American Horror Story

[soltrain]

Re: American Horror Story

So is next season about trying to stop a three year old that's the Antichrist?

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: American Horror Story

This past season is probably one of my favorite seasons of any show. I honestly don't think I've enjoyed a show more than this this season.

[Brandwin]

Re: American Horror Story

I don't know what to say about the finale. I didn't care for it that much


So is next year going to revolve around the devil child?

Spoiler

SPOILER ALERT IF YOU HAVEN’T WATCHED THE SEASON FINALE OF AMERICAN HORROR STORY!!!!! I’m not sure there’s another show on TV that would have the guts to kill off its lead characters and that’s what makes AHS‘ finale such an exhilarating shocker. In the end, Ben Harmon (Dylan McDermott) joined his dead wife Vivien (Connie Britton) and dead daughter Violet (Taissa Farmiga) in the afterlife once vengeful ghost-stress Hayden (Kate Mara) hung him from the house’s balcony (If you were wondering what Ryan Murphy was alluding to in last week’s Q&A about “the most shocking scene we’ve ever done,” this is the moment he was talking about.) Plus, Constance (Jessica Lange) ended up with yet another baby who appears to be a deviant killer. EW talked to Ryan Murphy exclusively about the FX series’ twisty (and twisted) climax.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: The prologue seemed to tease that the house pulled the Harmons to it. Was that what you were implying?
RYAN MURPHY: I don’t know if they were targeted. I don’t think the Internet site had any supernatural pull to it… although that would have been hilarious. I thought it was two things: it was house porn because I think that house really is extraordinary. And also I think there’s always that allure in American lives of the fresh start, moving West, starting fresh.
Seeing that Vivien was prepared to leave made it even more tragic.
I loved how they both played that scene.
My favorite scene in the entire episode was when they’re scaring the family; it reminded me of Beetlejuice.
Oh really? I never thought of that.
American Horror Story: Get the latest news, photos, and more
But my truly favorite moment was when she guts him and then he shoots her in the head and they’re both like, “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do this.”
Don’t you think every married couple in America will stand up and cheer at that scene? I know for Connie and Dylan that was the thing they loved doing the most.
I did worry about how that will affect the Rubber Man suit.
You know what? That’s true. That probably is the end of Rubber Man after that scene because the suit was ruined.
Vivien seemed so at peace with everything even throughout Ben potentially moving and her seeing her living baby.
That was purposeful. Unlike most of the people in the house, in fact maybe the only one, she died surrounded by love. So I think that made her a little more at peace: accepting, not fighting. She sorta died at peace in some weird way. I was really excited that in the afterlife they have such great blow dryers.
Also they have stylists!
They do. You look really good when you’re dead. What I loved about that is that I think everybody, particularly women, would like to think they looked most beautiful in the afterlife. So it made sense to me that she did that.
Was there ever a moment you thought about diverting from all the Harmons dying? Like maybe we should keep Vivien alive?
No, because that would really screw the whole story up. I loved how it began. I loved it in the middle and I loved the end. The only thing really frustrating for me, to be honest with you, is that sometimes people would write this idea that we were making it up as we went along and I wanted to say, “Really?” But I think now people are writing and saying, “Oh yeah!” I’m excited for people to see it on DVD, because now that they know how it ended, [they can] go back and see all of the little things, like people who have no reflections in mirrors. When you go back, you will see everything was set up.
That is interesting in the sense that The Killing had such a controversial finale because it didn’t pay off for viewers, while this did answer pretty much all questions.
Working on many shows, I feel like this was the [finale] I was most proud of because that was the through-line from the beginning. I feel like that first season of American Horror Story by design feels like a little Edgar Allen Poe novella. It was designed to be very contained.
Was Constance raising the demon child always part of your plan too?
Yes, because the thing about Constance was she was the biggest survivor. Very early on I pitched out that last line, “What am I going to do with you?” to the writers room, and I loved how Jessica played it with both fear and pride. It was a very weird little moment. There had been some discussion very early on, right around episode 3, about how do we kill Constance ,and I was like that’s never gonna happen.
The odd thing about the ending of that is I love how we could get a redemptive Christmas scene in a horror show. And I loved that it was actually a very uplifting ending where everybody got what they wanted. That’s another interesting criticism about the show: People say, “I don’t like the Harmons.” Look, they did terrible things to each other — there’s no doubt about it. Particularly Dylan was a real anti-hero. But I think you ultimately cared about them at the end and you forgave their bad behavior and choices because I think in death they all had a sort of redemption and an awareness and a growth. I think it’s funny that in death with the stillborn baby … that Dylan can say “I’ve never been happier.” I think that’s such fantasy to people to think that the afterlife is the ultimate redemption and the ultimate peace and finally I will lose all my demons.
The new family, the Ramos’, seemed to immediately move into the house and have baby fever. Is the house projecting that on them?
No, I think that’s how it is for most people when they move to a new nest. But I love little things about the finale. Like, I loved finally that we have explained why people sleepwalk and go to the fire. Who’s drawing them there?
It seemed like at the end, the Harmons had figured out how to exist in the house without interacting with the unpleasant folks like Tate and Hayden.
Yes. I always thought that the Harmons would become the alpha people of that house, particularly Vivien. I thought she would be the matriarch. I personally think Violet will never speak to Tate again. I feel like he deserved pain. I think the biggest justice for him could be to not get the one thing he wanted, which is love.
Basically Tate’s and Hayden’s comeuppance is that they end up alone.
That’s exactly right. That’s what we wanted for them. Alone and tormented.
And I loved that Moira got what she always wanted, which was a family.
Yes, exactly. She progressed beyond her servitude and was seen as a true member of the family and a woman. I always thought, amongst all the characters, she was the most tragic to me. I’m glad that she got her happy ending.
It was almost like a curtain call at the end with all of the previous ghosts showing up. I forgot about the bug man.
We always wanted that act to be the Grand Guignol cavalcade. I love the idea too that some of those ghosts are benevolent and some aren’t interested in helping people. It was fun to have arguments in the writer’s room like, Who’s the nice ghost? Who’s the mean ghost? Who’s the vengeful ghost? Who would help?
Is the Infantata still alive?
He’s down there scavenging for bugs and eating possums until some other poor souls go down there.
I just read that American Horror Story is the highest time-shifted show of the year, which basically means the most DVR’d. Why do you think that is?
I think it’s two things: I think a lot of people don’t like to watch this show at night before they go to bed. And I think a lot of people like to watch it in groups. Ultimately, I’m really proud to do a show that’s too terrifying to watch when it airs.

