Genre: Horror | Drama
Creators: Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk
Network: FX
Air Date/Time: December 4, 2013, 10/9c
Written by: Ryan Murphy
Directed by: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
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: Chapter 8 – “The Sacred Taking” (Airs December 4, 10:00 PM E/P) – Cordelia rallies the girls in the fight to stop Fiona. A dangerous new enemy puts Misty in the crosshairs. The rivalry between Marie Laveau and Delphine comes to a head.
While this episode is another of those where several things need to happen so that larger things can happen later, it is managed quite beautifully by showrunner and episode writer Ryan Murphy and director Alfonso Gomez-Rejon. With so many storylines going, it’s difficult to fit everyone and everything in, but it is managed this week, almost like a checklist. It feels like a setup episode, like we are watching pieces fall into place, but we are given several smaller payoffs along the way.
Funny and horrific, two of the things I love most about American Horror Story, and both here for us in this episode, enhanced as always by everyone involved in production, most notably the actors. We’re given an outrageous performance by one, a startlingly bold performance by another, and then Jessica Lange. Her range astounds once more, and we can always count on Ryan Murphy to give her some wonderful lines.
Gabourey Sidibe is given two great scenes, but I keep wishing for more for her. Angela Bassett owns her scenes and I wish for more for her as well. When it comes down to it, though, I wish for more scenes for everyone, because everyone is so good. And as always, the sets, the costumes, the look of every scene is simply gorgeous.
One of the beauties of an anthology series is that we know it will end, and soon, so we can relax, appreciate and enjoy the setup without worrying that it’s all just a tease to make us want to come back next season. War is coming, as they keep telling us, but the skirmishes are making the buildup so satisfying.
I give American Horror Story: Coven, Episode 8 “The Sacred Taking” Five Out of Five Stars.
