The Seven Wonders Season 3 Finale
Hands up all of you who thought Zoe would be the next Supreme. I was among you so to be proven wrong was a pleasant surprise, however, I wondered a few times during the series why Cordelia wasn’t even being considered, being that she was the daughter of the reigning Supreme. Last weeks episode was my least favorite for a number of reasons, but we at least had a couple of questions answered as I wasn’t convinced Fiona was truly dead, because she had all that power and could have easily stopped the Axeman chopping her up.
This season has been a good one, bettering the last two in many ways, yet retaining the originality and strangeness that attracted everyone in the first place. The first season’s setting was perfect for the story of a haunted house, where the previous murdered tenants would interact with the new homeowners with Jessica Lange giving a brilliant performance as the weird neighbor. Then the second season, set in an asylum, and while this was arguably the weakest of the three, Jessica Lange, again, was outstanding, amidst odd side-stories of zombie-like creatures and tales of aliens, which not all were appreciative of.
- American Horror Story
- Created by
Ryan Murphy & Brad Falchuk - Cast
Taissa Farmiga, Emma Roberts, Evan Peters, Sarah Paulson, Frances Conroy, Kathy Bates, Lily Rabe, Jessica Lange - Episode Release Date
29 January 2014 - Ed’s Grade: A
Everything about season three was extremely good, and the writing, as usual, always twisted and entertaining; introducing some new faces in the shape of Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett, Gabourey Sidibe and Emma Roberts, whose character Madison Montgomery was one of my favorites. Kathy Bates’ character was important but I never felt she was utilized enough, providing the gruesome aspect of the season with sprinklings of humor but not a great deal more.
Another that had a good arc but was rarely heard, certainly not until near the end was Spalding, and was hardly seen. In fact, he got a tiny scene in the final episode, when he makes himself known to Kyle, telling him he’s “the help.” Having Stevie Nicks singing at the start of the season finale was a nice touch, and at least Misty Day got to see her hero one last time before failing to complete The Seven Wonders. I expect she’s now endlessly dissecting frogs for eternity.
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During the mind control part of the test, when Madison took control of Kyle was amusing, and then Zoe showing she was stronger made me think Zoe was in with a chance, but no one wanted Madison as the Supreme as she was just another Fiona waiting to happen. I was surprised at Myrtle Snow requesting to be burned alive for her killing the other two members of the council, but this answered one of my questions as to why nothing happened to her when Fiona was almost put to death for the murder of Madison.
I’m assuming Madison’s body will be dressed in baby clothes to add to Spalding’s perverted collection of dolls, even though he told Kyle he’d bury her. Fiona appearing wasn’t unexpected but I thought she’d try to kill Cordelia as her plan was always to kill the next supreme. Perhaps the fact it was her daughter, plus she looked as though she was too far gone with cancer, prevented her from even trying.
It was also a surprise that Cordelia went public about her coven on TV, where she gave an open invitation to any young women who thought they had powers and were afraid, to come forward and visit the school. The turn out looked like a queue for an episode of America’s Got Talent, as it went round the block, but with Zoe and Queenie now promoted to be on Cordelia’s new council, the witches look as though they’ll manage.
This season is one that I could easily see a spin-off series created for but that’s not American Horror Story‘s style, as they have a certain image and are very much unique in their approach to the storytelling. Anyway, without the likes of Jessica Lange and the other regulars, I just don’t see that sort of thing working. We’re now left to ponder what show creators, Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk will do for their next AHS project, as Coven will be a hard act to follow. I heard rumours that Lange would only do one more season but that could be unfounded. Only time will tell. Coven has been highly entertaining and I think I may watch the three seasons, back-to-back, in a month or so as i’m missing the show already. Roll on next year.
TV Review by Ed Blackadder, Lead Entertainment Writer
