American Horror Story Asylum Season 2 Recap - Episodes 1 & 2

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.

American Horror Story: Asylum Season Two Starts October 17th!

Now I didn't get the chance to watch Season 1 of FX's American Horror Story, so I can't comment on how good (or not) it was. I have had a whole pile of friends tell me I should check it out though. Season 2, however, has got me waiting, perched precariously, on the edge of my seat!

Considering one of my books, The Ring of Lost Souls, is based in a disused mental asylum, the storyline for Season 2 of American Horror Story has gotten me all excited. Jessica Lange will play the sadistic Sister Jude and several of the cast from Season 1 will be returning. Maroon 5's front man, Adam Levine  is playing a character called Leo and HBO's Big Love actress Chloë Sevigny will not be a closeted second wife, but Shelly the Nymphomaniac!

Some of the imagery released for the FX channel show is fantastic, there promises to be a hydrobath, a bloody face, strange stairwells and the 'hellovator'. Besides the uber creepy image above, the one below is probably my fave:

This poster shows the possibility that it will tie in closely with the storyline I chose for The Ring of Lost Souls. While I steered clear of the clichéd evil nun (although I am sure Jessica Lange will be brilliantly eerie), I did use a time frame that promoted the Larundel asylum as old and abandoned. I get the feeling that there may be some time travel involved in American Horror Story: Asylum as well. Maybe not to the extent that I used it, but it will be interesting to see how they play around with the fact that the story line is based in the 1960's.

So, what are you expecting from this season of American Horror Story? Are you sad to see the old characters go? Or excited to see where FX will take the next season?

And while you're waiting for October 17th, why not check out my book, The Ring of Lost Souls? 

It's available on:

 Amazon Kindle 

iTunes

Angus & Robertson

Lulu

and 

Smashwords 

True Blood Season 5 Finale - Gran's Pecan Pie Recipe

So tomorrow is the Season 5 finale for HBO's True Blood. Being a writer for the TrueBloodNet fan site, this means a bitter-sweet moment for me. Firstly, it means my writing load eases again. For the twelve weeks while the show airs, I am busy writing the episode recaps and keeping on top of what's going on in the Sookieverse. Secondly, it means the show is over and I have to wait until the following June to get my next Bon Temps fix!

Of course, finale night means party night also! This year there will be Tru Blood Plasmapolitans (Tru Blood, Vodka and lime juice) as well as a good dose crying - which of course means Sookie's gran's famous Cryin' Pie! For those of you who haven't been bitten by the True Blood bug, in Season 1, Sookie's gran met an untimely demise. As a result, Sookie proceeded to work her way through half a pecan pie she found in the fridge that gran had made before meeting her bloody end. Needless to say, she blubbered her way through the entire thing!

Gran's Pie before adding the maple toffee

This year, I have attempted to replicate gran's pie. I think I've come pretty darn close. So here is the recipe for you all to enjoy. If you want a more authentic version, omit the maple toffee.

Gran's Cryin' Pecan Pie

Ingredients

Pie Crust

1 cup plain flour
1/3 cup icing sugar
113grams cold, unsalted butter, chopped
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Pie Filling

395gram tin condensed milk
60grams brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsps Bailey's Irish Cream liqueur
1/4 cup maple syrup
Pecan halves, to decorate

Maple Toffee

Brown sugar
Maple syrup
Water

Method

• Add all the pastry ingredients to a food processor and whiz until totally combined.
• Grease a pie dish and, using your fingers, press out the pastry dough until smooth. 
• Bake in the over at 170 degrees Celsius

• Add all the pie filling ingredients (except the eggs) to a pan and heat on a medium temperature until the sugar is dissolved.
• Turn off the heat and allow to cool for five minutes.
• Add the eggs, one at a time, whisking quickly to prevent them cooking unevenly.
• Turn the heat back on to low and whisk until the mixture thickens into custard.
• Pour into the pie crust and decorate with pecan halves

• Firmly pack 1/3 cup brown sugar into measuring cup. Top up with maple syrup to the 1/2 cup mark. Add to a pan along with 1/4 cup of water.
• Turn on the heat to high and let the mixture boil. Keep checking the toffee by pouring a small amount over the back of a cold metal spoon. As soon as it becomes super sticky, pour the whole lot over the top of your pie.
• Refrigerate until set and serve with either whipped cream or ice cream
• Enjoy! (But don't forget to cry while eating it.)