[goh]

Re: American Horror Story

Nope,that's it.

http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/12/22/american-horror-story-season-tw/

Attention American Horror Story fans: hope you didn’t get too attached to the Harmon mansion and most of its inhabitants. Creator Ryan Murphy told reporters today that season 2 of the hit FX drama will begin with a new locale and a (mostly) new cast.

Should some of the first season actors return for another round of AHS episodes, they’ll be “playing completely different characters, creatures, and monsters,” Murphy added. ”It’s a really fun idea to do an anthology show. That’s the way it was designed from the beginning. Every season, there will be a new haunting and we’ll have a new overriding theme.”

So like the Twilight Zone or Tales from the Crypt but in seasons instead of episodes.

[Brandwin]

Re: American Horror Story

Nope,that's it.

http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/12/22/american-horror-story-season-tw/

So like the Twilight Zone or Tales from the Crypt but in seasons instead of episodes.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: American Horror Story

I kind of figured. I mean, the way it ended it seemed like it was destined to go on forever as far as the Harmons were concerned. Still, Constance and the boy have to be addressed in the future I would imagine.

[Brandwin]

Re: American Horror Story

I like the idea of a new story, because that's the best direction for the show, but I am disappointed we won't be seeing some of the characters anymore (although they said we would see some old ones).

