"American Horror Story"--"Afterbirth"--Ryan Murphy Wriggled Into That Gimp Suit And F*cked Us. Truthfully? We Liked it.

By Joanna Robinson | Posted Under TV Reviews | Comments (29)

I’m not going to do a regular recap of this week’s finale because you all either saw it or didn’t. And I really doubt that if you missed it, anything that I type could capture the messy grandeur. Suffice it to say, the Harmons make better ghosts than they do human beings, Tate broke our hearts…again, the Jessica Lange monologues are always worth the price of admission and everything ended on a suitably bloody, creepy note. But, mostly, I want to talk about what Ryan Murphy has planned for next season. Because, as many of you surmised, there’s a new family moving in. I’m not talking about something like the Ramones who came, f*cked, nearly got gimp-raped and left in the span of a few days. Murphy said in an interview that next season will be a whole new kettle of fish. Murphy said, “What you saw in the finale was the end of the Harmon house. The second season of the show will be a brand-new home or building to haunt. Just like this year, every season of this show will have a beginning, middle and end. [The second season] won’t be in L.A. It will obviously be in America, but in a completely different locale.”

Is this game-changing television? I don’t know about that, but I do know that the notion of an anthologized series excites the pants off of me. While I’ll certainly miss some things (specifically Quinto, Lange and Peters), I’ll never have to grow tired of them. Nor will Murphy who, given his track record (“Glee,” “Nip/Tuck,” “Popular”), really only seems to have one great season in him for any given cast. So, maybe, with all new toys to play with, he’ll be able to maintain the level of inventive batshittery and hold our interest for years to come. Also, this allows for completely high-stakes, risky television. Murphy doesn’t need to worry about bringing anyone back for another season so when it come to killing them off, he won’t hesitate (AHEM, KURT SUTTER.) Later in the interview, Murphy said that the only reason he was able to nab such talented performers in the first place (I’m thinking specifically Lange and O’Hare) is that they only had to commit to one season. He explains the anthologized formula “allows for those who haven’t done television to step up and say ‘let’s do this.’ I’ve been getting a lot of calls from film actors who have wanted to dabble in television but never could figure out how.” That’s right, start compiling your “AHS” dream casts now. FAASSSS-sorry.

The only odd thing about this whole scheme is that Murphy says we may not have seen the last of some of our favorite “American Horror Story” actors. “Some of them will be coming back. There will be familiar faces and also some new faces. The people that are coming back will be playing completely different characters, creatures, monsters, etc.” See, now this I don’t like. It muddies the waters. As much as I don’t want to say goodbye to Evan Peters (and I don’t think I’ll have to, that kid is going places), I don’t really want to see him playing a new character. If we’re talking about the minor actors (e.g. Azure Skye or that fetching Heirloom Security Guard), then I’m less bothered. But, in general, I think Murphy is on to something really great here, and I think a clean break is the best way to go about it. This show could run forever, long after Murphy tires of it. Hell, an ever-changing cast hasn’t hurt “Doctor Who.” I had so much fun this season, with the show, and with all of you. I’m going to leave you with some holiday gif(t)s. Please feel free to ramble your delight or displeasure in the comments! Merry Gimpmas!

[Source EW]

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Hey, Zombieboy!

Posted by: Zirze at December 23, 2011 12:37 PM

I'll miss Jessica Lange, but I think you're right about this working out better in the long run. I couldn't figure out how they'd continue on with the same house.

My only question is whether or not we'll find out what happens to the creepy little boy.

Posted by: ZombieNurse at December 23, 2011 12:48 PM

Maybe Constance will move to a new town with creepy murder boy and the show can still have her character. I would be a little peeved not to have some additional closure on the anti-Christ.

Posted by: Laura at December 23, 2011 12:58 PM

Yeah, I pretty desperately want to know what becomes of the Owen-wanna-be. That last frame with him and Lange was awesome and I have to imagine he'll wreak havok.

I'm torn, because I enjoy the hell out of this cast and that house. At the same time, ditching that each season makes it so easy to avoid Ryan Murphy's propensity towards completely fucking up his show after the first season or two (Nip/Tuck didn't get ruined for me till after Season 3). And I'm VERY nervous about that "seeing old faces as new characters" bit. That will confuse the ever loving crap out of me, unless it's only done with the truly minor characters.

Posted by: KatSings at December 23, 2011 1:00 PM

I will say this. Did Doctor Who muddy the waters when most of the cast of Torchwood played completely different characters in the same universe? What about recurring performers like Burgess Meredith in The Twilight Zone? If people are coming back (Jessica Lange and Zachary Quinto seem like locks if he's going with audience favrites), they will be playing characters so different from before that it can't bother you. Anthology series live and breathe by being able to reuse actors with a wide range in vastly different roles.

