It's Coming... American Horror Story: Alysum

[ChronoGrl]

The second season is set in a 1960s insane asylum run by Jessica Lange...

Three tantalizing Teaser Trailers:

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...

And some creepy concept art:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v623/Chronogrl/ahs-s2-art-2.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v623/Chronogrl/american-horror-story-s2-03.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v623/Chronogrl/american-horror-story-s2-01.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v623/Chronogrl/ahs-s2-art-4.jpg


...

I'm pretty friggin excited.

Source: Entertainment Weekly: http://www.ew.com/ew/package/0,,20534121,00.html

[fortunato]

Excellent. Looking forward to more soap opera lunacy!

[roshiq]

The second season is set in a 1960s insane asylum run by Jessica Lange...

I'm pretty friggin excited.

Source: Entertainment Weekly: http://www.ew.com/ew/package/0,,20534121,00.html


Yeah...1st season was superb, loved it. Eagerly waiting for it but here we have to wait 3 or 4 months more than you, guys.:o

[ChronoGrl]

Well you should come to Boston and hang out with Doc and I and we'll have viewing parties! :-D

(not that I've even met him yet! :o)

[ChronoGrl]

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[fortunato]

I didn't know Chloe Sevigny was in this season :D. That more than makes up for Adam Maroon 5's casting.

[ChronoGrl]

YOU LAY OFF MY ADAM! :p

Ooooo. I really do like Chloe Sevigny (though for some odd reason I get her mixed up with Evan Rachel Wood - had to look up to see which was which :o).

[fortunato]

YOU LAY OFF MY ADAM! :p

Ooooo. I really do like Chloe Sevigny (though for some odd reason I get her mixed up with Evan Rachel Wood - had to look up to see which was which :o).

Haha, alright. I'll lay off. I really don't mind that casting choice with this show, honestly. I'm mainly just surprised because I had no idea he was or wanted to be an actor. At any rate, Dylan McDermott had some soaringly cheeseball moments in the last season, but because everything is so completely off-the-rocker nuts in American Horror Story, it never bothered me. I really like the soap opera drama dynamic kind of matched with sheer frenetic lunacy (something that the British detective show Luther does pretty well, too). So even if Adam Harder To Breathe is terrible, I still think it'll probably work in this particular show.

And I'll also have Chloe Sevigny. :D

[ChronoGrl]

heehee - Oh, I totally get your reticence. Normally I'd agree but apparently I have some kind of strange affinity for Maroon 5 that is manifesting right now (probably because the last song I heard by them was "She Will Be Loved;" I don't listen to modern pop music at all).

Actually I think my Defense of Adam is more along the lines of what you note; the show is so tightly written and directed and that the best performances came out of those I least expected (McDermitt being my prime example). I'm of the mindset that a brilliant script and director can bring out the best in any actor (transversely poor scripts and direction can make great actors awful). So my feelings for Maroon 5 aside, I'm hoping there 's a good reason Adam was cast and that he'll surprise us.

That being said, I'm going to turn on my previous statement of hopefulness and say that I am honestly not a fan of Chloe DuVall at all. She has this odd cult indie actress status that I just don't get because her main skill is screwing up her face, mumbling, and making you wonder if her character is supposed to be mentally retarded. I think she's an overrated actress and she only gets jobs because she's funny-looking.

*ahem*

Ok, yes, I just defended the lead singer of MAROON 5 and insulted a "seasoned" actress. Heh. I'm going to just get back to the mindset of AHS must have a Reason and for that I must reserve judgement... O Mighty AHS!!

;)

[ChronoGrl]

-XDWSBhMf-8

Oh OH so excited to see Joseph Finnes! *drools*

And Zachary Quinto...

And Jessica Lange...

Just can't stop watching these teaser trailers...

[fortunato]

heehee - Oh, I totally get your reticence. Normally I'd agree but apparently I have some kind of strange affinity for Maroon 5 that is manifesting right now (probably because the last song I heard by them was "She Will Be Loved;" I don't listen to modern pop music at all).

Actually I think my Defense of Adam is more along the lines of what you note; the show is so tightly written and directed and that the best performances came out of those I least expected (McDermitt being my prime example). I'm of the mindset that a brilliant script and director can bring out the best in any actor (transversely poor scripts and direction can make great actors awful). So my feelings for Maroon 5 aside, I'm hoping there 's a good reason Adam was cast and that he'll surprise us.

That being said, I'm going to turn on my previous statement of hopefulness and say that I am honestly not a fan of Chloe DuVall at all. She has this odd cult indie actress status that I just don't get because her main skill is screwing up her face, mumbling, and making you wonder if her character is supposed to be mentally retarded. I think she's an overrated actress and she only gets jobs because she's funny-looking.

*ahem*

Ok, yes, I just defended the lead singer of MAROON 5 and insulted a "seasoned" actress. Heh. I'm going to just get back to the mindset of AHS must have a Reason and for that I must reserve judgement... O Mighty AHS!!

;)

Haha, "main skill is screwing up her face"
I didn't know Clea Duvall was in it. I'm not a huge fan of her, either. However, I just watched this last teaser you posted and am happy to see James Cromwell. Also, I love Lily Rabe; I thought she was one of the best parts of the first season, so I'm really happy that she's returning.

