Tonight is American Horror Story night on FX! Well, it would be, if the series hadn't brought its first season to a close last week. So this review focuses on that final episode, "Afterbirth."
In "Afterbirth," Ben (Dylan McDermott) considers ending his own life while grieving for dead wife, Vivien (Connie Britton), and daughter, Violet (Taissa Farmiga). Vivien the Ghost steps in and convinces him not to go through with it, but soon Ben's jilted lover, Hayden (Kate Mara), kills him anyway. That turns out OK, as the Harmon family is once more reunited, and with their new baby and Moira (Frances Conroy), celebrate a happy Christmas together. Think Ben sees Moria in her true form now? Oh, and they also scare away new residents before anything truly bad can happen to them. However, Constance (Jessica Lange), who stole away her grandson, Tate's (Evan Peters) son through rape, Vivien's other baby, soon gets to deal with yet another monster child, who murders his babysitter.
Coming off of the spectacular climax of "Birth," featuring many huge developments and the end of most of the supporting characters' stories, "Afterbirth" is a little bit of a let down. But then again, perhaps it is designed that way, tying up loose ends, and providing an epilogue of what is to be for the central family. It can be argued that the capper is longer than need be, and perhaps the nearly half of the episode that deals with Murder House's next owners could be shortened. However, it also demonstrates what the house can do to a person, and excuses some prior bad behavior by comparatively friendly ghosts. In addition, it gives a semi-happy ending for some, and a heck of a cliffhanger.
The cliffhanger with Constance and the three year old killer (cough, Dexter, cough) will likely not be explored. When American Horror Story was first announced by FX, it was said that the show would feature an all new cast every season, leading many to believe that each batch of episodes would be self-contained. As its popularity rose, that came into question. Now, the network says that there will be a new locale and themes for season two, but some of the cast may return, albeit playing different characters! Which means no firm ending for Constance, but then again, her life of misery just continues as it has, and it is fitting that she will still deal with such things long after viewers stop paying attention to her story.
Article comments
1 - jp
Good article. Love the show. Can't wait for season 2!
2 - Mary
This show has been engrossing. Beyond the roller coaster ride of horror story conventions, there is a more horrifying story lurking beneath--that found at the core of the ugliness of American culture. It explores themes of family, marriage, faithlessness, cultural roles for men and women, and the manner in which we socialize our children as well as the wreckage we leave the wake as we seek convention. Well acted and well written.