Review: American Horror Story "Murder House" (...like lambs to the slaughter)

Review: American Horror Story, Season 3, “Murder House”

Air Date: Wednesday, October 19, 2011 10PM E/P on FX

Rating ★★★★★

“Murder House” is where the Harmons live, but it’s not where they want to be. While Vivien (Connie Britton) desperately tries to get the house back on the market as quickly as possible, they have no choice but to stay. Of course, Violet (Taissa Farmiga) threatening to run away if they sell the house throws a monkey-wrench in the situation. She claims the house has “soul” but I think she means the trapped souls (like Moira)! There has been so much death and macabre deeds done in the house that if it does have a soul, it’s in pain – suffering an unimaginable, unending turmoil. With a daily tour – Eternal Darkness tours – driving past the house retelling the story every day, it’s hard-pressed to forget!

Review: American Horror Story "Murder House" (...like lambs to the slaughter) 1

Connie Britton as Vivien Harmon as she speaks with the realtor about selling the house

I love how Vivien discusses the house situation with the realtor, Marcy (Christine Estabrook). It seems Marcy is a little put out by “Mrs. Whore-man.” Oh yeah, she said it. After telling Vivien about her wretched apartment, she suggests Vivien call a “more seasoned realtor” to which Vivien vehemently replies: “Oh, you think you were my first call? I called every realtor in the city this morning – Caldwell Banker, Century 21 – no one will take this listing. So here’s the plan: you are going to bake cookies; you are going to go buy beautiful, expensive, fresh cut flowers; you are maybe gonna make up some lovely stories about all the lovely people who’ve lived here over the years; you are gonna do whatever it takes and you are gonna sell this house and then my family and I are gonna go live some place safe and in return for that I am not gonna sue you for gross criminal negligence. Are we on the same page?”

Review: American Horror Story "Murder House" (...like lambs to the slaughter) 2

Matt Ross as Dr. Charles Montgomery who has developed a strange "Dr. Frankestein" quality

There are so many things I love about American Horror Story that I can hardly pick one. The dialogue and turn-of-phrase used are so in tune with the era of each scene. Going back to 1922 to meet the original owners of the house, Dr. Charles Montgomery (Matt Ross) and his wife Nora (Lily Rabe), the way they speak to each other has a high-society air reminiscent of the roaring 20’s. The way Nora greets the first of over two dozen girls coming to get back-door abortions courtesy of her Frankenstein-esque husband is both conducive of the era but also ironic. “Come in lamb;” like lambs to the slaughter.

Jessica Lange impresses me in each episode with her portrayal of the embittered and self-serving Constance. We learn about her relationship with the younger Moira (Alexandra Breckenridge) and get an explanation for the animosity between her and Moira. The year is 1983. It seems Moira had an indiscretion with Constance’s husband Hugo (Eric Close). Heartbroken and betrayed by the man she’s been in love with since the age of 16, Constance will not stand idly by and be made a fool by anyone. Her proud Southern roots won’t allow it. As she shoots Moira in the right eye, killing her instantly, she turns the gun on Hugo killing him as well.

The CGI technology used to take nearly 30 years off of Lange’s graceful maturity is pretty damn good. You know Lange isn’t that young but the way she pulls off the scene is what seals the deal. She has an air of elegance about her, carrying herself with such dignity. I absolutely love the lines written for her and her delivery is piercing. As we come back to present day to find Constance stealing yet more silver from the Harmons, Moira {Senior} (Frances Conroy) enters the room, startling our audacious thief. As words are exchanged, Constance leaves on this note, “Every time I find my heart breaking just a sliver for you, I suddenly remember you made this mess for yourself. And I also remember every time I see that ghostly eye, that I was and continue to be a helluva shot. (winks and smirks)” Delightfully catty!

I wonder though how Moira has aged if she was killed in her mid to late 20’s? Moira {Senior} says, “Men see what they want to see; women however see into the soul of a person.” Is Ben seeing and hearing what he wants to from Moira? Are her sexual advances no more than a figment of his imagination? Even Det. Colquitt (Geoffrey Rivas) sees Moira as the young temptress, so could it be these men truly do see what they want to see?

Review: American Horror Story "Murder House" (...like lambs to the slaughter) 3

Ben (Dylan McDermott) gets some unexpected help from Larry (Denis O'Hare)

I also wonder how the dead – including Moira and Nora – are able to be physical in the living world. How can they knock on doors, fold clothes, or touch anything for that matter? I love the mystery of it all. Something very supernatural is going on. Perhaps the reason Moira is still earthbound is because her bones lay buried in the back yard. Could Nora’s be there as well? Do you think one of her husband’s gruesome experiments may have involved her? The unusually shaped wound in the back of her head has a story which needs to be told. And what happened to her child? I don’t like the way she sneaks in the house in the middle of the night and hovers over Vivien’s belly. It rings ominous.

As if the Harmons don’t have enough problems, Ben’s Boston fling Hayden (Kate Mara) shows up in LA demanding he step up and help raise their child. “I’m not a whore, Ben. I matter. I MATTER!” Can someone say coo-coo? Seriously, Hayden becomes very erratically volatile but lucky for Ben, he’s got Larry (Denis O’Hare) to help him out. Of course, it isn’t planned but I think Larry enjoys helping Ben or it could simply be because he wants $1,000 for headshots. I find it so humorous Larry has the acting bug. He even asks Ben, “Will you run this scene with me?”

Why is someone putting laudanum in Ben’s coffee? And is it just me, or was it supernatural how quickly he puts that gazebo up in the back yard – cement foundation and all. I guess when you have to bury the past – you really need to make sure it won’t rise from the ground. I wonder if Hayden will come back as a ghost, too?

Tune into American Horror Story Wednesdays at 10 PM E/P only on FX.

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Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.