American Horror Story - theories and discussion

mystik spiral · Oct 21, 2011

OK, so I know that there a at least a few of us watching this show, so I thought it would be fun to have a thread for discussion. I'll start by posting some theories, some that I have and others that I have heard. I don't consider these spoilers, as they are just theories and I have no idea what will turn out to be true or not. Here goes...

The Harmon family is actually dead - Vivian killed Ben when she caught him cheating (they showed us her slashing his arm with that monster knife in the premiere). I don't believe this is true, because why would ghosts move across country? Why would ghost-Violet go to school?

Tate is dead - killed himself in the early '90's. His clothes and his affinity for Kurt Cobain suggest this. I'm still unsure whether I believe Tate is dead or alive.

Tate is Constance's son. Constance told Vivian that she had four children, and indicated that three of them have Down's Syndrome and that the other was a "perfect specimen" that she lost "to other things".

The Infantata (basement creature) is another of Constance's children. I don't believe this, I think after Wednesday's episode, it could be the child of the abortionist who built the house, and/or one of his Frankenstein creations.

Larry (the burned man) is a figment of Ben's imagination. I'm really starting to believe this is true. Ben is the only person we know who has seen him, and Larry seems to often tell Ben what he wants to hear and to do what's in Ben's best interest.

Is Constance trying to help or hurt? She certainly has some disgusting traits the way she treats her daughter and Moira. Is she trying to help the Harmons or just make sure that the baby is born?

Who was in that rubber suit?!?

That's just a few things off the top of my head. Feel free to add/discuss, etc.

Yes, I'm obsessed with this show...

catlover19 · Oct 21, 2011

Tate is dead - killed himself in the early '90's. His clothes and his affinity for Kurt Cobain suggest this. I'm still unsure whether I believe Tate is dead or alive.

I think he is dead. He always seems to just appear out of nowhere.

Larry (the burned man) is a figment of Ben's imagination. I'm really starting to believe this is true. Ben is the only person we know who has seen him, and Larry seems to often tell Ben what he wants to hear and to do what's in Ben's best interest.

I think that is true too. It seemed too easy to convince Ben not to call the cops and to bury his mistress (can't remember her name).

Who was in that rubber suit?!?

I was wondering that too.

I love this show, but it is so creepy. It makes me not want to go in my basement after watching it.

I live in an old house with a dark creepy basement and creaky stairs. Aside from my dogs acting strange and barking/staring at the walls, nothing else creepy has happened here (but I've only lived here for 3 weeks).

my4llma · Oct 21, 2011

Originally Posted by Mystik Spiral

OK, so I know that there a at least a few of us watching this show, so I thought it would be fun to have a thread for discussion. I'll start by posting some theories, some that I have and others that I have heard. I don't consider these spoilers, as they are just theories and I have no idea what will turn out to be true or not. Here goes...

The Harmon family is actually dead - Vivian killed Ben when she caught him cheating (they showed us her slashing his arm with that monster knife in the premiere). I don't believe this is true, because why would ghosts move across country? Why would ghost-Violet go to school?

Plus how would Violet have died. Vivian killing her husband for cheating is believable, maybe even killing herself after is believable but why would she kill their daughter? Ghost Violet would go to school if she didn't know she was already dead.

Tate is dead - killed himself in the early '90's. His clothes and his affinity for Kurt Cobain suggest this. I'm still unsure whether I believe Tate is dead or alive.

Tate is Constance's son. Constance told Vivian that she had four children, and indicated that three of them have Down's Syndrome and that the other was a "perfect specimen" that she lost "to other things".

I thought that to.

The Infantata (basement creature) is another of Constance's children. I don't believe this, I think after Wednesday's episode, it could be the child of the abortionist who built the house, and/or one of his Frankenstein creations.

Yes!

Larry (the burned man) is a figment of Ben's imagination. I'm really starting to believe this is true. Ben is the only person we know who has seen him, and Larry seems to often tell Ben what he wants to hear and to do what's in Ben's best interest.

