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.

American Horror Story—Asylum Episode 5

Spoiler Heavy Post

I knew it! I knew it!
Yes! Yes! Yes!

I love that Dr Thredson is Bloody Face!  This whole episode  it was stuck in my mind, why does he want Lana out so bad?  I think stated that he wants her to write his story, maybe that is all it is?  But I do see Lana not coming out of his alive.  Zachary Quinto plays such a good bad guy!  Did anyone else see this magnificent twist coming?

While I was watching this episode I kept looking at him and past memories of Syler (from Heroes) were appearing in my head.  Syler and Thredson, are one of a kind.


And poor Kit has confessed to killing his wife, that darn Thredson, he is a tricky bastard.  But smart!  I wonder if he ever was a psychologist.  My bet is that he killed the real Dr Thredson and his body will appear at some point before the season is finished.

In other not so much major asylum news, turns out that 'Anne Frank' was just a wannabe post-natal depressed housewife.  But she is correct about Ardin, as we learn from the photos up on her Nazi poster board.

And wow, Shelly is on the loose!  I found that scene to funny to watch just because  of the teachers reaction to the child screaming about a monster.  Turns out she was right!  I wonder where Shelly can go from here?  I don't think she will get too far.

A question popped up during this episode.  Why save Kit from sterilisation and not Grace?  Why does Jude do this?

Also speaking of Jude, what a frisky ferret.  She loves it.  But I still can't help but find her story lines boring, I prefer her romance with Howard and her combating with Ardin.

American Horror Story—Asylum Episode 4

In this episode we learn a little more about Grace—which I have been waiting for ever since the show started. She tells Kit that she was framed for the murder of her Father and Step Mother. But as the show goes on we learn that she actually killed her Father and Step Mother because of the abuse she was receiving. I found it a really hoot that the creators depicted her as an innocent girl and then showed that she actually is a crazy killer.

The whole Anne Frank aspect of this episode was fine—I don't know much about her but I do like how they incorporate famous names into their episodes. I enjoy the aspect of an alternative interpretation.

Ardin a nazi—would never have guessed ...

Kit second guessing his sanity was an interesting subplot, you would think that all of the people locked up in their would do that same. I still think he is innocent though, Bloody Face is still out there.

Speaking of Bloody Face, Dr Thredson is number 1 on my radar list as the serial killer. This is because of gross scene involving Lana, I don't think there is any psychologists out there that would make a patient do that. I get the feeling that there is more to him. Why does he want to get Lana out of the asylum so bad?

What the hell is going on with Shelly. I feel so sorry for the poor girl. Since that start I would have never thought that she would end up like this. Damn that Ardin! He is a sick fiend and I hope he gets his now that 'Anne Frank' has seen Shelly.

Another great episode!!

American Horror Story—Asylum Episode 3

*Sorry for late post I have been doing school work*

Oh my, wow!
What an ending this episode had.
I really really like Shelly and it is sad that Ardin had to cut half of her legs off.  I think this is just the beginning with Ardin and his weird behaviour.

Another thing that really intrigued me this episode was the interaction between Lana and Dr Thredson.  But it does make me question him and his motives.  I know he believes that Lana is not crazy but why would be go to her house to check up on her girlfriend?  I mean for all he knows Lana could be a whack job.  I just think its strange that he makes sure an effort for her.

I knew it! Sister Mary is being possessed by Satan.  It just made to much sense late episode that it was in fact Satan.  One thing I want to know about Sister Mary is why one earth was she helping Dr Ardin in the first place with his creatures?  I can understand why Satan would help hm, but why was she helping him before she was possessed?  I guess it might just be because of her weak personality and she might get persuaded easily. 

Is it just me or do other find Sister Jude a bit boring?  I like her character but I feel that I am finding her subplots and story's boring compared to the other action that is going on in the show.  What do you guys think?

Can't wait to see what happens in the next episode, it was left on such a high point!

American Horror Story—Asylum Episode 2

American Horror Story—Asylum

 

Episode 2—Tricks and Treats

Cya later Adam Levine!

This episode has introduced the idea that Kit isn't Bloody face.  I love the idea that Bloody Face is someone else and it will be interesting to see how this unfolds—I enjoy a good mystery.  At the moment my suspicions line up with Dr Arden, only because of his escapades outside of work.  If he isn’t Bloody Face then he still is a sick man who kills/tortures women.  He is a creepy, discussing, old man!

I thought Sister Jude was so evil giving Lana that shock theory just because she wants her to forget what she knows about the asylum for a news story.  What Sister Jude was doing is kidnapping and torturing, she had no reason to do that shock theory!  This just reinforces that Sister Jude is a bitch.

 

Yay, Zachary Quninto!  His character of psychiatrist Oliver Threadson is sent to the asylum to evaluate the Kit and determine if he is insane or just a psycho killer.  He seems like one of the good characters and looks like he will be counting Sister Jude a bit.  This shall be fun to watch.

The exorcism plot to this episode was so chilling; we were able to find out more about Sister Jude’s past through the demon and the mistakes she has made, for instance being promiscuous and being involved in a hit and run.  Mary now has the demon inside her; there is no doubt about it.  The demon seems really powerful and has ever knowing knowledge so it makes me believe that it might be, in fact, the devil.

