By Max Bosshart
American Horror Story: Coven is the third title of the American Horror Story series. The series are each individual stories set in one season, therefore it is unnecessary to have watched the previous seasons of the show. This season is set in modern day New Orleans, at a boarding school for witches. It follows Zoe Benson (Taissa Farmiga) and her three classmates Madison Montgomery (Emma Roberts,) Addie Lang (Jamie Brewer,) and Queenie (Gabourey Sidibe,) as they learn to understand the nature of being a witch.
The episode is set up with Zoe and her boyfriend, and much like Rogue in the first X-Men movie, her powers are made aware with their union. This prompts her mother to send her to a boarding school, Miss Robichaux's Academy for exceptional young ladies, that specializes in witchcraft. This opening giving more of a nod to the X-Men and throwing in a bit of Harry Potter into the mix as well.
American Horror Story: Coven is the third title of the American Horror Story series. The series are each individual stories set in one season, therefore it is unnecessary to have watched the previous seasons of the show. This season is set in modern day New Orleans, at a boarding school for witches. It follows Zoe Benson (Taissa Farmiga) and her three classmates Madison Montgomery (Emma Roberts,) Addie Lang (Jamie Brewer,) and Queenie (Gabourey Sidibe,) as they learn to understand the nature of being a witch.
The episode is set up with Zoe and her boyfriend, and much like Rogue in the first X-Men movie, her powers are made aware with their union. This prompts her mother to send her to a boarding school, Miss Robichaux's Academy for exceptional young ladies, that specializes in witchcraft. This opening giving more of a nod to the X-Men and throwing in a bit of Harry Potter into the mix as well.
Zoe meets her classmates and we're met with fine young actresses who give us a couple of wonderful scenes as a way to introduce the characters. If there is one thing that sets apart the American Horror Story franchise apart from other television shows, beyond the horror themes, it has to be the acting. The series boasts both established and not acting talent and they shine with the story.
The story is another one of the brilliant things about this show. Its well written and though it shows many things that have been done, in both television and film, it does so in a creative and unique way. It doesn't hide the fact that it borrows(or steals depending on opinion) from other media, it openly admits it within the context of the show.
The show has so much to offer. It brings intrigue and mystery into the fold and creates compelling, deep characters. It does so without spilling too much at a time and pulls the viewer in. We learn just enough about the characters, the plot, the politics of the situation to tease us into wanting more.
The story is another one of the brilliant things about this show. Its well written and though it shows many things that have been done, in both television and film, it does so in a creative and unique way. It doesn't hide the fact that it borrows(or steals depending on opinion) from other media, it openly admits it within the context of the show.
The show has so much to offer. It brings intrigue and mystery into the fold and creates compelling, deep characters. It does so without spilling too much at a time and pulls the viewer in. We learn just enough about the characters, the plot, the politics of the situation to tease us into wanting more.
There is one thing about the episode I want to touch on something that bothered me in this episode, extremely so. I'll warn that it is a spoiler, but that to some viewers it may be a trigger. In the first episode Emma Roberts character, Madison, is raped at a party. When this scene came on I grew angry; so much so that I felt the need to discuss it in the review. Logically I get the idea that creators use sexual violence as a way to stir revenge and whatever, but I don't understand it. There could have been several other ways of creating a scene that would validate what transpires, in a more tasteful and respectful manner.
Sexual violence isn't something needed in media, television or film. Its a trope widely used in the horror genre, though. Its an unfortunate storyline that devalues an otherwise worthwhile program. I wanted to rave about this show. It was brilliant up until that scene.
This is one of those moments that can ruin a show, it can easily alienate certain viewers and disenchant still more. Its media like this that continue a tradition of storytelling that stifles itself. When someone thinks that sexual violence will create a better story and/or character, they are fooling themselves. Its far more creative to invent another way of telling the story, one that doesn't involve possibly triggering and then alienating certain viewers.
Barring this, American Horror Story: Coven was an excellent start to a series. If we ignore the poor choice made its wonderful storytelling, artfully craft sets, and superb acting. Its a matter of choice whether to deem this show watchable or not based on choices in writing.
Sexual violence isn't something needed in media, television or film. Its a trope widely used in the horror genre, though. Its an unfortunate storyline that devalues an otherwise worthwhile program. I wanted to rave about this show. It was brilliant up until that scene.
This is one of those moments that can ruin a show, it can easily alienate certain viewers and disenchant still more. Its media like this that continue a tradition of storytelling that stifles itself. When someone thinks that sexual violence will create a better story and/or character, they are fooling themselves. Its far more creative to invent another way of telling the story, one that doesn't involve possibly triggering and then alienating certain viewers.
Barring this, American Horror Story: Coven was an excellent start to a series. If we ignore the poor choice made its wonderful storytelling, artfully craft sets, and superb acting. Its a matter of choice whether to deem this show watchable or not based on choices in writing.
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