American Horror Story

Well, maybe she wrote it but it was so ahead of its time that no one appreciated it.

Sort of like David Bowie.

So, this marks the second episode I've ever seen of this show, with the first one being the initial premiere, which managed to only whelm me.

I am now hooked. Solely because of one question which has entered my mind and refuses to go away until it gets answered: What the everloving, everliving @#$% is up with Murder Clown?

I'm glad that other people call him (it?) Murder Clown, because that's exactly what I call him.

I thought that the premiere was good, if not terribly creepy outside of Murder Clown. This show is just so damn stylish, and I love how it represents the style of the period. It really feels like a retro piece.

I think that Bette and Dot are really interesting, like how if one of them is hurt, the other feels it, too. But I wonder how they wound up with only one reproductive system?

I think that Dandy is going to get his haughty broken, and bad.

I'm about halfway through the first season now. It's really enjoyable, albeit because I don't mind seeing most of these characters suffer.

"Why not sing a song that hasn't been written yet? It worked for Elsa"

I think Murder Clown is scared of Dandy.

I'm not sure if you're complaining or not, since we saw in last week's preview where she'd be singing that song.

edited 15th Oct '14 8:44:56 PM by Frishman

Given the clown costume and mask seen in the new teaser, my prediction is that Dandy will become an apprentice to Twisty...kinda. They clearly have a twisted understanding of each other as talentless performers who desperately want attention and spotlight, and will do anything to obtain it.

...sets up a pretty compelling Not So Different scenario with Elsa, actually.

I missed the first episode and I probably won't see the rerun since it ends at midnight, so here's what I have of the second episode:

I love Evan Peters as Jimmy Darling. I always love Peters, because he's just got those adorable big brown eyes. Also, Jimmy is simultaneously charismatic and "MUST HUG HIM NOW AND NEVER LET GO." Especially since his dad is a bastard.

Trying to strangle newborn-Jimmy for being a "mistake" and then beating adult-Jimmy up just for trying to be normal and eating outside? (And given he's a strong-man, OH GOD I HOPE JIMMY DOESN'T GET INTERNAL DAMAGE IN A COUPLE EPISODES.)

Kathy Bates as Jim's mother is unexpectedly hug-worthy as well.

CLOWN CLOWN CLOWN CLOWN OH GODS HELP ME.

German Jessica Lange is uncomfortably sexy. And I already had a girl-crush on Jessica, so yeah.

Edit: Forgot to mention FIFTIES. Oh, how I love the style and mood and colors!

edited 15th Oct '14 11:25:44 PM by Sharysa

Wait so how far are you guys ahead?

They only broadcast the first episode here this week, the second isn't on until 930pm next Monday my time (20/10 10:30 UTC)

Did they just show the second episode state side?

They did indeed.

I don't think I've ever seen a TV Show run 90 mins.

In California it airs on Wednesdays at 10PM, which makes America about an episode ahead.

edited 16th Oct '14 10:22:21 AM by Sharysa

Yeah, so let's use the spoiler tags until then, just to be on the safe side.

Trying to decide whether or not to move on to Asylum or take a break. How is it compared to Murder House?

Grittier, but not in an obnoxious way. It's personally my favorite season. Compared to Murder House though, there's a lot more plot threads you have to follow but they tie together nicely. Less sex and more actual horror. My only major complaint is that it probably isn't as psychological as Murder House, despite what a title like Asylum would indicate. However, Asylum actually has sympathetic characters so there's a bit more pathos. Everyone in Murder House is kind of a dick.

It also suffers a bit from Ending Fatigue, but the final final scene make up for it so much (for me anyway).

edited 16th Oct '14 3:03:54 PM by HisInfernalMajesty

oh thanks,

Asylum is I believe one of the better seasons. Certainly the most self-contained and focused with it's plot threads, Ryan Murphy generally has trouble planing ahead. So I would be tempted to leave it last to avoid disappointment if you're planing watching the other seasons.

It was the only season I watched on DVD, that may have coloured my viewing however.

edited 16th Oct '14 3:12:13 PM by joeyjojo

Ryan Murphy is a jerk

Based on the video and interview, I don't get where they're getting this idea?

The part sounds like it was originally written for a man, which was changed once Erika got the role, it sounds like it was Erika's choice to audition as a male. On top of that, who says that Ryan Murphy has that much of a hand in how casting goes? I'm sure he helps cast the characters, but I'm not sure he has a say in who or who cannot audition for a roll anyway.

Ryan Murphy isn't the greatest guy in the world from everything I've seen, but I don't see the evidence.

edited 16th Oct '14 6:55:56 PM by lancesolous13

They were auditioning for a man to take the role, but a transwoman showed up, only got the role by pretending to still be a man, and is playing a freak. Explain what's not wrong about that scenario.

At least Tod Browning put out a casting call for actual people.

edited 16th Oct '14 6:59:47 PM by maxwellelvis

But nothing in the video or the article suggests that it was anything but her own choice to do so? I'll admit its an... interesting situation, but I don't see anything to suggest Ryan Murphy was turning away transactors and actresses. He probably wouldn't even be involved with something like that because that's not how castings work.

Yeah, I'm not biting. I have my issues with Ray Murphy both as a writer and his personal conduct on social media but I honestly don't see problem here and even if I did I don't this thread is the place to attack the man.

... okay I did poke fun at the man in earlier, but I don't think 'piece of shit' as the article put it is called for.

edited 16th Oct '14 8:14:52 PM by joeyjojo

First, here's the actual source instead of a goddamn tumblr post.

Second, like the others I don't see the problem with this, and I'd rather we don't use this thread to bash creators.

Yeah, considering everything was the actress's decision...It's not as if they made her dress up like a man because they knew she was trans. And they also changed the character to a woman when they easily could have just not hired her if they were so discrminiatory. I like tumblr but sometimes they have a tendency to automatically assume the worst possible situation.

And, assuming it WAS something discriminatory, I have no idea why they'd feature it in a trailer for this particular actress. On top of that, NONE of the other characters got such interview trailers as far as I'm aware, so I feel like this points to the exact opposite.

Yeah, this actually seems neutral to positive.

Whether she's cis or trans, she's perfectly legitimate to play a circus sideshow. What self-respecting producer would KEEP looking for a sideshow giant if you already have a huge actor who just happens to be the wrong gender? Ryan Murphy is prone to self-sabotage, but he at least knows when to seize an opportunity.

edited 17th Oct '14 4:57:43 PM by Sharysa

Posting to mention the episode Edward Mordrake Part II.

Did not see the Murder Clown's death coming this early. Dandy's reaction to his first murder was...disconcerting.

I KNOW, RIGHT.

I'm also constantly surprised at how AHS always makes me feel sorry for murderers.

Twisty's story and death made me feel really fucking depressed, and I was either relieved or grateful that after Edward killed him, his jaw was restored.

Also, ELSA. WHAT.