Monster: The Ed Gein Story
Season 3 – Episode 6
Episode Title: Buxom Bird
Original release date: October 3, 2025
Plot: When the authorities uncover a nightmarish crime scene, Ed’s puzzling explanations raise deeper questions. Adeline steps into the spotlight.
* * *
Monster: The Ed Gein Story – S03E06 – Buxom Bird | Full transcript
[man] Mother, I’d like to talk to you.
[“Don’t Forbid Me” playing]
[singing along] ♪ Don’t forbid me ♪
♪ To hold you tight ♪
Well, it’s Labor Day, and, uh, and that means the holidays are right around the corner.
[continues singing]
I would like you to host Thanksgiving dinner.
Like you used to when Dad was alive, and even after, with Bert.
No, no, no.
Mother, please.
[Bernice] No, I’m just not that kind of woman anymore.
Cooking and cleaning and domesticating.
No way, Jose.
[high-pitched] No way!
[chuckles]
What’s so special about Thanksgiving anyways?
I… [laughs] Mother, it’s just, I…
These past few years, I’ve had a real hard time around the holidays.
I don’t have a wife and kids.
I don’t even have a girl, Mother.
All I’ve got is you.
[Bernice chuckles] You’re always working on Thanksgiving.
I work so’s I’ve got something to do, So’s I’m not just… sitting home alone.
Oh, my darling boy.
Come here.
[kisses] Of course we can have Thanksgiving dinner.
I had no idea it meant so much to you.
[kissing]
Come on.
Let’s make a grocery list. Yeah?
…mallows…
Those are good.
Green bean casserole, maybe?
[Bernice] Yeah.
Yeah, a can of green beans…
And…
What pie should we make?
Pumpkin?
Yeah, pumpkin pie.
Just a can of Libby’s then.
Libby’s has the best pumpkin pie recipe.
God as my witness.
Oh, and don’t worry about the turkey, Mother.
I’ll take care of the bird.
Don’t want you getting a scrawny one.
Yeah.
You like a big buxom bird, don’t ya?
[chuckles] Yeah.
That’s my boy.
Turkey.
♪ So don’t forbid my desire ♪
♪ Don’t forbid my desire ♪
Where the heck is she? It’s past noon.
[door chime rings]
[eerie music playing]
Mother?
Mother, you in the back?
Hello?
Mother?
Hey, Frank.
Register’s gone.
[Frank] That’s funny.
[man] Frank?
[door creaks]
Hey, Frank, sit down.
God. no.
No, no, no, no.
Just sit down.
She’s… That’s not her blood.
That’s not her blood.
That’s not her blood.
Mother ain’t dead, okay?
She’s a tough bird. No.
She… Get off me, we’re fine. She’s…
No, see, somebody…
Somebody could have come in and taken the register while she was in back.
She comes out, she shoots him.
Maybe they have a tussle.
Maybe she got hurt and drove herself to the hospital.
Or… Or they could have taken her with them.
They could have kidnapped her.
Frank…
She’s tough as nails, Sheriff.
She’s not dead. I know it.
All right.
Um… I’m going to run across the street to the filling station.
Ask if anyone’s seen her.
Yeah, okay.
Sheriff?
Yeah?
Thanksgiving’s in a week, Sheriff.
We gotta get her back for the holidays.
Okay. Yeah, absolutely.
[door chime rings]
[eerie music continues]
[unsettling music playing]
Ed?
[door closes]
[fluttering]
[Frank] What’s that?
Moths?
Ed, you in here?
Jesus, watch you step, there’s trash everywhere.
[coughs]
Ed?
Ed?
Nobody’s here.
[unsettling music continues]
[fluttering continues]
[fluttering dies down]
[floors creaking]
What is all this stuff?
[coughs]
[liquid dripping]
Are these…
[music intensifies]
Sheriff, what is that?
[music fades]
[flies buzzing]
Sheriff, what is that?
[music resumes]
[squelching]
[music intensifies]
Sheriff, what’s going on?
Frank, we need backup.
[music continues]
Mother’s not here.
She wouldn’t.
Yeah, she… she wouldn’t.
Mother wouldn’t have nothing to do with that. [sniffs] What the fuck are those?
If she was in here, we’d have… we’d have found her.
These are dried vulvas.
Oh. This one’s fresh.
