I have been
away from the “TV series” scene for a while now. I watch a lot of moves and go
to the cinema quite a bit but haven’t “got into” the whole series thing for a
while now. I mean, I’m quite picky with these things anyway, and I have been
craving something original for a while now. This was recommended to me by a
friend, I decided to check out one episode on the insistence of friends. What
started out as me just checking out one episode quickly turned into a seven
episode marathon that I had to literally force myself away from. I am fully
aware that I am waay behind in proceedings – season 4 for this baby being
broadcast and all. But have no fear, I am two seasons in and ploughing on as
fast as I can to catch up! In the meanwhile though, I think I have a good
enough grasp on the whole thing – and you DEFINITELY need to hear all about
this one!
So,
American Horror story is an anthology of horror stories. The stories are linked
principally bt their themes – these are all “classic” American horror stories
we all somehow know and love; the first season tells the story of a haunted
house, second, a mental asylum where more than one kind of monster lurks
beneath the surface of normality, third a selective boarding school that is
actually coven of witches and the fourth current one an old fashioned freak
show.
The second
element that links the anthology is the cast. Not the whole cast – that would
be slightly impractical and not a little weird, but quite a few actors from the
first season also turn up in the second season playing completely unrelated
characters (unrelated to their previous role that is). And other actors that
were in the first series but side-stepped the second series turn up in the
third. You get the picture. It is such a brilliant showcase for the versatility
and talent of the actors – and just the right shade of spooky, perfectly
suitable to the eerie series – body snatchers anyone. One constant that needs a
mention is, without a doubt, Jessica Lange. The talented actress makes any role
she takes on her own and our emotions soar and plummet even through the series
as the plotline twists and turns – much less as we cross through different
stories of the anthology together.
Speaking of
the storyline I really need to say, I think anthologies may well be the future
of TV series. I mean, I have always felt that the major virtue of a good series
is to know when to stop. I mean sure, we moan and cry when our favourite TV
series finishes, we may empathise with this character or have a crush on this
actor – actress… But admit it, there is a sense of disappointment there when
you realise that the writers are literally scraping the bottom of the barrel
just to keep the series going, because hey, the ratings aren’t that bad so you
know, let’s keep milking it. I’ve walked away from a number of TV series for
this self-same reason, it doesn’t “hook” me if they’re doing stuff just for the
sake of doing stuff (I’m thinking particularly of True Blood here – I was told
the series did improve but once I lose interest I rarely go back). I mean, the
series I reviewed last week, Black Mirror, is basically united by theme alone –
but Charlie Brooker’s very original personal mark in each and every story helps
one make a very clear link.
But of
course one thing is absolutely certain. As fascinating cinematically the
casting and the whole “anthology” type storylines are; you will not enjoy this
one unless if you are a big fan of the horror genre. But conversely, if you are
a fan of the horror genre you’d be a fool to miss it. Series one played host to
simply one of the most terrifying haunted houses I have ever come across (and
believe you me I have come across some GOOD haunted houses in my day) – to the
point that a few episodes in I was jumping at creaks and squeaks in the house
(I live with three other adults and two cats so there were plenty of creaks to
jump at, I’ll tell you that for nothing). The second series, looking back,
seems very improbably when you describe it on paper. I mean, there seems to be
waaaay too much going on. An asylum is a fertile ground for potentially all
manner of horror story weirdness ranging from alien abductions to possession –
it seems a bit risky to stick ‘em all into the same story and then throw in a
few more curveballs besides… And yet, they do, and somehow it works. They even
throw in a few actual old fashioned medical practices for good measure and it
STILL works.
So if you
want a chill or three down your spines you guys – definitely take a gander at
American Horror Story you guys! As a horror fan my only regret was not having
started before – check it out! J
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