[Atraxi]

I really like the concept of keeping many of the original actors and making the second season totally unrelated to the first. I've seen some people angry that the second season is a different story but I think it works perfectly and will keep more people watching in the long run. The first season was great but if they had continued with the original story it would have just become boring and the show would have imploded on itself- not to mention that I really like the idea of some horror stories being unresolved (ex: not getting rid of all of the ghosts, killers not being caught, devil babies being cared for, etc). The fact there's going to be a completely new story has me really excited since the first season was done so well and in this upcoming season, we'll be able to see how well the actors from season 1 can play a totally new character in a new set of circumstances.

Also, I just really like asylum stories.

[fortunato]

I really like the concept of keeping many of the original actors and making the second season totally unrelated to the first. I've seen some people angry that the second season is a different story but I think it works perfectly and will keep more people watching in the long run. The first season was great but if they had continued with the original story it would have just become boring and the show would have imploded on itself- not to mention that I really like the idea of some horror stories being unresolved (ex: not getting rid of all of the ghosts, killers not being caught, devil babies being cared for, etc). The fact there's going to be a completely new story has me really excited since the first season was done so well and in this upcoming season, we'll be able to see how well the actors from season 1 can play a totally new character in a new set of circumstances.

Also, I just really like asylum stories.

Yeah, I think this format is actually necessary for something like American Horror Story to work. I feel like a show that's so completely bizarre and unhinged and hyper-dramatic would reach something of a critical mass after about a season, so it's definitely smart to completely reset after each season to keep it interesting.

[ChronoGrl]

Haha, "main skill is screwing up her face"
I didn't know Clea Duvall was in it. I'm not a huge fan of her, either. However, I just watched this last teaser you posted and am happy to see James Cromwell. Also, I love Lily Rabe; I thought she was one of the best parts of the first season, so I'm really happy that she's returning.

THANK GOD - I thought I just "didn't get" her. ;)

I read it in an article that announced the cast, though it just had a list of names... Now that I've seen the other teaser I posted I'm hoping that she just makes a guest appearance instead of having a main role (you know, famous actress as she is, she should really be guest starring anyway :rolleyes:)

Oh God YES Lily Rabe was SO fantastic last season - She was creepy, sympathetic, and abominable all rolled into one; really looking forward to what her character is going to be this season. I was excited when I saw she was in the cast too.

I like the people who they are picking and choosing to reappear here, and I have a feeling that there may be small connections to Season 1.

...

@Atraxi - Totally agree with you. Love that they're reusing some of the actors and completely changing the story. People who are disappointed by that are idiots. A really good horror story has a clear beginning, middle, and an end. And, quite frankly, I thought the end of Season 1 was absolutely perfect. How (or the better question is Why) would they possibly want to keep continuing from there? The name of the show is "American Horror Story" and I do believe that the concept is America has a LOT of horror stories to tell - Just as the first season was interwoven with so many different horror tropes rolling into our main Story, it was as though they were all American Horror Stories within a coherent collection of madness. And thus we begin again with Volume 2. I think it's brilliant and to me shows that the writers know what they're doing.

I'm also with you on the excitement re our location - I'm SUCH a sucker for creepy asylum tales, so I'm dually excited for this season. :D

[ChronoGrl]

More creepy teasers...


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[Dead&Bloated]

The wife and I are looking forward to this. We both loved the first season. And I have to say, this season looks like it's going to be even better. I like the whole asylum aspect of it.

[InfernusChickx]

I really like the concept of keeping many of the original actors and making the second season totally unrelated to the first. I've seen some people angry that the second season is a different story but I think it works perfectly and will keep more people watching in the long run. The first season was great but if they had continued with the original story it would have just become boring and the show would have imploded on itself- not to mention that I really like the idea of some horror stories being unresolved (ex: not getting rid of all of the ghosts, killers not being caught, devil babies being cared for, etc). The fact there's going to be a completely new story has me really excited since the first season was done so well and in this upcoming season, we'll be able to see how well the actors from season 1 can play a totally new character in a new set of circumstances.

Also, I just really like asylum stories.

It sounds like it is gonna be fab.....I don't think they could make it carry on from the first cos the story had no where to go?
Good on them for thinking outside of the box, normally writers just hash together seasons, trying to make them fit together and carry on

[ChronoGrl]

SOON...

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[hammerfan]

Can't wait!!!

[InfernusChickx]

Me Neither....when does it start again??? in the UK X

Gonna have to buy the 1st season on dvd!!!

[neverending]

Loved the first depisode of season two. Jessica Lange was deliciously evil, not to mention James Cromwell.

I think this season holds the potential to outdo the first. Evil nuns, mad scientists, alien abductions... bring it on!

[ChronoGrl]

EEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

*SQUINTS SO AS NOT TO READ NE'S POST YET*

The fiance is traveling on business this week and I promised I'd wait to watch it until he came back (EEEEE - THE SUSPENSE!!!). Can't wait to read your thoughts and share my own.

[fortunato]

Yeah, I definitely enjoyed the premiere, too. Ridiculously ridiculous and creative and nutso, the everything-but-the-kitchen-sink-horror kind of thing that made last season so much fun. Definitely looking forward to more insanity.

[Elvis_Christ]

I think this season holds the potential to outdo the first. Evil nuns, mad scientists, alien abductions... bring it on!

Didn't pick the alien thing! Great start to the season enjoyed it a lot. Seems like it's going to be a bit darker in tone than season one. Fingers crossed it doesn't lose steam towards the end like the first season.

