Alright everyone, it's Thursday. You know what that means? All-New episode of American Horror Stories from Hulu and FX. Be prepared that this week I will be having spoilers for the episode. So, if you don't want to be spoiled - turn back, watch the episode, then come back here.
So far, I would say overall the series has proven why it was made. It allows a chance to tell stories that wouldn't be deemed worthy of getting a full season. To me, it feels a bit like Masters of Horror. I'm hoping that it will return for a second season.
Now this week's episode "Ba'al" focuses on a wife, Liv (Billie Lourd), that is willing to do the unthinkable for a chance at a successful pregnancy.
Liv and her husband, Matt (Ronen Rubenstein), had visited a fertility clinic. On their way out, the receptionist talks with Liv and then hands her a totem that had been in her family. It was of Ba'al, a fertility god. Liv was given instructions to put it underneath their bed before they had a night of intimacy. Liv, not seeing many more chances and desperate for a child, placed the totem underneath the bed.
16 months later, we see the happy family now as Liv is carrying their son, Aaron. Liv is a bit worse for wear as it seems this has been a tough time for her. She's seen being scolded by their house keeper, Norma. Matt is now a bit actor on a few shows across Hollywood.
During the course of the episode, we see some manifestations of a demon - Ba'al. He's trying to take their son. As things progress, it takes its toll on Liv. She visits the receptionist who gave her the totem. It has shifted appearances throughout the episode so far. She tells Liv of a pagan spell that should banish the demon.
Later that night, Liv begins the spell and uses a ceremonial dagger. Then when she thinks she's summoned Ba'al, she turns and stabs...Matt.
Time passes as we now see that Liv is in an asylum. She has been shaken by everything at this point. Matt visits and asks if she could come home. But she says it's for the best and that she's not coming home till her therapist says it's okay.
Things now shift to Matt as he gets in a car in the parking garage. Inside is the receptionist, Bernadette (Virginia Gardner). They return to Liv's home. Matt's other friends are there as well. Everyone is celebrating.
They are celebrating that they had pulled 'best con' - driving Liv over the edge. Each of them had a hand in bringing everything that appeared supernatural to life. They are all happy with what they have done. Aaron's cries calls Matt upstairs.
Things take a turn as Matt hears screams from downstairs. He goes down to find mostly everyone has been maimed. Bernadette is held up against the wall by the very demon they had faked, Ba'al. Ba'al spares no time and murders Bernadette as well...
Matt has now been imprisoned and held responsible for the murder of his friends. Liv visits him asking what happened. He tries to explain and tell her it was real. He even goes as far as asking for help. Liv walks away leaving him to his fate.
Later that evening, Liv puts Aaron to bed. She is greeted by Ba'al. She explains that it was all because of Bernadette's stupidity that she had tried the spell again to find out it was a summoning spell. Ba'al asks her to do something for him. Liv has more on her mind and says she'll do whatever he asks asks, but first to give her another child.
"Ba'al" was directed by Sanaa Hamri and written by Ali Adler & Manny Coto.
This episode was the episode that proves why American Horror Stories needed to be made. It is absolutely fantastic. At first, I thought I knew where the episode was going to go. But just as the events progressed, I found myself hoping they weren't going to cop out of it being a supernatural occurance. It would have robbed the story of its power. And frankly would have played things very safely. However, after the big reveal, I found myself hoping that Ba'al wasn't returning for Aaron. But the cherry on the top was Billie Lourd's powerful performance. She made the episode very special.
Let's hope these last two episodes don't skimp on the bar that was set.
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American Horror Stories airs on Hulu as part of the FX on Hulu.
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