BertramCooper
Banned
I'm so over this season.
I just want it to end now.
I just want it to end now.
-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
AMERICAN HORROR STORY: Coven |OT| When witches don't fight, we burn....
- Thread starter Nemesis_
- Start date
- Status
BertramCooper
Banned
I can't wait to see how FrankenPeters plays into this endgame.
Seriously, what the fuck is the point of that character? Evan Peters has had virtually nothing to do this entire season.
Seriously, what the fuck is the point of that character? Evan Peters has had virtually nothing to do this entire season.
Fenderputty
Banned
He's gonna go nuts and kill a bitch. The last time we saw him Fiona referred to him as a useful watchdog. Maybe he saves Zoe or something.
Well, they sure forgot about him for 38 minutes or so!
Seriously, this season is such a hot mess of dropped plot points
There is:
- Taissa's powers over death/undead, hinted in a couple of episodes and then completely forgotten
- Patti LuPone's character, what the hell was that
- Zombie Eva Peters, he killed his mom some 5 episodes ago and then nothing (He wasn't even in this episode)
- LaLaurie character development was good until ep 6 or so, then it went bananas
- Cordelia lost her eyesight, gained some new badass powers, then she regained it and lost her powers
Meh.
Futurevoid
Member
:lol
RatskyWatsky
Hunky Nostradamus
Wildly inconsistent episode. Wow. The beginning was amazing though, with Laveau stealing the baby from the hospital and going all crazy on the guards.
Other thoughts:
The Stevie Nicks cameo was a let down. When they first announced that she would be guest starring on the show, my mind was filled with all sorts of fun possibilities, and yet the best idea they could come up with was to stick her behind a piano for two songs? That's it? Lame.
Myrtle playing the theremin is just perfect. lol They keep hitting all of her scenes out of the park.
It occurred to me while watching this episode that the coven's school is probably the most bland, visually uninteresting set that I've ever seen in anything, ever. (I think someone else in this thread has said the same thing actually) It's literally just an unfurnished house with white walls, floors, and ceilings.
I don't care about any of the characters at all. Not a one. Myrtle is cool and weird and entertaining, but I don't really care about anything that happens to her.
There wasn't a point to any of those characters or storylines. They existed to fill time and/or the weirdness quota.
It's extremely confusing. The witches are all randomly gaining new (and extremely powerful) powers and none of it makes any damn sense.
See, I actually thought she was decent. Jessica Lange, on the other hand, horrendously overacted. Yeesh.
*bow* *bow*
Same here. Three more weeks and we'll be able to put this mess behind us.
Other thoughts:
The Stevie Nicks cameo was a let down. When they first announced that she would be guest starring on the show, my mind was filled with all sorts of fun possibilities, and yet the best idea they could come up with was to stick her behind a piano for two songs? That's it? Lame.
She is going to be in another episode though, so maybe they'll do something cool then.
Myrtle playing the theremin is just perfect. lol They keep hitting all of her scenes out of the park.
It occurred to me while watching this episode that the coven's school is probably the most bland, visually uninteresting set that I've ever seen in anything, ever. (I think someone else in this thread has said the same thing actually) It's literally just an unfurnished house with white walls, floors, and ceilings.
I don't care about any of the characters at all. Not a one. Myrtle is cool and weird and entertaining, but I don't really care about anything that happens to her.
There wasn't a point to any of those characters or storylines. They existed to fill time and/or the weirdness quota.
It's extremely confusing. The witches are all randomly gaining new (and extremely powerful) powers and none of it makes any damn sense.
See, I actually thought she was decent. Jessica Lange, on the other hand, horrendously overacted. Yeesh.
*bow* *bow*
Same here. Three more weeks and we'll be able to put this mess behind us.
Spirit of Jazz
Banned
As somebody who defended the show before the break I feel the most recent episode ruined the season, the only way I'll end up giving a shit is if Myrtle is the supreme because that one episode killed the entire cast for me with their loopy motivations. Other than Nan that is; she was the only one in the episode to have an actual motivation for doing something over the top which actually developed her character in a meaningful way, but then they managed to kill her in one of the worst character deaths I've ever seen in a show. I mean thanks for spending so much time building up one of the few likeable characters in your show only to instantly cut to her being drown in a bath tub after 30 seconds of build up.
Eppy Thatcher
God's had his chance.
