The First Episode of Coven, is primarily a set up episode. This pretty much introduces us to most of the characters but clearly after one episode a lot of questions are still up in the air and we have twelve more that are going to pull the curtain back a little bit each time. In this episode we see the addition of Kathy Bates to the regular cast of players as the notorious serial killer Delphine LaLaurie. Needless to say this is probably the most evil character that has been introduced to the series (and we've already had a Nazi and the Devil, himself) Bates effortlessly pulls off LaLaurie's wickedness, you can just see it in her eyes, the amazement she has when she has done something so sick as to put a bull's head on a slaves body. It's a shame she's only got a couple scenes in this first episode, but at least we know she's gotten into the present somehow. I'm not going to bother talking about the characters since this is primarily a setup episode and the summaries are relatively available online of who they are. I was impressed with Evan Peters as Kyle Spencer, If only because he did nail the New Orleans accent, you can especially here it when he talks about the "Ninth Ward". I feel as if Emma Roberts, Jamie Brewer and Gabourey Sidibe are okay but they really don't have much material to work with in this episode. Briefly appearing in this episode is Frances Conroy as Myrtle Snow, just from the few seconds of screen time she had it's clear this is going to be a fun character to watch. Of course I'll talk about Jessica Lange, what do I need to say about her that hasn't already been said, she gives another great performance. All in all a good start but let's see where it goes from here.
15 Reviews
welcome to the coven
jackDee-5656519 January 2021
I love coven, I liked they got taissa back, I love Kathy bates being in it, the characters are not all likable but the season stands out on gore and has some of the best kills of the entire series, its first episode was well written well acted and a great introduction with some pretty big WTF? Moments, I feel and understand why some don't like it but I felt it mixed its teeny comedic side and its horror and gore really well, it suited to it and did not feel out of place, I liked the addition of Emma Roberts as well
A Great Season by All Means
oxygenrequired4 September 2019
This season was great! The comedy was spot on, and the concept was good from the start. While it may not be as scary or as 'horror' as the other seasons, it does contain some serious scenes and topics. While you may end up disliking some of the characters immensely, most characters are well developed and stand out in their own way.
The perfect set up episode to my favorite season!
audaciousness22 November 2018
Let's get one thing out of the way here first - "Coven" is not a typical American Horror Story season. It has very little actual horror. It's a dark comedy, from start to finish, with fun supernatural elements of which craft done in a darkly humored way. Obviously fans of "true horror" aren't going to like this and will call it 'not scary enough', but if you just stop fixating on wanting something scary, you can appreciate "Coven" for the supernatural fantasy comedy-drama masterpiece it is.
My favorite season, personally.
My favorite season, personally.
S3.E1 - Bitchcraft [9/10]
panagiotis199317 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
(S3. E1) My Live Reaction / Review for American Horror Story Season 3 Episode 1 ''Bitchcraft''. The previous season was good and I gave it a rating of 9/10. Let's see if this one is better or worse. A girl realizes that she is a witch and she have to leave her family, nice start. Nice to see Taissa Farmiga again. Fiona is obsessed, she wants a magical way to become young again. Wow she is a really powerful witch, she sucked the life out of this guy. These guys are raping Madison. Disgusting! Madison destroyed the bus with them inside it? Very satisfying. Wait! Evan Peters' character is already dead? That sucks! Overall this episode was good, my rating is 9/10.
Archie Archie.....
ZegMaarJus6 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This episode begins with the family LaLaurie, they have a big party. Delphine beats up Pauline. Zoe has sex with Charlie. Charlie his nose bleeds, he gets a brain aneurysm. Charlie died afterwards. Zoe arrives at a mysterious house: Miss Robichaux Academy. Fiona kisses David. Fiona killed David. Kyle has a conversation with Zoe. Archie rapes Madison. Madison let the bus crash, 7 guys died. Zoe discovered that Archie survived the bus crash. Kyle died in the bus crash. Zoe has sex with Archie till he dies. Nice episode of American Horror Story Season 3, a bloody end of this episode. Archie died. Zoe gave him the last bang!
Alfonso Gomez-Rejon did it again
DarkDefender_8111 October 2013
Story and plot wise this episode was just okay, but where it really excelled was Gomez-Rejon's direction. It was once again simply superb. He is a combination of Scorsese and DePalma on steroids. The way he uses the camera to capture images is beautiful, disturbing and weird, making even simple dialog scenes become special.
I said it before (in my review to the Anne Frank: Part II episode of the 2nd season), but I will say it again. He is a future Oscar director contender. This episode was just another proof. I can't wait to see next episode he directed. That alone will be worth tuning in. I know I will.
