American Horror Story: Ranking Every Season Finale From Worst To Best
With witches and bitches, which is the best season finale from Ryan Murphy's American Horror Story?
The cameras are turned off, the production crew has packed up, and the horror of "Return to Roanoke" is over. American Horror Story's sixth season brought its gory story to a climactic end, while the viewers were left to mop up the bloodbath. Season 6's "Chapter 10" wrapped up a shorter season of the show, but one that still packed a punch to the horror stakes.
As each season of the horror anthology winds towards an inevitably grim finale, you often find yourself asking "will anyone survive?" More often than not, the answer is no. Fear not though, after the credits roll we simply hit the reset button and wait for next year. After that you can come out from behind your cushion and start theorising where the hell Ryan Murphy will be taking us next time.
With everything from summer camps to cruise ships rumoured for Season 7, as well as a Murder House/Coven crossover, American Horror Story will likely be on our screens for many years to come. Instead of looking the future though, let's look to the past and how each of the six finales have faired. From serial killer sons, to great Gaga capers, and a Benjamin Button Sarah Paulson, which was your favourite, and will any finale ever top the No.1 spot?
6. Roanoke
Title: Chapter 10
Synopsis: Through flashbacks and present day we pick up the story of Lee Harris, the sole Roanoke survivor. Accused of multiple murders, Adina Porter's Lee struggles to adjust to live after infamy. An interview with Lana Winters sees the return of an old face, and Lee is forced back into the Roanoke nightmare one last time.
Where did it all go wrong? Roanoke was tipped to be THE season of Horror Story, while many aren't quite so sure. The whole no-survivors schtick had been covered in Season 1, and the show within a show (within a show) idea soon ran out of stream. With the first 1/3 of the episode being taken up by Lee's trial, you would be forgiven for thinking Murphy was just advertising his other shows. At times you weren't sure if you were watching American Horror Story or American Crime Story.
There were some great cameos from Leslie Jordan and Denis O'Hare, but the majority of the cast were sidelined for Lee's mother/daughter relationship with the frustrating Flora. Sure, we had Sarah Paulson back again, but having her play three different roles this season did seem a little like overkill. "Chapter 10" gave us more questions that ever before, and some viewers were left so puzzled they had to ask if we need another season in Roanoke. Who was Emily, what was the point in Lady Gaga, and where the hell was Matt Bomer?
Love it or hate it, Roanoke was the most un-Horror Story season out there, and Chapter 10 only emphasised this. To make matters worse, we never got those all important AHS titles - poor show Mr. Murphy, poor show.