The episode concludes with a major twist: . While IGN saw this as a vital plot mover, Vulture argued that the Red Devil’s incompetence (failing to kill Chanel #5 and letting Zayday escape) made the threat feel less imposing than in the pilot. Scream Queens Season 1 Episode 5 Review: Pumpkin Patch
Many reviews, including those from Observer and TV Fanatic , agree that Denise (Niecy Nash) is the show's most quotable character. Her standout moment in this episode involved bonding with Dean Munsch over their shared history with Chad Radwell.
The episode’s centerpiece is a meticulous recreation of the hedge maze from The Shining . While critics at ScreenRant found these references enjoyable "visual splashes," others noted they lacked the "careful craftsmanship" of the originals they parodied.