Evan Peters As Kit In American Horror Story

I love these cast photos from American Horror Story: Asylum.

Evan Peters as Kit.

American Horror Story: Tricks And Treats

I am absolutely unabashedly loving this season of American Horror Story. Not that this is surprising, being such a huge fan of season one, and of pretty much all of the actors this season. Zachary Quinto made his first appearance this week. Love him so much. He looks awesome in glassses. So handsome, as always.

This week's episode called "Tricks and Treats" was insane (in a great way). I cannot believe this stuff is happening on TV. Cable TV, sure. FX, ok. But still, AHS is particularly brutal and relentless this time around. At least, that's my feeling. I feel like it's one thing after another after another at Briarcliff. Does the horror never end?

Take "Bloody Face". So horrific and gross looking. I had made this delicious Fall vegetable (sort of) stew for dinner. Super excited to eat it. Super excited to watch AHS. Completely lost my appetite after one look at "Bloody Face". Completely. No appetite whatsoever.

Like last week, I don't want to give too much away for those who are getting caught up. And there's not too much to dissect yet, but be warned. Once there is, I'll be dissecting it like crazy. Fixating on the littlest detail. What does it mean? What's the secret? Is there a secret? I guess the one thing that I'm fixating on a smidge is the song that plays in the common room. You know, the very up tempo French song (I think it's French?) I wonder about that. Clearly, it would drive anyone mad to have to listen to it day in and day out.

As for the characters, Kit and Grace are adorable already. Love them. Love Grace's devotion to Kit, and so early on. James Cromwell's Dr. Alden is indeed very sinister and scary. Both of the Sisters (Jude and Mary) are super interesting. Sarah Paulson's Lana Winters (great name) continues to break my heart.

I'm making a conscious effort not to watch any teasers or trailers for the coming week's episode so as to be totally surprised by it. So far, so good. That said, I did happen to see that this week's episode (to air on Halloween night) is called "Nor'Easter". Love it.

American Horror Story: Welcome To Briarcliff

Before I start, I want to point out that while this post contains no real spoilers, it does reveal some details that may be better left unknown for those of you who have not yet watched.

And on that note. Let's talk American Horror Story. Everyone's favorite psycho-horror-drama is back for its second season, and it is as creepy, suspenseful, and stylish (as always). This week's season opener was great! I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait to see how the season unfolds.

Let's see. Highlights? I'm already head over heals for Evan Peters' character, whose proper name eludes me now. He was referred to as "Bloody Face" for much of the episode. I adore Sarah Paulson. She was a favorite of mine last season. Love her style, her voice, her general presence. And she's a fantastic actress.

James Cromwell is super creepy and sinister. Very villainous. Very tall. And of course, there's Jessica Lange. She's so amazing. Sister Jude is going to be an interesting one. Not entirely a villain, but definitely not heroic.

All in all, I'm crazy excited for this season of AHS and look forward to being good and properly creeped out by it week after week after week. Until next Friday.

Weekly Song List For Friday, October 19th

My brain is so consumed with thoughts of American Horror Story that I feel like it might implode. Oh, how I love hyperbole!

And on that note, this week's song list will be posted on Friday, October 19th. Perhaps it will even be an AHS themed list? We shall see. Until Friday.

(Thank Goodness) Evan Peters Is Back On AHS

I know that I'm not alone in my love of Evan Peters, nor in my excitement about this evening's season premier of American Horror Story: Asylum. 

Tonight's The Night, American Horror Story Returns

Tonight's the night! The first episode of American Horror Story: Asylum will air at 10 o'clock this evening on FX. I'll be writing about the show (again) this season and will post every Friday on the topic.

I promise to focus on details that may seem unimportant (and perhaps, in the end, are). I promise to be write overly (and oddly) detailed accounts of each episode. And I promise to write plenty about Evan Peters. I'm so excited to see him again on the screen.

If you feel so inclined, you can watch the first five minutes of the season opener "Welcome to Briarcliff". I've chosen not to watch these first five minutes, in an effort to be totally surprised by the full episode. But I've heard it's a "chilling" first five.

Until Friday...

American Horror Story Begins Shooting This Week

I've just read that season two of American Horror Story begins shooting this week! I think it's safe-ish to assume a similar schedule to season one, with an October premier. 

I've also read that while the location of the story is still vaguely "East Coast", the head of the mental institution is a Bostonian. Could mean a quaint 1960s New England setting? We have our fair share of creepy old abandon mental hospitals in New England.

