Jessica Pellegrino – General Assignment Reporter
“American Horror Story: Freak Show” premiered on Oct. 6th, 2014 for its fourth season. This season spotlights the usual American Horror Story staples such as Jessica Lange, Evan Peters, Sarah Paulson, and Emma Roberts.
This season’s story is set in Jupiter, Fla. in the year 1952. It will be set around one of the world’s last freak shows, as the trend is dying out. The story is centered on the struggle to keep the business above water.
The characters consist of killer clowns, bearded ladies, and so much more. Freak shows themselves are creepy enough, but add killer clowns and you have got an American Horror Story worthy plot. Fan favorite Kathy Bates, who was brought on to the series last season, plays the bearded lady.
But, the star of the premier episode was Lange. Lange, who plays a washed-up cabaret singer, acts as the freak show’s ring leader, Elsa. She spends the episode recruiting new acts for her ailing freak show.
She is poignant, yet slightly wretched and the viewer doesn’t know whether to hate her or feel sorry for her. There is a scene where she sings David Bowie’s “Life on Mars” and it’s truly beautiful, which even further confuses the viewer’s feelings about her. It isn’t until the last few moments of the episode that you learn that Elsa, too, has a deformity.
#AHSFREAKSHOW: Life on Mars?
Now, this is how it’s done. http://t.co/vadsm1yzwF— AmericanHorrorStory (@AHSFX) October 9, 2014
The premier episode introduced many of the recurring characters. Bette and Dot are a pair of Siamese sisters played by Sarah Paulson. The twins, each with their own personality, are on the run in the freak show for killing their mother. Evan Peters plays Jimmy Darling, a strikingly gorgeous man with lobster claw-like fused fingers.
American Horror Story has been a crowd favorite since its release in Oct. of 2011, with its numbers growing with each season. The show’s all-star cast and insane plot has garnered millions of avid viewers, Emmy wins and Golden Globe nominations. The list of accolades for this TV show goes on for hours.
Junior Cady Gingras weighs in on the subject. “I honestly don’t even really like horror,” said Gingras, “but I love American Horror Story. I like how every season has a different story. It’s mysterious and crazy. Sometimes it gives me terrible nightmares, yet I still want to watch it every single week.”
Gingras, an RA at Southern, loves the show so much that she is holding a premier party in her building for the premier.
Freaked by the premiere episode? See more of the wonder and terror coming this season to #AmericanHorrorStory. http://t.co/taQdCjHgSe
— AmericanHorrorStory (@AHSFX) October 9, 2014
American Horror Story an interesting animal. Part horror movie, part TV show, it makes no sense in theory.
Horror movies capitalize on cheap thrills and the shock factor. Horror movies can stand by themselves and serve a purpose to frighten the viewer. TV shows, however, create month long plots and keep the viewer wanting more.
Blend them together and what do you get? You get a TV show that gives you nightmares and the desire for the following week’s episode.
Watching American Horror Story is truly a roller coaster of an experience to watch. It is hard to not be intrigued, disgusted and amused all at the same time. So far, this season proves to be just as promising for the viewers.
Photo Credit: Nathan King
