Poor y'alls boring taste because you get so easily excited at the SLIGHTEST sign of horror.
Yes, the show is slightly scarier than Hotel or Freak Show or Coven, but it's not the sheer dread that we got with Asylum. The gore is fleeting, as exciting as the few glimpses of it we've had have been. Now, perhaps I'm going out on a limb by saying this, or crossing a line, but it just comes off as people being excited to see something scary again, but what's been "scary" about these two episodes would still be such a bland moment in Asylum. This season isn't amazing, it's just a watered-down attempt at recreating the horror of Asylum in the setting and backstory of Murder House; emphasis on "watered-down". Yes, it's different from the last 3 seasons, which dumbed down the horror in favor of style and campiness, but different and "good" are not the same thing, and I think that's what I'm seeing the most here.
One of the biggest issues is that these characters are lifeless. We had some bits of development first episode with Matt and Shelby, with their backstory, but what have they done in these two episodes besides scream each others' name, cry when something scary happens, or go outside to check the source of some sound? There's no development, there's little to no characterization, and they aren't grappling, engaging characters like the people of Asylum. Kit and Lana were more interesting in their first respective scenes than Matt and Shelby have been in these two episodes. But we're forced to root for these two because they're all we really have; though, I, personally, am rooting for Lee the most because she's the only one with an ounce of actual plot and development to her.
Regarding repetitive things: How many jump scares have there been in these 2 episodes? Maybe a dozen? And how many times did we see the pig tails? 3? 4? And that woman/ghost leading them to the cellar... we saw her twice, when only once was necessary. We've heard the scary pig noises at least 3 times, and the second and third times haven't added anything. There was some interest in seeing that knife sticking to the door at the end of one of the acts, but we already saw all the knives sticking to the ceiling; the only new part about this knife is the blood on it, but that could'v easily been replaced with a blood splatter alone instead of the knife.
How much has actually HAPPENED in these two episodes? All the plot and "development" (I keep using that word because it's something that's really missing) could be squished into one episode. The rest is full of shots that are unnecessary and trying to create atmosphere and tension, but it falls flat and thus becomes boring. Thus far: A couple who were attacked by a gang in initiation uprooted their lives and spent their life savings on an old house. They were harassed by some rednecks in the process. They see what appear to be ghosts of colonists performing satanic sacrifice rituals. One of the family members has substance abuse troubles, and ruined her relationship with her husband, and is dealing with custody issues in the process. Yes, there was the sub-story about the nurses thus far, but all in all, there isn't a lot going on. It's mostly just attempts at atmospheric horror and certain jumps cares that are quickly losing effect.
Now, is there potential? Absolutely. There was a lot of potential after the first episode, but the second felt like an afterthought of the premier rather than a whole new episode that's supposed to drive the plot further. "Overarching themes" are yet to be established, and there isn't a whole lot to analyze, so I fail to see what everyone sees so deeply into this season of the show. The preview for next episode looks like a bit more of what we've had these past two weeks; perhaps a tad more action, but I'm not sure if that action is actually **** we're waiting for, or just more of this in-the-moment thrill that ends up being an eye roll when it doesn't do much for the episode overall.
Now, this is still all my opinion; you're free to disagree with it, as usual, and I understand if anyone else feels the need to complain about how I'm just bitching about AHS or how I'm pretentious because I state my opinions a lot or whatever nonsense, but I've spelled my thoughts out for you guys finally, and I hope that gives more insight. But if you'd rather dismiss it, call me an obsessed hater and say I clearly don't know what I'm talking about, have at it.
sis
I just hate that it's so ****ing short.