Say what you will about the maddening onslaught of increasingly nonsensical 'American Horror Story: Freak Show' teasers, they at least set the stage. Before next week's premiere, FX has at last delivered our first proper trailer for the fourth cycle of Ryan Murphy's horror-drama, so step right up and visit 'American Horror Story: Freak Show'!

Though series lead Jessica Lange's German expatriate ringleader Elsa Mars curiously doesn't get a single word within the first 'American Horror Story: Freak Show' trailer (via BuzzFeed), we do get a good look at Sarah Paulson's Bette and Dot Tattler, the two-headed centerpiece of the new season. It also seems as if 'Asylum' crossover Pepper had a brother before ending up institutionalized, while the new preview also affords a gruesome look at John Carroll Lynch's clowny killer "Twisty."

Set to debut on October 8 with a 90-minute premiere, here's how FX officially describes its fourth season, 'Freak Show':

'American Horror Story: Freak Show' begins its tale in the quiet, sleepy hamlet of Jupiter, Florida. The year is 1952. A troupe of curiosities has just arrived to town, coinciding with the strange emergence of a dark entity that savagely threatens the lives of townsfolk and freaks alike. This is the story of the performers and their desperate journey of survival amidst the dying world of the American carny experience.

The new ‘Freak Show’ season will include returning ‘Coven‘ and franchise stars Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett, Gabourey Sidibe, Denis O’Hare, Evan PetersEmma Roberts and Frances Conroy. ‘The Shield’ star Michael Chiklis will portray a strongman husband to Bassett’s character, 'The Normal Heart' stars Matt Bomer and Finn Wittrock will both take new roles, and Wes Bentley will guest in a Halloween arc.

Additionally, singer Patti LaBelle will play Gabourey Sidibe's mother, and the world's smallest woman Jyoti Amge will guest as, well, there were really only so many options. Lest we forget, there are also over a dozen photos from the new season and a score of other details teased from Comic-Con 2014.

You can check out the full 'Freak Show' trailer for yourself above, and tell us in the comments what you want to see from 'American Horror Story' season 4! Will the new run prove Ryan Murphy's horror masterpiece yet?

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