American Horror Story: Coven 3.05 Review: Protecting the Coven

For all those that have yet to watch last night’s episode of American Horror Story: Coven, titled ‘Burn, Witch. Burn!’, now is your last chance to do without the threat of spoilers. For this is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

For an episode I was looking forward to, I was sadly disappointed with a lot of what this episode gave us. Don’t get me wrong, it was certainly a step above every episode from last season, but all of the filming techniques were just too damned distracting. Last week I thought, yay, this series is finally moving this season into mostly regular cinematography, and then this week I get blurred lens work, terrible lighting and focus, as well a lot of terrible angle work. The cinematography was back to being aggravatingly distracting. I mean, was I supposed to be able to pay attention to anything going on on screen? The blurriness was in the way of so much of it, that what was the point to adding it in? They weren’t dreaming, everything that was happening on screen was happening, and they weren’t drunk, so I just don’t get it.

 While the cinematography was horrendous, the writing direction of this season hasn’t been terrible. I like the way that they’re going with Zoe’s character more now than when she was first introduced in the season premiere. When she pulled out the chainsaw I thought, ‘Bitch with a chainsaw, nice.’ Even if her voice was a little squeaky and high-pitched every time she would yell at someone to run. It’s also nice to see Nan and this boy-next-door character finding a connection, although I’ve liked Nan all season. Fiona hit the nail on the head when she said Nan was smarter than all of them. Queenie has had some pretty interesting lines, but what she did two episodes ago was disgusting, and the idiocy she seems to have is a little unbelievable. I did greatly enjoy Fiona this week, especially in that scene where she brings the stillborn baby back to life, as well as how she was trying to be more protective of her daughter now that she’s lost her sight. The one thing I wasn’t too fond of was Misty bringing Myrtle back to life; I feel like they’re going to be working in cahoots soon, when I’d really hoped Misty and Zoe’s friendship would get more screen time.

That was definitely an interesting choice of music for the scene leading Myrtle to the witch-burning pole. The way that was filmed was mostly intriguing, with the two men in suits and everyone walking out to it. The song was strangely fitting for this point in the episode. I am now more confused with the whole daughters situation with Madame Lalaurie. I just don’t think this writing in this episode fit the scene quite well with the season’s premiere, but maybe I’m not able to match things up.

Overall, this episode wasn’t quite as exciting as I expected. I think I get disappointed every time I hold high expectations for this series, but only love it when my expectations are low. The trouble is, every time my expectations are surpassed, they’re higher for the next episode, so it’s almost like a rollercoaster, every other week I like the episode, the other weeks I don’t. We’ll see how this comes to pass in future weeks. I do hope we see Kyle again more, and that my belief that Zoe is the next Supreme (given the evidence of this episode leading it to be the most likely) comes to light. It would be a disappointment if she weren’t, being that there is more evidence of it being true of her, than any of the others.

My rating: 6.5 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“I like a witch who knows how to fight.” – Fiona informs Zoe, after she fought for the coven.

“I doubt it. You are, after all, the maid.” – Fiona tells Madame Lalaurie, who thinks that their similar motherly circumstances could bring them closer together.

Okay, now I just have to wait for The Vampire Diaries, Once Upon A Time In Wonderland, Grey’s Anatomy, and The Crazy Ones to air, before I can review any of them. Check back in a few hours for those reviews.

American Horror Story: Coven 3.04 Review: United We Stand, Divided We Fall

For all those that have yet to watch Wednesday’s episode of American Horror Story: Coven, titled ‘Fearful Pranks Ensue’, this is the only point where I’ll suggest you go and do that now before reading ahead. This is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! Proceed at your own discretion.

This week’s episode was so beyond better than the last three episodes, it’s exciting to think. No, there hasn’t been much horror to this season, but the writing was a lot tighter this week, the characters more interesting, and the most encouraging thing about this week’s episode was how wonderful the cinematography was compared to previous weeks. There were still a few moments to the episode, most notably near the end, that could’ve been done without, but overall I was much happier with the camera work this week.

At first I was a little worried Spalding’s backstory would turn out to be moronic, but it was astonishingly interestingly done. It was quite obvious that he was in love with Fiona, but that was still an intriguing touch added in there that he was the person to cut his tongue out. Still, I feel like there needs to be a little more development to him, because he’s really not that great of a character for someone such as Denis O’Hare.

There several small things I loved about this episode. It made me laugh to see Spalding cover his paper from the prying eyes of the Council. I also liked how Zoe seemed to take charge with Kyle, and how she seemed to be a stronger character this week then a few episodes ago. Just leads me to believe she really is the next Supreme. It was also sad but well done the way Marie Leveau took care of that one woman who lost her son to black haters.

There are definitely some questions circulating in my head. Are the writers calling Voodoo Black witchcraft? I’d think they’d give more credit to the craft that it is its own thing. What’s with the dolls in Spalding’s room, and that he was going to dress up Madison’s dead body in Fiona’s old dress? Where did Kyle run off to, and why? Why wasn’t Zoe out there looking for him? And why in all hell did Cordelia’s husband kill that woman? Oh, and was it really necessary to just write that actress into one episode like that when she’s so much better than just a one episode character?

All in all, this week was definitely an improvement. There are still kinks to be worked out by the end of the season, and more horror definitely needs to be added, but it’s getting better a lot quicker than last season did. Maybe season one set the bar too high, but I still expect a lot when that is what’s been created. I am excited to see Marie Leveau and Fiona go head to head.

My rating: 7.5 out of 10.

Best Line:

“If she’s dead, it’s probably because she got wasted and offered the Grim Reaper a hand job.” – Queenie says to the Witches Council.

Alright, that’ll have to be all for the night because I’m still exhausted. My brain is starting to nod off, so I’m signing out. I’ll try and post the review of Thursday’s episode of The Crazy Ones before I go to work tomorrow, but no promises.