Well. Um...That was definitely...an episode of American Horror Story. That's really the only positive thing I can say about the premiere of American Horror Story: 1984. This is the first season to not feature Sarah Paulson and Evan Peters, and it was quite noticeable. When Jessica Lange left, it was a huge blow to the show, but I knew the show would go on somehow. After these other two left, I don't know if I can say that anymore. This whole premiere was just a mess. Maybe it's because I was so excited coming into this season since we are finally going back in time. I think it's the first season that is primarily set in a past decade since Freak Show. That was season four! It's a shame that this premiere did not meet my expectations in the slightest.
The opening scene was probably the best part in the whole episode...perhaps maybe the only good part. It starts off with a bang, and the camera work is excellent during these opening murders. I really was feeling like this looked promising, but it all went down hill from there. The opening names when the teens are working out was so corny and unnecessary. I don't know what it is about the modern AHS seasons where they have to split the comedy and horror 50/50. Did Asylum have campy moments? Yes, but they were far and between, which makes Asylum my favorite season. The "funny" moments and corny jokes need to be gone yesterday. I really just get distracted and end up rolling my eyes when they're shoved down my throats.
The characters presented to us were so...to put it modestly: uninspiring. I really can't think of one character so far that I like. Billie Lourd as Montana has a decent performance, but her character sucks. It really does. After a breathtaking performance as Michael Langdon, Cody Fern plays someone so stereotypical and unlikable that is so inferior to his character last season. Gus Kenworthy was there. I still don't know why. Maybe he'll be the breakout star this season, but his personality so far is...yikes. Angelica Ross from Pose is on this season which I was ecstatic about because I really adored her on that show. I thought I would be rooting for her the second she got on my screen, but it was the complete opposite. She seems to be a character that is there for right now, so I hope she can get a story arc or some personality down the road this season. There seems to be no character development from any of these characters all in all so far because you know "corny jokes." I really hope that we see some growth and great acting from these people so they can fill in these astounding actors that have left us recently.
It seems like Richard Ramirez will be a side plot this season with Brooke (Emma Roberts), which by the way, I think Emma Roberts should stick with her bitchy roles. She does them ten times better than these serious roles she is given. I like how AHS sprinkles in a dash of real-life to their plots; I just hope this storyline isn't filler, and it can go somewhere because these murders are very fascinating even to this day.
A character I actually did not mind was Margaret (Leslie Grossman). Was she excellent? Pfft. Not in the slightest. Again, there is some camp in her because Ryan Murphy loves to give campy roles to Leslie Grossman. I just hope she can move out of her comfort zone this season and really give a humanized role of her character. Her surviving the Camp Redwood massacre in 1970, is actually an interesting storyline that has the potential to push the narrative of this season ahead. I do know that I am going to get tired of her beliefs of Jesus and always praying to him. That can go.
The Mr. Jingles killer plot is fun, but I want it to be more sinister and more dark and twisted than what we saw tonight. The cutting off of his victims ears is fascinating, but I want more (I know that sounds f-ed up, but this is American Horror Story. There have been worse). I hope this storyline continues for the rest of the season because it could be fun to watch what happens to these unlikable counselors. I hope we get a backstory on him rather than the counselors just telling us what happened around a campfire (which by the way, the acting in that scene was horrid). John Carroll Lynch is a great actor, and I hope his talents are not wasted this season since he only joins the AHS universe ever so often.
Overall, guys this was not the best start for an American Horror Story season. Like I said, I think the producers have to tone down the camp and focus on the psychological horror that the show was so successful with in its first couple of seasons. It really doesn't even feel like the same show anymore. I pray that this season finds its purpose and runs with it because if it doesn't, it's gonna be a long and pointless season. The premiere itself will receive a 4/10 for me, the lowest rated score I have given since I started my blog last year. It needs to pick up, and it needs to get better as soon as possible.
Thank you for reading my AHS: 1984 premiere review. More blogs will be coming soon! Have a great rest of your day!
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