Is there any meaningful difference between "good" and "entertaining" when it comes to television? Should there be a difference? Lately I've been using the words "bad" and "boring" interchangeably, because for me there's no greater television sin than failing to be interesting. If anything, American Horror Story has spent its first season testing the threshold for how ludicrous a series can be while secretly forging a place for itself in the pantheon of classic TV series. (Yeah, I'm callin' it.) Because if there's something we can all agree on, it's that this show isn't Shakespeare (ugh, the Shakespeare = greatness synecdoche). But it's hard to deny that an episode like "Birth" is anything other than extremely entertaining, and also, inexplicably, affecting. Oh, and also outrageous, offensive, and ridiculous. But still: Good.
Probably the most shocking revelation of American Horror Story's first season has been the slow reveal of a beating heart beneath its tacky getup. "Birth" was an episode filled with bloody childbirth, ghostly fist fights, teenage breakups, and flashbacks to 1590 Virginia, and so it's all the more astonishing that its most memorable moment was a quiet exchange between mother and daughter. We'd been led to believe that Vivien was the only person worth rooting for in this whole house, and for that reason, her death felt especially tough to bear. But this episode went a long way toward redeeming Violet, a character who started out as a narcissistic, no-personality doormat but who's been transformed into someone who makes pro-active decisions, dumps bad boyfriends, and ultimately displays loyalty to the person who most deserves it: her mother. I never thought I'd say this, but I might even like Violet now. Good news: We now have TWO people worth rooting for on this show!
After a nifty flashback wherein a child version of Tate had a run-in with the old-faced monster toddler, the episode shifted focus to Violet, who was still dealing with the revelation of her own deadness. As Ben dragged her out to the car to go pick up Vivien from the mental institution, Violet screamed and attempted to wriggle away. For once, her screechy histrionics were heartbreaking rather than annoying: How could she possibly tell her father about being dead without breaking his heart? Luckily Ben is a major dunce, and didn't notice when Violet disappeared from his backseat upon pulling out of the driveway. In a pretty neat camera-move, right as his car drove up the block, we panned up to Violet's bedroom window where she forlornly watched him go. Like any other scene on American Horror Story it raised a dozen logical questions, but the dream logic of the whole sequence was pretty compelling.
After Violet and Tate had a run-in with truly awful gay couple Chad and Pat— who were busily (and cattily) painting the nursery—it became clear that most of the ghosts in the house had designs on stealing Vivien's babies. Rightfully indignant that nobody better be messin' with her mama, Violet did something awesome: She summoned Constance and Billie Dean for help. Constance immediately agreed that certain ghosts had to go, and in a pretty fantastic scene Billie Dean walked around the house with press-on nails outstretched, spelling out more rules about how the house worked. Positing that evil is as much a physical force as gravity, she informed us that this house is just a self-fueling magnet for evil and would essentially keep growing stronger with each new death. The scene also verified that Billie Dean isn't a fraud, as she immediately recognized that Violet was dead, and the two shared a telepathic conversation. Also, something's definitely wrong with Tate, as Billie Dean refused to proceed until he left.
Billie Dean's "solution" to banishing ghosts was just straight-up hilarious. Amid extensive (and expensive-looking!) flashbacks to the Roanoke Colony disappearance of 1590, she explained that the entire colony had died "inexplicably" but that its residents' spirits remained and got on the nerves of the Native Americans. The natives banished the spirits, however, by burning the spirits' possessions and shouting "CROATOAN" (an actual word found carved into a tree near the lost colony). It was all pretty exciting, and it led to Violet and Tate teaming up to steal the gay couple's jewelry (Tate's method involved attempting to seduce Pat and then getting beaten to a pulp). So after all that, Violet put this plan into action, it didn't work, and basically Billie Dean's entire storytelling interlude was useless. This show!
Elsewhere, Vivien decided to ignore her doctor's warnings that even at six months her babies were ready to be born. (Well, ONE of them was ready, as it had been essentially starving its sibling by leeching all the nutrients.) She wanted to hop on a plane and get to Florida ASAP, and Ben reluctantly agreed to this even though the doctor's admonishments worried him. Unfortunately when they swung by the Murder House to pick up Violet, (a) Violet explained that she couldn't leave because she's a ghost, and (b) Vivien immediately went into labor.