While there are some seriously suspect writing decisions behind the characters this season ... it's still head and shoulders above Asylum for me. At the very least you don't need a fucking string map to follow all the ridiculously useless information/threats/characters the show throws at you.
Papa was easily the best part of this episode. Hands down. Voodoo queen's scenes i enjoyed. Stevie was fucking wasted but that doesn't surprise me. Bathtub murder of Nan was lol worthy.
My wife asked me last night actually about how you see all these girls with new powers and strong powers and just flexing all the time and stuff and was wondering about Zoe and why she's shown to be so weak or whatever. I had to remind her about the zombie attack where she blanked out, spoke in tongues and completely dropped Voodoo to the floor. So it's obvious she's the next supreme and that is ... disappointing. To say the least. I fucking hate that character/actress. Just the worst part of this show through and through.
In fact... all the young witches are utterly worthless. We quickly realized once this episode got started that we don't care at all about any of them. The Top Witches combo team vs Witch Hunter central would have been a fucking perfect overall arch for the entire season. Focusing on their strongest actors and keeping the action/story/motivations on all sides lean and mean. As it stands they are just barely starting to venture into Asylum mode where shit they have been starting to build up and focus on just falls completely flat or gets forgotten without a second thought.
I'm hoping for Swamp Witch to have a deal with the devil scene when she wakes up in the coffin ... or to die and revive a BUNCH of times and have it jack her powers up and also drive her bat shit so she busts out and just starts wrecking shit. Also, since Dylan Mcdermmit has yet to show up ... make him Satan and have a convo with Lange about how he already has her soul and yadda yadda yadda.. then maybe a scene of he and Pappa enjoying some smooth Jazz outside a club toasting champagne and laughing.
The sooner they spiral down and finish this the better. The more i stand back and look at this show (all three seasons) the more I realize that more than anything else on television I try so hard to like this show but it's just never really been that great. House was boring and predictable - Asylum was a fucking terrible hot mess that i almost couldn't watch it was so stupid and now Coven just feels sterile. That miserably designed witch house set is like a perfect metaphor for the show itself.
Papa was easily the best part of this episode. Hands down. Voodoo queen's scenes i enjoyed. Stevie was fucking wasted but that doesn't surprise me. Bathtub murder of Nan was lol worthy.
My wife asked me last night actually about how you see all these girls with new powers and strong powers and just flexing all the time and stuff and was wondering about Zoe and why she's shown to be so weak or whatever. I had to remind her about the zombie attack where she blanked out, spoke in tongues and completely dropped Voodoo to the floor. So it's obvious she's the next supreme and that is ... disappointing. To say the least. I fucking hate that character/actress. Just the worst part of this show through and through.
In fact... all the young witches are utterly worthless. We quickly realized once this episode got started that we don't care at all about any of them. The Top Witches combo team vs Witch Hunter central would have been a fucking perfect overall arch for the entire season. Focusing on their strongest actors and keeping the action/story/motivations on all sides lean and mean. As it stands they are just barely starting to venture into Asylum mode where shit they have been starting to build up and focus on just falls completely flat or gets forgotten without a second thought.
I'm hoping for Swamp Witch to have a deal with the devil scene when she wakes up in the coffin ... or to die and revive a BUNCH of times and have it jack her powers up and also drive her bat shit so she busts out and just starts wrecking shit. Also, since Dylan Mcdermmit has yet to show up ... make him Satan and have a convo with Lange about how he already has her soul and yadda yadda yadda.. then maybe a scene of he and Pappa enjoying some smooth Jazz outside a club toasting champagne and laughing.
The sooner they spiral down and finish this the better. The more i stand back and look at this show (all three seasons) the more I realize that more than anything else on television I try so hard to like this show but it's just never really been that great. House was boring and predictable - Asylum was a fucking terrible hot mess that i almost couldn't watch it was so stupid and now Coven just feels sterile. That miserably designed witch house set is like a perfect metaphor for the show itself.
BertramCooper
Banned
Perhaps the most frustrating thing about this season is that they've given Jessica Lange a truly weak character to work with.
Despite one's thoughts on Murder House and Asylum, it's hard to argue that Constance and Jude weren't terrific characters. Frankly, I think Fiona is a real dud - wildly inconsistent, like pretty much everyone else on the show this season, and unlike Constance and Jude, not particularly fun or entertaining. Based on her performance, I don't feel like Lange is enjoying this part. Even in Fiona's most sinister moments, Lange's performance seems quite perfunctory.
