Who would have thought that a show like American Horror Story could have a Christmas episode?
I guess I couldn’t have expected anything different than a bizarre episode for a finale. I think in the back of my head I had thought Ben would most likely die in this episode, giving a plausible reason for nearly the entire cast to continue through to next season. Still, it took me by surprise, mostly I think because of how it occurred and at what point in the episode. Seeing new people already moving into the Murder House was sort of a shock, especially when I couldn’t see them as the likely new residents. why didn’t Vivien and Violet appear and help him out? I still want to know where these spirits hang out when they’re not right there with the living, because those two girls picked the worst time ever to play a game of checkers in the basement.
First I want to discuss Moira, the maid. I’m pretty sure we’re supposed to believe she has — or had — some sort of plan for why she appeared younger to living men entering the house, but I don’t get it. She claims to the Harmons that she is one of the “innocent” spirits in the house, but I’m not buying that. If that’s true, what’s with her messing with men’s minds like that? I don’t buy that she was forced to do it, and I don’t buy that she did it to instill or prove some sort of moral awareness in Ben and others. Maybe she didn’t cause harm, really, but she’s not really innocent. In fact, I wonder why Vivien’s not confronting her about the crap she was pulling; then again, maybe she doesn’t know yet.
Something Carla brought up some time ago was that she didn’t believe Tate was the one in the rubber suit, though that’s not the case if we’re to believe his confession to Ben in this episode. I’m not sure if it matters much, but I believe Tate has some form of dual personality going on. That would explain why he was confused when the high school kids confronted him about killing them, and why he denied raping Vivien to Violet. Either he’s truly a crazy liar, or he’s “living” two lives.
In the end, for the Harmons, it’s actually a pretty sad story, even though it ended on a happy note. It took death to make them happy. Wow, that’s not a depressing story at all. I guess it’s a matter of how you look at it. Can the family stay in that house, acting out their fright act on new residents forever? At what point is someone going to finally decide the house needs to be leveled? What then? Would they inhabit the strip mall that goes up in its place?
The “evil” child story is going to be the bigger “horror story” going forward, for sure. Forget ghosts inhabiting a house — we’re talking about a living three-year-old who’s smiling with glee as he slices people’s throats, while “mom” looks on admiringly. How the heck is that story going to continue on? Is Constance going to continue to hide his killings? It can’t be much longer before the police have had enough of her close involvement with deaths and keep one hell of a close eye on her … and her son.
What did you think? Did it end the way you hoped or wanted? What do you think we’ll be looking at next season?
Clacked by Keith McDuffee 
on Dec 21, 2011 @ 23:35 EST5EDT
I really liked the 3 possible endings. First, The Harmons at the front watchig as the new people drive away, they looked like they had a blast. The Christmas part when all 3 of them looked happier than ever in life as tate and Ex girl friend looked on pissed. Finally, the killer child and Constance, damn, she creeps me out. I really hope they don’t just move the story over to Constance next year but keep the house and those ghosts around as well….
I noticed the “kid” had socks on at the end and his feet looked a bit … funny underneath. Hooves anyone? (Remember the weird ripples under Vivien’s clothes and what the ultra sound tech told us she saw.)
Tara, the boy was wearing black and white sneakers, not socks.
I saw that on second viewing Chuck, but they were rather odd and misshapen, don’t you think? Like little “hoovey” sneaks? Designed for today’s styling little baby demon?
Keith, you speculated not too long ago that next season would take place in a new house. You still thinking season two will be in a new location, or perhaps focus more on Constance and the boy? (Will they move back into the house?) Will Jessica Lange even come back? She, like pretty much everyone else, was only signed for one season and they had to really convince her to “do television.” I hope they can get her to return. It wouldn’t be the same without her!
As for Moira, she only appeared young to men, and the young Moira is certainly a different person than the old Moira (speaking of a double life). She did refer to herself as a tramp when she was holding the baby, and her live younger self certainly was. My question about Moira is, why does she appear old at all since she died young? I don’t think that’s ever been explained. I hope Frances Conroy comes back too.
And as for where the ghosts go … they don’t go anywhere. They’re always there, they just have to want to be seen (I loved that even the exterminator popped up!). They’re just energy until they chose to be corporeal. And if three ghosts can kill Ben, then all the others could have kept Vivien and Violet occupied (but I was waiting for them to appear and stop the murder too). It was shocking, the rest of the episode was bizarre, but the ending was pretty awesome. Still may favorite new show of the season!