American Horror Story Freak Show

Watched the first episode of American Horror Story, Freak Show, last night, and I must say it was everything I hoped it would be.  Multi-layered, brilliantly acted, with a mise-en-scène to rival some of the great theater and film from the 1930s and 40s.  They've even taken the tired old conceit of the scary clown and turned it into something truly terrifying, with Twisty the Clown (John Carroll Lynch) running around wreaking havoc and murder on innocents everywhere.  

Madam Clementine Delait, Bearded Lady

Back in the day, many of these circus performers would have three choices in life: hide away from the public, allow themselves to be institutionalized, or go work for the circus as "freaks".   It will be interesting to see how this season unfolds. I suspect by the end we'll see them not as freaks, not as anomalies, but as flawed, diverse and complex human beings, just like everyone else.

Conjoined Twins Vintage Card 


I will be enjoying this season of American Horror Story as a kind of historical artifact and maybe even a bit of a cautionary tale about how to treat those we perceive as "different".  And in the meantime,I'll enjoy the hell out of the awesome story, acting and artistry.

Eko and Iko "Men from Mars" Circus Performers Card