TV Review: American Horror Story: Coven

Something that really makes me angry (irrationally - I admit), is that there are only 13 episodes of American Horror Story each year.  I would be so excited to hear of an extra long season, or even maybe two a year.  But this show is so good, that they can get away with 13 episodes a year. And as angry as it makes me, I'm way too addicted!  If you haven't watched this yet, or finished it, and plan to, I'm not sure this post is for you.  There will be spoilers!!

American Horror Story: Coven

 As per AHS fashion - it has quite a creepy intro....I'm not sure which is creepier. Fan made, or actual:

 

 

Coven is a take on the American history of witches.  We've all heard lots of stories ranging from the Salem Witch Trials to people who are practicing Wiccans (Michelle Bachman anyone?).  As always, Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk have created another universe that is darker and deeper than most. I have to say, Coven is probably my favorite of the three AHS's that have been created.  The first season was about Murder House, and the second season was about Briarcliff Insane Asylum and a serial killer named bloody face.

This season was a lot less gore (still pretty nasty, but not as bad as earlier seasons) but far more supernatural. This season had a creepy factor that was pretty intense.  One of the things that I liked most about this season was the fact that it was about a group of strong women, there was only one male cast member who was a regular throughout the season.

With this particular group of strong women, there is this constant struggle for power.  The series focused on Miss Robichaux's Academy for Exceptional Young Ladies (located in the fantastical New Orleans).  This was, for lack of a better term, a training school and safe haven for young witches as well as the main stomping grounds for this particular coven. The leader of the coven, or the Supreme (most powerful witch), was Fiona Goode played by the unbelievable Jessica Lange. She has been a lead actress in all three series so far.  This one, in my opinion, was her best yet.

Fiona had lead her life, as the supreme, very vainly.  She only really cared about herself.  Her beauty was the most important thing to her, and as she aged (and got sick with cancer) she looked for anyway to avoid the inevitable.

Fiona did have a daughter. Cordelia Foxx (played by Sarah Paulson) was the leader of the school.  She was the very opposite of her mother.  She cared deeply for the girls and wanted them to learn to protect themselves from everything in the world that wanted to cause harm to them.

Since Cordelia's mother was absent most of her life, she was raised by and cared for by Myrtle Snow, played by Frances Conroy. Myrtle loved Cordelia as if she was her own.  She was also the head of the Witch's Council which is basically how they keep the witch's in check.

This coven has dwindled over the years as witches have stopped reproducing.  They didn't want to put their children in a possible position of having to deal with their powers.  During the season, there were a total of five girls in attendance.

Zoe Benson played by Taissa Farmiga

kills boys with her vagina

Madison Montgomery played by Emma Roberts

teen movie star - can move shit with her mind

Queenie played by Gabourey Sidibe

human voo-doo doll

Nan played by Jamie Brewer

reads minds/thoughts

Misty Day played by Lily Rabe

brings things back from the dead

These girls had plenty of drama going on between them.  Madison was a complete bitch, Queenie felt like she didn't belong, Nan already knew was everyone was thinking, Misty was simple-minded, and Zoe was the new girl.  They all thought they had the stuff to become the next supreme and didn't so much support each other, as they did try to kill one another.

Along with having to worry about each other there were a few other big bad's out there. For instance, the coven's main rival was a coven of Voodoo's who also practiced in 'Nawlenz'. This rivalry was based mostly on color of skin.  The reigning queen of the Voodoo was Marie Laveau, played by the stellar Angela Bassett. [Side note - Marie Laveau was based on an actual voodoo queen]

Immortal - she sold her soul for it

Fiona finds a certain "possession" of Laveau's.  This could be considered more of a pet, or source of entertainment for Laveau. Back in the 1800's Marie Laveau's beau was brutally tortured and murdered by one Madame Delphine LaLaurie, played by the always super creepy Kathy Bates.  As punishment and retaliation, Laveau made Madame Delphine immortal, and buried her alive.  Once Fiona found her, she decided to keep her around.  She thought she may find the secret to immortality, plus she was now in possession of something that Marie Laveau detested.  [Side note - Madame Delphine is based on an actual - terrible - person] {Laveau ends up welching on her deal for imortality, which then causes her death - and in that, LaLaurie's as well}

wretched, soulless excuse for a human

There are a few other minor characters. Kyle Spencer played by Evan Peters

Zoe's boyfriend, who died in a bus accident (caused by Madison), and was revived by Misty