Have you seen Session 9? Fantastic movie. Terrifying, atmospheric. Great performances by everyone involved. The movie takes place at  the Danvers State Hospital in Danvers, MA, which was built in 1879.

Lastly, it turns out that Jessica Lange is not playing the lady in charge of the hospital, but she's also a "Bride of Christ". Yes, a nun.

Evan Peters To Play The Hero Of Season Two

I've just read that season two of American Horror Story will take place in the 1960s (excellent!) and that Evan Peters will be playing the hero this time around.

We all know and love Evan Peters as the striped sweater clad, twisted yet adorable ghost boy Tate Langdon from season one of the FX horror series. But I (for one) am looking forward to seeing him in a different role, and to seeing him in 1960s attire. I wonder what color his hair will be?

And this idea of a hero has got me thinking. Who was the hero of season one? Vivien? Maybe Violet?

American Horror Story: Season Two

As Summer nears, I find myself getting more and more excited about season two of American Horror Story. Ryan Murphy has revealed a few more tidbits about the season, and two new cast members have been named.

Apparently, the afore mentioned "horror institution" is in fact an institution for the criminally insane, set on the East Coast in an entirely different era than season one. Jessica Lange will be playing the head of the institution and the always fantastic James Cromwell will be joining the cast as the institution's head doctor.

Also joining the cast is Chloë Sevigny, of Harmony Korine and Big Love fame. She'll be joining previously named cast members Even Peters (my favorite!), Lily Rabe, Sarah Paulson, Zachary Quinto, and Adam Levine.

Yes, that Adam Levine. I'm as confused by this as you are. 

More Casting News For AHS Season Two

I just read that Adam Levine is in final talks to join the cast of American Horror Story season two. And yes, it's that Adam Levine. Maroon 5 frontman and judge/mentor from The Voice Adam Levine. Wild! Crazy! His role is being described as a modern day character, and one half of a couple called "The Lovers".

So as of right now we know of the following future cast members of AHS season two: Jessica Lange, Zachary Quinto, Evan Peters (yay!), Lily Rabe, Sarah Paulson, and (more than likely) Adam Levine.

Evan Peters Will Be Back For Season Two!

I've just discovered some more juicy tidbits about those cast members of American Horror Story season one who will be returning for season two. Jessica Lange was the first to be announced, in February.

Also joining the cast are: Zachary Quinto (Chad, previously), Sarah Paulson (my fave, Billie Dean Howard), Lily Rabe (the 1920s beauty), and (drum roll please)...Evan Peters. Woohoo!!!

According to series creator Ryan Murphy each actor will a play role that's the opposite of their role in season one. I guess this means that Peters will not be playing a lovable-yet-disturbing-teen-ghost-psychopath. He may be very much alive and lovable in all the right ways.

As for season two itself, all we know so far is that it will take place on the East Coast in a "horror institution". Filming will begin in July.

Lingering Questions About Murder House

With American Horror Story well over and done, I've had plenty of time to sort out my many lingering questions that were either not answered at all, or not adequately answered during the first season, and therefore will never be answered since it's been revealed that every season of AHS will have a whole new cast, house, plot, and so on. In fact, we now know that the second season will take place on the East Coast, and will involve a "horror institution". What that means exactly, I'm not sure. But I digress.

And so, here we go with my list of lingering questions (most of them are about Tate, of course):

1. Why exactly was Tate so angry and full of rage? We know that Constance wasn't a good Mom. She was most likely neglectful, abusive (verbally and possibly physically), and an all around selfish, superficial, manipulative woman. But was there a certain sinister event that made Tate the monster that he is, or was it the house?

2. Why didn't Tate go all the way with Violet on Halloween night? Violet was totally game. And what did he mean when he said that he'd never done it with a girl before? This still irks me.

3. What was on Tate's thumb ring, exactly? I still feel like there was some sort of power to the ring that was never addressed.

3 (a). Speaking of Tate's thumb ring, I LOVE this Etsy treasury of snake thumb rings that was inspired by my fixation on the topic. Thank you Balthasar for creating this gem of a treasury! I'm sure there will be plenty of Etsy treasury fodder next season, too.

4. In the episode "Birth", why did Billie Dean Howard have such a strong reaction against Tate? Was it for all of the obvious reasons (murderer, monster, etc.) or was there some sort of spirit world past relationship between Billie and Tate?

5. Can ghosts make telephone calls? Violet seems to be the only ghost who is able to contact a living person without seeing them face to face (I'm thinking of Constance in "Birth"). Somehow Violet asks Constance to come over to discuss getting rid of ghosts, but she does so without leaving Murder House. I guess telephone is the only option here. Since ghosts are basically energy, I wonder how this works?