[Frank] I mean, if she was in here, we’d…
Nobody checked the barn.
What was that?
Frank, where are you going?
Frank!
[truck engine approaching]
Mother?
[handbrake clicks]
What’s everybody doing here?
[deputy] Sheriff!
You shouldn’t be traipsing in and out like that. Mother wouldn’t like–
Hey. Hey!
Ow!
What are you after?
[Sheriff] Hey!
[Ed] I didn’t do anything!
Hey!
Eddie, what did you do?
What are you talking about?
Eddie!
[indistinct yelling]
[Ed screaming in the distance]
Eddie, Eddie, what did you do, huh?
[Ed] Please, no.
Eddie, hey, look at me.
Stop it. Stop it!
Stop! Stop!
Eddie, goddamn you!
How many people did you kill?
[intense music playing]
[inaudible]
[screams]
[Frank screaming]
[Ed whimpers]
[Frank screaming]
What did you do, Ed?
Huh?
I don’t know what you’re talking about.
The bodies. The bodies!
There are bodies in that house.
[Ed] Hold on. Hold on.
Listen, are you sure you got that right? Because…
Maybe I was framed, you know…
I think maybe somebody set me up.
Look… Look…
Oh, I sure could use a slice of apple pie.
Let’s just… Let’s sit down and we can talk about it, all right?
Because I’m not sure about any of this.
Listen…
Can I just go talk to Mother?
Eddie!
Let me talk to her.
Hey, look at me. Look at me.
Your mother is dead.
[panting]
What are you talking about?
[Eddie whimpering]
What are you talking about?
What are you talking about?
What are you talking about?
[man] Sheriff!
What did you do to her?
Frank, hey. Stop!
What did you do to her?
Frank, don’t do it!
[Frank screams] Stop!
Hey! Stop it! Hey!
[groaning] Somebody… Stop! Hey!
Frank!
[groans] Frank, stop! Stop!
Stop! Frank! Enough!
[Ed screams] Come on!
That’s enough! That’s enough!
[Ed groans] That’s enough. That’s enough.
[Frank sobs] Why did you do that?
Frank.
Why?
Why? [sobbing] What is going on?
What is happening?
Why did you do that, Frank?
[Frank sobbing] You and me always got along.
[Frank sobbing] Why?
[sobbing]
[flash bulb popping]
[music fades]
[radio playing in the background]
[woman giggling]
[man whispering] Look who’s behind me.
Your two o’clock. Yeah, that’s her.
[door opens]
Looks like date night at the cemetery got cancelled.
[woman giggles]
[indistinct chatter]
[man] You think Mother likes to watch them knock boots?
[woman] Shh. Stop it.
Let’s go.
[door chime rings]
[door closes]
More coffee?
No.
[server] What are you reading?
None of your business.
[server] You…
You heard about Ed, didn’t you?
[Adeline] No.
[exhales sharply] What?
[cell door slams]
[voices murmuring]
[steps approaching]
[eerie music playing]
[man] Are the lungs a match?
No.
[man] Is the heart a match?
No.
[sighs]
Hi, Frank.
Before you say anything…
I just need to bury my mother.
I understand, Frank.
I’ve been setting here eight hours.
And… I just need you to give me her body.
Frank.
I just…
I need you to give me her body.
Frank. Son.
Son.
I…
We are still piecing her together.
[eerie music playing]
I can’t give her to you just yet.
No, it’s not hers. It doesn’t fit.
No.
No.
Nope.
And Frank…
She’s still…
We’re still missing some disturbing… parts.
What parts?
Just tell me.
I’m so sorry.
Just…
Just tell me.
[yelling] When can I get my mother?
♪ Every day ♪
[thunder roaring]
[R&B music playing]
♪ Every day ♪
♪ There are strange things
Happening every day ♪
♪ Every day ♪
♪ Every day ♪
[knocks on door]
[woman] Are you ever going to be ready?
♪ There are strange things happening… ♪
Coming.
[man 1] There she is, up there.
[music intensifies]
[music turns unsettling]
[man 2] Miss Watkins!
[voices clamoring indistinctly]
[man 3] Adeline!
What do you know?
Miss! Right here!
How long did you know him?
Are you aware of his childhood?
[clamoring continues]
Is Weegee here?
Just gonna stand there? Say something!