Spalding played by Dennis O'Hare

mute butler who has been in love with Fiona forever. Zoe kills him

The Axeman played by Danny Huston

serial killer from 1919. love interest of Fiona. killed by coven girls

Hank Foxx played by Josh Hamilton

Fiona's husband, and member of a group of witch hunters. killed by Queenie

There were lots of background stories and smaller side stories throughout this season.  The main plot and center of the season, revolved around finding the new supreme.  Fiona did everything in her power to help prevent this from happening (she killed a whole bunch of the girls, luckily there are certain powers that can bring people back from the dead). Meanwhile, the girls all thought they were the next supreme, which caused many rifts between them.  

So they are fighting a group of witch hunters, the other voodoo coven, and each other...this all ends up making them weaker than they had ever been.  

Once Fiona is killed (or so we think, by the Axeman), the girls set out to accomplish the 7 Wonders.  Zoe, Madison, Queenie and Misty (Nan was killed by Fiona and Marie) set out to complete the tasks (in no particular order): 

1. Telekinesis (manipulating objects with mind)
2. Concilium (mind control over another)
3. Pyrokinesis (control and conjuring of fire with mind)
4. Divination (extra-sensory awareness)
5. Transmutation (teleporting)
6. Vitalum Vitalis (returning from purgatory)
7. Resurgence (reanimation of once living thing)

So, when they start out to do this, Nan is already dead. Which was really sad, because she was my favorite. I was still pulling for her in the end.  Everyone else had died and been brought back, why not her??  As they continue, Misty cannot complete the Vitalum Vitalis and gets stuck in a loop.  Once time is up, she disintegrates (in Cordelia's arms no less). 

Next, Zoe has an incident when she was performing transmutation.  She ended up spearing herself in the abdomen (she landed on the top of the pointy fence surrounding the school).  

They proceed to attempt resurgence, which is the last of the seven.  So basically, whomever can bring back Zoe is also destined to be the next supreme.  So...Queenie tries, and I'm hoping for her, because at this point it's between her and Madison - and Madison's a totally bitch. Queenie cannot bring back Zoe and feels she has failed.  Madison then realizes she's the next supreme.  She refuses to bring back Zoe, but instead kills a fly and brings it back to life.  (Seriously, total bitch!!)  At this point Myrtle (who has been overseeing the set of obstacles along with Cordelia) convinces Cordelia that she can also try to accomplish the seven wonders.  

Fast forward through some pretty creepy montage - Cordelia brings Zoe back to life, and is officially "crowned" the next supreme of the Coven. (Madison was then killed by Kyle - he was kind of like Frankenstein and had emotional issues. He was angry at her for not trying to revive Zoe, whom he loved.) As her first act of her supremacy, Cordelia sentences Myrtle to burn at the stake (punishment for an earlier crime against other witches). So Myrtle is now dead. 

Cordelia then announces (via a news interview) information about the coven and the school.  She's reaching out to other witches and letting them know they have somewhere safe to go.  She's doing what is best for the coven, and the survival of their species. 

Of course, however, Fiona is not dead.  She shows up to visit her dear Cordelia one last time.  She wants her "Delia" to help her die - AKA take away her pain and suffering because she's too chicken to do it herself.  Cordelia refuses, saying it's almost time, and within a few moments, Fiona dies, in her daughter's arms.

So. The coven, which was already pretty thin to begin with now consists of:

Cordelia (supreme)

Zoe (appointed to witches counsel by Cordelia)

Queenie (appointed to witches counsel by Cordelia)

Kyle (new mute butler, less mute, more attractive)

They open the doors, and there is a line around the block of new students. This is probably the happiest ending to a series yet, but I think I'm okay with that.  Some people are upset because it wrapped up "too perfectly".  I think the series kept me guessing every episode!! Who cares if the ending is a good one, where good perserveres over evil? It's okay to happen every once in a while.  Even Ryan Murphy says so ;)

So, what did you think? Sorry if I seemed all over the place.  Lots of stuff happened in this short but spectacular season.  I may have grazed over something that may have been important, because there's just that much in the world of AHS. This may be why I get so angry that there are only 13 episodes.  But maybe if there were more it wouldn't be as good!?  If I've left you confused and need to clarify, just let me know. But definitely check out some of the links above, the AHS Wiki is pretty awesome!