American Horror Story: How Apocalypse Saved The Show

4. A Superb Antagonist

While much of Apocalypse's appeal lay in seeing our favourite Coven and Murder House characters once more, it wasn't the only reason to tune into the end-of-the-world-themed season. The narrative of Season 8 was centred around the Anti-Christ's rise to power. There'll be more on the greatness of said narrative later, but for now let's focus on the central character himself, Michael Langdon.

Michael initially appeared at the end of Murder House, when Constance Langdon promised to raise him after his mother Vivien died during childbirth. The character had been established as evil back then, but Apocalypse delved further, showing Michael accepting his role as destroyer of the world.

The fact that the writers use the Anti-Christ to end civilisation may sound cliché - or perhaps even a little contrived - but strong writing and characterisation in regards Michael ensured that this wasn't the case.

In spite of the prophecy - and Michael's villainous attempts to fulfil them - Murphy and Falchuk's strong scripts painted the antagonist as nothing more than a terrified young boy doing what he was put on this earth to do. He wasn't evil by nurture, but rather by the fact that it lived within him in the first place - and it was out of his control. Cody Fern delivered a stunning performance in the 10-episode season, and - together with the writers - created one of the best antagonists seen on television this year.