Alice Rush reviews the fifth episode of American Horror Story: Coven…
So in this follow up episode to last week’s Halloween delight we’re treated to zombie hordes, bloody impaling, limbs getting ripped from bodies and even a witch burning. Well it wouldn’t be American Horror Story without some good old fashioned violence, and this week’s episode ‘Burn, Witch, Burn!’ delivers just that.
Starting off to a flashback to 1833 we see Madame LaLaurie in her prime, hosting a suave Halloween ball at her estate. This elegant affair soon turns sour however, as she scares off a prospective son in law with a ghoulish game of “Guess The Internal Organ In The Pot” and proceeds to lock up and torture her daughters for insinuating that they may plot to murder her. These constant reminders of her despicable past actions make it even more interesting that we come to sympathise with her in present day as she struggles along the path of self-redemption with this struggle coming to a head this week as she is confronted with zombified versions of her dead daughters.
The episode quickly picks up where last week left off as we return to the Academy as it is surrounded by Laveau’s army of dead. With Nan and the boy next door trapped in a car after he gets an axe to the back and LaLaurie grappling with her zombie daughter, the sequence that follows is a delightful homage to the B-movie horrors so many of the viewers will know and love. Zoe comes rushing in, chainsaw blazing and, completely in the style of Ash Williams, mows down anything dead in her path. It’s a complete blast of adrenaline and refreshing to see the show indulge in some tongue in cheek violence opposed to its usual realistic gore. There is also a hint of a further plot twist to come as Zoe kills a zombie using just her magic, a spell so powerful it causes Laveau to be brought out of her voodoo trance. Could we have the next Supreme on our hands?
Jessica Lange once again owns the screen this week as Fiona is pushed even further to her breaking point. After her acid attack last week it seems that Delia will be permanently blind as well as scarred. Grappling with her guilt, we are treated to a beautifully surreal sequence of a scared and drugged up Fiona staggering around a Briarcliff-esque hospital, falling into walls and reviving still born babies. The speech she gives the bereaved mother, telling her to love her child, is doubly moving as we know they are all the things she wishes she could say to Delia, fulfilling the mother/daughter relationship theme of this series.
As she returns to the Academy and sets about sorting through the remains of Laveau’s army, the Council return to cause her yet more grief, asking her to resign as Supreme. Dastardly Fiona has a plan, however, and uses Queenie’s voodoo doll powers to frame Myrtle, making it look like she was the one who attacked Delia with acid and forcing to council to vote for her to be burned at the stake. The burning scene showcases the power of ‘American Horror Story’ and its ability to bring together solid scripts with affective cinematography and camera work. The image of the all black coven burning the white dressed Myrtle on a deserted beach was impacting viewing and showcased the series ability to be able to tell a story through its visually stimulating aesthetics as well as its sharp tongued dialogue. Sometimes it really is a true joy to behold.
Whilst the episode may have been a delight for the senses I still can’t help but still feel some doubt for the series. As each episode progresses we seem to be drawn further into this witching world but without any real sense of urgency or danger. After last week’s breaking of the truce I was hoping for some real clashes between the tribes, however it just seems to be moving a bit slowly for me. I put this down to the excess of characters and side plots but I’m hoping that soon all of these narrative strands will be brought together and the series will finally reach the potential we all know it can achieve.
Alice Rush
Originally published November 8, 2013. Updated April 15, 2018.
