Review: American Horror Story, Season 1, Ep. 9 “Spooky Little Girl”
Air Date: Wednesday, November 30, 2011 10PM E/P on FX.
Rating:
There is an art to seduction, something Hayden (Kate Mara) clearly hasn’t mastered yet. If I’m going to be frank here, I don’t care for Hayden much. At first, when she was nothing more than background scenery, I thought she was an interesting character, but now that she’s in the forefront, she’s becoming more of a nuisance and less of a nuance.
Her delusional attachment to Ben (Dylan McDermott) is becoming more stalker-esque rather than a naïve schoolgirl. But, with Ben sending mixed signals, who can blame the girl? He continues to see her even after the initial affair nearly severing his marriage to Vivien (Connie Britton), and then kisses her goodbye after telling her he’s not in love with her. If you are going to end the affair, end it. Don’t linger for hugs and kisses afterwards.
As much as I don’t want to believe it, Tate (Evan Peters) is the father of one of the twins Vivien is carrying. It comes as quite a shock to Ben when he learns he isn’t the father of both babies. But what I find most disturbing about Ben’s behavior is how he approaches Vivien in her dank quarters at the psychiatric hospital and the despicable things he says to her. He’s the pot calling the kettle black. He is disgusted at the very thought of Vivien having been with another man yet he’s the one who can’t seem to keep his pants on.
[singlepic id=2505 w=320 h=240 float=left] What is most captivating about “Spooky Little Girl” is the enigmatic Constance (Jessica Lange). Lange is absolutely brilliant as Constance and steals every scene she’s in with her compelling portrayal of a woman desperate for redemption and second chances. From the delivery of her lines to her flawless execution of emotions, both verbally and physically, I am helplessly drawn into her story, watching in complete awe as she commands the screen.
Constance didn’t succeed as an actress, so she is dating a young, aspiring actor, Travis (Michael Graziadei). She didn’t fare too well being a parent and now she wants to take care of the spawn of her dead son, Tate
Constance wants to take Tate’s baby and raise it with Travis. Seems like an odd venture to undertake especially since she’s much older. Perhaps the recent loss of her daughter Addie (Jamie Brewster) has stirred maternal feelings. However, after hearing what her friend and medium Billie (guest star Sarah Paulson) says about spirits copulating with the living and the illusive message within the “Pope Box” about the union spawning an evil that will bring about eternal damnation, then I am thinking she should sleep on her decision rather than go on impulse. But, hey, that’s just me. Of course, Constance taking custody of Tate’s baby is contingent upon Vivien actually relinquishing her parental rights. However, I’m sure once Vivien realizes what she is carrying is literally the spawn of Satan, I’m sure she’ll hand the baby over without question!
I am bit confused as to the title of the episode because I’m not sure if the “Spooky Little Girl” refers to Hayden or Elizabeth Short (guest star Mena Suvari). Of course, if anyone is familiar with old Hollywood murders, Elizabeth is none other than the Black Dahlia. It seems Elizabeth paid a visit to a young dentist Dr. Curran (guest star Joshua Molina) who resided in the house. Unable to pay, she insinuates she would be willing to trade sexual favors for Dr. Curran’s work. Of course, what Elizabeth didn’t anticipate is our comely dentist taking matters into his own hands after putting her under anesthesia. Unfortunately, his prolonged examination (if you will) while she was breathing in the gas proved to be fatal for her. But it isn’t the dentist who mutilates Elizabeth’s body; it’s Dr. Charles Montgomery (Matt Ross) who finishes the job in a most gruesome manner.
[singlepic id=2506 w=320 h=240 float=right] Another surprise for me is Moira (Frances Conroy/Alexandra Breckenridge). Young Moira is who Ben always sees. She continues to tempt him with her feminine wiles but when he finally has enough, Ben dismisses Moira from her duties and that is when he finally sees things for what they are.
There seems to be more questions being asked and going unanswered rather than us getting any closer to figuring out what the hell is going on. At first, I thought the plan was to get rid of the Harmons or use them as harbingers for the house’s evil souls. Now it seems as if the Harmons are pawns in a much more elaborate scheme to bring about a religious apocalypse which, quite frankly, is unappealing to me. I hope we get some clarity in the next episode because I am a little perturbed at how this whole scenario is playing out. Also, there seems to be enough bloodshed but the horror aspect of American Horror Story needs to be amplified. I used to get chills watching but now I just watch hoping to be scared. While I’m completely intrigued by where the show is going, I hope the writers actually lead us in a direction less religious and more paranormal; otherwise, it may turn into what The CW’s Supernatural did for me in Seasons 5-6 with all the religious battles between Heaven and Hell. Why can’t evil just be evil without having religious connotations?
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Photos © 2011 FX Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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Judy Manning
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