Is Constance trying to help or hurt? She certainly has some disgusting traits the way she treats her daughter and Moira. Is she trying to help the Harmons or just make sure that the baby is born?

I thought her job was to make sure the Harmons stayed there.

Who was in that rubber suit?!?

That's just a few things off the top of my head. Feel free to add/discuss, etc.

Yes, I'm obsessed with this show...

................................................................................ ..............

kittehtime · Oct 22, 2011

i don't have any theories really, but i like what has been said!!

this show is AMAZING!!! i am in love with it.

i'm not sure how it's going to go into a second season, but it'll be fun and interesting to see what happens. it's like true blood in that seasons are only like 13 episodes i think.

mystik spiral · Oct 26, 2011

I'm really excited for tonight's episode. I have no willpower when it comes to spoilers, and I read some...

it should be a really good episode.

Anyone reading this who wants to catch up - FX is doing a marathon of the first four episodes on Halloween night.

catlover19 · Oct 26, 2011

I'm excited to watch it tomorrow. We don't get that channel yet in Canada so I have to download it and watch it the next day. FX is set to launch in Canada on Monday so by next week I can watch it on tv.

nerdrock · Oct 26, 2011

Originally Posted by catlover19

I'm excited to watch it tomorrow. We don't get that channel yet in Canada so I have to download it and watch it the next day. FX is set to launch in Canada on Monday so by next week I can watch it on tv.

Hopefully they'll run it in full episodes and not cut it. Apparently it's playing on City TV now, but it's cut to fit with commercials (premiered on Oct 24)

A discussion has been posted about it on just about every forum I've been on, I hadn't read them but decided to watch the show. Well, we did that today and we've watched the first 3 episodes. I wanted to watch the fourth but Mike didn't have it downloaded yet, and it's almost 2 am, lol. We're going to watch it tomorrow.

Tate is definitely dead, IMO. The way he comes and goes out of nowhere, gets into the house when it's locked (the episode where the house was broken into)... he's gotta be dead. I could definitely see him being Constance's son. Do you think Constance and Addie are also dead? Tate is always talking about killing those he liked during his sessions - maybe he killed them? That would also explain how Addie and Constance get into the house all the time without the Harmon's knowing, or their alarm going off.

I don't think the Harmon family is dead, it just doesn't really make sense to me... but things in this show also seem to fall into place during the following episodes, so maybe... but I don't think so.

I think the basement creature is one of the doctor's frankenstein creations.

I don't know what's up with Constance just yet... I think she wants them to stay there, maybe she wants her to have the baby... but why does she want to harm Violet? She made her those cupcakes, what if Violet had actually eaten one? Violet is the only one that actually wants to stay in the house right now, why make her violently ill/potentially kill her? Or did she know that Violet wouldn't eat one and that there was going to be an invasion, also that one of them would eat a cupcake? I think that would be too much risk, so personally, I think she was trying to harm Violet.

I understand the way that she's treating Moira, she slept with her husband once on purpose and then Constance walked in on them again. She most likely didn't know that Moira was saying no. She feels resentment towards her.

I think the person/thing in the leather suit was Ben - it kept flashing between him and the suit during the scene, although maybe that was just Vivian's way of seeing things.

What's up with the girl that had the abortion? Maybe this is answered in the episode that I haven't watched yet (feel free to answer, I won't read this thread until after I've watched it, lol).

Do you think that the others that have died there (the twins, the nurses, the abortion girls) are going to play a role in the show as it progresses? What about those that are dying present day (the intruders, Hailey - the misstress)? Will they come back later?

How do you think it's going to progress after this season is over? Do you think it will still be the Harmon's or do you think it will be a new family/person?

What's up with the girl that Violet was having problems with at school? The one that the basement thing attacked. Do you think she'll have a further role in the show or just "be there". It seems that her and Violet were getting on better terms... or maybe that was just to show that she wasn't scared of her anymore?

Why does Violet want to stay there?

Winchester · Oct 27, 2011

There's something about that house. When people die in the house (or maybe on the property), they can't leave....they're stuck there. As the season progresses, we'll get to "meet" more of the people who have died there.

