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Alison makes a decision about her relationship with Naomi on “American Gothic”

Now that the cat’s out of the bag regarding the Silver Bells Killer, the entire Hawthorne family is feeling the pain. Garrett got stabbed because his brother-in-law Brady incorrectly identified his as the SBK when in actuality it was his father. Or was it? Frankly, I don’t even know. For Alison, this means the end of her campaign and a lifetime of stigma for her and her daughters. In a moment more tender than we’ve seen before, Alison lays her weary head on Naomi’s lap and shares her fears and thoughts about what to do next.

Alison thinks she should drop out of the campaign in order to at least keep her family out of the spotlight, but Naomi isn’t ready to give up. She asks Alison for a little time to run some focus groups and confirm one way or another if they are actually as royally screwed as Alison thinks. As Naomi runs her fingers through Alison’s hair, Tom arrives and doesn’t like the intimacy he sees between the women, especially since he told Naomi to leave Alison alone. Thing is, Naomi doesn’t care what Tom thinks. Only Alison.

Alison isn’t the only person whose career is suffering, though. Tom, who now owns Hawthorne Concrete, is losing major clients left and right. He’s pissed, but beneath the financial frustration, Tom admits he’s angry about Alison and Naomi. Their agreement was an open physical relationship, not falling in love. Tom tells Alison about Naomi’s “I love you” text and how he erased it. Alison finds it hard to face what Tom is throwing at her and suggests that Tom gets a little action on the side. Tom isn’t letting it go that easily, though. He tells her to end the affair and the campaign.

Another blow for Alison and Naomi comes when the focus group unequivocally states that having a serial killer for a father is a real campaign loser. Alison asks Naomi to schedule a press conference so she can announce dropping out of the campaign.

Before the press conference, Naomi offers to find a reason to stay in Boston, if Alison wants her to. Naomi tells Alison about her confrontation with Tom, and how she doesn’t believe that their relationship was just about the sex. Naomi says the same thing Tom does, albeit in a much nicer way-Alison has to make a choice. They kiss, and for Naomi it’s hopeful, but I’m not so sure about Alison’s headspace. Afterall, a lot has been thrown in her lap recently.

As Alison prepares for her concession speech, Mama Hawthorne shows up, and she is not happy. After a swift slap to the face, Mama Hawthorne gives Alison a speech that is basically, “Just because we are a family of serial killers and assholes, doesn’t mean we give up.” She tells her daughter that she didn’t fight so hard and so long just to have Alison throw it all away.

So instead of dropping out, Alison gives an impassioned speech (well, as much impassioned as Alison can because, honestly, girl is a little stiff) about how she is not her father. Turns out old gramps’ most prized possession was a program signed by the brother of John Wilkes Booth. Edwin Booth didn’t let John’s evil deeds define him and neither will she. During her speech, Naomi is beaming, and Tom looks like he might just shit an actual brick.

Tom decides to sleep with one of the local TV station’s reporters to help him even the score. Whatever, Tom. In all this marital drama, no one has been keeping an eye on the twins who are hanging out with their serial killer in the making cousin, who happens to be baby brother Cam’s spawn. He convinces one of the twins to climb on the pool cover so he can watch her drown. Luckily, her sister’s screams alert the adults who come running to the rescue. The near drowning brings Tom and Alison together for a moment.

When Tom and Alison get the kids all settled in, Alison lets Tom and the kids know that they are her priority. The next day at campaign headquarters, Naomi is all abuzz about the shot in the arm Alison’s speech was to the campaign and how everything is amazing…except that she’s about to be dumped. Not only that, Alison is trying to get Naomi as far away as possible-Hawaii. Alison tells her that she’s choosing her family above all else. Naomi looks like she was smacked by a two by four, but she doesn’t let her emotions get the best of her. She walks out without saying much, and Alison is left with tears in her eyes.

Is this the last we’ll see of Naomi? Probably. So far American Gothic hasn’t actually delivered much in the way of nuance or emotional depth. If this were a different show, maybe, but American Gothic is only intended to be a one season event, and the focus has always been on the SBK and who they really are. Sorry, Naomi. Sad to see you go.

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