[ImmortalSlasher]

I didn't like the opening. It's like they went too far on the first season and are now trying to make it as crazy as possible. And it is crazy. So much that I'm not going to watch this season. The whole setup was a big surprise to me as I didn't watch the teaser.

[jack_wallen]

I was so thrilled that the first episode of the new season exceeded expectations. It was amazing and set up so horrific possibilities. I would go on the record to say the acting was on par (if not better) with anything currently running!

[Atraxi]

Just watched the first episode of the new season and it is excellent. The beginning (before the credits) was pretty stupid but everything after the credits was great. I really love seeing these actors play different roles this season and
I think Jessica Lange is fantastic.

[neverending]

Episode 2: Holy Crap!

I think Jessica Lange and James Cromwell are going to have a great time this season seeing who can out evil the other.

[Atraxi]

I really want to like Chloe Sevigny but I don't know how I feel about her acting in this.

[fortunato]

[EPISODE 2 SPOILERS]




It was just a matter of time until we had an exorcism. I'm surprised they restrained themselves until season 2.

I'm also excited to see newly-possessed Lily Rabe exhibit new kinds of crazy in subsequent episodes.



[/EPISODE 2 SPOILERS]

[neverending]

This show is getting more insane with each episode. Spoilers hidden.

In this episode we had a possesed nun.
Alien implant nanotechnology.
If I saw what I think I saw, Sister Jude saw an alien in the asylum.
Somebody is trying to drive Sr. Jude insane.
The lesbian gang we saw in the previous episode has been abducted, bearing striking similarities to an infamous alien abduction case from the 50s.
Flesh eating ghouls.
Sado-masochism movie night at the asylum.


This is really getting out there. And this episode was written by Jennifer Salt, who is a producer of the show, and one of my fave actresses from the 60s-70s.

[Atraxi]

If I saw what I think I saw, Sister Jude saw an alien in the asylum.


What scene was that? I must have missed it!

[neverending]

It was about 2 seconds long. I may have been mistaken myself.

[fortunato]

It was about 2 seconds long. I may have been mistaken myself.

I think you're right. At least, I thought the same thing. It only lasted a moment, but she even said "Oh, they saw it too?" as soon as Sister Mary woke her up.

[Atraxi]

I'm going to try to watch extra closely next time because I really must have missed it. It was before the sister woke her up?

[fortunato]

I'm going to try to watch extra closely next time because I really must have missed it. It was before the sister woke her up?

Yeah, it was when she went to look for "the Mexican".

[Atraxi]

After talking to someone else about it, I think I may have seen it. There was a part when something kind of flashed on the screen for a couple seconds and I think Sister Jude turned around but at the time I thought it was one of the escapees.

[ImmortalSlasher]

I remembered that American Horror Story had a good Halloween episode last year. So I decided to watch the second episode of Asylum. What a jump from the first episode which I thought sucked. A nun fetish? I never thought of that and always assumed that was one of those off limits things. Possession and exorcism? Great. Hookers and wild killers still on the rampage. Not to mention taboo topics of the time. This show is crazy and hooked me with this second episode. Now if only FX would put up that Halloween episode asap.

[taintedparadise]

I enjoyed the first season my sister told me about it and got hooked. going to have to find some time during the week to catch up on it

[nicolina]

I dont know if I think season 1 or 2 is the best... I do like the hole asylum thing.

[ChronoGrl]

Ok, I can FINALLY comment on this thread as I've just caught myself up.

And.

Wow.

It's crazy and schizophrenic to the point where sometimes the direction literally stresses me out (in a GOOD way; they are clearly trying to disarm the audience and it worked).

I am LOVING all of the elements that are coming together - I'm going to put the "SPOILER" warning on the below just in case.




I agree with NE - Lange and Cromwell are absolutely horrifying and brilliant. He's a ridiculously good sadistic doctor.
Nunsploitation and Nazisploitation!! Mon dieu!! LOVE that they are delving into more exploitative genres this season; The scene with Arden and the prostitute, the fetishism - So delightfully creepy and well-done... And OH! My nerdy horror senses are tingling with the "Anne Frank" story and the fact that the EVIL DOCTOR MAY BE A NAZI DOCTOR. BRILLIANT!
Aliens (I saw it too NE - EEEEE!), mutants in the yard - AMAZING!!
The Aversion/Conversion therapy - Wow, so creepy it made my stomach churn.
Also, the torture/mangling of Chloë Sevigny was so incredibly disturbing it made my mouth drop open (I love it when "surprises" like that hit me in horror movies).
Lily Rabe is INCREDIBLE and I'm ridiculously gleeful about the Evil Demon nun.
I thought the exorcism was great, but oddly enough I had forgotten about it until I read J's post.
To be honest, I'm not really sure how I feel about "present day," though I'm sure J's psyched about the fate of Adam Levine. ;) I am a little baffled by it, but have faith that the show will tie it together somehow.



I would say that my biggest complaint is that I'm disappointed in Joseph Fiennes; I think that he's a weak link acting-wise, which is too bad because I was excited to see my Shakespeare again. ;)

Also, for some reason Lizzie Brocheré/Grace bothers me; not sure if it's an acting issue or what, but she doesn't sit well with me. And I think that Evan Peters was better with a bit part last year that the more leading role he has this year.

