Genre: Horror | Drama
Creators: Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk
Network: FX
Air Date/Time: October 30, 2013, 10/9c
Written by: Jennifer Salt
Directed by: Michael Uppendahl
Synopsis:
American Horror Story: Coven tells the secret history of witches and witchcraft in America. Over 300 years have passed since the turbulent days of the Salem witch trials and those who managed to escape are now facing extinction. Mysterious attacks have been escalating against their kind and young girls are being sent away to a special school in New Orleans to learn how to protect themselves. Wrapped up in the turmoil is new arrival, Zoe (Taissa Farmiga), who is harboring a terrifying secret of her own. Alarmed by the recent aggression, Fiona (Jessica Lange), the long-absent Supreme, sweeps back into town, determined to protect the Coven and hell-bent on decimating anyone who gets in her way. American Coven features an extraordinary cast including Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Taissa Farmiga, Emma Roberts, Gabourey Sidibe, Frances Conroy, Lily Rabe, Denis O’Hare, Patti LuPone, and Danny Huston. Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Dante Di Loreto, Tim Minear, James Wong, Jennifer Salt, and Brad Buecker are Executive Producers of American Horror Story: Coven. It is produced by Twentieth Century Fox Television.
Episode Synopsis: Fiona’s choices rattle a decades-long truce between the Salem witches and Marie Laveau. The Council of Witchcraft pays a surprise visit to the Academy with disturbing allegations.
Four episodes in. The Halloween episode. How wonderful that this is the episode where the series hits all the right notes. Yes, it is possible that this season could get even better, but if it never does, I am content. This episode is, I just have to say it, magical.
Writer Jennifer Salt gets it all just right. We aren’t given the kind of delicious exchange that we had in the second episode between Fiona and Marie, but at least everyone in this episode feels completely committed to the lines, which flow and cross beautifully. Likewise director Michael Uppendahl, a 3-season AHS veteran just like this week’s writer, perfectly matches the now-AHS-signature Dutching of the camera with the mood and lines and setup of each scene.
And oh the scenes. There are some absolutely gorgeous arthouse-ready shots that will nearly take your breath away. The music is spot on throughout. The wardrobe, particularly Frances Conroy‘s, is quirky perfection, and no one rocks a witch’s hat like Jessica Lange.
Speaking of the actors, Ms. Lange does her usual delicious work, and Frances Conroy inhabits her new and very different role with zeal. We get an appearance by another Season 1 player, and wait until you hear what her pseudonym is, it’s a riot. Denis O’Hare finally gets a bigger part, though still not as big as I like.
There are a variety of small triumphs this week, but actually it’s the way the entire production comes together that makes it such a winner. Last week’s episode has been said to be necessary to “move the story along,” but every episode of American Horror Story moves the story along. This is how you do it with class, and style, and magic.
I give American Horror Story: Coven, Episode 4 “Fearful Pranks Ensue”, Five Out of Five Stars.
