Genre: Sci-Fi | Horror | Thriller
Air Date/Time: November 2 at 10/9c
Network: FX Network
Creators: Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk
Director: David Semel
Writer: Tim Minear
American Horror Story revolves around The Harmons, a family of three who moved from Boston to Los Angeles as a means to reconcile past anguish. The all-star cast features Dylan McDermott (Dark Blue, The Practice) as Ben Harmon, a psychiatrist; Connie Britton (Friday Night Lights) as Vivien Harmon, Ben’s wife; newcomer Taissa Farmiga as Violet, the Harmons’ teenage daughter; Jessica Lange (Grey Gardens, Big Fish) in her first-ever regular series TV role as Constance, the Harmons’ neighbor; Evan Peters (Kick-Ass, Invasion) plays Tate Langdon, one of Ben’s patients; and Denis O’Hare (J. Edgar,True Blood) as Larry Harvey. Guest stars for the series include Frances Conroy (Six Feet Under, Happy Town) as the Harmons’ housekeeper; Alexandra Breckenridge (True Blood, Ticket Out) as the Harmons’ housekeeper; and newcomer Jamie Brewer as Constance’s daughter.
Oh. My. Ghosts. If you haven’t seen “Halloween, Part 1” go watch it. Right now. This post will still be available to read when you return. Unfortunately the episode didn’t make it to me in time for prescreening and review, but briefly:
WHAT AN EXCELLENT EPISODE “HALLOWEEN PART 1” WAS! Welcome back, Creepy, Scary, and Edge-of-My-Seat, I REALLY missed you in “Murder House”! How great was Zachary Quinto? He brought all of his Sylar/Spock intensity to this role. Even visually, he stands out from his partner who, though attractive, really just fades beside ZQ. And poor Adelaide. A rewatch makes her “no way would I wanna be a ghost, it’s so sad,” bittersweet. Poor Moira, unable to go with her mother. Poor Viv, WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE BABY? WHO IS THE RUBBERMAN? And OMG – HAYDEN!
So, on to Part 2. A different writer, with a different task, though you’ll see some incorporation of Part 1 scenes for continuity and expansion. THIS is how exposition should be done on this show. With all of the Creepy, Scary, and Edge-of-My-Seat intact. There are enough quiet moments to give some breaks in the tension, in fact probably more than there were in the first two episodes. But the pressure builds throughout, so unlike episode 3. Welcome back, Wild Ride.
We get a bit more backstory on Tate this week, who becomes more and more interesting, and even a bit about Viv. We’re starting to learn a bit more about the rules of the house. Any more than that about the story line would spoil you, sorry. There were some standout performances this week, as there are every week. Jessica Lange once again proves why she simply must get the Emmy for this role. Zachary Quinto’s role is smaller this time, but still choice. Connie Britton is starting to stretch in a good way, and was really put through her paces this week. Evan Peters got more to do than just be exceptionally creepy this week, and he handled it well.
Oh, WELCOME BACK perfect music! THANK YOU.
Someone who hadn’t caught up with all of the episodes asked me yesterday if this was a two-part episode. I replied that it was titled that way, but it seemed to me that all of the episodes have led into the next very nicely, and wasn’t sure how “Halloween Part 1” and “Part 2” would be different. After watching this second episode I now understand. The first reason is obvious: they take place on the same day. The other reason for me, though, is because, although this episode of course still leads easily into the next, there is a certain amount of understanding and therefore a near-closure of what could be considered the first half – nearly – of the season.
Not quite as full-on wild-ride as last week because it had more to accomplish, this week’s episode found the perfect balance between signature Creepy Scary and exposition. Well done.
I give American Horror Story: Episode 5 “Halloween, Part 2” Five Out of Five Stars.