I would love a completely different style of horror in season 2. Maybe a transformation story (like vampires or werewolves) or some mad scientist goodness (not just dead guy in the basement)? I could see that working. Or what about a brutal murder mystery ala a giallo picture? That seems to be in the Murphy wheelhouse: big performances, elaborate settings, unnatural colors and emotions.

Posted by: Robert at December 23, 2011 1:01 PM

Wowza! Love the .GIFs. The Jessica "You stupid slut" should be paired with her "You stupid son of a bitch" to Ben in the final episode.

At first I was super sad that there won't be any more Harmons-Tate-Constance madness. But now, I'm pretty much on board with a new family, new doings, new goings-on. Even though obviously a lot of questions are left unanswered, the *story* of the Harmons is done. They all died in that house. But it's the best thing that ever happened to them.

Unlike many people (I've noticed), I actually like stories where some things are left open-ended. Will Tate really wait forever for Violet? Forever is a mighty long time. Will they be together again? Well, because the story is now open-ended, if you want to imagine that they do get together, 1000 years from now, you can. If it tickles you to think of Tate suffering watching Violet ignore him for eternity as a way of paying for his sins, you're free to imagine that.

I think any more time with these characters in Ryan Murphy's hands would just sully them. It's all downhill from here. As it is, we have 13 episodes of perfect insanity.

Posted by: MM at December 23, 2011 1:07 PM

Actually, I guess there were 12 episodes, which goes to the point of the unanswered questions. Ryan Murphy did want to give us more, but they had to cut down an episode. So there should have been twice as much "closure" in this one.

Posted by: MM at December 23, 2011 1:34 PM

I think it worked for Doctor Who because those characters weren't completely different. They ended up being to related them. I don't know. I thought it was funny. But having the same actor playing unrelated characters is kind of weird.

When I first read about the change of venue and characters, I didn't really like it. Constance and Tate were so great...but after I thought about it and know about Murphy's track record, I thought, "Yeah...that's probably way better."

Posted by: Candee at December 23, 2011 1:40 PM

I do agree that the formula for next season sounds like a great one, but I'm going to miss Evan Peters so much. He and Jessica Lange were beyond incredible. These last two episodes have been master classes in acting.

Posted by: Mel C. at December 23, 2011 1:46 PM

Yeah, after suffering like a fool through several seasons of "Glee," I'm actually happy with the idea of a new cast/storyline each year. No chance of burning out the current cast on storylines that get increasingly dumber/sillier/etc. Although I will miss seeing Evan Peters and Jessica Lange. (Give her ALL the awards this year!) And I hope Zachary Quinto ends up on another show soon.

So if Murphy brings back any of the cast, will we be in for a Lucky/Tim Foyle type situation from Veronica Mars? Where the actor who played Lucky in Season 2 slapped on a wig and facial hair and played the TA in Season 3? I think it'd be too distracting for any of the main cast members to come back like that.

Posted by: MelBivDevoe at December 23, 2011 2:02 PM

That was fucked and lurid and amazing all at once.

I'm on board for a second season. Ryan Murphy Ghost Adventures? Hell yeah. Pacific Northwest woods. The swampy South. Goddamn Nebraska cornfields.

Posted by: Jackseppelin at December 23, 2011 2:15 PM

Quinto is so cute in that green shirt.

I'm totally on board for this new season/new setting formula. As for returning actors Jessica Lange could come back in a few seasons to catch up with the anti-christ--played by Evan Peters of course. [providing Michael hasn't killed Constance and stuffed her in her Hope Chest by then]

As for next season, Murphy said there were clues to the new location in the last three eps. Viv's sister in Florida was mentioned a lot, so that could be it. Especially given that Florida is the weirdest state in the union. [just ask Carl Hiasson] Viv's niece could look exactly like Taissa Farmiga!

Or what about the 'lost' colony of Roanoke? Ha!

Posted by: sunny at December 23, 2011 2:26 PM

Alright, I've given it some thought. I'm good with moving to a new house/location/cast. Murphy has a TERRIBLE track record with multiple season shows. Also with movies: Running with Scissors, NEVER FORGET.

We just got no answers about the house specfically, which peeves me a little. Also, why didn't the girls Harmon help Ben when he was being killed? Viv told him to commit suicide.

Anthony Ruivivar is the Latino Rob Lowe, the man doesn't age. I'm sad we didn't get a butt shot.

