I really wanted to like this. However after watching the first episode, it seems more on par with AHStories, which is really disappointing. It made me remember when AHS was still incredible. It started out so promising, being stylish with great performances while being original and fresh (seasons 1-3). I just keep waiting for a season to reignite the flame of the first two, and it hasn't happened.
When the episode first started, I immediately liked the vintage aesthetic it had. Unfortunately, it kind of went downhill for me after that as the acting quickly came off as unimpressive and lackluster. Many of the characters came off as unlikable, and despite being a man in the LGBTQ community, I didn't identify with any of them. The whole episode had this sleezy, uncomfortably sexual tone that felt a little bit offensive towards gay men. I felt as though it painted them as overly kinky and sexual, and gave them no complexity.
The cast isn't doing much for me so far, and I feel a little but let down by the returning actors I was excited for. Zachary Quinto plays the partner of a famous BDSM photographer, and feels like a mix of his characters from season 1 & 2, but more campy and stereotypical. Billie Lourd doesn't seem right for her role, nor does Leslie Grossman. Russell Tovey and Charlie Carver are just okay, Patti LuPone just poorly lip-synchs the whole episode.
Overall, I feel disappointed in what I've seen so far. It feels as if nothing new has been presented here, and feels more gross and uncomfortable rather than creepy/intense. I've yet to see anything except weak performances that accompany a confused story, but wish nothing more than to be proved wrong. I feel let down by the lack of care and enthusiasm I feel from AHS in the recent past, but feel that it has to do with Ryan Murphy being connected to so many projects. That being said, I can't judge the entire season based on this episode, so I will hold off on making any definitive opinions until more has been released.