American Horror Story: Asylum

American Horror Story: Asylum is the second season of the American anthology television series American Horror Story. The season originally aired on the FX network in the United States between October 17, 2012, and January 23, 2013. It consists of thirteen episodes, each ranging from 40 to 60 minutes in length. American Horror Story: Asylum is set in 1964, primarily at the fictional Briarcliff Manor, a psychiatric hospital in Massachusetts, and follows the stories of the facility's staff and patients.

Plot

The season begins with the arrival of Kit Walker (played by Evan Peters), a gas station worker accused of being a notorious serial killer known as "Bloody Face." Kit claims his innocence, insisting that his wife was abducted by aliens. The institution is run by Sister Jude (played by Jessica Lange), a stern nun with a troubled past, and Dr. Arthur Arden (played by James Cromwell), a scientist with dark secrets and unethical methods. The staff also includes Sister Mary Eunice (played by Lily Rabe), an innocent nun who undergoes a sinister transformation.

As the season unfolds, it delves into the dark history of Briarcliff, including the unethical experiments conducted by Dr. Arden, the sadistic treatment of patients, and the institution's own haunted past. The narrative also explores themes of sanity, belief, and redemption, with characters facing their own personal demons and societal prejudices.

Cast and Characters

American Horror Story: Asylum features a returning cast with many actors from the first season playing new roles. Notable cast members include:

• Jessica Lange as Sister Jude
• Sarah Paulson as Lana Winters, a journalist committed to the asylum after attempting to expose its horrors
• Evan Peters as Kit Walker
• Lily Rabe as Sister Mary Eunice
• James Cromwell as Dr. Arthur Arden
• Zachary Quinto as Dr. Oliver Thredson, a psychiatrist with a hidden agenda
• Joseph Fiennes as Monsignor Timothy Howard, the ambitious overseer of Briarcliff

Reception

American Horror Story: Asylum received critical acclaim, with particular praise for its atmosphere, complex characters, and the performances of its cast, especially Jessica Lange and Sarah Paulson. The season was noted for its ambitious scope and willingness to tackle controversial themes such as mental illness, faith, and the abuse of power. It won numerous awards, including Emmy Awards for Jessica Lange and James Cromwell.

Themes

The season explores a wide range of themes, including the nature of evil, the corruption of institutions, and the possibility of redemption. It also addresses issues of sexuality, faith, and the abuse of power, making it a rich text for analysis.

Legacy

American Horror Story: Asylum is considered by many fans and critics to be one of the strongest seasons of the series. Its success helped solidify American Horror Story as a staple of horror television, demonstrating the potential for anthology storytelling to explore complex and dark themes across different settings and time periods.