In a chilling, slightly insane sequence, all of the medically inclined ghosts gathered in the living room and assisted Vivien with childbirth. Everything was filmed gauzily and slightly out of focus and intercut with quick flashes of Ben crouched in a corner, freaking out. Between Constance's grandchild-hungry eyes and Vivien's cries of anguish, things weren't looking good for the Harmon family. The smaller twin was delivered stillborn and the abortionist ghost delivered the tiny body directly into the waiting arms of Nora, who walked off like she'd won the lottery. But it was the larger, possible spawn of the devil who was born alive, and Constance whisked it away to the kitchen where Moira fawned over it and Hayden demanded to know, "Hey bitches, you get all that slime off my baby yet?" Uh oh, women ghosts be crazy!
And then Vivien passed away. Obviously in this world there are very few stakes when it comes to dying: You're still tangible, you can experience all the normal sensations living people do, you can watch YouTube, even. So then why was her death such a bummer? Much of it has to do with Connie Britton's soulful performance as a woman who really didn't deserve all the bad times she'd gone through. But also I was hoping she'd get out of there somehow and future seasons would focus on new people. I don't know whether to be happy that I'll get to continue watching Connie Britton on my TV, or bummed that her arc seems to have dead-ended. Right now I trust that AHS will surprise me somehow (it's certainly done so many times already). But Vivien's death was certainly worth it if only for her gentle reunion with similarly dead Violet. "I'm sorry you lost your baby," Violet sobbed, but Vivien just held her. "I didn't lose my baby."
Notably, this exchange occurred just after Violet banned Tate from her life by shouting "Go away!" at him (so much for ancient Native American solutions). Vivien had apparently been watching Violet break up with Tate from the shadows, and expressed how proud she was of her daughter. Their newfound unity is a compelling turn of events and implies that if the Harmon clan ever comes together as a normal, supportive family, they might actually get some stuff done. For his part, Ben more or less gave himself over to the craziness, accepting that ghosts are real (and capable of slashing his tires) and that his daughter is now one of them. Although he'd started coming around on Vivien's sanity in the last episode, it remains to be seen just how dramatically he'll behave now that he knows he was wrong the entire time, and his bad instincts as a husband and father indirectly led to the deaths of both Vivien and Violet. He's a jerk, but like Violet he's not beyond redemption.
As we head into next week's super-sized finale, certain plot threads remain to be tied up: Whether Tate truly is a representative of the devil; which ghost(s) will successfully claim the anti-christ; and the ultimate fate(s) of the Harmon family. But the biggest question will be how exactly the finale will set up Season 2. What (and whom) will Season 2 even be about? As absurd as American Horror Story is, it means something when we're even asking that question. Nevermind the camp, shock, or heartache, it's the unpredictability that makes this show what it is: great.
QUESTIONS:
... Do you think ghosts are fit to raise children?
... What do you think was the significance of Constance's overdue bills in the opening flashback?
... How'd Thaddeus get an old-man face?
... How often do people silently disappear from the backseat when YOU'RE driving?
I hoper that in season 2 new unaware family will move in into murder house :D it would be a blast!
Actually, season two will be a new family moving into a new house, if you wanna check it out here's the link: http://www.tvline.com/2011/12/american-horror-story-season-2-spoilers/
NO, I don't think the ghosts are fit to raise children...obviously, how in the hell are they going to enroll them in school, groceries, etc? Constance's overdue bills were from after she murdered her husband / Moira and couldn't afford the house anymore, therefore leading it to being foreclosed on and bought by Larry and his family, ultimately leading to his wife and children's demise and Constance's seduction to try to get back into "her" house. Thaddeus has an old man face, because he was put together like Frankenstein from pieces and parts and the body stayed the same size while his face aged and he is still a living presence in the house. As for people disappearing, silently from the backseat??? NEVER had that one happen before.....although we did almost run into a lady standing in the middle of the road at night time only to look back and see she was gone and later see her AGAIN five miles down the road...moreless
More of these totally believable adverts. Why do any of us bother going to work anymore?
