“American Horror Story: Coven” Season Premiere “Bitchcraft” Review

A young girl, Zoe (Taissa Farmiga), is shattered to discover she possesses a strange genetic affliction tracing back to the dark days of Salem. Zoe is whisked away to Miss Robichaux’s Academy for Exceptional Young Ladies, a mysterious school in New Orleans devoted to safeguarding the few remaining descendants who share this unique bloodline. Harboring a secret agenda, Fiona Goode (Jessica Lange), the most powerful witch of their generation, returns to town, reigniting old rivalries with the Coven’s deadly enemies, the Voodoo.

American Horror Story is a series known for its fits of complete horror insanity. If anything stands out tonight, it’s the fact that this show so easily holds the chaos and madness in check. Set in New Orleans with a crew of social outcast archetypes, the premiere introduces us to Miss Robichaux’s Academy for Exceptional Young Ladies, the vagina-rich companion to a certain school Charles Xavier used to run. Zoe (Taissa Farmiga), returning from season one, arrives at the school as the kid who just discovered her powers – in a most unpleasant way.

Jessica Lange, the obvious season superstar is center point, surrounded by several returning stars from earlier seasons, and joined by freshly cast, Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett, Emma Roberts and Gabourey Sidibe. The subplots and expected horror-centric themes are all accounted for Bitchcraft sets the stage for a season of conflict and surprises. Tonight was risqué, obviously feminine, and only beginning. I love having this show back. I love a lot of horror outlets, but this show is decadent and fun to obsess over. We’ll all be searching for season four clues in no time.

For those already claiming there’s too much going on; you’re talking about the same show that confidently delivered Nazis, mutants, Aliens, Satan, possessions, and self-hating nuns last season. The show is filled with sex, violence, and evil – something I think we all enjoy within Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk’s world. And just like the last two seasons, Coven is a rich, colorful showcase of cinematography and set design, once again creating a backdrop that’s an equal part of the cast. Intriguing and intense, just as I hoped. I can’t wait for next week.