After six episodes, American Horror Story: 13 proves divisive
It wouldn’t be a season of “American Horror Story” if the internet wasn’t aflame with claims that this season of the hit horror anthology show was “the worst thing Ryan Murphy has ever done.” With the 13th season promising a superstar reunion as the prior seasons collide for one last big collaboration featuring series’ longstays and greatly missed major players like Jessica Lange, “American Horror Story: 13” has divided fans across the internet. Many fans complain of the show’s sudden decision to shift to a half-hour format, while others criticize the series’ almost comical reiteration that Joey Pollari’s character is scared of the number 13, be it in counting the numbers of mucous membranes in the human body or how many mugs Jessica Lange owns. While the first three episodes of the season tantalized me and left others confused, episodes 4-6 attempt to advance the season’s plot forward to mixed results.
Episode 4’s “Is That All There Is?” proves divisive, as the Black Dahlia Elizabeth Short (Mena Suvari) is coerced into a portal of hell with the urging of Winter (Billie Lourde), Kai (Evan Peters), and Tate Langdon (Evan Peters). The episode delivers the grand return of “American Horror Story: Freak Show’s” songstress Elsa Mars (Jessica Lange) who croons a cover of Peggy Lee’s “Is That All There Is?” alongside a band of her most famous freaks. While Elsa’s return was refreshing and powerful, I found myself frustrated that some of the more charismatic members of her Freak Show were brought back without so much as a single line.
Credit: FX
We learn that the group is throwing a so-called Jezebel Ball where assorted Jezebels throughout history are resurrected, only to be thrown through into the fires of Hell below. Once again, the season is fixated with the number 13, with as many sacrifices being prepared including assorted characters portrayed by Sarah Paulson in past seasons, Jessica Lange as Margaret Thatcher, and some other historical “jezebels” including Eva Braun, Ayn Rand, and Brigit Bardot. In the episode’s most tragic moment, Elizabeth Short protests her inclusion in the sacrifice, disappointed her resurrection isn’t coming with a second chance at stardom. The inclusion of this real life innocent victim of violence amongst a group of corrupt politicians, serial killers, and bigots feels particularly mean-spirited with many fans complaining about Ryan Murphy’s tendency to court controversy. The one bit of plot advancement we get in this episode is Constance (Jessica Lange) revealing to Dr. Phibes (John Waters) that she has agreed to assist Mr. Nas’ nefarious plan in exchange for the return of her children Addie (Jamie Brewer) and Tate (Evan Peters) from the dead, with the Jezebel Ball serving as a means of advancing the unnatural aging of Mr. Nas’ body to achieve his goal of reaching the biological age of 100.
Episode 5 “Date Night” returns to night hospice worker Ben (Joey Pollari) as he reunites with the only other survivor of his ill-fated Friday the 13th flight with his number 13 obsessed girlfriend Kira (Madelaine Petsch) and her 13 best friends. We learn that the other survivor Ashley (Elle Chapman) wasn’t particularly fond of Kira, but felt obligated to participate in the tragic trip. While Ben initially pushes back against Ashley’s criticism of his dead girlfriend, he becomes more understanding upon learning that she too has a long-term fear of the number 13. In a classic “American Horror Story” overly dramatic flashback sequence, we learn that Ashley survived a COVID-era wedding massacre as “American Horror Story: Roanoke’s” Piggy Man slasher villain massacres thirteen guests. This is reminiscent of the slaughter seen in Episode 2 of the season where a clown school cohort of 13 was slaughtered, illustrating some strange connection to massacres and the number. In the final moments of the episode, Ashley and Ben’s relationship turns sexual, only to be interrupted by her discovery that someone has branded “616” into Ben’s lower back.
Credit: FX
While this episode does feel a bit like classic “American Horror Story,” fans have been critical of the over-emphasis of Ben’s character arc in a season dedicated to returning names, as one of the series' newest cast additions. My issue with the episode is its slight reliance on making us care about a storyline that was pushed entirely to the back burner in the previous episode, then being followed by an episode centered on “American Horror Story: Coven’s” academy of witches. It seems like the season struggles with balancing what appears to be three main storylines: Ben’s mysterious survival of the plane crash, Mr. Nas’ attempts of living till 100 for some nefarious purpose, and the coven’s opposition to the sinister forces emerging in the season. These storylines struggle with the season’s new half hour format, feeling somewhat random in order of plotpoints, making it seem like the season will be stronger when binged later on.
Episode 6’s “The Return of Devil’s Night” brings back popular hotelier turned serial killer James Patrick March (Evan Peters) out to play as he assembles a group of “American Horror Story’s” most nefarious serial killers on a witch hunt. Unaware of the exact source of danger, powerful Supreme Cordelia Goode (Sarah Paulson) attempts to strengthen and push the witches of the coven to seek darker, stronger gifts within themselves. Cordelia finds herself at odds with the young Morwenna (Alex Consani), a witch with the power of resurgence that grants her the ability not to just undo death, but reverse the effect of age. Cordelia warns the witches that such powers are a sign of impending doom, but it's the dismissal of these concerns that cause her to snap, punishing the other witches physically in a way reminiscent of her late mother Fiona Goode (Jessica Lange). In need of her mother’s bite, Cordelia and the witches attempt to summon Fiona back from Hell, but are unable to locate her spirit as they are interrupted by March and a posse of serial killers. Tragically, Cordelia finds herself the victim of a well-timed knife throw, seemingly dying as the credits roll and the serial killers split up to finish the witches off.
Credit: FX
While this episode proved the most exciting of the first six episodes, it still struggles to push the season’s plot forward. Almost halfway through the season, we still do not have a clear indication of Mr. Nas’ plan ties into the world of the show, with various ghosts like James Patrick March seemingly defying the rules set in-universe. While it’s clear the coven will serve as the protectors of all that is good in a similar vein to “American Horror Story: Apocalypse,” this plot point feels a tad repetitive and contradicts established series’ lore in a way that comes across as frustrating writing. The choice to move from an hour long to half hour format remains frustrating, causing the three episode chunks of episodes to feel disconnected and unresolved in satisfying way by the time the credits play. Though I think I am in the minority who is having a good time with the mess, the question remains: is this just yet another season of tv that Ryan Murphy might fumble by mid-season?
“American Horror Story: 13” airs Thursdays on FX, then next day on Hulu. Episodes will be released in batches of two to three episodes a week, leading up to the Oct. 29 finale.