I guess only time will tell, can’t wait until next week!

 

 

American Horror Story—Asylum Episode 1

American Horror Story—Asylum

Episode 1—Welcome to Briarcliff

I first heard of the show American Horror Story surprisingly on Perez Hilton … interesting I know.  He provided a clip of the opening credits and I was shocked how creepy it was.  Ever since then I have always watched out for it, but didn’t start watching it until the first season had finished.  Best thing I had ever done because I didn’t have to wait week by week to see the next episode!

Anyway, I was looking very forward to the second season of the horror anthology show—its right up my alley!

I have to say that this first episode of Asylum blow my mind! It was incredible, just what I wanted from the creators.

I am just going to talk about a few of the characters and plot lines we have been shown in this awesome first episode.

Opening:   So damn creepy, they really know how to create an eerie tone with imagery and sound.  The cast is fantastic btw, so glad to see some people from last season back—especially Evan Peters

The Lovers: This is a really awesome wrap around story and I love how it is presenting in the present day.  It is such an easy way for the creators to introduce the story and give a brief overview of the asylum and its celebrity patients.  I wonder if it will continue the entire season because I have no idea what else can happen from here other then: will they survive?

 

Bloody Face: I love that this killer is set up as a big, bad, dangerous mother fucker and it’s just Evan Peters—who’s character seems physically weak and harmless (before his encounter)— I find that so ironic because I was expecting someone else.

 

It will be interesting to explore his story for the rest of the season.  Was he really abducted or is he really insane? I would like to think he was abducted, but you can never be too sure in these sorts of shows. I got such A Clockwork Orange flashback while he was on the table being operated on.

Sister Jude: It really is the Jessica Lange show.  I love how her character is a mean bitch to the patients and Sister Mary but she is also positioned as the good guy against Dr. Arthur Arden. She also has a softer side with the romantic interest she has in Monsignor Howard, which will be interesting as it unfolds.  She is the one that connects all of the sub-plots together and I think she will be great this season.  I would like to know a little bit more about her, like why she is the way she is?  Has she always been like this?

 

Dr. Arthur Arden:  He seems like the big bad in this season.  I wonder what he is hiding.  It is obvious that it is some sort of animal/cannibal but why is he doing it?  He is a tad creepy in a mad doctor way.

Shelly: “You can shave my hair like a cue ball and I will still be the hottest tamale in this joint”.  Hilarious! Chloe Sevigny was born to place this character.  Was it just me or did her hair actually look really cool?  I would like to see more of her and I wonder how she will fit in this whole story, I hope she isn’t just a small character.

Lana Winters: I didn’t like Sarah Paulson in the last season but I really enjoyed her character in this one.  It will be interesting to see where her story will go from here.  Will she ever get out of the asylum?  Will she uncover the truth about the asylums secrets?  I guess the best place for her to get a story and investigate is being inside the place.  I also really dig that she is a lesbian, add’s a new dialect to her character.

Sister Mary Eunice: Sorry but I find her so annoying.  I just hate both the characters that Lily Rabe has played in American Horror Story, I can’t stand her.  She always plays weak, jittering and gullible female characters.  This will be hard to watch for me.

 

Overall, it was a great start to the season but I was disappointed that Zachary Quinto wasn’t in this episode.  It would have been great to see him in action.  Can’t wait for more!

 

 

Ringer (Review)

I have only just started watching the show Ringer in the last couple of weeks.  I have made up my mind in saying that I enjoy it, it has flaws but I still like it.

I am a huge Sarah Michelle Gellar fan (thanks to Buffy) and wanted to checkout her latest TV show.  When I went into watching it I didn't really know what to expect.  The after the first episode I was left wanting more and continued to watch.  I found this to be so during the end of each episode, all you wanted to do was watch the next one and find out what is going on. 

It has a wonderful cast, SMG is great in her role/s, a recognisable Ioan Gruffudd, Nestor Cadbonell and a reasonably new face Kristoffer Polaha. I love the doppelganger story line, SMG does a great job and the crew do a great job of editing everything together when both of them are in a scene.

The show is indeed plot driven and the mystery regarding the plot intriguing but I can still understand why many people have a problem with the show.  The show has a lot of things that it needs to explain to make sense so therefore has many flashbacks and does pull a few things out of left field making you think "as if" or "whatever".  In saying this I believe that because it is the first season introducing the characters pasts influence there present behaviour and therefore are needed.  But the flashbacks do tend to get annoying since they happen so frequently.

Another thing is the  subplots within the show ignited by minor characters for example Juliet,  I just hope that everything that happens in the show will amount to something and not just be there to add more things into the show to make up the time.

I do agree that the show carries elements of soup opera and melodrama but I think it works well and will attract audiences.  I would compare its melodrama to shows such as One Tree Hill and Pretty Little Liars, these are all shows that at the end of each episode I was left wanting more or to find out what happens next.

I am only half way through the season but I am looking forward to finishing it.


In saying all this I hope it is renewed, I believe a second season is what this show needs for everything to come together better.  My only worry is that how much of a story does it have left to tell.

Rating: 6.5/10
Fav Ep to date: That's What You Get for Trying to Kill Me

Tell my in the comments what your thoughts are on Ringer?  Do you like it, loath it or think it deserves a second season.