6. Why was Tate so angry and full of rage when he killed the exterminator in the basement? He seemed crazed during that scene. He said all sorts of things about repenting for sins and taking innocent lives. Was he projecting his own feelings of guilt onto the exterminator?

7. If Addie died in the street, how did she learn about Tate and all of his wrong-doings? In the episode "Piggy, Piggy" Billie Dean Howard tells Constance that Addie is glad she didn't die on the Murder House lawn because she's afraid of Tate "now that she knows the truth." Do ghosts have neighbors, like living people? Or do you just magically know everything about every spirit once you cross over?

7 (a). And on this note, did Tate ever find out that Addie was dead?

8. Who was the hedge clipper guy from the opening credit supposed to be? Ryan Murphy said that by the end of the season we'd understand every single thing in the opening credits, but I'm at a loss about those hedge clippers.

And that's that (for now). I may very likely be tempted to post further lingering questions as the arise. And stay tuned for casting updates and other juicy tidbits about season two!

American Horror Story + A Horror Institution

American Horror Story will be back in October with an entirely new cast, new location (the East Coast), and (as rumor has it)...will involve a "horror institution" instead of a plain old house. Whatever than means? A mental hospital? We have lots of creepy abandoned mental hospitals on the East Coast.

Rumor also has it that Jessica Lange will be joining the cast of season two, though as a new character or as Constance we don't yet know.

Earlier this month on Ryan Murphy revealed the afore mentioned details about the new season, as well as the juicy tidbit that the secret to season two is embedded somewhere within the season one episode "Birth": “Go through it frame by frame. I planted it in there."

I, for one, am not phased by this secret about season two and have no future plans to watch the entire episode of "Birth" on slow-mo. I'd like to be surprised by season two, though I will keep a close eye on casting. According to Murphy no members of the Harmon family will return (meaning, Dylan McDermott, Connie Britton, or Taissa Farmiga), but that "four of the previous cast members" are in talks.

Evan Peters, maybe? Wouldn't that be nice. Or Denis O'Hare? I'd love to see more of him, too.

Evan Peters E! News Interview

I read a pretty great interview with Evan Peters today that was done about a week after the American Horror Story finale aired. As we all know by now, the show is set up to change completely each season. New characters, new location, new house, new ghosts. But, Ryan Murphy has said that some of the cast might return next season, though in entirely new roles, which could be interesting.

In the interview, Peters is asked how he would feel about coming back next season. This is what he had to say: "I think it would be really awesome to get back...If I don't come back, then that's great too. I had an awesome time and I learned a lot. I'm pretty emotionally exhausted, so I'm cool to move on and go do a comedy or something like that. I'm happy either way."

On his character Tate, and the general darkness that came with the character: "At first it was really fun and then it sort of became...I mean it's still fun to get into it, but it just became harder and harder. It's not real, so there's only so much time you can spend going to that place before it starts to take its toll...I was constantly battling that from the beginning and I was just like, ‘Okay, this is cool, it's just a season. Just got a couple more episodes. And then I'll just listen to a lot of Christmas music!' "

I love that Christmas music is Evan Peters' antidote to the darkness that is Tate Langdon.

It's Christmas At Murder House!

American Horror Story and the 12 episode long tale of Murder House and the Harmon family is over. And not over for now. Over for good. Or at least that's what Ryan Murphy tells us. For one, I believe him and look forward to meeting a whole new family in a whole new house next season.

Speaking of things that Ryan Murphy tells us. I remembering reading an interview with Murphy in which he stated that by the end of this season we (the viewers) would understand each and every spooky thing in the opening credits. I think I understand about 3/4 of the spooky things. I still don't know about that guy with the hedge clippers, or the body in the attic (at least, it looks like the attic). You know, the one draped in a clear frosted tarp? Do you know who that's supposed to be? Beau (we were told) was supposed to have looked like he died in his sleep, peacefully, so he would likely not have been in an upright position with a tarp over his body. And what about that child skeleton hanging in the mirror? Who's that supposed to be???

I'm going to write a post with all of my unanswered questions soon, so for now here are my thoughts on the final episode of American Horror Story aptly titled "Afterbirth".

This episode of was a mixed bag for me. I loved the tension of the first few minutes. I thought "maybe it's all been a figment of Ben's imagination?", but then we see the Harmon family moving into Murder House and the rest is history. I found Ben's death scene completely devastating and heartbreaking. So, so sad and violent in a dark, upsetting way.