Just to be clear, the fault lies on Murphy more than on Lange. Honestly, I'd say the only two good characters on this season are Marie and Delphine. Hell, I'd have thrown all this witch bullshit out and made the season entirely focused on Delphine. Now that's a real American horror story.
Despite one's thoughts on Murder House and Asylum, it's hard to argue that Constance and Jude weren't terrific characters. Frankly, I think Fiona is a real dud - wildly inconsistent, like pretty much everyone else on the show this season, and unlike Constance and Jude, not particularly fun or entertaining. Based on her performance, I don't feel like Lange is enjoying this part. Even in Fiona's most sinister moments, Lange's performance seems quite perfunctory.
Just to be clear, the fault lies on Murphy more than on Lange. Honestly, I'd say the only two good characters on this season are Marie and Delphine. Hell, I'd have thrown all this witch bullshit out and made the season entirely focused on Delphine. Now that's a real American horror story.
Fenderputty
Banned
Up to the point of the coffin.
Nemesis_
Member
http://www.spoilertv.co.uk/images/a...sode Photos/Episode 3.11 - Protect the Coven/
Promotional photos from the next episode. Contains a spoiler related to Delphine.
If this episode is largely focusing on Zoe and Kyle based off the promo shots....
Promotional photos from the next episode. Contains a spoiler related to Delphine.
If this episode is largely focusing on Zoe and Kyle based off the promo shots....
This season just hasn't had any structure. Asylum and Murder House all had storylines with clear beginnings, middles, and endings that had been mapped out and woven together. This is just a mess of random things happening - it feels the show is designed for (or written by?) someone on a copious amount of mind-altering substances who's busted their location shooting budget 2 episodes into the season.
Spectral Glider
Member
I agree, I especially think Lange knocked it out of the park with Jude because, in the beginning, I hated her character and then by the end I really wanted to see her redeemed. Part of that was certainly due to Lange and the other part due to the writing of her character. This season, her character blows.
Eppy Thatcher
God's had his chance.
While i agree with the randomness of this season... how you can look back at Asylum and think that those stories beyond the first 4 or 5 episodes had any kind of coherence to each other or relevance to certain groups of characters is beyond me. It was a hideous fuckin mess of characters, abandoned plot points, dead end archs and utterly predictable/bland characterization.
But i have to 100% agree with Bertram real fast. Lange was at least pretty fantastic in both the first seasons and she just seems to be halfway out the door in Coven. That interview she did where she talks about how tiring and taxing the time commitment to these types of shows can be was apparently not bullshit at all. It's maybe the best way to describe her performance this season "Tired" - and mostly because it's impossible to turn aimless writing into a compelling performance.
But look at how it ended. Each of the last 5 episodes wrapped up a storyline that had been started somewhere along the way. They clearly had mapped out overall arcs, and it gave the series an incredibly strong finish as various stories came to an end at their own pace.
I expect to see Lange as a supporting role next season, simply because I'm not sure where they could go with her beyond pure heroine for a large change of pace in S4 in a lead role.
Eppy Thatcher
God's had his chance.
I look at how it ended as an example of the writers having no idea at all what they wanted to do with plotlines and arcs that they started and simply had no idea what to do with. The experimented on girl? Found in town for a shack scare scene at the end of an episode and then never mentioned again. Crazy monster people in the woods? All executed in one episode after serving absolute zero purpose. Mad crazy Nazi doctor? So sad over his lost crazy bitch love he immolates himself out of the fuckin blue. The possession chic? dies with no fanfare at all and the possession line just finishes... right there. Doesn't find a new host or anything. Angel of death??!! Wut. And then all of a sudden at the end HAH! Aliens again.. betcha forgot kids at home! There were aliens! LoL!
It reeked of week to week writing or too many cooks in the kitchen. I read a lot of comments here from people who sound like they are much more informed about film and film theory and all that kind of stuff about how this third season is so much worse than the 2nd but... i just don't see. Asylum was a mess shortly after it got off the ground and it never ever recovered. Absolutely deflating and worthless ending. Dylan McDermitt cashing a paycheck hard.
BertramCooper
Banned
Bingo. The flashback scenes are brilliant - by far the best stuff they've done this season.