Last night’s season finale of American Horror Story closed out the Harmon family’s story, but not the end of the series; not by a long shot. In fact, fans of the Golden Globe-nominated show can expect future seasons to have a complete story arc contained within the twelve episode run. In a conference call earlier today with American Horror Story co-creator Ryan Murphy (Glee, Nip/Tuck) and FX President and General Manager John Landgraf, the duo filled us in on not only the phenomenal success of their first season, but also what we can expect to see (and not see) in the second season. Though Murphy and the writing team are in the early creative stages, we can expect to hear an announcement about season two’s cast and theme sometime in February. Murphy also suggested that there is a clue in previous episodes as to what season two’s theme might be. Hit the jump for much more on the next season of American Horror Story.
Touting a strong and consistent showing of fan support and two Golden Globe nominations (one for the show itself and one for the fantastic Jessica Lange), FX wisely ordered a second season of American Horror Story as the series proved to be a Halloween ratings treat. Viewers can expect the next season to air around the same time, possibly starting in late September and continuing until just before Christmas. Murphy had remarked that he would like the show to become a “Halloween tradition” for fans. Here’s a look at some other things you can expect in future seasons:

• Each season of the show will feature a different haunting: a new home, building, prison, etc.
• Each season will feature new principal actors, but previous actors may make appearances as completely different characters with different looks.
• Each season will showcase new creatures and monsters.
• Each season will answer the question of what an American horror can be.
• Each season will explore a new theme, as in the theme of infidelity for season one. (Murphy also commented that a hint to season two’s theme was hidden within the last three episodes of season one. Any thoughts? Check out our recaps to refresh your memory!)
• A DVD boxset of season one will be available, allowing fans to watch the series from the beginning and pick up on clues to the Harmon family’s fate that were present from the outset.
• Stories of true crimes in American will continue to be featured in future episodes.
• Each season will feature a new title sequence that is relative to the theme of that particular season. Murphy commented that he is trying to keep the same music team to keep consistency through the score.

Now, equally important is what (and who) you won’t see in season two of American Horror Story:

• There won’t be a second “haunted house.”
• The story won’t be set in L.A. and the setting will be very different from the California home.
• You won’t see Connie Britton or Dylan McDermott as the Harmons, though there is a chance they may appear as secondary characters. (Murphy commented on his fondness for the Mercury Theater, which had a cast of rotating actors performing different characters for different plays.)
• There won’t be any vampires! (Murphy expressed this explicitly.)

While no names were dropped due to the fact that they’re still in negotiations, Murphy also commented that movie stars who had toyed with the idea of starring in television have been contacting him to star in American Horror Story due to its unique structure. Set as an anthology piece with seasonal storylines, American Horror Story can sign actors to three or four month shooting commitments rather than a five-year-plus contract; this is ideal for movie stars with a taste for the small screen. While you may also hear rumors that some of the younger actors had signed contracts longer than a year for season one, Murphy explained that they have not picked up the options on any of them as a commitment longer than a year was never their intention.
As for themes for the second season, Murphy alluded to various other “horrors” he’d like to explore, including: ghosts, demons, prisons, serial killers, etc. He’s looking forward to developing new creatures, much as he did with the Rubber Man and Infantata. I’ll have to go back over the last three episode recaps to see if I can ferret out a common theme that we can expect to see next fall. In the meantime, I guess we’ll just have to wait until February to see who the next fantastic actors will be and what awaits them in season two of American Horror Story.
(As a bit of trivia for the fans, the original house that the pilot was shot in is apparently up for sale. Murphy is honored to be tied to a piece of Americana, as he called it a “West coast version of the Bates Motel.” And for all the knocking the show did on the housing market, it’s nice to see that they’re doing their part. Perhaps the next location they haunt will be in your neighborhood

[soltrain]

Re: American Horror Story

Hmm. Kidnapping?

[LionsFanNJ]

Re: American Horror Story

Ironically, the thought of a new story and previous actors playing new characters actually piqued my interest more for next season and beyond.