[Adeline] “Thank you for coming.”
“I am as shocked as you are to learn what has been discovered at the Gein farm.”
Eddie Gein was at one time an acquaintance of mine.
I would exchange pleasantries with him from time to time at the soda counter, and on one occasion I accompanied him roller skating.
That was the extent of our relationship.
Any insinuation otherwise, or the idea that I aided Mr. Gein in his despicable actions, is slanderous and untrue.
And while I have no further comment to make about Mr. Gein, I am happy to answer any questions you might have about me personally, my artistic ambitions, or my skills in photography would inquire to any photographer who needs an assistant.
Adeline!
[clamoring resumes]
Did he ever get angry?
Did he ever try to kill you?
How many bodies were found in the barn?
Mrs. Watkins!
How many people did you help Edward Gein murder, Mrs. Watkins?
Look at me! Right here, Mrs. Watkins!
Did you guys have sex?
What kind of positions did he like?
Did you fuck him, Miss Watkins?
[distorted] Edward Gein…
Miss Watkins!
[indistinct]
All right, all right, all right.
That’s enough.
[music continues]
[sparking]
[music stops]
Oh.
[Sheriff sighs] Why don’t you go and eat your pie?
The cheese it looks like it’s seen better days.
You have to go out of the state of Wisconsin to find good cheese.
You know, I’ve never been out of Wisconsin.
You don’t say.
It does look slightly curdled, doesn’t it?
Well…
Only slightly, but if you don’t want to eat it, don’t, you know.
Oh, it’s fine.
Okay, Ed, uh… from what we found in your house, I’m thinking you killed about 200 people.
What?
No!
No, no, no, nothing like that.
No, I think…
I think a lot of this is a big misunderstanding.
What do you mean?
What are we misunderstanding?
Well, you know, how this is just sort of a hobby.
Murdering folks?
No, now, you see, that part.
You’re saying I did that, but I couldn’t swear to it.
To killing people?
That’s right.
I couldn’t swear to it. That part, it, uh…
Well, it’s a bit puzzley.
You know, puzzley.
‘Cause something doesn’t seem right to me.
My deputy’s mother’s hanging trussed up like a deer in your barn, Ed.
You don’t remember killing her?
No.
Ain’t that queer?
Now, that’s what you’re suggesting, but what I’d like to suggest is you go and check my guns.
Because, you know, we don’t know if any of them have been fired.
Do we? Or if the bullets, they match or whatnot?
Because, Sheriff, I’ll be straight with you.
I don’t remember doing it.
You know, folks will tell you this, and they’ll tell you that, but if the wall is black and it isn’t, then a person shouldn’t really believe it, should they?
You know?
Yeah, yeah. How’s your pie?
Any good? The pie.
Yeah.
I just realized I wasn’t that hungry.
[sighs]
Now, about this hobby…
I’ll allow that it’s particular.
What hobby are you talking about, Ed?
Well, you know, going to the graveyard and digging folks up, like.
Why would you dig up dead bodies, Ed?
Well, that’s it. It’s not a typical hobby.
But, I’m just saying I don’t think I ever killed anyone.
You know, I think the things that you’re finding in my house are from folks I dug up, not from folks I killed.
What about the Bernice Worden, Ed?
We found her innards in your kitchen.
[flies buzzing]
Yeah, that’s kind of a puzzle.
[unsettling music playing] I know you’re saying that I killed her.
I’d do anything if I could remember, but…
Well, just something about it doesn’t seem right.
I mean, how could I shoot her?
Did I shoot her?
Ed[Ed] That’s why we should check my gun.
Ed, you cut her head off.
Why would you do that?
[flash pops]
I think as far as that goes, I was…
I think I was thinking about hanging it.
On the wall, maybe.
Her head?
[Ed] Maybe a little.
I don’t know if you noticed some of the other heads and masks that I hung on the wall.
Yeah. Yeah, we did notice those.
So I think I was thinking along those lines.
With her head.
[sighs] But you didn’t kill her?
It could be possible.
Like I said, it’s all a bit fuzzy.
[Sheriff] Ed, I gotta ask you.
Did you eat them?
No.
No, I… I couldn’t swear to that.
I don’t…
[Sheriff] Because…
[Ed] I don’t think so.
Ed, there was a heart in a pot on the stove like you were planning on cooking it.
