8. "The Name Game" | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

10 Reasons Asylum Is The Best Season Of AHS, And You Can't Change My Mind

Psychological horror is the best kind of horror.

141
10 Reasons Asylum Is The Best Season Of AHS, And You Can't Change My Mind
FX

I'm a relatively new fan of AHS, having just finished "Cult" over my school's winter break. While "Cult" was extremely good, I still believe that season 2, "Asylum," is still the best season of AHS.

If you're looking to get started in AHS and want to start with one of the best seasons first, here's why "Asylum" should be your first stop.

1. Asylums are creepy to begin with.

Mental asylums ALWAYS have something deeper going on inside. While the patients themselves can be rather interesting, asylums always have a weird vibe to them. You hear of patient abuse, some patients escaping or going off the hook, and other unsettling stories about asylums all the time. Most of them end up haunted after they've been abandoned.

There's just something always off about the idea of a mental asylum, which makes horror surrounding an asylum unsettling from the get-go. This was definitely the most disturbing season of AHS for me, so if you're looking for something truly unsettling, this is the best season.

2. Sister Mary Eunice is arguably Lily Rabe's best performance of the show.

Without getting into any spoilers, Sister Mary Eunice is debated to be Lily Rabe's best performance in all of AHS. Lily Rabe is a phenomenal actress with a lot of killer roles in the show, so to say Sister Mary Eunice is the best truly means that she was something special. If you want to see a hell of a performance from one of AHS's key actresses, "Asylum" is the season for you.

3. The horror is plausible, which makes it even more... horrible.

The season takes place in an asylum in the 1960s, when mental illness very much had a stigma around it. There was routine abuse and inhumane treatment, such as electroshock therapy and isolation therapy, being practiced in the show. The worst part about including these treatments is that they actually happened at one point in time; they're grotesque enough to see on screen, but it's a whole new level of horror when you realize that it's not just imagined for the show.

4. Religious undertones make it even more sinister.

The Briarcliff Mental Institution is run by nuns. Again, in the interest of no spoilers, just know that there are some very un-Christian practices happening in the show. Even the people of God are cruel. I've always found churches and old cathedrals very creepy myself.

5. It's horror without being overly gory.

Several of the AHS seasons are identified as much gorier than others, specifically "Hotel" and "Roanoke." While I'm a fan of slashers and gory horror, there's often more horror in the cleaner shows and movies. "Asylum" is a good example. While a lot of the show is disturbing, it's disturbing in a way that doesn't need the gore factor to make it hard to watch. There's something cinematically powerful about horror with no blood.

6. "Bloodyface" is one of the best villains of the entire show.

"Bloodyface," the murderer they believe to have imprisoned at Briarcliff, is one of the most fascinating villains of the series. He has an intriguing backstory and there's a hell of a twist to it. You almost feel bad for him at some points... almost.

7. Lana Winters is one of Sarah Paulson's best characters, and you'll see her again later.

Alongside Lily Rabe's stellar Sister Mary Eunice character, Sarah Paulson truly outdoes herself with Lana Winters. You'll love Lana, there's no way you won't, and you'll be rooting for her until the very end. Plus, one of my favorite things about AHS is how often characters from previous seasons will make appearances in later seasons. The end of "Asylum" is not the last time you'll see Lana Winters, so you'll definitely want to know her story.

8. "The Name Game"

"The Name Game" is the title of episode 10 of this season, but it's also one of the most infamous scenes in the series. To keep from spoiling it for you, "The Name Game" is a lighthearted musical number that interrupts a very dark episode of a very twisted season. It starkly contrasts the rest of the season, but it makes so much sense -- you'll just have to watch, then you'll understand. ;)

9. Kit Walker.

I love every Evan Peters character, but Kit is far and away my favorite. He's the most charming of Evan's characters, and also another key role in Peters' career. I'd love to see Kit again as I move on to "Apocalypse," but I'm not holding out any hope.

10. Dr. Arthur Arden.

Dr. Arden is the villain you'll love to hate. He's sinister, he's mean, he's cruel, and he's evil. He's the most perfect villain, but boy, will you hate him with all of your heart.

I don't think "Asylum" is a perfect season by any means, but I truly believe it's the best season. It's a great starting place for anyone looking to jump into AHS.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Thoughts While Studying For Finals
StableDiffusion


That time of the semester has arrived once again, finals. The worst week ever. Who thought it was a good idea for all your classes to have exams all in the same week? Definitely not me. Here's 20 thoughts you may have studying for finals.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Disney magic for New Year!

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

6118
Disney magic kingdom castle on new years
StableDiffusion

Disney movies are well known and very popular in today's world. Although many people appreciate the plot and the storyline, not many people appreciate the wisdom these characters possess. Every Disney movie has unique advice that can be applied to everyday life. Here are 11 Disney quotes to help start your New Year off right:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

40 Gift Ideas for the Indecisive

It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. But also a time of stressing over the perfect gift.

120240
Christmas gifts around a tree
StableDiffusion

It's officially December. There is less than a month of 2024, and I still feel like yesterday was summer. Now comes the merriest time of the year, the Christmas season.

Everyone has been waiting for this time of year since mid-October (which is way too early, in my opinion) or before. It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. A lot of times when I ask friends and family what they want, I get a lot of "I don't know" or "I don't care."

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Bucket List To Live In The Now

Find excitement in your life and start exploring wherever you are right here, right now.

1719
mu bucket list

I was sitting at my cubicle, now that I am an adult, looking at the rain pouring down on the windowsill, bumming on life, wishing for the rain to just stop for a full day.

There are moments where we count down the hours until work is over and how many more days till the weekend, and this many weeks until something exciting. Or something like that? Well, I was bumming because my next day off from work is not until Memorial Day weekend, which is not until the end of May. And since this is my first year out of college being a “real person,” I am totally missing the winter, spring and summer breaks. I am sure all of us have felt this way even if just for a hot minute…

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Ways To Survive Finals As Told By Leslie Knope

Because you know you're going to be stressed out, and Leslie knows exactly how to survive.

1225
Everything hurts and I'm dying

So finals are on their way. That's right everybody, finals are about to start.

But hey, don't panic. Start getting your affairs in order and prepare for a week of hell. Here's a few things Leslie Knope wants you to do to make your finals week just a little bit less stressful:

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments