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American Horror Story Season 1 Episode 4

Halloween (1)

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AIRED: Oct 26, 2011

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8.6

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EPISODE REVIEWS
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Episode Summary

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The spirits of the Murder House become ever stronger, blurring the line between life and death. Meanwhile, the house's former residents offer some tips on decorating for Halloween to the Harmons.

FAN RECAP

Fan Episode Reviews (4)

The best episode in the series.

10

By ZacRox86, Jan 28, 2012

(SPOLIERS) Addie dies, Moira somehow visits (and kills) her mother, and Constance confides in Violet. Tate turns out to be Constance's son.
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Moira

10

By joaomachado87, Jan 22, 2012

How Moira can visit her mother if she can't leave the house?!
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The mythology is raising the bar right now

8.5

By maxpower03, Nov 18, 2011

I think the biggest hurdle this show has to overcome relates to the Harmon's and the fact that they're still living in that goddamn house! I may be stupid for seeking some realism in a show about gay ghosts and Frankenstein babies, but it's so ridiculously silly that this family is still sticking around despite being assaulted and weirded out by literally everyone that stumbles into their lives every week. Characters exhibiting irrational and clueless behavior is a trope of the horror genre, but it sure is making the family at the center of this show so easy to point and laugh at.

Once again, it's the mythology that's raising the bar. At first I was only annoyed by the on-the-nose hyper-sexuality of Pat and Chad ('power-bottoms', 'twinks' -- nobody talks like that, show); but Zachary Quinto eventually managed to stumble into something quietly moving. Like Vivien, he's trapped in a marriage that's slowly decomposing, married to a man who can't go a day without boning somebody else. Quinto also struck that perfect tone where he seems aware of how campy and nuts this show is, something that Connie Britton and Dylan McDermott should probably look into.

I'm pretty bummed about Addie's death. Her story this week could have easily spiraled into crass and offensive territory, but I ended up liking her desire to just be considered beautiful for one night of the year. Sure, Constance made her wear a big latex rubber mask to achieve that, but it was a story that finally reflected how close the two of them are. Constance sends a lot of animosity and bitterness her way, but she really does love her. There was something so sad about Constance dragging Adelaide's body closer to the house (presumably to keep her spirit alive as a ghost?).

The most affecting moment, just like last week, came from Frances Conroy's Moira. While Jessica Lange is all about the campiness, Conroy is delivering the show's only truly moving performance, and it's Moira that is quickly becoming the heart of the show. The scene with her mother was beautifully performed, and I loved how the story utilized the whole 'dead will walk the earth' angle. It's another example of the schizophrenia in the Ryan Murphy wheelhouse, but so far I'm not finding the radical swings in tone too jarring. Based on Glee and Popular, that'll probably hit sometime in season two. But for now, American Horror Story is entirely winning me over. A-

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Read more at Unwelcome Commentary.moreless
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Halloween (1)

10

By TrueTvWatcher, Nov 05, 2011

Halloween (1) was a perfect episode of American Horror Story and I really enjoyed watching this episode because there was a lot of character and plot development. This episode showed just how dark this series can get as well as frightening. That pretty girl mask is scary and I'm sure we haven't seen the last of it. The story about Frankenbabies in the basement was definitely scary. I think this show definitely ranks up in the top for creepiness factor and I love it, being on the edge of my seat in anticipation of what will happen next. I look forward to watching the next episode!!!!!!!!!

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Cast & Crew: STARS

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Connie Britton	Vivien Harmon
Dylan McDermott	Benjamin "Ben" Harmon
Evan Peters	Tate Langdon
Taissa Farmiga	Violet Harmon
Denis O'Hare	Larry Harvey
Jessica Lange	Constance

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Zachary Quinto	Chad Warwick	Guest Star
Teddy Sears	Patrick	Guest Star
Michael Graziadei	Travis	Guest Star
Kate Mara	Hayden McClaine	Recurring Role
Frances Conroy	Moira O'Hara	Recurring Role
Lily Rabe	Nora Montgomery	Recurring Role

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Episode Photos

Denis O' Hare in American Horror Story f...

© 2011 FOX Broadcasting
Dylan McDermott in American Horror Story...

© 2011 FOX Broadcasting
Denis O' Hare in American Horror Story f...

© 2011 FOX Broadcasting
Dylan McDermott in American Horror Story...

© 2011 FOX Broadcasting

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (0)
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QUOTES (4)
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- Chad: And pick me up some Gala apples. I thought these Golden Delicious would look dramatic in the bobbing bucket. They just look dull and depressing. There's no contrast.
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- Chad: I am trying here! I am trying to make this place warm and inviting and spectacular and have this Halloween party shot by Elle friggin Decor so someone will see it and sweep in and take this place off our hands, and then i can feel free to fall in love with a 25-year-old who has great biceps. So get off my back, carve a goddamn pumpkin, go get a goddamn costume, and man up.
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- Vivien: We have style.
  Marcy: Everybody thinks they have style, and everybody thinks they're funny. Most people aren't.
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- Chad: I think you should just leave.
  Vivien: You think we should just leave our house?
  Chad: It's not your house. We know it, you know it, and the house knows it. Frankly, you don't deserve it.
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NOTES (3)
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- International Airdates:
  UK: November 28, 2011 on FX/FX HD
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- Music: Gary Gilmore's Eyes (The Adverts)
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- Kate Mara and Zachary Quinto are billed as Special Guest Stars.
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ALLUSIONS (2)
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- Patrick: Have another drink, dear. Crafting brings out his inner George and Martha.
  Referencing the lead roles in Edward Albee's play, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? The characters, George and Martha, drink too much and make their guests uncomfortable. Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? was made into a film in 1966.
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- Chad: But never fear, Count Chocula's here.
  Referencing Count Chocula cereal by General Mills, and the cereal's mascot. Originally voiced by Larry Kenney, Chocula is a brown-tinged vampire who hawks the virtues of his chocolate-flavored sugar cereal and marshmallow bits, and competes with Franken Berry and Bo Berry to get kids to eat his cereal instead of the others.
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