"The Lady in White" is the seventh episode of the ninth season of the anthology television series American Horror Story. Written by John J. Gray and directed by Liz Friedlander, it aired on October 30, 2019, on the cable network FX.
Plot
In 1948, Camp Redwood was known as Golden Star Camp. Lavinia Richter works there as a cook so her sons Benjamin (Richter) and Bobby can have a fun summer. They go down to the lake to swim, but Benjamin leaves Bobby to watch a lifeguard and counselor have sex. Bobby goes into the lake and is killed by a motor boat propeller. Lavinia is distraught and blames everyone, including Benjamin, for the death of her son.
In 1989, Donna, having faked Brooke's death and rescued her from the prison, tries to care for her, who is skeptical and threatens her for an answer. Donna explains that she is trying to make things right. Brooke sees a newspaper showing Camp Redwood's concert event, and states that she wants to go back and kill Margaret. Donna takes Brooke to a roller rink hoping she can change her mind, but Brooke still wants to go back to the camp. A man named Bruce approaches them and asks for a ride. Donna refuses, but when he fixes her car she reluctantly gives him a ride. During the ride, Bruce unnerves the girls and they pull over. Before Bruce can get out, a police car pulls up behind them. When the cop approaches, Bruce shoots him and the women drive off. Bruce kills the cop and takes his car.
Richter returns to Redwood and is ambushed by his victims, out for revenge for killing them. They bring him to the other ghosts, who are infuriated and demand to know why he has returned to the camp. Richter explains that he came to kill Richard Ramirez in revenge for killing his wife. They tell Richter that they are terrorized by a woman dressed in a white night gown, who chases them. Richter realizes that the woman is his mother and explains that after Bobby's death, Lavinia went insane and slaughtered the staff. When Lavinia grabbed hold of Benjamin, he fatally stabbed her in self-defense. When Xavier guides Richter to an abandoned cabin, Richter enters alone and is greeted by Lavinia. She is disgusted with Richter and it's revealed that she manipulated Margaret into carrying out the 1970 massacre and blaming Richter for the crime. She disappears, leaving a devastated Richter alone in the cabin.
Bruce speeds toward Donna's car and rear ends it, knocking the two unconscious. Brooke awakens in the car with Bruce and he gives her two options: put the car into drive and drag Donna who is tied to the back of the car, or he would shoot her and drag Donna himself. Brooke takes a third option and puts the car into reverse, then shoots Bruce with his own gun. Donna tries to choke him, but Brooke stops her. At Camp Redwood, Kajagoogoo's tour bus arrives. Trevor reunites with Montana's ghost. Donna and Brooke tie Bruce to a road sign and cut off both his thumbs. Brooke then leaves for Redwood and Donna insists that she join her to see things through to the end. During the night, bandleader Limahl is killed by Ramirez, who claims to be collecting their souls due to a deal they made with Satan to become successful. Margaret's assistant, Courtney, walks into the tour bus with a gift basket and finds all the other members of Kajagoogoo dead.
Richter sits on the dock and Lavinia approaches him. She demands that he leave. Richter explains that he has a son named after Bobby. This seems to shock Lavinia and she encourages Richter to kill himself before Ramirez comes to collect his soul. She disappears and Richter kills himself with his knife. His ghost appears, takes the knife, and leaves the dock.
Reception
"The Lady in White" was watched by 1.05 million people during its original broadcast, and gained a 0.5 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.
The episode received largely positive reviews. On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, "The Lady in White" holds a 90% approval rating, based on 10 reviews with an average rating of 7.4/10.