Texan Mosaic

The newest season of “American Horror Story” has brought back previous seasons and beloved characters to go along with new ones.

“AHS: Apocalypse” premiered on September 12, 2018. It is a crossover between the first and third seasons of the series, with many of the cast members playing multiple roles within the season. Returning cast members include Sarah Paulson, Kathy Bates, Evan Peters, Adina Porter, Emma Roberts, Billie Lourd, and Jessica Lange, among others.

“Apocalypse” takes place on the West Coast of the United States in the near future. Following a nuclear blast that wipes out the world, Outpost Three, an underground bunker, is constructed in order to shelter specific survivors with strong genetic makeup. Wilhemina Venable, played by Sarah Paulson, and Miriam Mead, played by Kathy Bates, both command the bunker, torturing the people inside the bunker.

People inside the bunker include: hairdresser Mr. Gallant, played by Evan Peters; his grandmother Evie, played by Joan Collins; talk show host Dinah Stevens, played by Adina Porter; her son Andre, played by Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman; the billionaire, Coco St. Pierre Vanderbilt, played by Leslie Grossman; her assistant Mallory, played by Billie Lourd; and couple Timothy Campbell, played by Kyle Allen, and Emily, played by Ash Santos. All face the wrath of the two women.

In the second and third episodes, Michael Langdon, played by Cody Fern, who is also the Antichrist, arrives and begins to throw the order into chaos, as he intends to bring those who are worthy to a “sanctuary.” Michael’s arrival causes a domino effect of lust, betrayal, and self-destruction.

The fourth episode takes place three years before the bombs drop. It shows what is Outpost Three as the Hawthorne School for Exceptional Young Men. Its inhabitants are warlocks living in the shadow of the coven of Cordelia Goode, played by Sarah Paulson. The warlocks have placed their hopes on a new, troubled apprentice, Michael Langdon. It was interesting seeing the flashback to the past and learning how it all started. When the series starts, the world is ending and there’s a lot of confusion about why and what is really happening. I think it was a very clever way of telling the story and pulling previous seasons back into the show.

Despite Cordelia’s visions of a terrifying future, she lets Michael attempt the Seven Wonders in the fifth episode. Michael is successful, which fills this episode with suspense that made me eager for the next. It was a very well shot episode, with different cinematic styles.

In the sixth episode, Behold, played by Billy Porter, and Madison, played by Emma Roberts, are sent on a mission to Murder House to uncover the truth about Michael’s past. The revelations about their next Supreme paint a bleak picture for the future and confirm Cordelia’s fears. This is by far my favorite episode. I love that the series took the viewers back to where everything started. It’s amazing that these seemingly unrelated seasons lead up to this one. I never thought what happened to the family of Murder House would be seen or known.

In the seventh episode, the witches recruit a clairvoyant friend to expose the traitors in the male coven. Mallory’s powers also are tested and reveal more about the future Supreme. Both covens unite to send Michael a message by getting rid of his conspirators.

After the deaths of his most trusted advisors, Michael goes on a vision quest in the eighth episode to find his place in the world. A group of followers devoted to his unholy father point him toward his destiny. I found this episode pointless. It didn’t do much for the story line. Not much happened or was revealed. The season could have gone on without this episode.

In the ninth episode Michael is still trying to figure out his purpose and how to end the world. He also seeks revenge for the deaths of  his trusted advisors and sends the Coven into their darkest hour, forcing them to gamble their hopes on Mallory’s developing powers. Michael met up with some of the world’s most powerful people, known as The Compound. They discuss the beginning of the end of the world.  This was another lackluster episode that only got interesting during the last 10 minutes.

This season has surpassed all of the previous seasons. It pays homage to beloved past seasons of the series by bringing back old characters and continuing their stories. I really enjoy this season. It has my favorite characters from previous seasons, along with some new favorites.

I give this season of “American Horror Story” a nine out of 10 so far.