from the previous week's episode.

The critical consensus reads, ""Unholy Night" makes up for its transitional storyline and unanswered questions with a welcome return to the grotesque and a standout scary performance from new cast member Ian McShane.

"[5] Matt Fowler of IGN called "Unholy Night" "just good, sick fun," adding, "It seems a bit slight to call this episode a fun romp, seeing as how bloody and unhinged it was, but watching McShane chew up the set and slash at people with glass tree-toppers was just gruesome enough to make me giddy.