SPOILER ALERT!!
The sixth season of “American Horror Story” premiered this past Tuesday on FX and the series’ fans were all excited for the reveal of this season’s theme. The show’s producers decided to keep the sixth season’s theme under wraps until premiere night, but chose to debut several teasers these last few months that hid the forthcoming season’s theme somewhere within them. This left fans on a mission to decipher the theme including guesses related to “The Mist,” a forest, and my own peculiar guess associated with “Children of the Corn." After the last two seasons having pretty shaky themes which included Freak Show and Hotel, I was hoping for the best. On premiere night, I did not know what to expect but still anticipated the best…After the viewing of the premiere episode, I can certainly say I was not expecting any of what was showcased. The episode left me with mixed emotions, all of which were unexpected. Here are a few of the emotions I’m sure majority of “American Horror Story” viewers experienced:
Satisfaction
After a long awaited year, the time had finally come for the premiere of one of television’s greatest attributes, “American Horror Story.” While still unsure of what was to come from the season, a feeling of satisfaction still was present because quality television was now a thing of the present again. Also, who doesn’t enjoy watching Angela Bassett do what she does best??
Confusion
The episode began unlike any other; there was no intro nor were there beginning credits. This was quite peculiar and I’m sure many noticed. The episode focused on an interracial couple, Matt and Shelby played by Cuba Gooding Jr. and Lily Rabe, who abandon their city life for a more secluded home in the middle of the woods. This is where the confusion set in. In what world would a black man move into a giant creepy, eerie house mysteriously being sold for a price waaaaay below market value, no questions asked. As expected, unusual and unexplainable things began to occur. It got to the point where Shelby and her sister-in-law, Lee played by Angela Bassett, were locked in the basement as an unknown amount of strangers broke into the home. Post-burglary, Shelby (white character) decided she had had enough and was ready to get out of harm’s way like any normal person would. This meant Matt (black character) was not normal because he insisted that they stay and defend their home and his sister agreed (black woman)….. No sane black individual would have stayed in that house past the first day. This storyline is already absurd.
Irritation
This season is like no other one of the reasons being this season is in a documentary horror experience style. Early on I was irritated by the arrangement. The quick screen cuts every other scene got to the point where I was paying more attention to my phone than the television. I can appreciate the diverse aspect of this but I also hope this isn’t the style for the entire season because it's quite annoying.
Anger
My anger was similar to that of which occurs when you witness avoidable stupidity, like when you’re watching a bad horror film. Some examples of this stupidity are when Shelby, who was home alone, decided to go enjoy the hot tub which was outside at stroke of midnight. Did I mention they live in the woods? You can see why this would be a bad idea for numerous reasons especially after several odd unexplainable occurrences. A second instance of foolishness came from Shelby again after she decided to leave the disturbing house. On the road she accidentally drives into a woman with a butcher knife. The woman gets up and seems perfectly fine and thus began to walk into the woods. Shelby then exited her car and proceeded to follow the strange women INTO THE WOODS. It doesn’t get more stupid than that.
While it may have only been the first episode, it damn near put the entire season into perspective. It seems like a season filled with stupidity and unrealistic situations. But isn’t that what this show is about; absurdity and the unimaginable. Although I sound like a harsh critic, I will be tuning in every Tuesday to view each episode like the loyal fan that I am.