American Horror Story - Episode 1.02 - Home Invasion - Review

"I guess I'm just scared of being cut in half."

Last week, American Horror Story was an overwrought train wreck and I was wary of it bursting into flames in its second installment. But it didn't do that this week. Thankfully, it was actually… oh, what's that word… cohesive. There were some serious annoyances, of course, that were basically one and the same as the issues I had last week.

First off, seriously this fast editing is just to piss me off. I'm sure of it. The scene in which Vivien is telling Violet to call 911 and to go to her room, I felt like it was an episode of Gilmore Girls: Homicide! What was that? And it proceeded to do it throughout the episode (and before that scene, as well). There were still moments where characters just decide to change moods at the drop of a hat, like Ben's mistress who goes from talking about abortion to exclaiming "Yay, Pizza!!!" to almost screaming bloody murder when she sees him using his phone to then crying. Um. Okay. And of course, there's the whole let's-talk-about-psychotic-issues-like-nothing with Ben's latest patient. But at least she actually is pretty insane. (Never mind the fact that she's basically Tate in female form…)

And the reason it's evident as to why these are actual issues is because that cold open was absolutely fantastic, in spite of its Psycho-inspired music score. It was slow, and meticulous, and creepy, and shocking. I gasped at it all, especially when that knife came stabbing her in the back. That's what this show should be. Not this fast-talking gibberish I got for the next 85% of the episode. So much so I was actually disappointed when it cut away and we were in Ben's office with Tate.

But regardless of that, I was very much able to get sucked into it all. My toes curled and my stomach knotted every time that cupcake came onscreen. As soon as Constance was handing it out, to Vivien holding it (I don't know who holds a cupcake for three minutes and doesn't eat it, but whatever), to Violet holding it, I was anxious! Because of a cupcake. And when she placed it outside of her room, I thought "No, not the dog!!!" Thankfully, it was Ben's latest patient that suffered the wrath.

Also, I think the showrunners really hit a homerun with the entire home invasion part of the episode — right down to Tate axing her in half, her worst nightmare.

I don't exactly think the Harmons should have considered moving out already (which is a popular opinion) because not that many freaky things have happened to them. I think the writers have set up Viven's wanting to leave perfectly here. And, as they obviously will not be moving out, I look forward to seeing how they address her concerns once ghouls and goblins start becoming a factor.

Episode one most certainly put me off from this series, but episode two was a vast improvement. I can only hope they improve even more going into next week.

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Check out more of my American Horror Story reviews:
Episode 1.01 Pilot
Photo Recap of the pilot episode