Ryan Murphy’s horrifying vision, “American Horror Story,” returns Oct. 9 for season 3: “American Horror Story: Coven.” While the second season was disappointing to many fans last year, the show promises to be bigger and scarier than ever. The plot revolves around a group of witches in New Orleans who are nearly extinct and in grave danger. Set in both the 1830s and modern day, the acclaimed miniseries will feature witchcraft, voodoo, slavery, romance and general scariness. In case you’re still not convinced, here are six reasons you should be excited about “American Horror Story: Coven.”
1. This cast is amazing
Adam Levine was a great addition to last year’s season, but “AHS: Coven” is stacked. With Kathy Bates, Jessica Lange, Angela Bassett, Gabourey Sidibe, Emma Roberts, Taissa Farmiga, Sarah Paulson, Lily Rabe, Evan Peters and countless other stars, “Coven” is exploding with talent. Brace yourselves.
2. The return of a love story
Tate and Violet were a huge reason why the first season was so incredible. The love story provided another layer to the narrative that was deeply missed in the second season. Better yet, Evan Peters and Taissa Farmiga, who portrayed Tate and Violet, will again be involved in a “Romeo and Juliet”-like love story. This time, she’s a witch and he’s a frat boy. Don’t drink the Polyjuice punch.
3. You don’t have to catch up on the previous seasons
Even though you should — because the show is amazing — there is no need to watch the previous two seasons if you don’t have the time. The seasons are not connected at all. Ah, the beauty of anthologies.
4. No more asylum or Bloody Face
Personally, I was done with the asylum after about episode three. The gloominess, the overplaying of the religion versus science argument, the unnecessarily creepy background actors and the general weirdness of the place will all be gone and replaced with a contemporary, beautiful New Orleans.
5. The return of humor
Executive producer Tim Minear said that this season would have a lighter and funnier tone. After a season of one disturbing image after another, audiences really need to lighten up. Thank you Ryan Murphy, we needed this.
6. Social themes
While season 1 was pretty much the story of a haunted house and season 2 tried to input some social causes, season 3 seems like it has more backbone. Producers say that this season deals with the themes of oppression of minorities, minority rivalry, assimilation and feminism. Sign us up.