However, everyone else is amazing and I feel the need to give a shout out to Zachary Quinto (who, while perhaps well-intentioned is wonderfully creepy) and Sarah Paulson is just perfect opposite him.

I would say that the biggest difference between last season and this season is that last season I identified and sympathized with more characters than I do this season, something that I thought would be an issue, but it hasn't stopped me from enjoying it yet.

Regardless of my complaints, I am ridiculously excited to see where the season continues to go. I think that they have reached a deeper level of dark and disturbing that has honestly unnerved me. Kudos. Can't wait to watch more of it.


I must have missed something NE because I'm not sure what you're referring to here?



The lesbian gang we saw in the previous episode has been abducted, bearing striking similarities to an infamous alien abduction case from the 50s.
Flesh eating ghouls.

[neverending]

In response to Chrono:

The four women in the house, listening to records. (One of them is the reporter's lover) They are all stereotypical lesbians circa 50s-60s. They're not spelling it out, but it's obvious if you know what you're looking for. Something happened at that house that we didn't get to see, and when the cop goes there the check up on the reporter's roommate, the house is abandoned. The implication is they've been abducted by these aliens.


You called them mutants in the graveyard, I saw them eating a dead body, so I called them flesh eating ghouls.


And I agree about the present day storyline. It's definitely the weak link, but I'm trusting them to make it pay off, because I love the potential of something called BLOODY FACE.

[ChronoGrl]

In response to Chrono:

The four women in the house, listening to records. (One of them is the reporter's lover) They are all stereotypical lesbians circa 50s-60s. They're not spelling it out, but it's obvious if you know what you're looking for. Something happened at that house that we didn't get to see, and when the cop goes there the check up on the reporter's roommate, the house is abandoned. The implication is they've been abducted by these aliens.


You called them mutants in the graveyard, I saw them eating a dead body, so I called them flesh eating ghouls.


And I agree about the present day storyline. It's definitely the weak link, but I'm trusting them to make it pay off, because I love the potential of something called BLOODY FACE.

Ahh, Gotcha now...


I "got" that they were the stereotypical lesbian group, but I thought that it was implied that the girlfriend was attacked by Bloody Face after they left. Then again, there seems to be a tie-in with the alien abduction theme and Bloody Face, so if that's where they're going (the whole group getting abducted), I totally missed it.

Makes me want to rewatch the first couple of episodes.

heehee - Mutants vs. flesh-eating ghouls; I like the term "flesh-eating ghoul" better. :D

And I agree - Someone called BLOODY FACE - Brilliant.

[fortunato]

Haha, I'm loving all of this secret correspondence.

Speaking of things that were sickening, how about Lana's aversion therapy? That was so disgusting. And the Anne Frank character once again reiterates the AHS writers' maniacal audacity, and at this point, I'd expect nothing less.
I also had an inkling that Dr. Six-Feet-Under-Babe was a mad Nazi doctor, so I was a bit jaw-dropped to have that revelation in the show.

[neverending]

Well, you know... we just don't want to spoil things for folks who haven't watched yet. Anyone's free to peek if they want!

[fortunato]

Well, you know... we just don't want to spoil things for folks who haven't watched yet. Anyone's free to peek if they want!

Oh I know, it was just funny to see this conversation that was basically all whited out.

[ImmortalSlasher]

I thought the modern day twist at the Asylum was crazy. I wonder if we'll get to find out who Bloody Face is in the past?

[neverending]

Eventually.

[neverending]

I believe this may have been my favorite episode of the entire series. So many different things going on. Even the direction was superior to what you'd normally see on a TV show. They rolled out as many camera tricks as possible- forced perspective, claustrophobic framing, weird angles, quick cuts, extreme light and shadow, mujted color palette, odd coloration resembling old film stock from the 50s in the scenes from the past, use of shots with no people in them, such as the shot of a desk with two chairs before it or the flames in the fireplace, certain musical cues. At times it really resembled a homage to Hitchcock or Polanski.

And then the plot itself:
They're really delving into some dark corners here, dipping into the heart of evil in American society. The government use of former Nazi scientists, forced sterilization programs, ice pick lobotomies.
We're still getting glimpses of the aliens.
And holy shit- the revelation of who BLOODY FACE is.



This is top notch story telling and filmmaking. It's making use of the one advantage episodic television has over feature films- the ability to develop a storyline and characters over a period of time.
With the proper team in place- writing, directing, good production values, great actors- this form can't be topped. This series is one of the best efforts I've ever seen.

[ImmortalSlasher]

The reveal was surprising. I think a scene in an earlier episode was now played as how another character saw things. As I usually don't like it when a show lets us see things that didn't happen or are there to throw off the audience. But yeah, this show is using all these horrible things that happened in society, that were going on at the time to perfection. Few shows would be able to get away with this sort of thing without seeming silly. I like this a lot more than the original.

[ChronoGrl]

Before I add my $0.02, can a Mod update the title to say ***CONTAINS WEEK TO WEEK SPOILERS*** or something like that? I'm tired of writing in white. ;)


I believe this may have been my favorite episode of the entire series. So many different things going on. Even the direction was superior to what you'd normally see on a TV show. They rolled out as many camera tricks as possible- forced perspective, claustrophobic framing, weird angles, quick cuts, extreme light and shadow, mujted color palette, odd coloration resembling old film stock from the 50s in the scenes from the past, use of shots with no people in them, such as the shot of a desk with two chairs before it or the flames in the fireplace, certain musical cues. At times it really resembled a homage to Hitchcock or Polanski.