The reason I believe that is because it looked like Constance was dragging Addie to the house after Addie was hit by the car....could that be because if Addie died in the house, she would still be there? As it is, her soul is free now?

Wow, I didn't think Addie was 30+ years old! And it sounded like she was messing around with some of her mom's boyfriends, too. That's the impression I got. Do you think that since Addie is dead, Constance will take Vivian's baby now? Kind of a payback?

I don't think Tate is dead, because he was able to meet Ben out of the house. Unless he could leave the house because it's Halloween, which is the time that spirits can mingle with the living?

In last night's show, Violet met Larry when he came to the door, demanding his $1,000. I thought that was interesting.

That's it for now.

God, that show gives me the creeps.

BTW, we had breakfast at a Cracker Barrel on Friday morning on our way to Connecticut. When the waitress seated us, I was sitting next to the wall.....and a really weird picture of a baby. I looked at Rick and said, "Shades of American Horror Story, but that picture is creepy." The people sitting next to us picked up on that right away and we spent a few minutes discussing the show!

mystik spiral · Oct 27, 2011

Yes, now I'm not so sure that Larry is a figment of Ben's imagination, since Violet saw and heard him. I really want to know why Larry wants that $1000 so badly!

As for Tate, being dead still makes sense because he easily agreed to meet Ben out of the house since it was Halloween, and he could go wherever he wanted to. I thought that was also the day he told Violet they could go on a "real" date, but Violet was home alone on Halloween? Of course, next week's episode is titled "Halloween, part 2", so I think the day is not over for them yet.

I've read a lot of theories about why Constance tried to poison Violet, but I'm leaning toward a rather simple one - she's either jealous of Violet because Tate is so taken with her (if Tate is her son) or she wants to get Vivian back for the time Viv put her hands on Addie. I loved Jessica Lange's line last night, something about "that girl deserves another cupcake".

If Jessica Lange doesn't win an Emmy next year there's something very wrong with the world.

I figured Addie to be around 40 - remember in the pilot she was outside the house when the twins went in to destroy it. I figured her for about 6 then, and that was in 1978. People with Down's Syndrome tend to look younger than their age. I loved when the twins egged the house - always up to no good, even in death, those two.

I believe that anyone who dies at the house will be stuck there until they are "released", it explains why Moira was so upset when Ben put concrete over her grave and built the gazebo. And that's why Constance was trying to get Addie to the property before she died. I think Addie died before that happened though, which is sad because I really like that character and actor and was hoping to see more of her (I read a spoiler before it aired and knew that Addie was going to die).

I'm starting to think that Montgomery (doctor to the stars/abortionist/crazy dude) is the one in the rubber suit. It seems pretty clear that the basement creature is his first child, maybe he's trying to build an army of freaky Frankenstein ghosts or something.

I wonder if Moira's mother has a role in the whole house situation. She probably makes me the saddest, her story is so tragic. I also wonder if Constance's husband will appear again, since he died in the house too.

And how much longer is Ben going to be able to keep Hayden away from Vivian?

Here's (possibly) a major spoiler, so don't highlight it if you don't want to know...

The original script for the pilot leaked - I haven't read it, but there was a major reveal about Tate. He committed suicide in 1994 right after going on a killing spree, killing 15 kids at his school. So the fantasy that he talks to Ben about is truly what happened to him. What's not clear is if they took it out of the pilot to reveal later, or if they re-wrote it and scrapped the idea. IMO, Tate shows all the signs of being a ghost, so I think this is actually what happened. What I am curious about is why/how Tate seems to be able to control the basement creature.

I can't wait to see what happens, I haven't looked forward to new episodes of a show this much since LOST!!

katiemae1277 · Oct 28, 2011

I love this show! although it absolutely scares the

out of me

A few thoughts of mine:

Yes, I absolutely believe Tate is dead, and I think he has some connection to the basement creature- remember when Violet brought that girl there the flashing lights made it seem like one second it was Tate and the next it was monster baby? Constance is a seriously creepy character- Jessica Lange is acting the crap out of that role! I have no idea what is going on with Larry, but I think he is dead ala Tate and Moira and my mouth about hit the floor last night when Ben opened the door and Hayden was standing there. The man in the rubber suit is seriously bad a$$- he killed Syler!

