It's Coming... American Horror Story: Alysum

[ChronoGrl]

Before I add my $0.02, can a Mod update the title to say ***CONTAINS WEEK TO WEEK SPOILERS*** or something like that? I'm tired of writing in white. ;)

Originally Posted by neverending

I believe this may have been my favorite episode of the entire series. So many different things going on. Even the direction was superior to what you'd normally see on a TV show. They rolled out as many camera tricks as possible- forced perspective, claustrophobic framing, weird angles, quick cuts, extreme light and shadow, mujted color palette, odd coloration resembling old film stock from the 50s in the scenes from the past, use of shots with no people in them, such as the shot of a desk with two chairs before it or the flames in the fireplace, certain musical cues. At times it really resembled a homage to Hitchcock or Polanski.

And then the plot itself:
They're really delving into some dark corners here, dipping into the heart of evil in American society. The government use of former Nazi scientists, forced sterilization programs, ice pick lobotomies.
We're still getting glimpses of the aliens.
And holy shit- the revelation of who BLOODY FACE is.



This is top notch story telling and filmmaking. It's making use of the one advantage episodic television has over feature films- the ability to develop a storyline and characters over a period of time.
With the proper team in place- writing, directing, good production values, great actors- this form can't be topped. This series is one of the best efforts I've ever seen.

I'm going to be honest; I can't add a single thing to what NE said - I completely and utterly agree with everything mentioned here. Last night's episode was phenomenal, for all of the reasons that he mentioned.

• Did NOT see the reveal of Bloody Face coming; I knew that there was something just not right about the doctor, but I did not predict that he would be Bloody Face. Brilliant. I absolutely ADORE when reveals take me off-guard like that (doesn't happen as often as I'd like).
• The abduction/sterilization scene was brilliant, and creepy; can't wait to see where it goes.
• And, yes, the lobotomy - Wow. Just the Anne Frank storyline in general I thought was really touching, interesting, well-written and superb acting.

I noticed that the direction was particularly disarming this week. I wondering if they're deploying a technique wherein the direction gets more shaky/blurry as we "descend" into the madness of the asylum.

Really creates a great feel of dis-ease.

[neverending]

I like the white spaces... they're intriguing, like redacted government files...

[Straker]

I have appreciated the spoiler white outs... I'm still trying to decide whether I want to watch any of this series. I dont really watch any current TV outside of the odd comedy series and the news, but the whole concept of this show, especially this series, has me real interested.

[ImmortalSlasher]

Originally Posted by Straker

I have appreciated the spoiler white outs... I'm still trying to decide whether I want to watch any of this series. I dont really watch any current TV outside of the odd comedy series and the news, but the whole concept of this show, especially this series, has me real interested.

The first one is more pure horror with ghosts but this one has everything. It would be bad high school/college creative writing stuff if not for the acting and way they are telling the story. I can't believe you're not watching this show.

[ChronoGrl]

Originally Posted by Straker

I have appreciated the spoiler white outs... I'm still trying to decide whether I want to watch any of this series. I dont really watch any current TV outside of the odd comedy series and the news, but the whole concept of this show, especially this series, has me real interested.

If you can get your hands on it, definitely at least give it a try. I think you'll totally dig it.

Best show on television right now and certainly the only one I truly look forward to every week.

Originally Posted by neverending

I like the white spaces... they're intriguing, like redacted government files...

Ha - True; Just makes it harder to read over a mobile.

[Atraxi]

Originally Posted by neverending

I believe this may have been my favorite episode of the entire series. So many different things going on. Even the direction was superior to what you'd normally see on a TV show. They rolled out as many camera tricks as possible- forced perspective, claustrophobic framing, weird angles, quick cuts, extreme light and shadow, mujted color palette, odd coloration resembling old film stock from the 50s in the scenes from the past, use of shots with no people in them, such as the shot of a desk with two chairs before it or the flames in the fireplace, certain musical cues. At times it really resembled a homage to Hitchcock or Polanski.

And then the plot itself:
They're really delving into some dark corners here, dipping into the heart of evil in American society. The government use of former Nazi scientists, forced sterilization programs, ice pick lobotomies.
We're still getting glimpses of the aliens.
And holy shit- the revelation of who BLOODY FACE is.


This is top notch story telling and filmmaking. It's making use of the one advantage episodic television has over feature films- the ability to develop a storyline and characters over a period of time.
With the proper team in place- writing, directing, good production values, great actors- this form can't be topped. This series is one of the best efforts I've ever seen.

I agree with all of this and was thinking the very same things last night. This was definitely a crazy awesome episode. I didn't see Bloody Face/the doctor coming until they stepped into his house and I thought, "Oh shit, he's the killer." They did an amazing job with this character.

I don't know if that needed to be in white or not but on the off chance, I hid it.

[fortunato]

Just watched this week's episode, and yes- really, really well-constructed. This show isn't always strong on the whole balancing storylines thing, but this episode was super-impressive. Restrained in some ways, still sheer madness in others.
Good stuff! Can't wait to see where all the huge developments/reveal(s) from this week lead.

[neverending]

The whole "thing in the stairwell" scene was PERFECT. As soon as that girl looked into the stairwell, I knew exactly what she was going to see, and exactly how the scene would play out, shot for shot. When the teacher and other girls came to look and then ran screaming, it was almost humorous. In fact, I did laugh- with glee.

[ChronoGrl]

Originally Posted by neverending

The whole "thing in the stairwell" scene was PERFECT. As soon as that girl looked into the stairwell, I knew exactly what she was going to see, and exactly how the scene would play out, shot for shot. When the teacher and other girls came to look and then ran screaming, it was almost humorous. In fact, I did laugh- with glee.

YES!!! Agreed!

[neverending]

My one slight quibble with this show is with the scenes where they show Sister Jude's past. Jessica Lange is a terrific actress, and she deserves every acolade she gets for this role, but I just don't believe her as her younger self. They should get another actress to play her in those scenes, IMO.