Ryan Murphy returns with “American Horror Story: New York,” in which a leather-clad serial killer known as “Big Daddy” targets the LGBTQ+ community.
This takes place against the backdrop of a strange virus devouring Fire Island, as numerous males describe persistent rashes. After the first two episodes, it is evident that this is a reflection of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and that the LGBTQ+ population in New York is experiencing a period of great vulnerability.
The first two episodes have been significantly less gory than past seasons, but Big Daddy, who follows guys in dark parks and dimly lit pubs, makes it no less unsettling.
His odd method of operation includes leaving handkerchiefs in the bodies of his victims, including inserting one inside the severed head of Captain Ross (Lee Aaron Rosen).
Murphy mentions the handkerchief code when the medical examiner removes the bandana from the pilot’s mouth/throat, briefly explaining that it is a means of indicating sexual orientation. Later in the episode, Gino Barelli (Joe Mantello) informs his boyfriend, Patrick Read (Russell Tovey), about it.
What is the code for handkerchiefs?
The code is more popularly known as the hanky code or bandana code, but the show is accurate: it originated in the 1970s as a way for gay and bisexual men to convey their desires, interests, and obsessions.
According to the Saint Foundation, it began in San Francisco immediately following the gold rush.
Because there were fewer women present, men wore blue bandanas to indicate who was dancing the man’s part and red bandanas to indicate who was doing the woman’s part during line dancing.
This concept would eventually be adopted by Alan Selby, who said he began the handkerchief code after his company, Leather ‘n’ Things, received an unintentional bulk order of bandanas and needed to dispose of the surplus stock.
Presently, it is unclear why the killer has adopted the handkerchief code as part of his quest; however, this will likely be clarified after the show gives more hints regarding Big Daddy’s identity.
In the second episode of “NYC,” titled “Thank You For Your Service,” the massive figure is spotted outside of Sam’s (Zachary Quinto) apartment, but Sam does not even recognize him.
Whether or whether this is a hint that Sam is the killer remains to be seen, however it would be expected given that Quinto previously portrayed the serial killer Bloody Face in “American Horror Story: Asylum.”
But in episode two, Barbara Read gives her soon-to-be ex-husband Patrick a box of his belongings, which includes a variety of colored bandanas, despite the fact that he had asked Gino about their significance in episode one, “Something is Coming.”
It’s possible that the detective was simply naive and owned multiple bandanas, but it’s suspicious nonetheless. However, Patrick isn’t as tall and stocky as Big Daddy, so that probably rules him out of being the killer.
New episodes of “American Horror Story: NYC” air Wednesdays on FX and the next day on Hulu.