I said it before (in my review to the Anne Frank: Part II episode of the 2nd season), but I will say it again. He is a future Oscar director contender. This episode was just another proof. I can't wait to see next episode he directed. That alone will be worth tuning in. I know I will.
Enough Already
michaelpracht13 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Nearly every single person in this season who dies is brought back to life. By mid-season I stopped caring who got killed because I knew they'd be ressurected by the next episode. Enough already. The killings have turned into one long drug out cliche.
Adolescent Horror Story
laurawritesfiction29 October 2013
Warning: Spoilers
I'm an avid horror fan of several decades. "American Horror Story," was a wonderful shock during the first season. The story was sophisticated, the characters interesting, and every episode brought a startling revelation about the notorious Murder House and the brutal history behind it.
It seems that since the end of that first season, the writers have tried to push the initial audience as far away as possible. The only redeeming qualities in seasons two and three have been the actors and the effects.
Season Two was a jumbled series of confusion, with no real primary plot. The "Asylum" was nothing more than a stereotypical backdrop between stories that occurred elsewhere, and that ranged from Nazis, to demons, to serial killers, to aliens, to secret lives, to social woes, and so forth. This seems to be when the writers became convinced that contrived "shock" was more important than delivering an actual story. The fractured storyline and fragmented events obliterated the show's overall momentum. The 1980s and early 1990s were filled with B-grade horror movies that attempted to use shock to sell bad stories. Some were able to tread water, but most drowned.
I started the third season with hope that original maturity and complexity would return. It didn't. Now, it seems to be a show targeting a teen audience, where the ludicrous and implausible are more important than delivering a legitimate, innovative storyline. The characters are quite similar to those from the previous seasons and the "trouble" they get into is the same as from the previous seasons, with the exception of witch burning.
Apparently, Louisiana "snake-handlers" are burning witches today. Unfortunately, there are no "snake-handlers" anywhere near Louisiana. Likewise, there are no similar threats against those involved in alternative religions. I think a far greater horror is watching a promising series become a simple source of reinforcing stereotypes in the guise of "taboos." Also, there seems to be a bizarre idea amid many viewers where those who don't want to see rape as a mainstream series event are being, "easily offended." The writers should be far more focused on producing a coherent and well-developed story, as opposed to just picking out people they'd like to offend. It's a childish misuse of obvious talent, because the first season was amazing.
It seems that since the end of that first season, the writers have tried to push the initial audience as far away as possible. The only redeeming qualities in seasons two and three have been the actors and the effects.
Season Two was a jumbled series of confusion, with no real primary plot. The "Asylum" was nothing more than a stereotypical backdrop between stories that occurred elsewhere, and that ranged from Nazis, to demons, to serial killers, to aliens, to secret lives, to social woes, and so forth. This seems to be when the writers became convinced that contrived "shock" was more important than delivering an actual story. The fractured storyline and fragmented events obliterated the show's overall momentum. The 1980s and early 1990s were filled with B-grade horror movies that attempted to use shock to sell bad stories. Some were able to tread water, but most drowned.
I started the third season with hope that original maturity and complexity would return. It didn't. Now, it seems to be a show targeting a teen audience, where the ludicrous and implausible are more important than delivering a legitimate, innovative storyline. The characters are quite similar to those from the previous seasons and the "trouble" they get into is the same as from the previous seasons, with the exception of witch burning.
Apparently, Louisiana "snake-handlers" are burning witches today. Unfortunately, there are no "snake-handlers" anywhere near Louisiana. Likewise, there are no similar threats against those involved in alternative religions. I think a far greater horror is watching a promising series become a simple source of reinforcing stereotypes in the guise of "taboos." Also, there seems to be a bizarre idea amid many viewers where those who don't want to see rape as a mainstream series event are being, "easily offended." The writers should be far more focused on producing a coherent and well-developed story, as opposed to just picking out people they'd like to offend. It's a childish misuse of obvious talent, because the first season was amazing.
AHS does it again!!
me_theuninvited11 October 2013
Warning: Spoilers
This pilot,was once again,amazing.This the third time they're doing it right.I really liked it.It had a different story,same and new cast,different get-ups and KATHY BATES!! OMG i really,seriously loved her wicked character.She really nailed it and pulled it off superbly.I became a fan of her right after Misery,and it seemed like the old Kathy was back.Hazel eyes,chubby cheeks and a wonderful piece of act.She only came for like 7 minutes total but she definitely did leave an impact.Taissa was amazing.She needs to get more appreciation.Her acting is too good and i was really happy Jamie Brewer was back.I hope they don't kill her because she is too cute.I find it rather odd all the hate regarding Emma Stone.She seemed just fine.And i can't wait to find out how the remaining cast fits.This is one of the best TV shows i've seen.Kudos to the entire team and crew!