I said it a couple weeks ago already, but I really hope they go with a historical setting for the next season instead of a contemporary one. I think the Delphine flashbacks show they could potentially pull off a season set in the 19th century, and that would be fun.
Fantastical
Death Prophet
I thought that's what this season was going to be. Lost style with heavy flashbacks to Salem, potentially with the relatives of the modern day witches. What the fuck?
For me the climax of this season was Fiona framing Myrtle and burning her at the stake. I think the show should have taken a completely different turn at that point, and I'm not sure what happened.
Spectral Glider
Member
All of that worked for me because as contrived as it sounds, they were in an Aslyum. All of the go nowhere stuff was just window dressing to set the fucked up mood of the location and world. But whether those side show things got really fleshed out or not didn't matter because in the grand scope of the season there were clear, well written characters that I became attached to and wanted to pull for or at least see the outcomes of....I wanted Lana to finally get the hell out of there, I wanted Kit to have some kind of normalcy, I wanted Jude to be redeemed and I wanted Bloody Face put down. This season? I don't give a shit about any of them. This season has just as much go nowhere bullshit that last season had BUT it completely lacks any emotional pull or depth for any of the main cast. At this point, a meteorite could fall out of the sky on the Coven house killing everyone and I would probably think it was a decent ending.
BertramCooper
Banned
Sorry, I meant 19th century instead of 18th century. Because I know how the naming of centuries works. D'oh.
(That said, I'd be down for an 18th century season, too.)
(That said, I'd be down for an 18th century season, too.)
Nemesis_
Member
For those wondering, Ryan has confirmed that Jessica Lange won't be the lead for the fourth season.
http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/11/22/american-horror-story-jessica-lange-leaving/
http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/11/22/american-horror-story-jessica-lange-leaving/
BertramCooper
Banned
Give Sarah Paulson or Lily Rabe the lead next season.
Paulson is so freaking good, and she's been wasted this season.
Paulson is so freaking good, and she's been wasted this season.
a secret-boss
Banned
Juicy part.
She's gonna be a marmaid confirmed
She's gonna be a marmaid confirmed
Fenderputty
Banned
I think they tied the multiple timelines together better in season two than they're doing this season. The beginning of this season showed promise too.
RatskyWatsky
Hunky Nostradamus
Since Lange is retiring next year, they should just go ahead and retire all of the other actors too. Paulson, Rabe, Conroy, et al. are good but I think they're all starting to feel a little stale. Bringing in a few new cast members each season isn't going to cut it for me anymore - I want an all new cast for season 5.
Jack Scofield
Member
This is the first and only season of American Horror Story I've seen. In the other two seasons, are the opening sequences indicative of scenes found in the season, or are they all completely random like the one for Coven?
Because while I have problems with the show, the opening is fucking perfect. So creepy and great. It's a shame it basically has nothing to do with the show otherwise.
Because while I have problems with the show, the opening is fucking perfect. So creepy and great. It's a shame it basically has nothing to do with the show otherwise.
RatskyWatsky
Hunky Nostradamus
They're a mix of both. Most of the scenes are random but you do get some glimpses of concepts that are more fully fleshed out in the show.
StopMakingSense
Member
Not sure how reliable this is....
Most of the cast will be back? Shocking.
Lord_Byron28
Member
I watched seasons 1 & 2 over the winter break through Netflix and I have to agree S3 is by far the weakest. S2 was amazing and the development of Mary Eunice, Lana Winters, Kit Walker and especially Sister Jude are amazing and touching. It number one is very tense and almost every character/scene has a purpose that ties itself all together. This season is a whole bunch of nonsense. The neighbors were useless and did anyone care that they died? They did absolutely nothing for the plot and I could hardly care when they passed. On top of that there is so many useless plotlines that lead to nowhere and the characterization is inconsistent and poor. They never really show on screen why Queenie decided to leave other than a racist maid telling her she doesn't fit in. Fiona's character makes little sense as she has so many conflicting views its ridiculous. She gets mad at her daughter for marrying a witch hunter and physically and verbally abuses her. Then in the same room becomes partners and friends with the one who hired the witch hunter to kill her. Let's not forget that the powers are very inconsistent. Not to mention she seems to hate racism and other things but apparently doesn't mind killing young girls. The voodoo witch couldn't defend herself when the witch hunter came but she could do some attack back at the police when she kidnapped the baby. The powers of the witches seem to go far beyond what all other non-supreme witches could do yet when they're in danger they can't use it for example Nan. Frankenkyle has been pretty useless as well hopefully with Fiona upgrading him he will be more interesting since I think Evan Peters is a good actor stuck with a shitty role. Also Stevie Nicks role is exactly how I feared it would be just her sitting on the piano singing two songs. Its a shame because I thought the first 5 or 6 episodes were amazing. The Axeman Cometh episode and the one after that were a bit slow but the episode where they try to make Fiona commit suicide was when it all went to shit.
