• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Towleroad Gay News

Gay Blog Towleroad: More than gay news | gay men

  • Travel
  • Sports
  • Law/Justice
  • Celebrities
  • Republicans
  • Madonna
  • Books
  • Men
  • Trans Rights
  • Royals
  • Monkeypox
  • Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer
  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!
  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

‘American Horror Story: Coven’ Recap – ‘Bitchcraft’ [Spoilers]

Bobby Hankinson October 10, 2013

AHS_0017[1] (1)
I'll be the first to admit I've watched many episodes of American Horror Story while peeking through interlaced fingers covering my eyes. I'm squeamish at best and a coward at worst, but (mutilated prisoners aside) the premiere episode of American Horror Story: Coven was so over-the-top fabulous, I just couldn't look away.

From Jessica Lange's stiletto heels to the gorgeous setting of Mrs. Robichaux's Academy For Exceptional Young Ladies (AHS just loves a grandiose staircase), there's an attention to detail here that hopefully will continue to reflect a more tightly-controlled chaos than previous seasons. We've already outlined Coven's basic premise, but its first hour, titled "Bitchcraft," formally established (and said goodbye) to a slew of new characters.

See what happened in our recap, AFTER THE JUMP … [SPOILERS AHEAD]

We begin with young Zoe (Taissa Farmiga) getting ready to get down for the first time with her boyfriend. He tries to warn her about how it might hurt a little to lose her virginity, but what he fails to mention is how he would die of a bloody seizure mid-coitus. Zoe learns that she's a witch and is shipped off to Mrs. Robichaux's, accompanied by Myrtle Snow (Frances Conroy, decked out as an only-slightly more realistic Effie Trinket).

The headmistress, Cordelia (Sarah Paulson), explains that the purpose of her school is to help students control their gifts. Each witch has one power, while each generation has a Supreme who can access multiple abilities. Upon arrival, Zoe meets clairvoyant Nan (Jamie Brewer), human voodoo doll Queenie (Gabourey Sidibe) and former actress/telekinetic Madison (Emma Roberts). The four girls are apparently the only current students, as the witch population had dwindled in recent years. In fact, just recently, a young witch (Lily Rabe) was burned at the stake not too far from the Academy for having the ability to bring the dead back to life.

AHS_0065Of course, Cordelia's mother Fiona (Lange) argues the best defense is a good offense, warning the girls "When witches don't fight, they burn." She's the Supreme, of course, but it seems the only power she doesn't have is eternal life. And that's the one she wants the most. She's recently returned from Los Angeles after bankrolling some experimentation on a life serum of some sort. When the lead scientist isn't providing the results, she sucks the life force from him, Winifred Sanderson-style. Having mommie dearest around doesn't please Cordelia at all, but it's a tough case to make to the council that her girls wouldn't benefit from being taught by the Supreme herself.

Madison, meanwhile, gets wind of a frat party and drags Zoe along. While Zoe gets talking to nice guy Kyle (Evan Peters), Madison is slipped a roofie and gang raped by Kyle's fraternity brothers. Kyle finds them and breaks it up. After he chases them all back to their bus, an eerily-calm Madison uses her telekinesis to flip the bus, killing innocent Kyle and all but two of his frat bros. One of the surviving brothers, the one who instigated the attack of Madison, is lying comatose in a hospital when Zoe learns Kyle didn't survive. She's so upset that she mounts his unconscious body and, well, you know the rest.

As their new teacher, Fiona's first order of business is to take the girls on a field trip. While they're out, Nan is drawn to a ghost tour of the house of Madame LaLaurie (Kathy Bates). Back in 1834, LaLaurie was mutilating slaves and using their blood to try and stay young. Unfortunately for her, she chose to mess with the wrong slave, when it turns out to be the lover of Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau (Angela Bassett). LaLaurie is poisoned by Laveau, and, according to the Robichaux girls' present-day tour guide, LaLaurie's body is never found. Then why is it Nan is claiming to hear the lady of the house out back?

At night, Fiona gets help digging up LaLaurie's courtyard and, lo and behold, finds the infamous serial killer buried, but very much alive!

