American Horror Story: Murder House

The main cast of American Horror Story: Murder House

With American Horror Story returning next week to FX, I thought it would be a PERFECT time to talk about the past three seasons. Each season of AHS is different, usually with the same actors, but playing different roles. Ryan Murphy skillfully crafts each season like a fine martini. Sometimes he shakes it up, sometimes he slowly stirs, but either way we keep coming back for another round. Lets take a look back at former seasons until Mr. Murphy is ready to pour the next one out.

Dude...that shirt hurts like a hangover.

Season 1: Murder House

Air Dates: October 5, 2011 - December 21, 2011

Starring: Connie Britton, Dylan McDermott, Taissa Farmiga, Evan Peters, Frances Conroy, Denis O'Hare, Zachary Quinto, Teddy Sears, Kate Mara, Jamie Brewer, Lily Rabe, Sarah Paulson and Jessica Lange

The "happy" family.

After Vivien Harmon (Connie Britton) gives birth to a stillborn baby and catches her husband, Ben (Dylan McDermott) having an affair with one of his students (Kate Mara) they decide to start over in sunny California for the sake of their teenage daughter Violet (Taissa Farmiga). They move to beautiful mansion in Los Angeles and things seem to be going great, until the house begins to slowly reveal it's secrets. Soon the Harmon family must deal with all the ghosts from their new home's past, literal and figurative.

It's okay Connie, they're just looking at your fabulous hair.

The first season is somewhat of a throwback to classic horror. It's a slow burn, but damn is it good! Not only do we have to deal with Murder House and it's ghosts, but we also have to deal with the lore and people that surround it, including the glamorous, but intrusive neighbor Constance Langdon (Jessica Lange). Constance knows everything about Murder House. She's a mysterious femme fatal with a taste for old Hollywood glamour and chaos. She haunts the Harmon family, much like the ghosts of the house do. She comes and goes as she pleases, but she always leaves you wanting more.

I want some candy... and some Aloe Vera Gel.

And then there's the mysterious maid, Moira O'Hara (Frances Conroy and Alexandra Breckenridge). When Ben sees her, she's a young, beautiful sex vixen, constantly tempting him with relentless passion and seduction. When the women of the house see her, she's an old woman with a glass eye. 

Ummm.... you missed a spot.

Zachery Quinto and Teddy Sears make their appearances as a sad gay couple who once lived in Murder House and also fell victim to it's dark past. Let me just say, FUCK YOU ZACHERY QUINTO! Fuck you and your PERFECT EYEBROWS!!! I was so jealous every time he came on screen! I digress. Lily Rabe plays the ghost of a tragic socialite, while Sarah Paulson comes in as a psychic medium who's able to see the ghosts. Jamie Brewer gives us a perfect performance as Constance's daughter. I applaud you Miss Brewer! 

They're probably all looking at Connie Britton's hair in amazement.

Let's not forget Evan Peters. Evan Peters plays the mysterious Tate. He has a dark past and an obsession with Violet (Taissa Farmiga). Kata Mara is excellent as a "Fatal Attraction" nightmare to Ben. And Dennis O'Hare plays a burn  victim turned actor who's out for vengeance. And lets not forget Rubber Man! Rubber Man is scary. We know not where he comes from or where he goes. What we know is that he has a taste for murder and kinky sex. 

Fear the Rubber Man

Damn there's a lot of people! I can't say there were any stand-out performances because they were ALL PERFECT! Connie Britton never gets enough credit for her acting, but she showed her skills in spades! Dylan McDermott is fantastic as a man trying to escape his past and Taissa Farmiga is pitch perfect as a teenager struggling with depression and her parent's deteriorating marriage. 

"Don't make me kill you again."

We just need to take a moment and talk about Jessica Lange. DAAAYUMMM!!! This woman is a national treasure. She's amazing in her role. You'll hate her one minute, love her the next and then feel sorry for her. As an actress she takes you on an emotional roller coaster, something very few actresses can do. 

Mmmm hmmmm.

Every AHS season has a running theme/themes. The running them in this was everyday things Americans fear the most, including marital problems, financial ruin, school shootings, home invasion, losing a child, etc. So many tragedies happen you begin to wonder which is scarier, the ghosts that haunt the Murder House or the lives of the living. 

For more information on American Horror Story click here.

American Horror Story: Freak Show starts October 8, 2014. 

NOPE!