But once that new family showed up, I sort of lost interest. And then they were gone, and I was relieved. I'm happy for the Harmon family, that they've been reunited in the afterlife and all. They have their baby boy and named Moira the godmother. They even celebrated Christmas. Love it!

And so, here's a list of the things that I loved about "Afterbirth":

1. The tension of the first 10-15 minutes. Ben discovering that Tate was Constance's son. The baby in the mirror closet.

2. Ben's death scene. As I said before, it completely broke my heart and genuinely upset me, but I thought it was very well done.

3. Tate's "confession" to Ben about missing their talks, and how much Ben was helping him. And Ben's response.: "You're not a person, you're a monster...a psychopath, Tate...and the worst kind. You're charismatic and compelling, and a pathological liar." Totally.

4. Tate's attempted murder of the new kid. He couldn't do it!?! He even asked the kid to look away, or something. Maybe he really is a changed person. Or a changed ghost person. Or better yet, a changed man-boy-ghost.

4.a. I really enjoyed Tate's hair during the season, but I hope that Evan Peters goes back to his usual medium brown hair color. I re-watched a bit of Kick-Ass recently and I really like the brown hair.

5. Violet and Tate's final kiss. Of course, we know that Violet was trying to save the new kid's life (which she did), but it was also very sweet and sad, especially Tate's choked sobs after the kiss, once Violet had gone. Poor Tate. Doomed to be alone forever. Maybe he'll go dark side again and join forces with Hayden.

6. Christmas at Murder House! I love that this episode was not only the finale, but also a Christmas episode of sorts. The tree was very pretty. Simply and sparkly.

And that's that! It was a really fun ride. I've loved writing about it, and keeping notebooks with timelines and what not.

Thank you Ryan Murphy for creating such an interesting and refreshing tribute to the horror genre, the age old story of the haunted house, and the poor family that buys it for half of what it's worth in an attempt at starting fresh after some unspeakable tragedy. Great season! Great show!

American Horror Story: Birth

It's officially been one month since the final episode of American Horror Story and I think that I'm finally ready to write about it. I've watched it twice now and while I think the first 15 or so minutes were tense, awesome, and devastating, I still have so many questions that will never be answered.

But I'm going to address these questions in a separate post, because there's too many and I want to devote one whole post to the single greatest episode of American Horror Story, season one. The penultimate episode, aptly titled "Birth".

I absolutely, whole-heartedly loved this episode. I think that Alfonso Gomez-Rejon is fantastic. He directed my other favorite episode of the season "Home Invasion", and there's something very special about his eye and the way in which the characters come to life in his episodes.

I loved the opening flashback sequence of young Tate and Nora, and then all-grown-up Tate and Nora. "Life's too short for so much sorrow."

I loved Billie Dean Howard's monologue about spirits and energy and regret. So what if her Croatoan ritual didn't work. The Winchesters could've told her that.

I loved Tate's come-on-turned-beat-down at the hands of a very angry Patrick. I feel like Evan Peters was channeling Adam Brody a smidge in this scene. That perfect sarcasm and boyish-ness. Only a smidge, though. I adore Adam Brody, by the way.

And I loved Violet. That final scene broke my heart. "I used to think that you were like me, you were attracted to the darkness. But Tate, you are the darkness." Such high drama and sadness. I felt so sad for both of them by the end, Violet telling Tate she loves him but can't forgive him. And Tate, tear soaked and weepy "You're all I want, you're all I have!"

Poor Tate. Poor Violet.

Poor Ben. And poor, poor Vivien. But as we see in the finale, things turn out pretty much okay for the Harmon family.

Merry Christmas From Fussy Gussy

Merry Christmas from Fussy Gussy (and Sam Winchester!) I love this photo of Sammy decorating the Christmas tree. Note that he's using tree shaped air fresheners. Awesome.

I'll be heading into my annual Wintertime hibernation, which will include lots of hot tea & chocolate, and also posts about:

1. the last two episodes of American Horror Story

2. all of the holiday movies I'm going to see this week (like My Week With Marilyn, which I'm very excited about!)

3. and finally...how sad I am that I won't be seeing Tate Langdon ever again (except when I re-watch the first season of American Horror Story over and over and over)

And that's that! I love this time of year. Hopefully it will snow soon. I hope that you have a wonderful Christmas filled with lots of delicious food and good times with family & friends!

See you in the New Year!!!