Oh no, that was just a place to store it.
I couldn’t swear to ever eating anybody.
Folks in town say you gave them venison.
[woman] Well, hello, Ed.
I got some extra deer meat, if you’d like.
Well, only if you’ll join us. Hmm?
Deputy Worden says you told Bernice, time and again. you never went hunting.
Says you told him that as well.
No, that’s right. I never did go hunting.
[Sheriff] So… do you get what I’m asking?
Well, it’s ’cause I was never invited.
The people in town, they don’t invite me to these things.
No, I’m not asking about that. Did you…
[Ed] Well, that’s what I’m asking about.
You never invited me hunting.
Okay.
But the people that you killed, or the people that you dug up, okay?
Did you feed them to other people?
Eddie, I don’t recognize this cut.
Mm!
I have no memory of that.
[sighs]
Now, Sheriff, listen now.
Do you think it would be possible to get some chewing gum?
I really could use some gum.
What kind do you like?
Dr. Beeman’s pepsin gum, please.
Did you kill Mary Hogan?
Like I said, I can’t imagine that.
Two hunters disappeared.
Victor Travis and Raymond Burgess, did you kill them?
I don’t believe so.
You have newspaper clippings about them.
[Ed] Yeah.
Yeah?
You had clippings about Evelyn Hartley.
She disappeared babysitting.
Yeah.
[Sheriff] Yeah.
We found a girl’s dress in your house.
Was it hers?
I don’t think so.
[sighs]
Listen, Sheriff, here’s an idea.
You know, ’cause all these questions you’re asking are all kind of blank.
Maybe you could fetch one of them contraptions, tells if I’m lying.
Lie detector?
That’s right, a lie detector.
We could help straighten this out.
I’d answer any question you asked.
[machine rumbling]
[man] How’s that, Eddie? Not too tight?
No, it’s just fine.
Thank you.
[tense music playing]
[machine whirring]
Where can I put this?
It’s lost its flavor.
[Sheriff] Wherever you want, Ed.
Can I have another piece?
[Sheriff] No. No, not right now.
Write down a number between one and ten and then turn it over.
Slow and steady.
Okay.
Turn it over. There you go.
Okay.
I’m going to ask you to answer “no,” whatever I ask.
Alright.
Was that a ten?
No.
[Sheriff] Nine?
[Ed] No.
Eight?
No.
Hey, Ed?
Yes?
Did you kill Bernice Worden?
I can’t says as I did.
I don’t remember.
[Sheriff] Did you kill Mary Hogan?
[eerie music playing]
[Ed] I don’t remember.
[Sheriff] Did you kill Ray Burgess and Victor Travis?
[Ed] No.
[Sheriff] Did you kill Evelyn Hartley?
No.
[Sheriff] Did you kill an eight-year-old girl named Georgia Jean Weckler?
No, I didn’t.
Why did you have newspaper clippings about their deaths at your house, Ed?
Well, I am a crime buff.
[Sheriff sighs] Did you kill your brother, Ed?
He died in a fire.
Asphyxiation, they said.
Broke Mother’s heart.
He’s telling the truth.
[murmuring]
[whirring stops]
[minister] “Suppose the foot says, ‘I am not a hand, so I don’t belong to the body.'” “By saying this, it cannot stop being part of the body.”
“And suppose the ear says, ‘I am not an eye, so I don’t belong to the body.'” “By saying this, it cannot stop being part of the body.”
“If all the body were an eye, how could it hear?”
“If all the body were an ear, how could it see?”
“God has placed all the parts of the body just as he wanted it to be.”
“If all the parts were the same, how could there be a body?”
“As it is, there are many parts, but there is only one body.”
[church bells ringing]
Excuse me.
Excuse me.
Hello.
Hello.
I’m with the New York Daily News.
[Frank] What?
No, you’re not.
Yes, I am. I’m an independent reporter, and I want to ask, what was it like when you found your mother all trussed up like that?
What are… What are you asking me?
What are you asking me?
You ain’t no reporter.
You’re just a crazy local girl.
No. I have an obligation to inform the public, just like you have an obligation to enforce the law.
People have a right to know the truth.
Answer my question.
Hey! You! You leave him alone!
I’m just doing my job.
No, you aren’t. You’re a pest.
Get out of here.