AHS_0083Let's debrief a bit here, shall we? First off, I find it highly unlikely that Horror Story regular players Peters and Rabe are gone for good. Especially when you consider Rabe's character Misty's ability to resurrect the dead. And while we're on the subject of waking the dead, how excited are you about LaLaurie crossing into present day? As I was reviewing some advance information about this season, it wasn't clear how our present day witches would be interacting with these historical figures from the past. It's good to know that the opportunity for Lange to go toe-to-toe with Bates won't be passed up. Let's just hope Bates' woman-out-of-time routine doesn't start to tread on Sleepy Hollow marveling at Starbucks territory, because that joke gets old real quick.

I never put too much faith in Ryan Murphy and company for deftly dealing with BIG ISSUES AND IDEAS, like feminism, racism or oppression (or Catholicism, school shootings, so on and so forth), but I do think he can tell one hell of a female-fronted story. If the premiere's performances from Lange and Bates (as well as promising characters Queenie, Madison and Marie Laveau) are any indication, this season will amount to a lot more than just a bunch of hocus pocus.

What did you think of the episode?

(American Horror Story: Coven airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. Eastern on FX.)

Topics: Business, Drag, Film/TV/Stream, towleroad More Posts About: American Horror Story, American Horror Story, Kathy Bates, Kathy Bates, Television

Related Posts
  • ‘American Horror Story’ Star Angelica Ross Calls Out Ryan Murphy For Ghosting Her After She Complained About ‘Racism’ On Set
  • Kathy Bates and Liza Koshy to star in Netflix rom-com with Nicole Kidman and more
  • Chase Chrisley Posts Cryptic Message About ‘Getting Through’ Tough Situations After Todd Allegedly Paid Blackmailer
  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Mel B will “always be open” when it comes to her sexuality. The Spice Girls singer, 48, who reunited with her bandmates including the group's ex-singer Victoria Beckham for the fashion …Read More »
  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Megan Thee Stallion is being sued for allegedly creating a hostile work environment and forcing her cameraman to watch her having lesbian sex. The 29-year-old ‘Savage' rapper faces the salacious claims …Read More »
  • Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Jonathan Bennett's life was “changed forever” by his role in ‘Mean Girls'. The 42-year-old actor starred as heartthrob Aaron Samuels in the 2004 cult classic – which followed Lindsay Lohan, Rachel …Read More »
  • Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass a gift basket after he came out as gay. The 44-year-old NSYNC star revealed the legendary singer showed his support when Lance decided to reveal …Read More »
Previous Post: « Religious Rights Group Files Suit To Defend Religious-Based Discrimination
Next Post: Out Gay California Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez Announces Run For State Controller »

Primary Sidebar

Most Recent

  • Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer

    Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer

  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

  • Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

  • Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

  • Relationship status influences heterosexual women’s sexual prejudice towards lesbians

    Relationship status influences heterosexual women’s sexual prejudice towards lesbians

  • JoJo Siwa had a challenge transitioning to new grown-up image

    JoJo Siwa had a challenge transitioning to new grown-up image

  • Liz Hurley defends lesbian sex scene in new movie that was directed by her son

    Liz Hurley defends lesbian sex scene in new movie that was directed by her son

Partner Links

  • People: Princess Charlotte ‘is quite a strong character, almost wise beyond her years’
    I’ve been saying this for years and I’ll probably still be […]
  • “Prime Minister Mark Carney said that Canada will never be for sale” links
    Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told Donald Trump that Canada will […]
  • Fed Chair Powell: Trump Tariffs Lead To Higher Inflation, Higher Unemployment
    Fed Chair Jerome Powell issued dire warnings on lowering interest rates, […]
  • Huh. How Did Traders Buy $MELANIA Coin Before It Went Public?
    A small group of crypto traders made nearly $100 million by […]
  • Despite living a long distance apart, comedy star Fortune Feimster making time for her parents
    View this post on Instagram A post shared by Fortune Feimster […]

Most Commented

Social

Twitter @tlrd | Facebook | Instagram @tlrd

About

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy
[towleroadmr] [towleroadtn]

Footer

Ptown Hacks 2018

Read

  • Travel
  • Film
  • Law – LGBT Rights
  • Columns
  • Specials

About

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 · Log in

×
×