Well, that's a given. I think they're implying the opposite; that they're actually losing a few people.
Probably Evan Peters and maybe even Lange? Too bad it's probably not Taissa Farmiga...
Lord_Byron28
Member
That's not necessarily a bad thing Jessica Lange, Lily Rabe, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Angela Bassett & Kathy Bates are all pretty good.
Well it depends on who they consider the cast since there are actors who have only been in 1 season, some that have been in 2 seasons and some that have been in all 3. Lange already said she would be back for S4 but that it'd be her last season.
StopMakingSense
Member
Nemesis_
Member
Somebody mentioned earlier that apparently the regulars will be coming back - this includes Rabe, Peters, Conroy, Paulson and Lange.
Emma Roberts has always been a fan of the series apparently, but only wanted to be in Coven because the theme of witches interested her - so unless she really enjoyed shooting this season and the process, I can't imagine she'd return for the fourth season unless she was interested.
Angela Bassett and Kathy Bates have been asked back too, Ryan Murphy has pretty much written the beginning of their characters so I would assume they would be back.
He also said "You know there’s always a place for Patti on the show. I wanted her to do more episodes." but her touring schedule made it hard to keep her on for longer, so if Lupone wanted to come back I'd imagine there'd be a role for her.
Other cast members have gone on record to say they'd love to appear when Coven began were Dylan McDermott and Connie Britton.
James Cromwell apparently even asked to come back for Coven (I assume after his awards wins as Dr. Arden) but they told him there was no place for him since it was a largely female centric cast. I'd assume this means if he wanted to, he could return to Season 4 if the team would have him back. But he might be busy since he has another show now but I hear that's going to get cancelled anyway.
Well if you put rumours together, it appears that Taissa might not be returning. Considering that the rumours currently peg Taissa to be starring in Star Wars, it would make sense if almost every except Taissa was being asked back for next year since she would naturally be busy.
Personally, I think the writers should really just focus on writing a story that is, well, focused rather than trying to shoehorn as many characters in as possible. It would be nice in a show with a continued storyline, but when you have to scrap and rebuild new characters each year, it's best to keep it minimal to avoid pointless padding (which is what I feel happened with Joan's character this season and even Kyle who feels like he's only there COS EVAN PETERS)
toastyToast
Member
The openings of the first two seasons are a lot more symbolic and make references to things that you'll see over the course of each of them. You're right in saying that the intro for season 3 is the best thing about it. I really wanna watch that show
Matt_
World's #1 One Direction Fan: Everyone else in the room can see it, everyone else but you~~~
Taissa might be starring in Star Wars? :giantbiblio:
Monocle
Member
This season gets a lot of negativity but I'm enjoying the craziness. I like the setting and I love all of the over-the-top characters. I think Myrtle is my favorite. She's so delightfully kooky. Resurrecting her was truly the best thing for the show.
I've seen the previous two seasons and for me Coven is just as entertaining in its own way. This show has replaced Teen Wolf as my guilty pleasure. I say this because Teen Wolf is genuinely great now, no excuses required, while with Coven you have to stay in a deliberately uncritical frame of mind to roll with the plot logic. The performances by all of the leading ladies make it all worth it.
I've seen the previous two seasons and for me Coven is just as entertaining in its own way. This show has replaced Teen Wolf as my guilty pleasure. I say this because Teen Wolf is genuinely great now, no excuses required, while with Coven you have to stay in a deliberately uncritical frame of mind to roll with the plot logic. The performances by all of the leading ladies make it all worth it.
BertramCooper
Banned
Sweet.
RatskyWatsky
Hunky Nostradamus
That's disappointing to hear.
is too similar to the time periods that they explored in
1950
Asylum.
- Status