American Horror Story: 10 Most Controversial Moments

Much like the shooting in Cult, the first season of American Horror Story also featured a controversial shooting, and this time it was not toned down.

Tate’s shooting didn’t air around any majorly reported shooting incidents, although the frequency of shootings in the USA suggests one happened and was not reported. It was also before the Parkland shooting galvanised a movement, but Tate’s nature was eerie similar to the Columbine shooters, and the whole arc made many uncomfortable.

In a move that was surely courting controversy, when Violet searches the internet for information, the results are the same as Columbine’s just with text changed to fit Tate. Even the school’s name, Westfield High, matches the high school of the Virginia Tech shooter before he killed 33 at Tech.

While Tate was a compelling character, he seemed to at least get the retribution he deserved for his crimes. Trapped forever in the Murder House with his love, but destined never to be with her. However, Apocalypse rewrote his ending to give him happiness at last. Does everyone deserve a shot at redemption? Should AHS have taken such strides to humanise a school shooter? Great TV asks the audience questions, and Tate certainly does that.