I hadn't been privy to the awesomeness that is FX's American Horror Story last year. When I saw wicked adverts splashed across Facebook of Season 2; American Horror Story Asylum, I was hooked before even watching an episode!
Now that I have watched the first two episodes (and promptly watched eight episodes of Season 1 while waiting for the second episode), what do I think? Here's my recap:
Episode 1: Welcome To Briarcliff
The first episode starts with just the right mix of creepy asylum back story, sex and gore. We find two horror buffs honeymooning their way through all the haunted places across America. They are fornicating in each place, which we find out pretty quickly would be considered a no-no to the fantastically stereotypical (but excellently portrayed) Sister Jude (Jessica Lange). What could possibly go wrong with having sex in abandoned creepy places? Well, it can get your arm ripped off, that's what! And this is an excellent way to mess with the time frame and send us back in time to meet the aforementioned Sister Jude; a woman who hates sex of any description (especially of the homosexual persuasion). The time changes are super cool and crazy-creepy by the way!
We also meet some pretty great characters. There is Shelly the Nymphomaniac (Chloë Sevigny), Kit Walker (Evan Peters); who loves his wife in an age when blacks and whites don't mix, Sister Mary Eunice (Lily Rabe), Lana Winters (Sarah Paulson); a journalist who is gay - this has to end badly for her and the terribly evil Dr. Arthur Arden (James Cromwell).
There is so much story being set up in this first episode that the time flies with incredible speed! Basically, after we leave the poor unfortunate honeymooners (the groom being played by the hunky Adam Levine from Maroon 5), we discover that in 1964 there was a serial killer on the loose; a horrible person who goes by the name of Bloody Face. When Kit is arrested for killing his coloured wife, he is also accused of being Bloody Face and sent to Briarcliff for psychiatric evaluation. Is he the killer? I don't think so, neither do the writers at FX - they blame the aliens! Lana arrives on the scene and attempts to interview Sister Jude. Needless to say, she 'accidently' gets herself committed and her girlfriend signs the relevant paperwork rather than being outed as a lesbian.
Dr. Arden appears to be a sicko that would rival Bloody Face. He not only has strange mutated plants in his lab, but patients seem to be dying on his watch - patients who have no family to kick up any great stink. Sister Eunice appears to be a quiet little meek thing, but I have my suspicions about her (or maybe it's just because I have been watching her in Season 1 of American Horror Story).
We also discover that the prudish Sister Jude is such a nasty bitch and so Fifty Shades because she really just wants the Monsignor to see her sexy red lingerie. As a result of built up sexual tension, people get whipped with canes.
Episode 2: Trick and Treats
The first episode had so much promise. Unfortunately, Episode 2 left me feelings a little dejected. There was so much promise and yet I found myself checking how long I had to go to the end of the episode this time round. I hope it is just a temporary glitch, since Season 1 is just so damn fantastic.
This week we find our honeymooners still in strife. Teresa (Jenna Dewan Tatum) hides in a closet and watches Bloody face stab her husband, Leo (Adam Levine). I can't see Leo lasting to Episode 3. We then get one of those cool time changes where Bloody Face is banging on the closet door and the door morphs into a 1964 door belonging to Lana's (Sarah Paulson) girlfriend, Wendy (Clea DuVall). Speaking of not lasting to Episode 3, poor Wendy ends up getting stabbed by Bloody Face!
So how is Lana faring as an inpatient? Not so great, she manages to gets caught writing notes, receive electric shock therapy, make a friend, attempt an escape and get Kit (Evan Peters) punished for trying to escape with her. Her week sure does suck.
TheDr Arden (James Cromwell) character is explored more this week. This is the only interesting part of the episode, as far as I'm concerned. We find he has a thing for nuns. Especially ones that go by the name of Sister Eunice (Lily Rabe). We find he likes her so much that he hires hookers to dress just like her. He has a sick 'good girl' fetish going on which freaks the hooker out so much she kicks him in the balls and escapes without payment.
Dr. Thredson (Zachary Quinto) is introduced in this episode. He is one of the reoccurring cast members from Season 1. He is horrified at the way in which the Briarcliff asylum is run. Sister Jude (Jessica Lange) tells him to suck it up and then they both get to witness an exorcism. This exorcism goes terribly wrong; it seems the devil is well and truly stuck in the body of the poor man and he dies as a result. The spirit of the devil then escapes upon death and it appears that Sister Eunice just may be possessed now - I told you this character was too nice for words!
What did you think of the second episode of American Horror Story? Do you think it will live up to the first season?
And if you can't wait until next week's episode, why not try reading my book, The Ring of Lost Souls - set in the real abandoned asylum, Larundel and the reason I started watching American Horror Story Asylum.
Check out the comparisons between the two institutions here.
2 comments:
Honestly? I was a HUGE fan of AHS last year. This year? Nope. I made it through about half of the first episode of season 2 and that was it. I stopped watching it. So I just focus on "The Walking Dead" now. I thought I'd be able to enjoy "American Horror Story" and "The Walking Dead" but AHS had to go.
I am crossing my fingers and hoping episode 3 picks up, because, yes, the 2nd episode really lost it for me :-( At least I still have 4 eps to go of season 1 :-D
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