Terrie
Since: Apr, 2011
10/18/2014 00:00:00
I thought it started out strong but got way too hectic. As you note, there's a little bit of everything, but that leaves too little room to develop any one part fully. I prefer depth over variety.
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RoyFlowers
Since: Feb, 2013
10/19/2014 00:00:00
So... Murder House would be your favorite season then?
Terrie
Since: Apr, 2011
10/20/2014 00:00:00
So far, mainly because it manages to keep focus. Though if Freak Show manages to continue as it has been, I suspect that it will win out as my favorite.
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Best season thus far...
In my opinion, of course. That said, it's not for the faint of heart.
Having seen the first three horror stories, I can say that Asylum is my favorite. If only because it is the one that seems the most well-rounded. It also probably has the most to offer.
Seriously, we've got mad scientists, feral mutants, mysterious aliens, an Ed Gein style Serial Killer straight out of Rob Zombie's dreams, angels and demons, on top of all the deranged mental patients and ill-tempered nuns. It's a season jam-packed with drama, melodrama, twists, turns, Squick, Gorn, Nightmare Fuel and Tearjerkers. All that good stuff.
While the other seasons fluctuate between the present and the past, Asylum actually has two different timelines. One that takes place in the present day, when a newlywed couple wanders into the controversial and long abandoned Briarcliff Insane Asylum and joking about the legendary and long dead psycho-killer, Bloody Face. The other takes place in the 1960s, when Briarcliff is still running and Bloody Face is on the loose.
Being an avid fan of the slasher genre in my youth, I appreciated that much of the story is centered around a masked killer. What was even more impressive was the atmosphere of infectious madness that seems to be emphasized throughout, but especially at Briarcliff. This season is so scary and creepy and ruthless that it's a little bit hilarious. The campiness was tuned just right.
Asylum also has the most fleshed out and interesting cast of characters. Whether its the cold but benign head nun Sister Jude (Jessica Lange in what might be her greatest performance), the anti-heroic Intrepid Reporter Lana Winters, or the unlucky everyman Kit Walker. The two most surprising this season were probably Lily Rabe as Sister Mary Eunice, a good nun gone bad, and Zachary Quinto as Dr. Thredson, a weird but friendly visitor at Briarcliff. Even the minor characters are unique.
Though there are times where it feels like it's plodding and being written without direction, by the last episodes it all comes together rather nicely. Just about everything is resolved, and I liked it. And I even liked the things that were left ambiguous. It was very entertaining, legitimately terrifying, and just a very excellent season.
Good job, American Horror Story. After Asylum, I always give you the benefit of the doubt.