AHS 13 is a dud (so far)

[gagzus 25,480]

So we’re only 3 episodes in, which—frankly, could’ve just been one episode. And already I feel highly dissatisfied. Bare in mind I was super excited for this season.

Firstly, the links back to the veteran characters feels unnecessary, the story feels like it doesn’t need (at least so far) any reference to the previous characters at all. Constance didnt need to be there at all, if the need for Jessica Lange was what they wanted; then they could’ve just had her play a brand new character. 

Or better yet, have an entirely fresh cast. The 13 storyline and the relation to the devil is interesting, but the flying references to the other characters just feels… forced. Even Constance’s story beats are just recycled ones from both Murder House and Apocalypse about her grief over her kids. 

The new main character is interesting, the writing is still clunky as hell, but the mystery is well set up. At least to me. But I think they could’ve cut the number of episodes in half, because clearly the episode lengths were a play to be like “hey look we have LOTS of episodes this season like we used to.” They could’ve also made it focus more on the new main character’s story more than the random inclusion of old characters. Even the Coven scene in episode one is just…there and hitting beats.

They could’ve made the story revolved around people being brought back with entirely new ones even. Once you see the characters together the nostalgia sort of wears off. 

Am I still going to watch? Absolutely! Because I want to see if I’m wrong and if the story pays off. And if my predictions are right about the season.

But yeah what’s everyone’s opinions thus far and your predictions?

 

[Mirrion Rizzons 12,779]

I’m 15 mins into episode 1 and respectfully, what the f*** is going on 

[JohnPokerface 1,106]

Idk why people thought that a miracle would happen and the writing will somehow improve just because OG actors returned. Even in it's prime AHS was more about vibes then strong writing and it got progressively worse. And most importantly it's a Ryan Murphy show, how many times he has to let you down before you stop expecting him to make a good TV show?

Edited 2 hours ago by JohnPokerface

[gagzus 25,480]

Just now, JohnPokerface said:

Idk why people thought that a miracle would happen and the writing will somehow improve just because OG actors returned. Even in it's prime AHS was more about vibes then strong writing and it got progressively worse. And most importantly it's a Ryan Murphy show how many times he has to let you down?

I knew the writing wasn’t gonna be outstanding since they’ve only won a handful of awards for performances/writing (Gaga being one of them). But I just feel that, so far, they could’ve done this with entirely original characters. Absolutely didnt need the other ones.

[RAMROD 118,151]

It's sad to see. I don't even follow the series anymore after Cult. That's where I saw it's going downhill. The series has becomes another ryan murphy syndrome of show. Just like glee & nip/tuck before them. It started great and high acclaimed but overstay their welcome, and becomes bloated over convoluted mess. The only one that misses this curse are popular, cos they get cancelled early, and pose, cos it ended at the right time.

[JohnPokerface 1,106]

4 minutes ago, gagzus said:

I knew the writing wasn’t gonna be outstanding since they’ve only won a handful of awards for performances/writing (Gaga being one of them). But I just feel that, so far, they could’ve done this with entirely original characters. Absolutely didnt need the other ones.

I knew it's gonna be mostly a fan service after they announced the cast and it looks like it's exactly what it is. They gonna have all those character from past seasons appear and say their catch phrases and then do nothing with them except for witches because Coven is their golden goose. Also I saw the surprise bitch clip and it's so cringe.

[imogen2133 701]

I might watch it but I haven't watched anything past Apocalypse and I really didn't like that season much at all (or Cult). The only seasons I really like are the first and second ones and some of Hotel (mostly for Gaga's scenes). I also really don't get the hype for Coven and season 4 was okay but the finale was really weak and there weren't many strong storylines and the plot was quite thin. Also idk if this is unpopular but Hotel isn't very good unfortunately, John Lowe and his wife were quite thinly written and the twist where it turns out he was the murderer was so dumb and made no sense no matter how you try to justify it or think about it and most of the other characters characters like Iris, Tristian, Liz, Hazel and Sally don't have a lot to do and the drill demon is more so there for shock content than to actually serve the story tool. The main good parts were The Countess, James Patrick March and the story around the Hotel itself and it's recurring guests because Elizabeth's love interests and history actually inform her character and there is a lot of time dedicated to exploring her as well. Also the finale was such a waste and it could have ended easily with the 11th episode too. I wish the season Gaga was in was better written because I think it is her best role she has done so far with her best acting but since season 4 wasn't great I guess it wasn't a huge surprise either. 

