Having an early season of American Horror Story may have had its perks but it also had its downsides. I mean who doesn't love the FX original series? It's an incredible segment of plot twists and character development. There are a variety of themes to choose from every year and they have never failed to disappoint. The themes every year have captured us until the very end. Although, this season can we say the same?
Prior to the premiere, series co-creator Ryan Murphy did something different by keeping the viewers guessing what the theme, plot, and characters would be. It was the first series to not release a subtitle prior to the season premiere since its debut. There were several potential themes that were theorized based on material produced by FX. The 1590s Roanoke Colony disappearance became the pick of the season. The first episode set the scene with a paranormal documentary of a married couple who move to a house in North Carolina. Even with all the hype of keeping it a mystery, did they deliver? Unfortunately, us being under the covers, the monster wasn't all that scary. My Roanoke Nightmare left us more confused and a bit disappointed. We are onto episode 6 now and the choice of making it a documentary wasn't a very good one. Half of the shots taken are used on the actors being interviewed. This alone is useless because viewers understand how the characters are feeling and by explaining it with editional actors creates a filler. Making a show-within-a-show format becomes a bit akward to watch considering scenes that are so intense get cut off with an explantation of what we just saw. If you think about it, it is kind of a waste of screen time. We understand what is going on and it's not like we need to be told after every other climax scene. Unless there is a meaning behind the documentary, then I guess waiting will tell.
It's like we're back to season one with a nuclear family that wants to start anew in a house that has many problems. Don't get me wrong, season one is a fantastic start to a new show. Yet we are onto season six and the reenactment becomes a bit obsolete. Although, the character development is a bit scattered and unpredictable, the choice of Roanoke is but a genius one. A colonists perspective is dark and eerie due to the fact that settlers were left to fend for themselves. Roanoke takes us back to a theocratic society, with hysteria and accusations. This season we see the past take a hold on the characters in the 21st century.
Even though American Horror Story has been the topic of uncertainty, it is one of the most influential and iconic television shows. It's good to question why directors and screenwriters do what they do. It doesn't mean that we should stop watching the show because you are confused. I for one, will finish it until the end and decide how I feel.