More of these totally believable adverts. Why do any of us bother going to work anymore?
I've never known a show quite like this one. I still can't believe it's from the same guy that created the relentless shitstorm that is Glee. If it wasn't for comments on this site suggesting that Violet was already dead I wouldn't have known until she was running around the house like a loon. I agree that some of (most of) the plot is ridiculous but it doesn't matter, because that's the reason why the show is great. I have no idea what will happen in the last episode, or next season, how many TV shows can you say that about?
I think American Horror Story is a pretty good show, and I'm glad I finally started watching it (and buzzed through it in a week, up to #11). My only problem with it, and I haven't read the article because I don't want the spoilers, is the bringing in of the whole 'son of satan' kind of religious businesses. The show stood on its own as a story of restless, undeparted souls who are murderous but at times quite sad and can even garner a bit of sympathy from the viewer (at least, I felt sorry for some of them). The dynamic of the characters is amazing as well, especially with Jessica Lange in there.
Off to watch Episode 11!
TV.com used to present a meaningful analysis of each episode/show, now it's reduced to this obnoxious article format that is a mixture of spoilers, teenage aesthetics, catchy phrases on spoilerish photographs and so on. Price Peterson is certainly the most obnoxious journalist here - if you don't like the shows why do you watch them? And if you insist on torturing yourself by watching shows you basically don't like, do you really have to torture us by writing about them? Cheap way to draw attention to yourself, and cause reactions. This used to be my go-to place for television, I will be looking for another website that is more respectful of the shows and the viewers.
Totally agree about people not liking shows who keep coming back to comment on them (see the idiot below who writes novels of bullshit every week about a show he hates).
But Price likes this show and the reviews are good, don't agree with that comment. So since YOU hate the site, don't be a hypocrite and keep coming back. Ta.
bye.
I'd like to do a Vulcan Mind Meld with Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk to see what the hell is going on in their heads!
Also Thaddeus kind of looks like my roommate's second cousin's sister-in-law who makes a gazillion bucks working on the computer for a few hours. Visit
stop-spam-on-tv.com for details.
Think it would have been better if Ben had commented to Vivien that Violet was sleep in the car when he got to the hospital. Then, he could've been alarmed that she left the car while he was inside the hospital. Considering the house has warped his mind from the start, I give Ben a lot of room in stretching my belief.
My hubby thinks this is a one season show....maybe that's why everyone is dying?
don't worry ;-) fx ordered a new season (my extended one) in october...not goin' to lose this one - yikes!!!
Yes, adding on to Tigerbob's point, now that Violet is dead and Tate has been, how will the writers account for these real life teenagers really aging on the show? They can't keep that ruse up for longer than a year....
I wonder about the twins though.
Well, they are over 16, so they won't change that much.
didn't you meant the "newborn twins"?
I think Faithin1 means the young 70's twins who died in the pilot.
I like the idea of Violet being dead. Its interesting and if Ben anc Vivian knows abouth it they have a reason to stay. But I dont like Vivian being dead. That kind of ruined it for me. It was too soon for her to die. I wanted her story to go further before she died.
Why is anyone making a deal over Ben not noticing Violet being missing from the car. Sure they could have shown him driving and the looking back or speaking to Violet and then saying to himself WFT? But why waste screen time for something that doesn't really matter? Adding a scene for something that can just as easily be implied is pointless.
I guess you do not have kids? Try throwing one in the back seat to urgently go somewhere with him/her because you insist, get to where you are going, and find him/her gone. You would just go "WTF?" and forget about it? You wouldn't panic, stop, look for her, call home, etc.? Even if a teenager?
They made a point to show the scene of him forcing her to go with him, then wasted that scene by not following through with him on her disappearing after it. What was the point of the scene to begin with then? To show she can't leave? I think we knew that already from last week. This is why the show drives some, like me, crazy, because it throws stuff like this at its characters, then dismisses it as nothing after, or has those characters not react to what most people would freak out about, for no reason other than to enable the writers to keep throwing stuff at the characters.moreless
I agree with you, Akyriel. This show, sometimes, let some very wierd loose ends. THis scene is simply awful. How come there's no mention on Ben arriving "with Violet" to see Viv at the hospital? It's simply unacceptable.