Meh
koru-chico15 October 2013
Warning: Spoilers
I was really looking forward to this season of American Horror Story. The first few minutes set in the past were fantastic, and everything I hoped the season would be.
Then the series swapped to the present day. And within 10 minutes I'd lapsed into a vegetative state, staring blank eyed and slack jawed at the screen. It was just - so - boring.
I'm just not that interested in angst ridden teenagers. Especially angst ridden teenagers bumping uglies. It's the same reason I'm disappointed with Homeland. Who is your target audience here? Why am I supposed to be interested in this storyline and these characters? They have no redeeming qualities, and very little personality.
Even the more 'grown up' characters seem boring and badly developed. They don't strike me as real people in any way. They're like bad caricatures.
I doubt I'll bother with the rest of the season. I can't see this getting much better in a hurry.
Then the series swapped to the present day. And within 10 minutes I'd lapsed into a vegetative state, staring blank eyed and slack jawed at the screen. It was just - so - boring.
I'm just not that interested in angst ridden teenagers. Especially angst ridden teenagers bumping uglies. It's the same reason I'm disappointed with Homeland. Who is your target audience here? Why am I supposed to be interested in this storyline and these characters? They have no redeeming qualities, and very little personality.
Even the more 'grown up' characters seem boring and badly developed. They don't strike me as real people in any way. They're like bad caricatures.
I doubt I'll bother with the rest of the season. I can't see this getting much better in a hurry.
AHS goes full on teen unrequited love voodoo cheerleader & football hunk
xhidden9920 July 2015
They turned the show into a R rated teen witch vampire cool kids at the lunch table revenge porn story. S1 was a straight haunted house ghost story. S2 was your run of the mill psychos are running the asylum. S3 looks like Harry Potter for sullen bitches. E1 is a throwaway episode. It's designed to trot out the cast members again in different roles. BTW they got wrong where in the human body the pancreas is. In any case the 1834 story is far more interesting than the coven of supernaturally wealthy cheerleaders. The acting is OK but the writing is about what you would expect for a show aimed at 9th grade girls replete with four voice-overs. The whole "I'm a lonely teenager who causes the boys I have sex with die from brain explosions I'll never find true teen love" is lazy and tired. I do not have high hopes.
What could have been!!
Marynewcomb201321 October 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Season 1 was a complete enjoyment that kept us on edge every episode!! You didn't know what to expect and that's how you do a good show or movie!! Season two was a big let down!! You didn't know what was going on. From a SS mad doctor to demon possession to Aliens to mass murderers to plain nut jobs!! You kept saying, what is going on!!
Now to this season here. As one reviewer said, it's went to being a teenage to 20 year old show!! Voodoo vs witchcraft, WOW!! How western can you get? What I mean by that is, they didn't do the research to see what voodoo and witchcraft are really about, they did what western culture has always thought!! The witches are teenagers and the voodoo priestess was a former slave that has lived almost 200 years!!! These two sides are enemies, (reminds you of that sorry storyline of twilight, minus the vamps)!! Voodoo priestess can give eternal life and also can raise ZOMBIES, (that comes in a couple of episodes from this)!! I could go on and on about this season but don't have the complete day to waste!! Over all, I urge anyone who hasn't seen that season to skip it!!
What is this, I don't even...
doctorzaius-123 November 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Girl cries in bathtub over death of some guy she knew for two minutes. She then jacks off another dude in a coma and then... screws him to death, I guess? Is this supposed to be the season's protagonist? A girl who sexually assaults men to death? Yeah, F this show. I tolerated enough nonsense from the first 2 seasons. I even kinda liked the second one. But this is garbage. Worst of all, there are quality actors (well, actresses, 'cause who cares about male actors on this show) who are doing their best with this awful drivel. Look, I really don't mind if the show gets into X-Men territory. Hey, they all have different powers. That's cool. But I don't want to see any more of the teen with the sex predator powers. There was enough misandry the first season. Raping a dude in a coma to death is where I draw the line.
A contemporary witch
razvanneacsu26 February 2023
American Horror Story "Coven", the third season of the popular anthology series, debuts with the episode called "Bitchcraft". The title sums up pretty quickly the vibe that surrounds this story. An academy of witches, officially known as "Ms. Robinchaux Academy for Exceptional young ladies", recruits girls who are in possession of supernatural abilities. From my perspective, Coven features among the best seasons of the Franchise, with its eerie dialogue, elegant setting in the heart of New Orleans and macabre elements linked with traditional witchcraft and voodoo. Focusing on teenagers, it's natural that viewers should expect certain elements of drama in areas such as romance, dating and competition. But combined with the thrilling aspects of belonging to a sabbath, the show goes beyond a typical and dull story of cat fighting.
