Episodes 4 and 5 of American Horror Story: Coven embrace the
Halloween festivities by propelling the series into all manners of gloriously
gory, thrilling entertainment. Going from strength to strength, these two
installments provide more voodoo, more horror and interesting developments,
which all round makes for brilliant viewing.
Both episodes situated within the Halloween arc continue on
from Madison’s unexpected murder. Her sudden disappearance has resulted in an
investigation by the Council – a trio of witch folk led by the fiery-haired
Myrtle Snow. Fiona’s execution of the Minotaur, that injured Queenie, has also
resulted in an out-right war between the witches and voodoo priestesses, ending
an apparent truce that has been in place for years.
As ever, the script and performances were on top form this week, yet another feat worth mentioning is the show's particular use of flashbacks. They are effectively throughout each episode, to flesh-out back-story and individual character
arcs. The attention given, whether great or small, allows some sense of
emotional impact that may ensue later on. Whether it’s learning more of Madame
LaLaurie’s awful mothering skills or the historical rivalry between Myrtle and
Fiona, a greater depth is added to the show’s narrative and for that, it is all the more engaging.
In a similar vein, praise is deserved toward the direction
in which the writer’s are taking this series. The show has never been one of a slow pace
and each week, new questions always arise. In Coven, it's no different as recent revelations create interesting and intriguing dilemmas. If Madison wasn't
the next supreme, then who is? Is it Zoe and her new found power? Following the
acid attack, what will Cordelia do with her new clairvoyant skills? Will she
discover the true monstrous nature of her husband?
Speaking of which, his emergent aggression and
murderous ways are a neat example of the seamless character development
both episodes have demonstrated. Of particular enjoyment is the gradual focus on
Spalding. As a man who has a rather large doll collection and enjoys tea parties with the rotting corpse of Madison, he is clearly bonkers. Yet, from his love for Fiona to a warm embrace with a scarecrow, his actions are nevertheless oddly touching, providing a subtle, comedic tone that meshes so well with horror. And boy is there horror...
As expressed in the last review, American Horror Story has
always been loopy. Heck, in these two episodes alone we witness a beheaded minatour,
crazy sex, an acid attack, a man slice off his own tongue, the resurrection of
a burnt witch and two zombie uprisings. Yet amidst the madness, horror has
felt lacking in comparison to the previous two series. Thus a pertinent question is raised - given the high-fashion, teenage
sensibility of Coven, no matter how brilliantly executed, could the narrative perhaps result in the scaling back of the horrific? Both Fearful
Pranks... and Burn, Witch... provide a clear cut answer to this, with relentless gore and spooky material, quenching the macabre
thirst of any horror fan.
The voodoo rituals have transgressed into
snake-sacrificing, eye-rolling, elevating set pieces that truly evoke a sense
of malice, and the once elegant and innocent Cordelia now possesses a nasty,
frightful acid-wound. However, it is the show’s foray into the un-dead - resultant
from the voodoo work of Marie Laveau - that really propels the show into new
territory. The first set piece, situated in a flashback, provides a moment of
bodily disembowelment which harks back to the days of Rhodes and his ‘choke on emm...!’
infamy from Day of the Dead. In the present day, when the zombies surround Miss Robichaux’s Academy
for Exceptional Young Ladies, there is a definite nod to Night of the Creeps,
only to be teamed Braindead, as the once timid Zoe breaks out the
chainsaw. From then on, pandemonium breaks loose in the form of unabashed grand
guignol - bodily dismemberment is showcased a-plenty. Heads are cut off and
arms and legs are severed. The piece de resistance is Zoe’s bisection
of a zombie from head to toe, centre-frame for all to endure. LaLaurie’s confrontation with her zombified daughters,
whilst emotionally complex, also nevertheless possesses a similar, B-movie aesthetic. With The Walking Dead currently dominating the zombie sub-genre on our television screens, it must be said that Coven's take on the un-dead felt refreshingly fun and nostalgic. Without a shadow of a doubt, not only has this ghastly venture added a much needed sense of grue, but it has also elevated the show to
new heights.
It may well be the Halloween premise that has caused both episodes to take such a wonderfully horrific path, although given individual
character developments, it is hard to see the show returning to lighter, more
innocent routes. If the past two weeks are anything to go by, the show is
approaching some dark territory indeed and it is safe to say that the horror
has been firmly placed back into American Horror Story.
What were your thoughts on these episodes of American Horror Story: Coven? Post a comment!
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