Also, as some people are inquiring: How come Moira is dead young, but she's seen older or younger in the show (depending on character in front of her)? She should not "logically" have aged!!???
Eagerly waiting for next episode. For my part, I was a bit disappointed by this week's show.
I believe Moira's age was explained as men seeing her as a sex object, not unlike Lange's husband who, I think, forced himself upon her when Lange shot both of them, and women see into the true, perhaps innocent, soul of Moira and that is why she ages to them.
Here's the problem with that: Lange shot Moira, why? Because she believed Moira was willing? She was offended by Moira's beauty enticing her husband and shot her due to jealousy despite her being innocent? Shouldn't Lange then see her as young too, if either is the case? I would think Britton would also see her as a threat to her husband, McDermott, if she saw her as young too, which leads me to think that maybe Moira purposely ages to prevent that from happening...again? Maybe that is her choosing, or curse, to be old in front of women, so as not to be physically or psychologically punished by women for that, as Lange did, but wishes to retain her attractive desirability with men, so therefore she is young around them until they "grow up" in some important way, as McDermott did when he finally saw her old. It has to be something along those lines as to her differences.moreless
Good show but have one question. If ghosts don't age how come Moira is old when she was killed when she was young. She appears young to horny men but she should still look like she did when she died.
I'm getting tired of this question.
They have explained this.
My guess is that the ghosts can appear exactly how they want to appear (different clothing, some with injuries, some not, etc). Moira appearing old allows her to roam freely throughout the house as well as get close to the families that live there.
It's rare that I can find a good show that My Husband and I can watch together....maybe its moira lol idk - I love this show.....cant wait for season 2 ;D
Okay, you are now Tate. Your mother is a sociopath who sets up punishments such as a room of mirrors to torture your mentally handicapped sister. Mom also has a string of men( some 1/3 her age, some married) coming in and out of your life because, mommy says daddy ran off with a whore before you were born.
But hey, you have a great big house to grow up in... full of terrifying ghosts. What four year old hasn't had a run in with a giant monster ghost baby? How Tate didn't end up in catatonic shock right there is shocking, even for fiction. Good thing ghost mama Nora was there to help.
Years later, after who knows what other "innocent shenanigans" went on you have a new dad... who left his wife, and two little girls for your mother who does not love him. But new dad, Larry tries his best to be a family, because his first wife just set herself, and their daughters on fire, in the house you're back in right now! Larry cares so much, he's going to "mercy" kill your deformed mentally handicapped brother who's chained up in your attic!
Naturally, after a great dinner with mom, sis, and Larry you're feeling great. But let's be honest what could make you feel better: coke and guns! I love L.A. , you can get anything you want in the land of fake everything, for the right price, or the help of violent ghosts... we don't know how Tate got his many guns, but sadly this is the sad drop of reality in AHS; he could have gotten them on the street or at good old walmart.
Basically, Tate's vices are a product of the house, and the walking paradox that is Constance. Even after his own death he tries to "please the ladies of (this)the house." Tate's only real taste of "normality" comes with the Harmons. Unfortunately by the time he starts to say no to the house, and begin the only healthy relationship in his life, or after life, he's already tricked his girlfriend's mother into sleeping with him.
Tate shows remorse for the last 24 hours of his life, and what he has done to the Harmon family by trying to please the house and it's thirst for babies. For someone living or dead dealing with Constance, and continuos Post Traumatic Stress Disorder brought on my the "energy" of the house using him as it does all it's occupants I'd say Tate is just another of the house's victims.
What's sad is that Tate thinks all of the awful things he does for the house/lady's of the house are going to help... I think we all know who's side of the family that trait came from.
What I want to know is after all this time does Tate know what really happened to his father?
Violet says Tate has to pay for what he's done... what about Constance?
Why/How are all of the ghosts routed to the house?