The plot mixes pretty well "the chosen one trope" with social problems, particularly racism. In this regard, Madame Delphine Lalaurie deserves her spot as one of the most gruesome antagonist of the series. A wealthy woman living in the 19th century, she takes great joy in enslaving, torturing and finally murdering numerous black slaves. Without possessing any supernatural abilities, this character showcases how viciously a psychotic mind can operate. Back in the 21st century, Zoe, who appears to be at least for this episode the narrative voice, shockingly discovers her lineage tracing all the way back to the Salem Witch Trials. Due to her unusual "Black Widow" ability, her mother decides to send Zoe somewhere special where she would be protected and mentored. There the novice student encounters a group of three witches with distinct personalities and physical appearances that provide comic relief and a reversal of high school drama plots. Zoe soon joins Madison, a spoiled movie star and the embodiment of a mean girl, Queenie, a human voodoo doll with a tendency to outbursts and Nan, a clairvoyant with a heart of gold. Their instructor, named Cordelia, ensures that those four girls understand the dangers they are facing as humans in grasp of magical traits. Similar to previous centuries, different organizations, religious extremists especially, target witches and burn them at stake in order to eradicate the world from that they perceive to be evil. In contrast to Cordelia's protective approach, the episode introduces her mother, the famous socialite Fiona Goode, who returns at the academy. Behind her alleged goal of training the girls to survive, Fiona is looking desperately after a cure that would prevent aging. Without giving away spoilers, the episode crafts cleverly more conflicts that emerge between mother and daughter, as well as among the witches. It's also a testament to the dangers and trauma inflicted by rape, discrimination, abuse, torture, racism and religious fanaticism.
The setting centers on New Orleans. A magical city gripped by storytelling involving the occult, macabre, ghosts and witchcraft. On the one hand, we have an elegant white mansion that stands as a training facility for magical users. On the other hand, the city is filled with historical sites including the infamous house of Madame Delphine Lalaurie. A perfect balance between quietness, elegance and abject horror.
The acting does not disappoint with the inclusion of the brilliant Jessica Lange playing an insecure and power-hungry Fiona Goode. Furthermore, Kathy Bates also delivers a stellar role by getting into the mind of a sadistic murdered that belonged to the heart of the high society.
The plot mixes pretty well "the chosen one trope" with social problems, particularly racism. In this regard, Madame Delphine Lalaurie deserves her spot as one of the most gruesome antagonist of the series. A wealthy woman living in the 19th century, she takes great joy in enslaving, torturing and finally murdering numerous black slaves. Without possessing any supernatural abilities, this character showcases how viciously a psychotic mind can operate. Back in the 21st century, Zoe, who appears to be at least for this episode the narrative voice, shockingly discovers her lineage tracing all the way back to the Salem Witch Trials. Due to her unusual "Black Widow" ability, her mother decides to send Zoe somewhere special where she would be protected and mentored. There the novice student encounters a group of three witches with distinct personalities and physical appearances that provide comic relief and a reversal of high school drama plots. Zoe soon joins Madison, a spoiled movie star and the embodiment of a mean girl, Queenie, a human voodoo doll with a tendency to outbursts and Nan, a clairvoyant with a heart of gold. Their instructor, named Cordelia, ensures that those four girls understand the dangers they are facing as humans in grasp of magical traits. Similar to previous centuries, different organizations, religious extremists especially, target witches and burn them at stake in order to eradicate the world from that they perceive to be evil. In contrast to Cordelia's protective approach, the episode introduces her mother, the famous socialite Fiona Goode, who returns at the academy. Behind her alleged goal of training the girls to survive, Fiona is looking desperately after a cure that would prevent aging. Without giving away spoilers, the episode crafts cleverly more conflicts that emerge between mother and daughter, as well as among the witches. It's also a testament to the dangers and trauma inflicted by rape, discrimination, abuse, torture, racism and religious fanaticism.
The setting centers on New Orleans. A magical city gripped by storytelling involving the occult, macabre, ghosts and witchcraft. On the one hand, we have an elegant white mansion that stands as a training facility for magical users. On the other hand, the city is filled with historical sites including the infamous house of Madame Delphine Lalaurie. A perfect balance between quietness, elegance and abject horror.
The acting does not disappoint with the inclusion of the brilliant Jessica Lange playing an insecure and power-hungry Fiona Goode. Furthermore, Kathy Bates also delivers a stellar role by getting into the mind of a sadistic murdered that belonged to the heart of the high society.
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