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Monday 26 September 2016

American Horror Story: Roanoke - Episode 1 & 2

Like every other fan of American Horror Story I was eagerly anticipating the latest season.  Season 6 had more mystery then ever surrounding it and I could not wait to see what it was about.  While I was waiting for season 6 I started re-watching the previous seasons.

Episode 1 - Chapter 1




I was finally able to see the premiere episode (living in Australia we always get it later) and I am sad to say I was underwhelmed but intrigued.

After reading some stuff online, I anticipated that the latest season would be about the lost colony due to a picture that was leaked with 'Croatian' on a tree.  I like this idea and welcomed it with open arms.  My issue with the first episode was the documentary re-enactment style of shooting. While different, I think it might be just too different.  I felt like it didn't feel like American Horror Story at all.  I am however whiling to give it a go and see where it goes, I have read things about the season changing its tone in ep 6, so it might be worth the wait.  Then there is also the fact that this style loses the element of surprise, Shelby, Matt and Lee are all re-telling their story, this means that whatever goes down they must get out alive.  Unless there is a twist, I am not sure why they did this.  American Horror Story always has that element of any character can die and I feel like it is lost in this style. 

There are a lot of references to Season 1 which I like, we will have to wait to see where this goes.

Shelby & Matt

OJ and Marcia Clark, married, LOL. They seem fine, a generic couple.  Experienced a miscarriage before moving and buying a creepy house (homage to the Harmon's from season 1?).  I feel like Shelby is a really weak character and I would like to see her gain some power, power I know Sarah Paulson can deliver. Matt is sooooo very generic, we will see what happens with him ...

I don't really think much of Lily Rabe and Andre Holland as the 'real' characters yet.

Lee
I love Angela Bassett, I think she always has a great sassy attitude and always like the characters she plays.  Lee has an interesting background and I am excited to see how it is explored during the season.

We didn't really get to see any other characters, Kathy Bates and Wes Bently look to be people in the colony and Dennis O'Hare is a manbear pig??

Liked:

New Season - Love this show and glad its back.

Camera set up - Matt had the great idea to set up cameras around the yard,  this could be an interesting thing to do.

Raining teeth - Awesome idea, creepy and visually awesome!

Disliked:

Format - I hope this does not continue throughout the season.

Characters are generic - There is not much to them, hopefully they can be explored more.

Not really scary - I didn't feel like it was very scary, it might be due to the format (less surprise factor involved)


Episode 2 - Chapter 2


I enjoyed this episode better then the first.  I felt that it was more creepy, but where is EVEN PETERS, please introduce him already!

The imagery of the 'pig man' being burned alive, the story of the killer nurses and the creepy ghost child in the house who has befriended Lee's daughter are great!

There are a few creepy things happening in this house.  The colony folk, the killer nurses and the family that disappeared - all story's that are interesting in their own right and I am so interested in exploring them. 


Liked:

Introducing a child - Flora, Lee's daughter, is a great addition.  Kids are creepy and are known to be able to be-friend ghosts and creepy things, unlike adults. But wow, the end, the find her coat up a massive tree,  what the hell has happened and where is she ... creepy ...

Video telling backstory - Dennis O'Hare character, Dr. Elias Cunningham, leaving a video that tells the story of the killer nurses is awesome!  I hope that there is more to that tape and there are more stories to be revealed in that format. 

Killer Nurses - This is a great story, based off a really true story.  Very creepy and I don't think it will be the last we see of them.  They need to finish spelling MURDER.  They need someone whose name starts with R.

Disliked:

There is no such thing as logic - Why are they still in this house and why is Lee, bringing her bloody daughter there.  As a story driver, I like the addition of the daughter but by god, why bring her into a house that has a history of creepy things happening and people breaking in.  It makes to sense.  To further that, why are Shelby and Matt still even there, fair enough you own this house and you may never sell it for the price you paid but WTF, you don't have to still be living in the house.  Go live some friends or family until you get back on your feet (money wise) and rent the creepy old house in the middle of no where out or sell it for a loss to those red necks who wanted it at the auction.  END OF STORY and END OF THE NIGHTMARE.  But I guess we would not have a season if they left.

Still waiting for more on the colony folk - I want to know what is up with the colony folk - are they evil or are they misunderstood?  I feel likes its such a tease, give us an idea already.

Predictions:

- I think that Flora's little ghost friend is one of the children form the family that disappeared from the house.  Can't wait until they explore what happened to the family.

- Someone will be introduced with a name starting with 'R' - they will be on the killer nurses radar.

- We get some present day action, the real Shelby, Matt and Lee are explored further and not just in the situated re-telling format.

- The re-enactment show is actually Billie Dean Howard's 'true crime show' she mentioned in season 1.