"American Horror Story" season 6 left many viewers more confused than satisfied after airing its premiere episode, entitled "My Roanoke Nightmare."
Many viewers who expected the same extravagant "AHS" premiere were shocked with the new documentary series format. Episode 1 took a more straightforward approach and dispensed with the theme song and the next episode preview. "AHS" regulars Jessica Lange and Evan Peters did not make an appearance and to the frustration of many fans, the episode ended a few minutes early.
"AHS" season 6 episode 1 opened with a newly married couple, Shelby (Lily Rabe) and Matt (Andre Holland). After having a miscarriage caused by a gang attack in L.A., the newlyweds decided to move to a farmhouse in rural North Carolina.
Shortly after they moved, the couple heard weird things. While enjoying some alone time because Matt is away at work, Shelby feels as if she is going out of her mind after witnessing falling teeth and nurses making rounds in the hall.
Matt started to get worried when Shelby almost drowned in the hot tub and she claimed that pitchfork wielding old timers did it. The police were called in but there was no evidence proving Shelby's claims. So, Matt asked his sister Lee (Adina Porter) who is addicted to prescription pills to stay with Shelby.
Lee and Shelby have a rocky relationship but they instantly bonded after they were terrorized by a home invasion. Being an ex-cop, Lee investigated the noise in the basement with Shelby and they saw a creepy move -- a shirtless man with a pig's head. They went back upstairs just to see that stick figures pretty much similar to "The Blair Witch" movie decorated the house.
When the police showed no concern over the incident, a freaked out Shelby tried to run off on her own after Matt refused to leave. She hadn't covered much distance when she ran over (Kathy Bates). Shelby ran after the woman who fled into the woods. The episode closed with Shelby surrounded by stick figures and the mob wielding pitchforks.
In its episode review, IGN mentions the thematic links between the season premiere and the Roanoke Colony mentioned at the end of "AHS" season 1. For an "AHS" episode, "My Roanoke Nightmare" seems to be pretty restrained.
Hopefully, the departure from the classic "AHS" formula could inject fresh blood into the show. Right now, however, fans are still haunted by the more obvious questions. Where are Evans Peter and Jessica Lange? When will they appear and what will their roles be?
There's definitely more to watch out for in the sixth installment of "The American Horror," which airs every Wednesday night on FX.