And then the plot itself:
They're really delving into some dark corners here, dipping into the heart of evil in American society. The government use of former Nazi scientists, forced sterilization programs, ice pick lobotomies.
We're still getting glimpses of the aliens.
And holy shit- the revelation of who BLOODY FACE is.



This is top notch story telling and filmmaking. It's making use of the one advantage episodic television has over feature films- the ability to develop a storyline and characters over a period of time.
With the proper team in place- writing, directing, good production values, great actors- this form can't be topped. This series is one of the best efforts I've ever seen.


I'm going to be honest; I can't add a single thing to what NE said - I completely and utterly agree with everything mentioned here. Last night's episode was phenomenal, for all of the reasons that he mentioned.




Did NOT see the reveal of Bloody Face coming; I knew that there was something just not right about the doctor, but I did not predict that he would be Bloody Face. Brilliant. I absolutely ADORE when reveals take me off-guard like that (doesn't happen as often as I'd like).
The abduction/sterilization scene was brilliant, and creepy; can't wait to see where it goes.
And, yes, the lobotomy - Wow. Just the Anne Frank storyline in general I thought was really touching, interesting, well-written and superb acting.



I noticed that the direction was particularly disarming this week. I wondering if they're deploying a technique wherein the direction gets more shaky/blurry as we "descend" into the madness of the asylum.

Really creates a great feel of dis-ease.

[neverending]

I like the white spaces... they're intriguing, like redacted government files...

[Straker]

I have appreciated the spoiler white outs... I'm still trying to decide whether I want to watch any of this series. I dont really watch any current TV outside of the odd comedy series and the news, but the whole concept of this show, especially this series, has me real interested.

[ImmortalSlasher]

I have appreciated the spoiler white outs... I'm still trying to decide whether I want to watch any of this series. I dont really watch any current TV outside of the odd comedy series and the news, but the whole concept of this show, especially this series, has me real interested.

The first one is more pure horror with ghosts but this one has everything. It would be bad high school/college creative writing stuff if not for the acting and way they are telling the story. I can't believe you're not watching this show.

[ChronoGrl]

I have appreciated the spoiler white outs... I'm still trying to decide whether I want to watch any of this series. I dont really watch any current TV outside of the odd comedy series and the news, but the whole concept of this show, especially this series, has me real interested.

If you can get your hands on it, definitely at least give it a try. I think you'll totally dig it.

Best show on television right now and certainly the only one I truly look forward to every week.


I like the white spaces... they're intriguing, like redacted government files...

Ha - True; Just makes it harder to read over a mobile.

[Atraxi]

I believe this may have been my favorite episode of the entire series. So many different things going on. Even the direction was superior to what you'd normally see on a TV show. They rolled out as many camera tricks as possible- forced perspective, claustrophobic framing, weird angles, quick cuts, extreme light and shadow, mujted color palette, odd coloration resembling old film stock from the 50s in the scenes from the past, use of shots with no people in them, such as the shot of a desk with two chairs before it or the flames in the fireplace, certain musical cues. At times it really resembled a homage to Hitchcock or Polanski.

And then the plot itself:
They're really delving into some dark corners here, dipping into the heart of evil in American society. The government use of former Nazi scientists, forced sterilization programs, ice pick lobotomies.
We're still getting glimpses of the aliens.
And holy shit- the revelation of who BLOODY FACE is.


This is top notch story telling and filmmaking. It's making use of the one advantage episodic television has over feature films- the ability to develop a storyline and characters over a period of time.
With the proper team in place- writing, directing, good production values, great actors- this form can't be topped. This series is one of the best efforts I've ever seen.

I agree with all of this and was thinking the very same things last night. This was definitely a crazy awesome episode. I didn't see Bloody Face/the doctor coming until they stepped into his house and I thought, "Oh shit, he's the killer." They did an amazing job with this character.

I don't know if that needed to be in white or not but on the off chance, I hid it.

[fortunato]

Just watched this week's episode, and yes- really, really well-constructed. This show isn't always strong on the whole balancing storylines thing, but this episode was super-impressive. Restrained in some ways, still sheer madness in others.
Good stuff! Can't wait to see where all the huge developments/reveal(s) from this week lead.

[neverending]

The whole "thing in the stairwell" scene was PERFECT. As soon as that girl looked into the stairwell, I knew exactly what she was going to see, and exactly how the scene would play out, shot for shot. When the teacher and other girls came to look and then ran screaming, it was almost humorous. In fact, I did laugh- with glee.

[ChronoGrl]

The whole "thing in the stairwell" scene was PERFECT. As soon as that girl looked into the stairwell, I knew exactly what she was going to see, and exactly how the scene would play out, shot for shot. When the teacher and other girls came to look and then ran screaming, it was almost humorous. In fact, I did laugh- with glee.

YES!!! Agreed!

[neverending]

My one slight quibble with this show is with the scenes where they show Sister Jude's past. Jessica Lange is a terrific actress, and she deserves every acolade she gets for this role, but I just don't believe her as her younger self. They should get another actress to play her in those scenes, IMO.

[fortunato]

This week's episode felt really jumbled and the Santa murderer storyline was pretty useless. But hey, whaddaya know, it was still a lot of fun. Next week looks crazy (as if that's any different) and -uh, oh- looks like everyone's favorite McDermott is back.