(Hereos reference for anyone not understanding that) but I have no clue who he really is.

kailie · Oct 28, 2011

While we absolutely LOVE the show, I have a super hard time watching the scenes with Addie and how she is treated, where I have a brother with Down Syndrome.

Absolutely heart breaking and I have to keep telling myself it is "just a tv show". The actress who plays Addie is WONDERFUL though, so props to her!

Winchester · Nov 4, 2011

I came "this close" to turning it off on Wednesday night. I'll put this in highlight, just so I don't spoil anybody who hasn't seen the episode yet.

When I thought Hayden was microwaving the dog and I saw that splat in the microwave right before they went to a commercial, I was going to hit the remote. I would have never watched it again. Thank goodness, it wasn't really the dog....that would have been too much.

Still not completely sure about Tate being dead. I'm just not. When those kids were running after him, one of the girls said that.....

she should have been 34 years old. But "you killed me". And Tate is not that old.....is he?

And what kind of baby is Vivien carrying??? Oy!

kailie · Nov 4, 2011

Pam, I couldn't watch that part AT ALL! As soon as I got the hint that it was going to happen I hid my face and had Dana tell me when it was over! Thank GOODNESS it went the way that it did.

Winchester · Nov 4, 2011

I'm with you....I would have just bagged the whole show at that point. I have a hard time with stuff like that.

catlover19 · Nov 4, 2011

I don't understand why in the preview for the next episode Vivien is huge all of the sudden. I think she is pregnant with the man in the rubber suits baby and maybe its something like the basement creature. I hope that we find out soon.

I think Tate is dead because of the "I should have been 34" comment. I think he killed those students and then killed himself and for some reason he doesn't remember.

mystik spiral · Nov 4, 2011

This show keeps getting better and better!

Does anyone else get the feeling that Vivian and the hot security guard are going to get involved? They sure do seem to be flirting a lot, and now that Ben's kicked out of the house...

It seems as though Tate

doesn't remember killing those students. I believe that he knows he's dead, I'm wondering what he thinks/remembers happened?

I read that we get Tate's full story next week. Can't wait!

We should also get some answers about Vivian's pregnancy. I hope we find out what the nurse saw on the ultrasound, but I am pretty sure that

the fetus is growing at a crazy rate, which is why she gets so huge so fast. I heard that she starts having odd cravings... I'm afraid to find out what those might be...

I loved the scene where all the ghosts were returning to the house at sunup... very eerie and kind of sad.

kailie · Nov 4, 2011

Dana's exact words with Vivian and the security guard were "They're going to do it!".

mystik spiral · Nov 8, 2011

Some previews of tomorrow's episode:

Warning - this first one will make you like this ->

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Exclusive-Video-American-Horror-Story-Pigg y-1039370.aspx

Do you think Viv is fully aware of what she is eating or is the house making her think it's just a lovely raw salad?

Eric Stonestreet guest stars (Cam on Modern Family):

http://www.eonline.com/news/watch_with_kristin/gaaah_super_creepy_your_first_look/273226

I'm excited!

catlover19 · Nov 9, 2011

Mystik Spiral said:
Some previews of tomorrow's episode:

Warning - this first one will make you like this ->

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Exclusive-Video-American-Horror-Story-Pigg y-1039370.aspx

Do you think Viv is fully aware of what she is eating or is the house making her think it's just a lovely raw salad?

Ewww that's gross. I don't think she knows what she is eating until maybe after. The look on her face when she finished makes me think she might know when she is done.

fcuppcake · Nov 9, 2011

Ben is not the only one who has seen Larry, he rang the doorbell when Ben took Vivian to the hospital and violet saw him thru the peep hole and told her dad there was some strange man at the door asking for money and assumed it was one of his patients.

American Horror Story - theories and discussion

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