The twin babies deserved (ALL) the damn awards for being soooo cute. Is the ghost baby gonna age, because him being a baby for eternity would get super annoying. Maybe he'll pull a Moira and look like how he feels.

Posted by: kilmo at December 23, 2011 2:44 PM

OK, people persons of Pajiba, I'm at work for another hour or so, and I'm going to use that time productively by babbling about American Horror Story.

I'm interested in Ryan Murphy saying there's not only going to be a new location for Season 2, but a new theme. A lot of people criticized the show by saying, "It's just a giant clusterfuck of horror cliches!" - which is kind of true, except for the "just" part. Apparently the theme of the first season was "infidelity". And, in my opinion, Murphy did a good job of making that a common thread and building a circle of horrors around it.

Infidelity propels the main story, providing the reason for the Harmons to move into the house in the first place, and the consequences of the infidelity follow them via Hayden as insane Fatal Attraction girlfriend, up to and including killing Ben. But that's echoed by Constance shooting Moira and her husband for infidelity and Larry's wife burning herself and the children because of Larry's infidelity with Constance (whether actually consummated prior to their deaths or not).

Then there are Chad and Pat's squabbles over infidelity, which lead to them giving up on adopting a child, which leads to Tate killing them. And Travis being unfaithful to Constance with Hayden, which results in him getting killed. And even Constance believing (whether true or not) that Addie had "messed around" with some of her former boyfriends propels the Halloween fight over the costume, the full face mask, and Addie dying. And Ben imagining that Vivien was unfaithful with the security guard and saying the cruelest things to her when she's in the insane asylum, no less.

So yeah, pick a new theme, and a new location:

Pacific Northwest woods. The swampy South. Goddamn Nebraska cornfields.

Those all sound fantastic! I'm ready for a new clusterfuck.

Posted by: MM at December 23, 2011 3:09 PM

finally, someone who has the stones to end it before it turns into Buffy Season 6.

my only problem with this whole thing is that we'll never find out the answer to the real mystery of the murder house. what is keeping all those souls there? the entity talk. the anti-christ talk. so much for the Norman Bates Jr. Jr. buildup if he's just going to turn into a regular murderer with psychosis.

and the next season better not be set up in a prison because that's just too easy.

Posted by: haplo at December 23, 2011 3:12 PM

I'm curious how they're going to explain another house with the same characteristics... this murder house sounded like some kind of Lovecraftian doorway that an ancient horror will eventually use to invade our dimension. Are we going to learn that these doorways are scattered all over the US?

Posted by: snapnhiss at December 23, 2011 4:27 PM

I'm going to go out there and say I'm actually really happy that we never got an explanation for the Murder House. For all we know, that school is just like Murder House, with all those kids Tate killed (and some theoretical janitor who hung himself in the closet years ago, and some other kid who died from shock from a peanut allergy, etc) all hanging around here, waiting for Halloween. Or maybe the Murder House is fairly unique.

I remember my dad telling me about this one area settlers in America noticed the local tribes avoiding. They asked about it and were informed that the place was just bad. No one went there, ever. And I like that idea. No Indian burial grounds or other bullshit explanations. Maybe the Montgomeries just picked the wrong piece of land to build their house. Personally, I'm ok with leaving it at that.

Posted by: Tyburn Blossom at December 23, 2011 6:48 PM

Thought the finale was good, by no means perfect but grading on the curve of how I have seen Ryan Murphy fuck up his shows in the past I'd give it at least a B+. I agree with others who liked the fact that it gave some closure but left longer term SLs open ended - not every series has to end with telling us what happened to the characters in the future.

I really love the idea that next season will be picking up a completely new story. Hoping that they stick with the plan of re-using some of the actors from this season in completely different roles, as the cast was pretty impressive. I have watched "Law & Order" enough that the conceit doesn't really bother me (as they re-used a stable of actors in a number of different roles over the years).

Every time I see that picture of Tate in the skull make-up "Born This Way" flies into my head and I picture Lady Gaga is a pink wig dancing up on him....

Posted by: kimk at December 23, 2011 7:03 PM

Posted by: Watch online movies at December 24, 2011 12:02 AM

It's better if they never try to explain it. Lost would have been better had they not explained it. Almost every time supernatural shit is explained it ends up sounding stupid.

Better we never learn what happens to Constance and Tate Jr., unless it's in reference.

"Our top story: the hunt for the Hollywood Heights Slasher continues. Police are baffled by the size two footprints found near the crime scene."

Posted by: ed newman at December 24, 2011 12:05 AM

Reading all of these detailed hypotheticals and opinions about something as trivial as a weekly television show is enough to make a non-watcher drool with thoughts of snarky putdowns and witty retorts such as 'get a life!' or some other insulting comedic gem to add to their trolling repertoire - thank heavens I'm not one of them, and any aspiring 'flame-thrower' would be unwise to attempt it here.