[ImmortalSlasher]

I like how the aliens show up at weird times. The show is crazy. I hope the devil gets to run into the aliens eventually.

[Elvis_Christ]

This week's episode felt really jumbled and the Santa murderer storyline was pretty useless.

Good to see Ian McShane back on the screen.

[Atraxi]

I wanted to kill James Cromwell in this episode. How could you side with the devil, Cromwell!

[neverending]

I wanted to kill James Cromwell in this episode. How could you side with the devil, Cromwell!


He's a Nazi, what do you expect?

[Atraxi]

He's a Nazi, what do you expect?

True! And he is only mutilating various patients and tried to rape one of them. Oh, and he does torture and murder prostitutes.

[fortunato]

Good to see Ian McShane back on the screen.

Yeah, I was really glad to have him in this episode. He's always great.

[Atraxi]

Every Single Mental Thing Ian McShane Screams as American Horror Story’s Santa, in One Video (http://io9.com/5966268/every-single-mental-thing-ian-mcshane-screams-as-american-horror-storys-santa-in-one-video)

I'm now completely under the impression that if Jessica Lange wanted to take her character down an emotional journey where she snorts coke off Cthulhu's tentacled reproductive parts, the crew on American Horror Story would allow it. As long as she was monologuing about the whippings her character received from a nasty old Hobbit who lives in the space in between the wall and the back of the couch. This is a crazy place for crazy people to try crazy things, and then be rewarded with cigarettes.

[neverending]

Here's an interesting interview with Ryan Murphy about the Christmas Episode and what's coming up...

http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/12/06/american-horror-story-ryan-murphy-unholy-night-exclusive/

[Atraxi]

FX isn't showing AHS this week or next week. Did the show take a break and I never realized it until now?

[ChronoGrl]

FX isn't showing AHS this week or next week. Did the show take a break and I never realized it until now?

I didn't realize it either. Very very sad to wake up to an AHS-less DRV.

[newb]

This season is SO over the top...I'm loving it. I would watch Ian McShane in anything....that dude is ultra cool.[ hmmmm....a guest spot on Sons of Anarchy would be great.]

A bit worried about next year though....where the hell could they go after this one?

[Atraxi]

I didn't realize it either. Very very sad to wake up to an AHS-less DRV.

Yeah, seriously! I got myself ready for it like usual, only for The Hurt Locker to keep playing. Apparently it's taking a break and will be back after the holidays.

..where the hell could they go after this one?
Have there been any leaks or hints of what the next season is planning? Even knowing the setting would be awesome.

[hammerfan]

Have there been any leaks or hints of what the next season is planning? Even knowing the setting would be awesome.

I haven't even heard anything about them being picked up for a third season.

[neverending]

This week's episode was a real standout, with exemplary work from both Lange and Cromwell.


SPOILERS

LOVED that musical number! It was like something from a John Waters movie.

Holy crap- I hope that's not the end of James Cromwell!

[ImmortalSlasher]

Feels like this season is about to wind down again. Just like last season all the twists are over now and they are closing things up. SPOILERS!
























With two of the more crazy characters gone the atmosphere will be very different since there is only one nutcase left. Plus, the Aliens probably will only show up once more if that.

[neverending]

I think there could be plenty of twists yet to come. Only one nutcase left? How about Dr. Threadson? We still have the present day BLOODY FACE plotline to deal with. And those aliens could very well throw a major curve into the mix.

[ImmortalSlasher]

I think there could be plenty of twists yet to come. Only one nutcase left? How about Dr. Threadson? We still have the present day BLOODY FACE plotline to deal with. And those aliens could very well throw a major curve into the mix.

That's the one I was talking about.

[neverending]

Well, Jude is certainly not sane by any means. She could still hold plenty of surprises. In fact, it seemed like there was a little hint that the devil jumped into her when it left the other nun.

[ChronoGrl]

Finally caught up with last week's episode last night and... WOW...




The musical number was absolutely brilliant. Where Sister Jude is now is so incredibly sad (which is fantastic that the show has evoked such pathos in me after hating her so much)... I didn't really see that the Devil has transitioned into her, but we'll see in the next episodes.
I can't believe that they just offed my two favorite villains, Sister Mary Eunice and Arden - What an epic death! Did anyone else not believe Sister Mary Eunice when she started to cry in the Monsignor's arms? I thought it was the Devil putting on airs, so that, to me, says that the Devil somehow planned to be thrown over... What do you think?
The development of Pepper (so to speak) as the "Protector" of Grace and the Baby was great (though shouldn't she have been able to protect the Baby from Dr. Threadson, thus not really enabling him to blackmail Kit?
I'm sad that my two favorite Evils are gone, though I'm interested to see what happens with Threadson... I wish I were more interested in Kit and Grace; for some reason she just totally drives me bananas.


I have no idea where they will (or can!) take next Season... Mark guesses that it'll be some kind of island scenario, but I feel as though the past two seasons have been focused more on American Gothic Horror that an island wouldn't really fit...

[hammerfan]

Not fair, it's still not on On Demand for me! I've been checking every day!

[ChronoGrl]

Not fair, it's still not on On Demand for me! I've been checking every day!

I found that sometimes they'll delay posting it to On Demand until Wednesday. It's annoying.

They probably want you to pay for it on Hulu or iTunes.

[hammerfan]

I found that sometimes they'll delay posting it to On Demand until Wednesday. It's annoying.

