How American Horror Story Is Setting Up Ally to Be the Cult Leader

Fear fuels Ally's every move. Clowns, holes, serial killers — she's in a constant state of panic. But her fear is also a source of energy. It's useful to a man like Kai who feeds off of chaos. Ally and Kai are two halves of a whole, and until he has Ally by his side, the cult can't operate at its maximum efficiency. If the goal of the cult is to create panic in the city, then there's no better person to stir up anxiety than Ally. Her fears make her the perfect figurehead for a cult that lives and dies by stoking the paranoia and sense of helplessness plaguing the community.

Ivy can't forgive Ally for voting for Jill Stein, but as much as her wife hates her choice, Ally's vote illustrates that she's not a follower. Even with the fate of the country on the line, she refuses to compromise her values. Ally's vote wasn't a protest vote. Remember, she believes in Stein. Unlike Kai's followers, Ally is not easily swayed. She's a leader, even if she doesn't realize it yet.

Yes, Ally suffers from phobias, but she will do anything to protect her family. It's clear now that Ivy purposefully sends Pedro to their home with at least some knowledge of what will happen to the poor guy. As horrible as it is that Ally shoots an innocent man, it also illustrates to Kai and the audience that if she feels backed into a corner, Ally will do anything to protect herself and her family. If she extends that blanket of protection to the cult, then they could become unstoppable.

When she shoots Pedro, Ally also proves she's dangerous. Throughout the entire gaslighting experience, Ally's reaction is always to fight back. Someone's spraying a mysterious green mist in the neighborhood? She tries to rip off their mask. An angry mob is calling for her to be imprisoned? Ally defends herself. Someone microwaves her kid's hamster? Ally punches Harrison in the face.

Ally may scream her way through crises, but she's also not afraid to fight back. Her impulse to confront people hints at a strength that could be harnessed for a larger purpose.

The world terrifies Ally, and she wants to change it. Her entire arc so far this season has been about her desire to feel safe again. She wants to change the world, and as the queen bee of the cult she would be in the perfect position to shape it into something entirely new. What Ally wants more than anything is control over her life. The election and now the cult are robbing her of that sense of control. What better way to take it back then through leadership of the operation that's so determined to break her?

Not only is it lonely at the top, it makes for an unstable power structure. Kai needs a queen. When he reveals his backstory to Beverly, it becomes clear he's not at the top of the food chain in his family. Dr. Vincent maintains control over his little brother, but Ally is going to be livid when she discovers even her psychiatrist has been conspiring against her. With Ally's help, Kai may finally be able to rise above his brother's influence. Meanwhile, Kai could be the only person who can liberate Ally from her phobias.

Kai needs Ally by his side to make him stronger, but also to guide him. Ally is already the queen of fear, now she needs to take her rightful place at the head of the cult that thrives on terror.