[gagzus 25,480]

9 minutes ago, JohnPokerface said:

I knew it's gonna be mostly a fan service after they announced the cast and it looks like it's exactly what it is. They gonna have all those character from past seasons appear and say their catch phrases and then do nothing with them except for witches because Coven is their golden goose. Also I saw the surprise bitch clip and it's so cringe.

I wouldn’t even call it fan service, because that would imply the story follows fan theories and wants. Sure they’ve got the fan favourite characters but they aren’t really even relevant to the main plot so far. The witches don’t even become relevant to the story (based on the episode descriptions) till episode 6. There only scene is the beginning of the first episode so far.

I’m interested in the story and its mystery, but it could’ve absolutely just been around original characters.

Edited 2 hours ago by gagzus

[Meredith Grey 3,225]

I agree with what you said that it’s one episode dragged out across 3. I feel like this is a season that should’ve been dropped on Hulu all at once because it felt like watching a movie in parts on tiktok

[nATAH 58,285]

i saw the surprise "f*ggy" clip and i can't believe there are people who are ride or die for this show

are we seeing the same thing?

[imogen2133 701]

1 minute ago, gagzus said:

I wouldn’t even call it fan service, because that would imply the story follows fan theories and wants. Sure they’ve got the fan favourite characters but they aren’t really even relevant to the main plot so far. The witches don’t even become relevant to the story (based on the episode descriptions) till episode 6.

I’m interested in the story and it’s mystery, but it could’ve absolutely just been around original characters.

I think what they mean is fan service like having the characters there because people wanted them back and not because they actually fit the story/season (like you mentioned), it is like if in a new Marvel movie they brought back Tony Stark (played by RDJ)  with some random magic spell and he said "I am Iron Man" for no reason just because fans want him back in the MCU, that is a form of fan service too and Madison saying "Surprise Bitch" is an obvious example, it's partially why I am glad Gaga isn't involved in it this time because she would probably be used the same way and really her story in season 5 is largely disconnected from most of the other characters in the first place and she is more insular to that one season so I think it would be strange if she came back and I definitely think it would be very fan servicey if she did.  

[JohnPokerface 1,106]

1 minute ago, gagzus said:

I wouldn’t even call it fan service, because that would imply the story follows fan theories and wants. Sure they’ve got the fan favourite characters but they aren’t really even relevant to the main plot so far. The witches don’t even become relevant to the story (based on the episode descriptions) till episode 6.

I’m interested in the story and it’s mystery, but it could’ve absolutely just been around original characters.

Well I hope you'll post your review when the season is over, I'm not gonna watch it but I'm interested to know your final thoughts and if your opinion changes when all episodes are out.

[alsemanche 97,852]

Sounds exactly like what I expected it to be so lemme not watch 

Edited 2 hours ago by alsemanche

[weed 79,353]

the "f*ggy" clip gagged me lmao I didn't love it with the they/them part... but I'm still excited to watch. HATE the episode lengths but I haven't seen it yet

[gagzus 25,480]

12 minutes ago, JohnPokerface said:

Well I hope you'll post your review when the season is over, I'm not gonna watch it but I'm interested to know your final thoughts and if your opinion changes when all episodes are out.

Oh yeah I will probably put out a comprehensive review once all episodes are out. I’m not sure of the release schedule because I hate that it’s ONLY 30 min episodes roughly, so that’s my first big critique. It works for a sitcom or soap opera but definitely not with something like AHS. An hour minimum I think per episode is best, these first three episodes have filled and could’ve easily been one episode.