Prior to American Horror Story: Freak Show, I was under the impression that all seasons of American Horror Story were standalone entities, but then news surfaced that Naomi Grossman was set to portray her Asylum character, Pepper, in Freak Show as well.  But even then, it just could have been fun stunt casting.  It certainly made for a good story.  However, Lily Rabe’s casting last week was a game changer.  Rabe is also going to portray her Asylum character, Sister Mary Eunice, in Freak Show for a storyline chronicling how Pepper winds up making the move from Elsa’ Cabinet of Curiosities to Briarcliff.

And the season crossovers don’t stop there.  According to Ryan Murphy, Murder House, Asylum, Coven and Freak Show are all connected.  Hit the jump for more.

While talking to EW, here’s what Murphy had to say about Rabe’s return:

“I don’t want to say much about it but obviously she’s playing Sister Mary Eunice … There’s definitely a rhyme or a reason and a connectedness to all of these seasons, but in the same way, they’re standalones, which is the fun of it.  But it is a puzzle.  And Lily coming back and dealing with Pepper is sort of the first unveiling of that connectedness.  She’s so great in that role, Lily.  I understood she wanted to go off and do her own show.  But I was thrilled she was able to come back and give us a couple days and show how Sister Mary Eunice and Pepper are connected and how it’s all connected.  I’m glad she’s back in the habit!"

He also went into further detail regarding the connection between seasons:

“The interesting thing about doing a show like this is every season is incredibly its own story and its own beginning, middle and end.  Its own journey.  But we have always from the very beginning in the intertwining mythologies and how things connect.  This is the first year where we begin to tell you that season two is connected to season four which is connected to season one.  People have started to write articles about that.  A lot of their hypotheses have been completely right on.  That’s the fun of the show.  Hopefully by the end of the run, be it 10 years or 15 years, people will be able to stand back and be able to say, ‘Oh that was connected to x.’”

Murphy also added:

“They’re all connected.  We’re just beginning to tell you how they’re connected.  They’re all very separate but there’s clues every season that we’re now telling you how the different worlds are intertwined.”

Remember that shot from episode 4 of Freak Show that focused on the coffee cup with the black top hat on it?  Turns out, the cinematographer didn’t just hold on it for an oddly long period time for no reason.  Murphy revealed that it actually has something to do with American Horror Story season 5:

“That is a big season five clue!  It’s an arcane clue, but it’s very purposeful, and it illuminates something that you’ll be like, “Oh! You dirty b******!”

On top of that, Murphy also teased a few big things to come for the current season.   If you’re not caught up on American Horror Story: Freak Show, stop reading here.  Spoilers to come! 

As you know, Twisty (John Carroll Lynch) was Edward Mordrake’s (Wes Bentley) freak of choice in “Edward Mordrake (Part 2),” so, presumably, he’s long gone.  Or is he?  Here’s what Murphy said about Twisty’s status:

“But Twisty is not over, and neither is Edward Mordrake.  They both make triumphant returns.  I was shocked to read so many of these ‘RIP Twisty’ websites and blogs have sprung up.  People love Twisty.  I think that’s due to the power of John as an actor.  I think he’s just so mesmerizing and sympathetic.  We talked a lot about that.  He didn’t just want to be a killer clown.  He wanted an ideology and a backstory, and I think that clown’s backstory is so fascinating and bizarre.  We’re talking on Halloween day and I’ve already seen three Twistys, so he apparently hit a nerve.  I love him.  I loved his performance.  He will return.”

Murphy also spoke to the unusual romantic situation between, Jimmy (Evan Peters), Maggie (Emma Roberts), Bette, Dot (Sarah Paulson) … and Dandy (Finn Wittrock):

“Yes.  We’re doing like a weird five-way thing.  Jimmy is clearly in love with Maggie.  Dot is in love with Jimmy.  But Dandy is in love with the twins so what the f*** is going to happen?  So all of that’s in the water.  The next two episodes we really get into the Dandy of it all.”

Also be sure to keep an eye out for Matt Bomer in the next episode because according to Murphy, Bomer’s work is especially disturbing:

“I keep saying this, but I guess I keep topping it in my mind—but I think it’s the most disturbing thing we’ve done because it’s so real and so based on fact.  It’s a true horror sequence and Matt is a good friend and we’ve collaborated many times.  He was very challenged by it.  It’s a very gothic, weird sequence.  It’s very odd to see the two boys from Normal Heart in a sequence like that, but c’est la vie.  Everyone was freaked out when we did it.  Matt thought it was a real acting challenge, so that’s why he did it.  I think episode five ups the horror quotient in a real way on our show.”

Sounds like episode 5, “Pink Cupcakes,” is going to be my kind of AHS episode.