Is it the violent nature of their deaths?
Everyone isn't buried there like Moira... there has to be another story before the house was built, right?
Either way I'm wondering how the Harmons will adjust once they know the history of the house that we have seen creeping out in season one. Something tells me Vivian is going to tear Constance a new one when she finds out about her parenting skills, and other hobbies.moreless
My guess? Since his dad is in the house, and Moira is too, Tate has to know the truth by now.
Price I actually wanted to cry when Vivien died. It was such a sad scene. Connie Britton was brilliant. I also felt bad for Ben as he sat there with her dead body, after the doctor and nurses disappeared. I loved the scene between Viv and Violet at the end. I'm not sure what they will do for season 2, but I will definitely give it a chance.
Hey Price...what about this season finale theory?
As for my theory for the finale, like Billy said about Croatoan...I believe that instead of throwing the trinkets into the furnace like Violet attempted...I think Ben sets the WHOLE house on fire so that every spirits trinket burn and the final scene is Ben standing outside, watching the inferno, and right before the season ends Ben screams CROATOAN!! And we watch a flash of light signifying the freeing of the spirits and a white screen is shown...fade to credits....
So can't wait for next episode since the devil baby was the highlight ever since the promos began airing! They will probably do the whole devil baby story next season.
Hmm, anyways, if they do decide to wrap it up for the Harmons, lets see who all are left who can perform croatoan spell - Billie, Ben, Constance. Well, I do think every one of them have a strong motive to do it. Billie, since I'm hoping Merlyn Temple (American Gothic) would have a bigger role and she is the only one who knows how to deal with the supernatural stuff. Also she is genuinely afraid or revolted by Tate and somehow may end up exorcising him. Constance is selfish enough, that she may want the inhabitants dead, so she can take care of the new baby all by herself. Ben may want to join his family in the afterlife or it could happen like you said and he'd raze the house to the ground.
I don't think the ghosts would let Ben set the house on fire that easily. Also Ben is too broken now. He will probably yearn for the comfort of even the ghosts of his wife and daughter. But I do believe somebody will perform the spell and kill some of the ghosts.moreless
I can see some of the ghosts being gone, but not all. My guess would be a ghost family + new family and antichrist.
Might make a good series finale but for a season finale? What would they do next season?
new people?
You think Ben will want to get rid of his wife and daughter? I don't.
I think the "new ben" who cares for his family might see this as more of a prison then being able to see them...I mean it is eternity...if he thinks this way he will burn it down to set them free...if he is crazy ben then he will kill himself and be a ghost with them forever, end of harmons...season 2 will focus on a new haunted house with new family
I absolutey love this show, I haven't been so obsessed with a show in a very long time. I don't want the season to end although I am curious as to how things will play out. I have some questions though.....
Why does the maid age when she died she was young and beautiful?
Why did the baby appear so grotesque on the ultrasound but was born normal?
Is Constance the evil force the psychic lady refers to that the house feeds off of, she is the only one never truly harmed by the house?
Because the first twin died during birth in the house, does that mean that baby will forever be a ghost and so the doctors wife will keep him?
Why was the psychic lady so alarmed by Tate's presence when she knows that he is Constance's son?
Love Connie Britton on the show, actually love all the main characters. Would hate to see any of them not return next season!moreless
Well, the first baby was still-born, so we don't entirely know when it died. It could have died while Viv was in the hospital, or when she came in the house, and it was still inside her.
She was likely alarmed by Tate's presence because he is eveil or a conduit of evil.
The baby was grotesque, but has now adapted it's human form.
Great theories!
As for the dead baby...it was never truly alive in the first place, it was killed in the womb as the anti-christ baby sapped all of its power in order to be born early as a way for the house to claim the Harmons spirits.
The show is fun, but not all that original. They've thrown several well known works into a blender: The Shining; Rosemary's Baby; The Omen to name a few.
I think in season 2 we'll see a baby grow at an increasingly accelerated rate to young adulthood while ghosts and humans choose sides for a battle between good and evil. With luck they'll end it with some sort of resolution before viewership dies off and the show gets cancelled mid-story ;)