[Adeline scoffs]
Thanks, Art, for…
Well… [clears throat] …for releasing the body.
Least I could do.
Give her her rest ’till the coming of His kingdom.
Yeah.
What am I supposed to do now, Sheriff?
What you do now is you just get through it.
You got a fine job, Frank.
You’re going to meet a fine gal.
I don’t know how I’m going to get through it, I… I don’t even know how I’m going to get through Thanksgiving.
By coming to our house.
I won’t take no for an answer.
You hear?
Okay Yeah.
We usually eat around two, but come by whenever you want, all right?
Okay.
[sniffs] I’ll see you tomorrow.
You’ll be all right.
[“Cool Shake” playing]
Where are you guys going? Hey, hey, hey.
Okay.
Hey, hey, hey. Where’s Mom?
Putting on a dress.
Tell her to meet me in the kitchen.
I got something for her.
Okay.
Okay.
Hey, this dress is beautiful. Is this new?
Okay, move forward.
Don’t let me fall.
I got ya.
What on earth has gotten into you?
It’s not even Christmas.
Yeah, I know, but it couldn’t wait.
Okay.
[Sheriff] Okay. Here you go.
[woman] What is it?
Open it.
What is it?
You’ve got to open it.
[giggles] Oh, my word.
You gotta plug it in.
Okay. Alright.
Let’s see. Okay.
It’s an electric turkey cutter.
Oh, yes. I can see that.
Okay, so what do I do?
Squeeze that. Pull that.
[whirs loudly]
It’s alive. [laughs] Oh, honey.
Yep. That’s going to make turkey carving so much more efficient.
[Sheriff] Yeah, I thought so.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Mmm.
Mm. [giggles] Don’t get fresh.
My rolls will burn.
Let ’em burn. Let ’em burn.
[wife giggles]
[doorbell rings] Oh.
Ah.
Hi, Frank. Thanks for coming.
Molly, George.
Say hello… And they’re gone.
Can I get you a drink?
You know I don’t drink, Art.
Tonight you do. Come on.
I’ll fetch you a beer.
Thank you.
It’s so good to see you.
You guys remember Frank?
[Frank] Yeah, hi.
[Art] Go ahead and sit right there.
Heavenly Father, we thank you for all of your blessings, not just today, but every day.
Even when, uh… we’re challenged, Lord.
With years and weeks like this one, know, Lord, that we trust in your guidance and your wisdom. That… while we may not see your plan, give us the strength to know that you have a plan, Lord.
Bless your son…
Frank Worden.
Show him all of your goodness and all of your mercy.
Allow him, Lord, and all of us, perseverance.
In Jesus’ name, I pray.
Amen.
[all] Amen.
[boy] Amen.
Amen. Alright, let’s eat.
[girl] This turkey looks so good.
[Art] It does look so good.
[woman] No, I’ll plug it in.
I’m gonna let you do the honors, okay?
Kids, wait until you see what I got your mother.
[woman] Oh, Art, who are you kidding?
You got it for yourself.
I got it for the family.
I’m in the family.
I will plug it in.
I’ll let you do the honors.
What is it?
It’s an electric knife.
[knife whirs]
[boy squeaks excitedly]
[Art] All right.
[knife whirs]
Frank, thanks for being here.
[“Cuddle up a Little Closer, Lovey Mine” playing]
[knife whirring]
♪ Cuddle up a little closer ♪
♪ Lovey mine ♪
[squelching]
[music distorting slowly]
♪ Cuddle up and be my little ♪
♪ Clinging vine ♪
♪ Like to feel your cheeks so rosy ♪
[whirring loudly]
[whirring continues]
[unsettling music playing]
[music fades]
[voices murmuring]
[“Cuddle up a Little Closer, Lovey Mine” continues normally]
[song fades]
[voices distorting]
[song playing quietly]
[“Cuddle up a Little Closer, Lovey Mine” resumes]
♪ Cuddle up a little closer ♪
♪ Lovey mine ♪
♪ Cuddle up and be my little ♪
♪ Clinging vine ♪
♪ Like to feel your cheek so rosy ♪
♪ Like to make you comfy, cozy ♪
♪ ‘Cause I love from head to toesie ♪
♪ Lovey mine ♪
♪ Lovey mine ♪
[disturbing music playing]
[music fades]
