Bob:
So we have heard the news that season two of American Horror Story is going to look completely different from season one. I’m really okay with the decision. I think murder house could have gotten really stale really fast, and I’m not sure I’m going to miss any of the characters all that much. Frankly, I thought the Harmons were annoying and I wasn’t the least bit sad when any of them bit the dust. I’m not, however, looking to dissect the first season of AHS. Instead, I’d like to talk about the possibilities for season two.
I, for one, would like to see the producers turn their attention to a completely different story. I hope they don’t just set up shop in a new haunted house, or a haunted school, or a haunted amusement park (unless they cast a gang of precocious teenagers and a great dane), or a haunted prison. I would love it if they went away from ghosts all together. There are plenty of other horror classics to explore. How about a werewolf terrorizing a small rural town? Vampires are a little over exposed at the moment, but they could work here, especially if they are ripping into people’s throats and not mooning over high schoolers.
Whatever the theme, I would really like to see a different tone on the show. In the first season, it was all cheap thrills and gore. It was fun, don’t get me wrong, but I think it would be interesting if season two went for creepy, slow-building suspense. Knowing that the season is going to be self contained, I think there is a great opportunity to build up the terror slowly over the season and pay off with a terrifying final hour or two.
What do you think?
Debbie:
I’m OK with it too; I posted my comments on Keith’s post so I won’t reiterate … I’ll just jump into season two thoughts.
First of all, why you don’t watch Supernatural is so far beyond my comprehension because it started out as being exactly what you say, only it was each episode, rather than each season. I can’t believe I digressed from a discussion I haven’t even started yet … sigh. …
As interesting as your would-like-to-sees are, holding your breath would not likely be a fabulous idea. They are already taking a big risk by refreshing the whole second season, so I don’t think they’d alienate the on-the-fence viewers who tune in by changing the tone as well.
One thing I’d really like to see them explore is a bit more character development. I couldn’t even watch AHS at first because the characters were all so surface and unlikeable, and it wasn’t the characters that eventually sucked me in. A season that told a compelling story and had unforgettable characters — now that would be something to aim for, and I don’t think the Powers That Be would freak out any viewers by striving for that!
Bob:
I guess I just want something different and it doesn’t have to be tone. I feel like if the show is going to have a new story and new characters every season, it should at least feel different or why bother changing? If the writers are going to stick with a ghost story, then change the tone. If they want to stick with the same gorefest monster-around-the-corner tone, then they should significantly change the theme. That’s my opinion.
Part of my problem with the first season of American Horror Story was that I didn’t find it all that scary. I’ve never been one to get excited about things popping out from around a corner, and I felt like that’s what most of the scares were in the show. I find real fear to come from suspense and mystery. That’s why I’d like to see a change in tone. I think you’re right, though. It’s probably a pipe dream.
Debbie:
I agree, it wasn’t that scary. If they were going for the suspense and mystery you mention, they missed the mark and hit creepy and bizarre instead.
If I had to guess, season two will be another ghost story, but not a haunted house. Or at least not a werewolf or vampire, because those really are overdone right now. Maybe an office building or an old mine shaft or something? And I think we’ve just come back to Fred, Velma and the gang.
Clacked by Bob Degon
on Jan 05, 2012 @ 10:00 EST5EDT