They probably want you to pay for it on Hulu or iTunes.

I have Hulu Plus, and they're not able to show it this time.

[fortunato]

As far as what next season will be, Ryan Murphy said to look for clues in these last few episodes. "I Put a Spell on You", along with a couple references to "pagan practices" and also these shoes: http://i48.tinypic.com/2ikxp3t.png

A lot of people are saying something involving witches, perhaps.

[neverending]

Well, I Put a Spell on You is a song about VOODOO... so maybe we'll go New Orleans!

[neverending]

Actually, if they went South it would be really great, say New Orleans or Texas. They haven't at all dealth with some really basic aspects of horror in America, such as rural horror, isolation, kidnapping/slavery, cults, backwoods inbred families and MONSTERS- such as Chupacabra, bigfoot, werepigs etc...

[fortunato]

Yeah, voodoo was the other thought. I would absolutely love a New Orleans-set season, for sure.

[hammerfan]

I'm finally getting to watch it!

[newb]

well....they've covered ghost in the first one

and Aliens, Serial Killers, Devil Possession, Insanity,Nazis and Scientific Experiments Gone Wrong in season 2.

[ChronoGrl]

As far as what next season will be, Ryan Murphy said to look for clues in these last few episodes. "I Put a Spell on You", along with a couple references to "pagan practices" and also these shoes: http://i48.tinypic.com/2ikxp3t.png

A lot of people are saying something involving witches, perhaps.

When I think of red shoes, I think of:


The fairy tale "The Red Shoes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Red_Shoes_(fairy_tale))" - Cautionary tale about vanity
Dorothy, Oz, and, of course, Kansas


Actually, if they went South it would be really great, say New Orleans or Texas. They haven't at all dealth with some really basic aspects of horror in America, such as rural horror, isolation, kidnapping/slavery, cults, backwoods inbred families and MONSTERS- such as Chupacabra, bigfoot, werepigs etc...

Very good point - All of this is getting me super-excited about next season.

Also - This week's episode was fantastic as always; the "current day" storyline delightfully eeked me out.

[Atraxi]

Yeah, voodoo was the other thought. I would absolutely love a New Orleans-set season, for sure.

I would love this so much.

I really liked the musical number. Someone on another forum mentioned that maybe the aliens were cloning the people that they abducted.

I still don't really know how I feel about this season. There were parts that I really liked about it but I still feel like it was all over the place. I don't think I'm going to be able to fully appreciate it until it comes to a close. I love stories of insane asylums but so far I think Murder House was better.

[ImmortalSlasher]

I still don't really know how I feel about this season. There were parts that I really liked about it but I still feel like it was all over the place. I don't think I'm going to be able to fully appreciate it until it comes to a close. I love stories of insane asylums but so far I think Murder House was better.

I think both seasons kind of lose their energy at the end. The original was like that too. I believe there are only two episodes left. Really no more major twists just closing story lines now.

[neverending]

More clues on Season 3

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/american-horror-story-season-3-sarah-paulson-evan-peters-413542

[Atraxi]

What is going on with the angel of death?

[Atraxi]

I loved the ending but it didn't really wrap everything up for me. What was going on with the aliens? What was up with the angel of death in the second to last episode?

[neverending]

SPOILERS BELOW


The aliens abducted Kit's partners, impregnated them, and produced the two kids, who in the terminology of the mythology are "star children" - little clues are given throughout the episode that the children are "special." In classic UFO mythology, the aliens came to spread their seed, mix with our race, creating mutations to advance the species.


I'm not sure exactly what you're not sure about with the Angel of Death.

[fortunato]

SPOILERS

I actually really liked the fact that the aliens' precise motivations weren't revealed. Their basically incidental involvement opens the scope of the show in an interesting way, especially with there already being supernatural-religious occurrences, too.
Overall, a melancholy finale, and it felt like a satisfying end to this season.

[ChronoGrl]

I'm going to be honest - for some reason the finale just wasn't satisfying for me, but I can't really put my finger on it.

SPOILERS


I'm fine with where they left the Alien plot - I like the Star Children and how they wrapped up Sister Jude's story (so melancholic)... I was also OK with Kit's demise...

But I feel like it fizzled a bit. I'll have to figure out what I mean, but it seemed anti-climactic overall. Not sure what I would have done to change it, and I think that the subtle melancholy was definitely purposeful... But it somehow was just... unsatisfying. Great season, but I feel maybe the finale could have been two hours instead of one perhaps?

[hammerfan]

I'm going to be honest - for some reason the finale just wasn't satisfying for me, but I can't really put my finger on it.

SPOILERS


I'm fine with where they left the Alien plot - I like the Star Children and how they wrapped up Sister Jude's story (so melancholic)... I was also OK with Kit's demise...

But I feel like it fizzled a bit. I'll have to figure out what I mean, but it seemed anti-climactic overall. Not sure what I would have done to change it, and I think that the subtle melancholy was definitely purposeful... But it somehow was just... unsatisfying. Great season, but I feel maybe the finale could have been two hours instead of one perhaps?

Yes, yes, yes! I feel the same way! I was left feeling VERY unsatisfied, like there could have been more. And, like you, I'm not really sure what I would do to change it. I felt like season one's finale was much better.

