Note: This post contains spoilers for American Horror Story: Hotel. Proceed with caution.

After teasing it for the majority of the season, we finally found out who the 10 Commandments killer was in this week’s episode of American Horror: Story Hotel, and to be honest, it didn’t come as much of a surprise. The writers have been dropping hints (both obvious and subtle) throughout the season that pointed to the man’s identity. While the killer’s backstory was illuminating, it left very little room for much else. Things are starting to fall into place however, so I’m hoping the final two episodes tie all of the characters together–especially the pack of blood-thirsty school children.

This week’s episode picked up where the previous one left off. After promising to lead John to the 10 Commandments Killer, Wren was was hit by a truck and killed instantly. Though this was (obviously) unfortunate, his hints about the serial killer’s identity led Lowe back to the Hotel Cortez.  Upon arrival, John asked Liz where the murderer was, which prompted Sally to come forward and lead him to where he’s been staying. Much to his surprise and understandable confusion, the room she took him back to was his own.

Before opening the door for a pretty puzzled John, Sally told him that he’d find answers in there, and boy did he ever. Just as we’d been expecting all along, it was revealed that the troubled detective is in fact the “10 Commandments Killer” he’s been hunting down all season. After entering the room, John moved the armoire to find a collection of body parts. Though some of them were put there by March himself, the newest ones were related to the recent ring of serial murders. The detective came to the brutal realization after flashes of his violent deeds flooded his mind.

Following the revelation, John went to the morgue (where Wren’s body was being examined) to confess to his partner, Detective Hahn. According to John’s story, his fist visit to the Cortez took place five years prior, right around the time when Holden went missing. After working a pretty traumatizing case, John went to the hotel for drinks to help him forget everything he’d seen. One thing led to another and he was in March’s suite, sipping on absinthe and talking about life.

March was drawn to John’s jet-black aura, which he attributed to the detective’s desire for domination, and penchant for doing bad things for good. After a few days of deep discussion, John went home to his wife, who was clearly upset for being left for a few days without warning. Unable to explain himself, he offered to take his family to the beach that day. But, he wasn’t aware that Mr. March and the Countess had a nifty plan up their sleeves. In order to push John to lose control and continue what March had finished, the duo decided to kidnap his son, Holden.

Anyways, following the abduction, John continued to seek comfort at the Cortez, leading a double life as a result. Half of his time, he spent with Alex and Scarlet, while the rest was devoted to learning everything he could from the hotel’s master. After March asked him about his obsession with the law, John revealed that he was frustrated by the fact that real murderers and criminals (like the one who took Holden) don’t pay. March, of course, latched onto that bit of information, and used it to his advantage to convince John to seek revenge, and take out his first victim.

Following the crime, John felt so bad that he tried to commit suicide by hanging himself in one of the bathrooms at the hotel. But he wasn’t successful — March quickly came and cut him down and criticized Sally for sitting idly by while John tried to end his life. Though dying would guarantee that the two (who’d become lovers) would be together forever, March convinced Sally to change her tune by reminding her that he was the only thing protecting her from the demon who resides in the hotel.

After recounting the whole story and turning himself in to his fellow detective, John accused Hahn of coveting his wife and killed him for his collection. Though discovering his other self as a shock, John embraced it, and reveled in the fact that he only need to kill two more people to complete the collection. March then told him that he was home.

What did you think of this week’s episode? Let us know in the comments below.

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Image Credit: Fox