Winchester Logic + Murder House Ghosts

I know that one should never try and apply the logic from one supernatural themed TV show to another, but I can't help myself in this case.

All of these American Horror Story ghosts...why have none of them moved on? Or maybe some of them have, and we haven't met them because they don't feel the need to linger? But the vibe that I get from the "logic" of the show is that if you die in Murder House, you stay there for eternity.

Which brings me to the Winchester boys. I think the show Supernatural does a really great job of setting up questions and answering them. And since Sam and Dean Winchester are "hunters", they often look to rules and guidelines set out by hunters before them.

These guys are essentially supernatural detectives who are awesome fighters, dress really well (think worn in jeans, great boots, and plaid flannel, in kind of a cowboy meets lumberjack kind of way), and they can out-smart pretty much any creature known, or unknown, to man. When trying to track down or fight a creature, they look to folklore, legends, and ancient texts for information. If the lore says that you have to use fire to kill a ruguru, then that's what they do and it pretty much always works.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer also did a really great job of this.

And so, on the topic of ghosts, in Supernatural land there are only two types of standard ghosts:

1) Those who are unaware of their death and therefore wander around reliving the events of their death, never able to move on. I don't know that Supernatural actually has a name for this type of ghost, so I'm going to call them "wandering spirits".

2) And then we have vengeful spirits. These people died wrongfully and are sticking around until they exact their revenge.

In order to get rid of a wandering spirit, you need to make them aware of and accept their demise. They always move on after that. For vengeful spirits, all one needs to do is find their remains (all of them), salt the bones, and burn said bones. Easy as pie!

On the American Horror Story episode "Piggy Piggy", medium Billie Dean Howard says something along these lines. She refers to her maid who had been murdered as the vengeful type, and to Tate as the wandering, clueless type. We now know (and I've had this feeling for a while now) that Tate has actually known all along that he's dead. He faked his cluelessness to (supposedly) keep Violet in the dark. "Hi, I'm Tate. Wanna hook up?" probably would not have gone over to well, as Tate points out toward the end of last week's episode, "Smoldering Children".

But my point is, if we look at every ghost in Murder House, are all of them vengeful or wandering spirits?

Take Tate. What is he avenging? His own death? Abuse at the hands of Constance, maybe? And how about Violet? What is she avenging? She was a wandering spirit for a few weeks, but now that she knows she's dead she should be able to move on, right? I know for the sake of the show that we need to see the Violet/Tate relationship come to some sort of climax and/or resolution, but it makes me wonder. In "Smoldering Children", I 98% believed Tate when he told Violet that she died in the bathtub, in his arms, loved, etc. But that 2% of doubt makes me wonder if she is avenging something or someone, and doesn't quite realize it yet.

Or maybe the rules simply don't apply.

I've read that this week's episode of American Horror Story will tackle the topic of "how to get rid of ghosts". I can't wait to see what they come up with!

Further Speculation On Tate's Thumb Ring

As you may already know, I'm dying to know what's up with Tate's thumb ring. It seems like an interesting and odd detail, and I wonder if it holds some great secret to understanding Tate's character and/or motivations. And so, I've made it a goal to find out more.

I managed to get a semi-better image of it when re-watching the pilot (for the umpteenth time!) and it looks less to me (now) like a snake and skull, and more like a snake eating some other creature or animal. Makes sense? Maybe??? It's so hard to tell, though. It really could be anything.

I've read that this week's episode called "Smoldering Children" will give us some major insight into Tate and Constance. And also Larry. I'm so, so excited.

I really enjoy Larry. My favorite quote of Larry's so far: "I'm very interested in that fire place."

Last Thursday I wrote "If I can manage to make it to next Wednesday without writing yet another post about Tate Langdon and/or Even Peters, it will be a miracle." A girl can't help herself, I suppose.

Ryan Murphy Gives Evan Peters Major Kudos

I just read this week's post-AHS episode interview with Ryan Murphy, and in it he gives Evan Peters some major kudos.

On the topic of Rubber Man and of the truly horrible things that Tate has done so far, Murphy says "I think Evan's done an amazingly difficult job making a monster sympathetic...Tate is the true monster of the show, but because Evan has made him so likable and lovable and complex, I think people are torn."

Totally. I looked back at my first ever post on AHS and this is what I wrote about Tate: "I love this character! I can't wait to see what happens with him this season. He's messed up, disturbed, but charming and articulate."

If I can manage to make it to next Wednesday without writing yet another post about Tate Langdon and/or Evan Peters, it will be a miracle.