[ChronoGrl]

Totally - Now, that isn't to say that I didn't like the season... I LOVED the season! I just thought that it really fizzled. It felt like the last episode was more of an afterthought/epilogue than anything else, but I also feel as though the director did that purposefully.

Did anyone feel that way? Wondering what your thoughts were to the tone - Just an odd amount of storytelling and exposition.

[neverending]

Yah, it was a bit hit and miss for me. The end of Bloody Face seemed too easy...

If Bloody Face had survived, out there, lurking...

[ChronoGrl]

Completely agree - Don't get me wrong, I thought their confrontation was incredible... But the end seemed to... easy.

I think that's what part of my issue is... While I think of how the different storylines wrapped up in the last episode, they all make sense - I think that, while not predictable, they all reached a very logical conclusion.

But since this season has been so much about insanity and especially flirting with the concept of the Unreliable (and insane) narrator, I didn't think that the end would be so "neat."

Not sure if I'm expressing myself correctly, but for example...



SPOILERS



When Sister Jude finds out that she had been in the asylum for YEARS instead of a couple of months and that the Pinhead was dead... It was so incredibly disorienting... That's how I envisioned the ultimate conclusion being... Incredibly disorienting, dizzying, and thought-provoking.


This was all too neat and tied up - Like an odd epilogue. I find it rather confounding.

That being said, Sister Jude bonding with the Star Children was just so lovely.

[Atraxi]

What I mean by the angel of death is when she came back as a patient or prisoner. I didn't really get that whole thing.

[Atraxi]

http://www.tomandlorenzo.com/2013/01/american-horror-story-madness-ends.html

[neverending]

Meh. They completely missed the Star Children bit.

[newb]

I enjoyed this season but I really think they threw in way too much. Could have done without the whole alien scenario IMO

[Atraxi]

I enjoyed this season but I really think they threw in way too much. Could have done without the whole alien scenario IMO

Agreed.
.......

[fortunato]

SPOILERS

I think the reason it felt like it fizzled is because of the Bloodyface Jr. storyline. It was really clipped; there wasn't much to it in the way of a rounded story. They never really took the time to develop it much, and then it had to end when the season did.

[Elvis_Christ]

A much better finale than the first season. At least it kept the tone of the rest of the series unlike the Beetlejuice bullshit that totally ruined the first season for me.

I liked the "neatness" of it all as it felt like coming out of a cloud of insanity and arriving somewhere more coherent (perhaps just like the characters themselves).

[ImmortalSlasher]

I agree with the others here about the ending. It was just so so for me.

[neverending]

Kathy Bates!

http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/02/26/american-horror-story-kathy-bates-season-3/

[hammerfan]

Kathy Bates!

http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/02/26/american-horror-story-kathy-bates-season-3/

Sweet!!!!!!!

[SamSlayer]

Preferred this season over the first one but both season finales were just ''odd'' :confused:

[Atraxi]

Kathy Bates!

http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/02/26/american-horror-story-kathy-bates-season-3/

Yesss! Also, can we please strike down and kill "cray cray" from our collective vocabulary, please?

[Geek]

Do we know the next storyline yet?

[neverending]

Title for season three revealed.

http://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3223737/tv-its-official-expect-plenty-of-witchy-wtf-moments-from-american-horror-story-coven/

[cheebacheeba]

I have to say, I never thought I would enjoy it but I'm glad I gave this series a chance, well in the end, on a bored day which is really the best friend to shows that get held onto and/or overlooked, isn't it?

I marathon'd all of season 1 over 3 days by the time I got around to it...by then I'd seen information of the second series and already I knew I'd be taking a look.
Gotta say I was pretty impressed to know that this series was put together by the guys behind "Glee", you just wouldn't think it.
Though, I guess they did "nip/tuck" too, which while I haven't seen I've heard nothing but good things about.

The first series was a blast...it felt so oldskool...reminded me of other horror themed series of days past (american gothic, even outer limits in ways), the acting was pretty solid among most of the ongoing cast, the characters of relative depth and the suspense factor was great.
I too thought the ending was a little "happy ending" as well, I mean they could have had the characters go on in some other way...it just seemed too bright and perky for the overall tone.
Didn't bring down my enjoyment of the series too much though.

Asylum was better in my eyes - another area in which my expectations failed me...After digging watching the whole first show with no wait times, I did the same, grabbed all the eps and painstakingly waited.

Another piece of oldskool there to see the same cast play different characters, and HOW different they were was amazing.
Even one actress from American gothic (clearly these guys are fans) showed up, and does almost as big a character transformation as the sister that got possessed.
Better spanning storyline, the characters were more varied and enjoyable to watch, while I didn't find it more "scary" (not that the first one was all that much so) I found it more engrossing.
The not-quite-explaining things about the aliens in/towards the end IMO was a good move and stuck to the tone a lot better than the initial series finale.

So yeah while I never thought it would happen, after spending time watching this show, I'm pretty invested and I consider this a very watchable series and has been a long awaited return to a more classic kind of TV horror.

[rlaugh0095]

This show is amazing, but honestly I couldn't tell you which season I liked more. Both were amazing to me, but since I was probably 18 when I saw the first season, I would say I related to season 1 more than 2 just because of age.

[cheebacheeba]

You just liked the guy with the burnt face, didn't ya?
You thought about looking into that milky eye and placing slow kisses allover the fire-touched skin, while you thought about Russell Edgington.
Then you died.

[Atraxi]

Is Zachary Quinto not coming back?