[Burns11]

Re: American Horror Story

Ironically, the thought of a new story and previous actors playing new characters actually piqued my interest more for next season and beyond.

Agreed. I was actually dreading them pulling out a new season from the current house. I like the twisted ending as well, Constance thinking she made away with a normal child and she ends up with Damien, fits the american horror theme.

I really should have seen this coming though, considering I read about a week ago that the house was sold for like $4.5m.

[CaptainZombie]

Re: American Horror Story

IGN's take on the new story for S2 to add to some of the things everyone posted about S2. I really think that this is a good idea for a show like this and could really work out well.

American Horror Story: Completely New Story and Characters in Season 2
Next season, everything changes.

Farewell Harmon family, Murder House, Constance and Rubber Man. If you saw last night's American Horror Story season finale and wondered where there was left to go with this particular story, the answer is nowhere. Series creator Ryan Murphy spoke to the press today and revealed that Season 2 (and beyond) will deal with completely different characters in a different setting.

American Horror Story: Season Finale Review

Said Murphy, "The next season of the show will be a brand-new home or building to haunt," noting that you will never see any of the Season 1 characters again. Murphy also suggested the as the show continues, it might delve into other types of horror stories, including serial killers, rather than always being a traditional haunted house/building tale.

Click above for IGN's American Horror Story wiki!
While it will be all new characters and certainly some new cast members, some of the faces may also be familiar, as Murphy says he's looking to bring back cast members from the first season, but in completely different roles - though it remains to be seen just who among the cast will return.

It's an intriguing and risky idea, as American Horror Story is looking to do a bold take on the classic horror anthology series, a la Tales From the Crypt or The Twilight Zone. Here, we will see season-long stories that are given a beginning, middle and end in 12-13 episodes, rather than each episode telling a different story. Murphy also noted that this method could make it possible to get film actors, who wouldn't want to take on the commitment of a series that goes on for years, to sign on for one season. What remains to be seen is how the audience will react, as TV viewers get pretty attached to characters and may resist such a big change.

It's worth noting that Murphy (who also created Nip/Tuck and Glee) has a reputation for having show's that start strong and then begin to falter – but this concept basically means each season of American Horror Story will be almost a completely different show, only linked by the title and the horror genre.

Murphy said there was a bit of a clue to the setting of Season 2 (which won't take place in Los Angeles) among the final episodes of Season 1.

[fistofrage]

Re: American Horror Story

Nope,that's it.

http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/12/22/american-horror-story-season-tw/

So like the Twilight Zone or Tales from the Crypt but in seasons instead of episodes.

Awesome, because if they would have continued with this story line, I saw Skis, a leather jacket, and a shark tank coming into play.

I wonder though with a new cast and new locale if their will be Antichrist/Omen stuff going on in the background, you can't just give birth to the Anti-christ and walk away entirely can you?

[goh]

Re: American Horror Story

Awesome, because if they would have continued with this story line, I saw Skis, a leather jacket, and a shark tank coming into play.

I wonder though with a new cast and new locale if their will be Antichrist/Omen stuff going on in the background, you can't just give birth to the Anti-christ and walk away entirely can you?

Who said it's the antichrist? The medium was the only one that actually said that wasn't she? She proved to be inconsistant. I took the ending to mean it's just another failure. Plus they jumped 3 years so if it bothers you that much consider it happening in real time.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: American Horror Story

Who said it's the antichrist? The medium was the only one that actually said that wasn't she? She proved to be inconsistant. I took the ending to mean it's just another failure. Plus they jumped 3 years so if it bothers you that much consider it happening in real time.

Considering the way they ended it, it definitely doesn't sweep the anti-christ notion under the rug. If they don't explore that in anyway in the future I think that will be somewhat disappointing.

[Burns11]

Re: American Horror Story

I thought it was pretty implicit that the kid did, in fact, turn out to be the antichrist.

I thought it was a very apt ending given the name of the show and the anthology aspect.