Genre: Sci-Fi | Horror | Thriller

Air Date/Time: November 9 at 10/9c

Network: FX Network

Creators: Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk

Director: Michael Uppendahl

Writer: Jessica Sharzer

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.

Another writer, another take on the show. Now that we’re on episode 6, and especially now that the show has been picked up for a second season, I find that I’m less panicked when a particular episode is less terrifying or roller-coaster-ish than I might want. This is one of those, but that’s ok, because it is still excellent, and still feels like “our” show.

This time – well, probably every time, come to think of it – you should probably not be eating while watching. Not spoiling, just giving a little extra warning. You’ll also see a wee bit o’ bizarre behavior, always welcome in this series.

We get more exposition in this episode, and although it isn’t done perhaps as well as last week, it’s done in a different way, and will satisfy those viewers who have been hankering for even more answers. Co-creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk promised that answers would come consistently and often, and they have held true to that promise. At least one new question is raised in this episode, and I’d be interested to see how many viewers agree with me on what that question is…

I’m sorry to say that there is one new storyline that seems to be unrelated to almost anything else in the show. It’s interesting, but at this point in the series seems unnecessary. We’ll have to watch and see if more is done with it, justifying its inclusion, or if it’s just a one-off. Episode 6 is way too early for “filler” so I presume more will come of it. On the other hand, we are given quite a few fairly large developments in the primary stories, so maybe adding in something quick and easy is meant to give us a chance to absorb those larger developments.

Taissa Farmiga is given a bigger role this week, and she handles it extremely well. We don’t get enough of Constance for my taste, but the one-third-of-the-show that would be my preference isn’t really feasible. Anything I have to say about the guest appearance(s) this week would be spoilery, so I need to just let that go, at least for now.

This week’s installment uses more wonky angles and fuzzy lenses, and to good effect. It’s unsettling. Whether we are meant to be looking from the character’s viewpoint or if it’s just a device to make us feel weirded-out is unclear, but I like it. The music is understated and supportive, with one quick use of the quirky music I love, and none of the whiner music I hate.

Overall this episode could be none other than an American Horror Story episode, with scary, creepy, and bizarre elements aplenty. It may miss my five-out-of-five for terrifying and quirky, but it nevertheless is one more excellent piece of television from my favorite new show of the season.

I give American Horror Story: Episode 6 “Piggy, Piggy” Four Out of Five Stars.