Be forewarned, I liberally use the events of this episode in the recap so if you don’t know what happens, check out other awesome things on Ology.

It’s hard to believe that we’re at the end of the first season of American Horror Story. I mean, things were just starting to get incredible. Couldn’t it be one of those 23 episode seasons?

 I compare my experience with American Horror Story to swimming in a lake at the beginning of the season- at first, the water is freakishly cold and upsetting but then after a while, it becomes delightful, almost comforting , a departure of reality. We’ve seen a lot this season, most of it dealing with strange perversion and the supernatural. Yet despite surreality, we’ve become invested in the Harmon family and everyone else inhabiting the house of horrors. Another reason not to move to LA, am I right?

So what do we think about the finale? Well, I think (and I hope you agree) that most of us will look at this as more of a miniseries than a season. Sure, I’ll be excited to see the future of American Horror Story, but at the same time, I’m content with picturing this as the end. I feel that tonight’s finale episode ended with a conclusion rather than a cliffhanger, leaving the audience with too much satisfaction which could lead to complacency.

Let me explain-- I liked this episode. It definitely didn’t go the way I was expecting but it wasn’t too surreal to take me out of the season. For example, I thought Ben was going to kill himself. Ben did meet his demise, but it wasn’t at his own hand. I was surprised that the folks at AHS decided to “off” him. It was both pleasant and risky for the character. I also liked how his happiness in death tonally seemed to work out. His life, in death, was fixed. He was appropriately working things out with Vivian while accepting personal responsibility. It was a perfect button to Ben, a wrap up of his character.

Which is why it left me too satisfied. Which is why I fear for the future.

So where is the series going to go from here? The attempted cliff hangers were as follows: “Michael” (aka Dameon), Tate’s love for Violet, and the empty house. I don’t think that these cliffhangers aren’t valid, to be honest. After ruminating on the series, I have accepted that logic and reality doesn’t exist in American Horror Story (that’s why it’s so good). But of all things, something has to be human about it. It makes us care, that’s just human nature. So the intended story lines of Viv’s demon baby (Michael, inspired by The Omen and Rosemary’s Baby), Tate, and the house are all accessible yet completely void of that tantalizing cliff hanger we want so badly. Sure, Vivian’s baby (raised by Constance) is evil. But what’s so strange (relatively speaking) about that? The kid’s evil. So is Tate. So are a lot of the souls trapped in the house. When the status quo is gore and disturbia there’s no shock value in the fact that a child may be naturally evil. I’m not saying I don’t enjoy this character development, the opposite actually, I just doubt the story of Michael will evolve from there and that worries me. If he has no chance for redemption... that’s it. Finished. We have our peace with that plot point, regardless of it’s nature.

As for Tate, who gives a f*ck. Tate’s never going to be redeemed whether or not Ben or Hayden step in. The creepy dude is evil (either because of the house or not) and hasn’t done anything but be annoying the whole series. You’ll notice how Tate never suffers any repercussion at the end of the day: he raped Viv and can’t see Violet but where is the finaity of that? Are we supposed to be compelled with a psychopath’s broken heart? The feeling is so insular, so personal, that it should rather be an introspective indie movie rather than a hit television show.

As for the idea of this house- it’s a f*cking house. Sure, the realtor that we have come to somewhat despise is intent on selling it. But when will the real inheritors (I’m assuming Viv’s sister) finally step in and knock the whole thing down? Sure, the last guy who tried to develop got his d*ck bitten off and body dismembered, but there are other, practical factors- like a historical society purchasing the house, like the realtor giving up, like Constance purchasing the land. I know, I know. It’s wrong to think about the practical in a show like this. But now we know that the Harmons and Co. will never let anyone live there again (because of babies...or something). So if the house can’t be sold nor inhabited in...what is there to do with it? 

Again, I love this show. I love the first season. I think it was revolutionary and I frequently found myself begging to talk about it. Throwing around theories with this show was perhaps the most enjoyable part of the first season. To speak in purely business terms as well, this show helped propel FX and the cast into greatness.

I just have a problem with anticipating the second season, something I was worried about from day one. How will this show retain its camp, without being overwrought (an idea, I admittedly borrowed from NYMag...great article here)? I can’t shake the feeling of inconsolable satisfaction, which is somewhat bad in the television world.

 Do me a favor and think about your favorite shows. Now think about a season finale of said show. It stands out to you, doesn’t it? Examples: Dexter, Breaking Bad, . As fans we were compelled to watch the next season, we said to ourselves “WHEN IS IT STARTING AGAIN?” the moment after the season ended. This...this I didn’t feel that pull. The show taught us, if anything, that time has no meaning, neither presumably should season breaks. We need to suspect that there are possibilities and future developments afoot. But to finalize a season is such a manner is almost permanent. 

So as a season goes, American Horror Story was incredible. But as a long term series...I fear for it’s future.I admit that my job is to fully critique and that can sometimes lead to cynicism. I hope that the team behind AHS are as creative and magnetic as I think they are and I hope that they throw me something I haven’t even thought of for next season. But as far as I can see, this show may have climaxed too early and too well.  Afterwards we the viewers are left with a comforting cigarette, but not conviction that we found our soulmate. If you couldn't tell, I was comparing this season to a passionate and whirlwind night with a lover- I think Ryan Murphy would be proud of that. And I throw the challenge to him and his team to bring me an even better season than this. 

P.S. Super props: Best characters of this season were Constance and Moira. While Jessica Lange was nominated for a Golden Globe (SO DESERVED), Frances Conroy/Alexandra Breckingridge were ignored. They rocked the house as old/young Moira. 

P.P.S. Now that I think about it, Connie Britton, Kate Mara and Taissa Farmiga were also great.

P.P.PS Should we just agree that everyone worked the sh*t of of the stellar script? Someone buy this cast and crew a drink...

SumOlogy: American Horror Story’s first season was almost too perfect to continue.

Season Grade: 9/10

I’d love to hear (and discuss!) what you guys thought of this episode and review. Please chat with Ology in the comments section or My.Ology. Let’s be a bunch of fans together.

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