October may be over, but the horror is only beginning. Towards the start of the month, we got the beginning of the critically acclaimed FX anthology series,
American Horror Story. Titled "Coven," this season is about witches.
I realize I'm behind and I apologize for that. I'll try to give you reviews for all 4 episodes that have aired so far.
The first episode of this season was titled "Bitchcraft."
Summary: The premiere of this season open in 1834 in New Orleans. A wealthy socialite named Madame Delphine LaLaurie (portrayed by series newcomer Kathy Bates) is throwing a party for eligible bachelors to meet her three daughters. However, her youngest daughter, drops several suggestive comments which the madame shrugs off. That night, the madame begins her nightly procedure of smearing blood on her face (a ritual she believes will allow to retain a youthful appearance). She is alerted that her youngest daughter attempted to seduce Bastien, LaLaurie's African-American house servant. In a rage, LaLaurie order Bastien (the innocent one in all this) severely punished.
She arrives in her slaves' service chamber, which she has converted into a horrendous torture chamber. Here, the madame commits unspeakable crimes against her slaves. She has Bastien chained to a wall, and his mouth sewn shut. LaLaurie discusses her love of Greek Mythology- especially the minotaur- as she has a bull's head placed on Bastien, claiming "and now I have my very own."
After the opening credits, the plot shifts to 2013 (the modern day) where Zoe Benson (series regular Taissa Farmiga) has sex with her boyfriend, Charlie, while her parents are out. Suddenly, Charlie's nose starts to bleed, and then he collapses on the bed in a pool of blood. The scene shifts to Zoe on a train. She narrates that apparently Charlie died of a brain aneurysm; after Charlie's death, Zoe's mother revealed that their family suffers from a "genetic affliction"...she's a witch. During the Salem Witch Trials, all the witches migrated to New Orleans, making it the new Salem. Zoe briefly flashes back to being forcibly removed from her home by men in black led by the mysterious (and tacky) Myrtle Snow (Frances Conroy).
Snow drops Zoe off in front of "Miss Robichchaux's School for Girls." Zoe walks into the seemingly empty school only to be attacked by three robed figures. As it turns out, this was only a hazing by the school's students Nan (Jamie Brewer), Queenie (Oscar nominated
Precious Gabourey Sidibe) and famous actor Madison Montgomery (Emma Roberts). The introductions are cut short by the school's headmistress Cordelia Foxx (Sarah Paulson). Later, Cordelia explains to Zoe the history of their people. Over time, the number of witches (and students at the school) has decreased because many witches are afraid to procreate. Cordelia also explains that every witch has at least one or two unique abilities, but every generation has a Supreme- a witch who has all the abilities. Cordelia also stresses the importance of remaining hidden- due to the reaction of the public. She cites the example of Misty Day (Lily Rabe), who discovered she had the power of necromancy- the ability to revive the dead. In the dead of the night, Misty is burned at the stake.
That night, the girls have dinner, where each of their powers are revealed. Nan is a clairvoyant who can read people's thoughts and feelings. Queenie is a human Voodoo doll who cannot feel pain; any injury she inflicts upon herself, she can inflict upon others. Madison is a telekinetic, and she's in Miss Robichaux's because she used her powers to kill a director she disagreed with.
The scene shifts to a rainy day in Los Angeles where we meet Fiona Goode (Jessica Lange) who is seeing Dr. David Zhong, who (with Fiona's funding) is trying to create a viable youth serum. Blackmailing him, Fiona orders him to give her an unlimited supply. Later, in a cocaine-induced stupor, Fiona drains the life out of him after they have an argument over the (experimental) drug not working. Fiona then hears the news of Misty's death and returns to New Orleans.
Fiona's return receives less than a warm welcome. She is treated especially cold by her daughter, Cordelia. It's also revealed that Fiona is the Supreme (go figure). Cordelia and Fiona clash over how to teach the girls- Cordelia believes they should hide their gifts and blend in with humanity. Fiona believes the girls should fight and demand respect from the human race. Fiona insists she's staying.
Madison and Zoe go out to a frat party that night. There, Zoe meets Kyle Spencer (Evan Peters), and the two hit it off. However, Zoe stops before things get serious, as she's afraid her powers will hurt him. Meanwhile, Madison attracts the attention of another Frat boy Archie (Grey Damon); Archie gives her a drugged drink, and he and his friends gang rape her. When Zoe notices Madison is missing, Kyle finds Archie and his friends filming the ordeal. As Zoe comforts the drugged Madison, Kyle tries to get the phone and delete the videos and photos. Kyle is knocked out and the frat boys tries to drive off in the bus. As they leave, Madison uses her powers to flip the bus.
The next day, the bus crash is all over the news. The girls meet Fiona who takes them on a field trip around New Orleans. As they walk the streets, Nan breaks from the group mysteriously. The other meet up with her at the LaLaurie house and take a tour.
The plot shifts back into 1834. Madame LaLaurie is out of blood. So, to get more, she harvests the pancreas from one of her slaves. Later, LaLaurie is visited by Marie Laveau (Angela Bassett) who says she has a cure for LaLaurie's husband's infidelity. She drinks the potion, only to wind up collapsing-seemingly poisoned. It is then revealed that Bastien, the man who LaLaurie turned into a minotaur was Laveau's lover.
Back in the present, Fiona meets Nan outside in LaLaurie's garden, staring at the ground. When asked what she hears, Nan replies "the lady of the house."
Zoe goes to the hospital to check on the students of the bus crash. She learns that Kyle died but Archie survived. Furious that Madison's attacker survived, she sneaks into her room and has sex with his unconscious body- killing him the same way she killed Charlie.
In the late hours of the night, Fiona is digging up where she and Nan sat earlier that day. Under the ground is a very much alive Madame LaLaurie, who she invites back to the house for a drink.
What a great way to start off the season. Twistedly dark and demented. Some people criticized this season for steering more toward horror comedy. I'm just gonna say I didn't notice it. It was still a hauntingly beautiful narrative.
The performances were great as well. Of course Jessica Lange was just beautiful and frightening to watch. The other regulars- Taissa Farmiga, Evan Peters, Frances Conroy, and Sarah Paulson- all gave great performances. The newcomers were great as well. Especially Kathy Bates as the demented socialite. I would like to comment on Bassett's performance but she wasn't on screen long enough in this episode.
However, the history behind Bates' and Bassett's performance is really intriguing. Both Delphine LaLaurie and Marie Laveau were real people.
I give this episode a 9 out of 10. The pace was good and it wasn't not slow in setting up the story. However, you're left with a feeling of lacking. Like there was more it could do, but it didn't.
Bottom Line: This episode is great for returning fans of the the series. Or, if you're a newcomer it's a story arc to begin with.