American Horror Story: 10 Most Controversial Moments

The first of two rape scenes on the list, this scene at least has something to say on a creative level. That wasn’t enough to satisfy those who feel violent sexual abuse should never be shown on television, but it at least has a leg to stand on, while the other scene is decidedly more Elsa Mars in its defence.

The demon is symbolic of grip drugs have on addicts; it claws at them, attacks their deepest vulnerabilities, renders them helpless and turns something positive (the high) into something brutal, painful and raw.

While there’s certainly grounds to call this an artful (if jet black dark) interpretation of addiction, the design of the demon itself has Ryan Murphy’s usual over the top panache. The pale, waxy, faceless body is AHS’ typical brand of terror and no real cause for controversy. What made the scene so disturbing was the sharp, metal, conical strap-on the demon wore and used to penetrate his victim, Max Greenfield’s Gabriel.

There’s symbolism in that too, one could argue, a heroin addict being raped by essentially a faceless needle. But when it’s this disturbing, it’s no surprise so many criticised the scene heavily on social media.