Seeing how I have had quite a few art projects that I have needed to complete for the Christmas season, I needed to find a television show to watch while I did the crafts. Luckily I stumbled across American Horror Story on Netflix and saw that they added episodes; actually, they added a whole season! Thank goodness, 13 episodes of pure glory!

When I watched the first season, I was really enamored by the traditional yet edgy story line. A scary house with a messed up family occupying it, an even crazier neighbor, and a history that would make for an epic scary movie. There were episodes that were a waste of time, but overall I really enjoyed the plot and the actors were glorious! The second season, Asylum, was a hit with almost every reviewer. Of course, I was not a fan. Didn’t like the plot, thought it was really too creepy, and perverse in many ways. However, they added great actors to the cast for this season, and it was a joy to watch them.

The third season, Coven, was reviewed as being drab and not edgy enough. I agree with both of these statements, but edgy for the sake of being edgy is just boring and unnecessary at times. A show can develop into a great season without having to rely on the grotesque to make a point. Coven was about a dwindling witch’s coven that runs an elite school in New Orleans to teach new witches how to harness their powers. It is run by Cordelia (Sarah Paulson) who is at times a push over then develops into a rather strong-willed teacher. Her mother, Fiona (Jessica Lange) is referred to as “the great” and is the most powerful witch of them all. Her greatest fear, however, is to die and be replaced by one of the pupils in Cordelia’s school. Now, the plot line is classic American Horror Story: twisty, has a ton of characters with interwoven plots that if you miss 5 minutes of an episode you might as well rewind for you will be lost. This may seem tedious, but it’s what makes this show so good!

Two actors that they brought on for this season were Kathy Bates (Madam Delphine LaLaurie) and Angela Bassett (Marie Laveau). Both of these women are not only amazing actors, but they added such an incredible amount of substance to the cast. Bates plays a crazed woman who was spelled to be immortal by Bassett and buried alive for centuries until Fiona unburried her and made her the Coven’s housekeeper. What better way as punishment than for a former slave owner to be in turn used as a sort-of slave. Two other actors that were brought on into this season was Emma Roberts and Gabourey Sidibe. Both played witches in the Coven; Sidibe had powers to make her harming herself reflect on someone else. Roberts played an amazing brat who thought she was the next supreme. Lastly, I’m going to have to shout out to one of my most favorite actors in the series: Jamie Brewer. Brewer was born with Downs Syndrome and is so high functioning she can memorize lines and act. It’s amazing to watch her!

In the end I really enjoyed this season and am looking forward to watching “Freak Show.” This show, because of its layout doesn’t surprise me that some seasons are better than others. If you aren’t a big fan of circuses you won’t like Freak Show; just like if you don’t like classic horror films in a house, you won’t like the first season. It’s simple. BUT, at least watch the first episode, you can jump into the series at any season’s first episode, so take the time and start watching. It’s amazing!