I was totally absorbed in series like HBO's The Wire, ShowTime's Spartacus, and even Weeds, before it seemed to deliberately alienate any remaining audience it had. But these viewing experiences were from Netflix and DVDs, where I could watch as much as I wanted when I wanted, without the inconvenience of having to wait an entire week between new episodes or avoiding spoiler 'updates' that unfortunately registered in my brain even as they caught my eye before I could 'un-see' them. Of the many recent cable shows like Breaking Bad, Mad Men, or The Walking Dead, all individually excellent and groundbreaking, only American Horror Story has captured the attention and anticipation of each new episode that I never thought a series would qualify for as 'event' television for me ever again.

I have no clue as to the appeal a show like Dr. Who has for the obviously huge audience that discusses and deconstructs it ad infinitum on websites and other media; at the same time, that's only my problem and no one else's, which consequently makes any praise or criticism that I could offer about it, whether admiring or condescending, not only unnecessary but completely irrelevant in any context. Watching AHS unfold in real time, along with reading the followup articles and commentary like I'm doing now, has been an unexpected pleasure that DVR, DVD's and online 'after-the-fact' viewing couldn't compare with, and it's been a wonderful reminder that having entire seasons of a show that can be immediately accessed at any point one chooses isn't always the most satisfying way to watch it.

An editorial referred to American Horror Story as "a haunted-house story scarier than anything in TV history-" and I for one would be hard-pressed to disagree. But I don't mind sharing the source of that quote, from the Editor and current issue of 'Entertainment Weekly' magazine. Why does Joanna quote liberally from "an interview" with Ryan Murphy without providing some kind of link to it?

Sure, I'll take her word and impeccable writing skills as evidence that her info is genuine- but it doesn't make me any less curious.

Posted by: special snowflake at December 24, 2011 1:41 AM

I was hoping this would be an anthology series. No matter how much you liked the characters from S1, there was only so much they could explore in that house. Now the show has the chance to go in a completely different direction with some of the same actors (Jessica Lange please!) in order to resist becoming stale. I can't wait for next season! If "Harper's Island" hadn't been cancelled, there would be two interesting horror/mystery anthology series on tv.

Posted by: Elsa at December 24, 2011 3:50 AM

Why does Joanna quote liberally from "an interview" with Ryan Murphy without providing some kind of link to it?

At the end of the words part of the article, before the gif part, it says "[Source EW]." You click on that "EW" and, voila, link.

Posted by: coveredinbees at December 24, 2011 7:06 AM

I haven't been able to get my daily dose of Pajiba lately as I have a household full of relatives and a feast I'm supposed to be preparing, but I have been checking for this recap. I agree with everyone who can't wait for next season. I am SO going to miss my boy toy fantasy Tate though.
Joanna....thanks for all the fun recaps this season. They were always clever and well written and I love how the comments made me rethink every aspect of the show!

Posted by: lillie at December 24, 2011 12:10 PM

I am perfectly happy with the season ending. I pray for the DVD set of season 1 to come out with extended scenes to possibly cover all the parts Murphy wasn't able to show on air *fingers-crossed*. My family and I are already fighting about the clues for next season: the family that got away in the finale, the twins growing up, VIVIAN'S SISTER, yadda yadda yadda...Can't wait for season 2!!!!!!

P.S. call me a pansy- but the official website where you go through the house shows clues of other stories that wasn't seen in season 1- it could possibly help in giving us a taste of what the next season may carry- I know clicking through the rooms (and the portrait section) definitely made me pee myself a bit, HAAA *shivers*

Posted by: Leanna at December 27, 2011 3:19 PM

Awesome show, it will be tough to start a new story with no Jessica Lange. I was getting the sense they were painting themselves into a corner on this show and it relieves me to know that it was intentional. I'm all in for next season!

One thing though I can't shake...how was Tate able to go to the beach with Violet? No Murder House ghost was ever able to leave the property except for this one time. Can anyone explain away this plot hole?

Posted by: dagnabbit at December 29, 2011 6:27 PM

The ghosts can only leave the house on Halloween every year, which might be how we see someone from this season again. I loved this first season and missed two episodes so I can't wait for the DVD. Will miss all of this seasons characters.

Posted by: janet at December 31, 2011 11:56 AM

Ooo...nice catch. Thanks janet!

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"American Horror Story"--"Afterbirth"--Ryan Murphy Wriggled Into That Gimp Suit And F*cked Us. Truthfully? We Liked it.

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