Open House (American Horror Story)

"Open House"
American Horror Story episode
Episode no. Season 1
Episode 7
Directed by Tim Hunter
Written by Brad Falchuk
Featured music
  • "Don't Look Back" by Kissing Cousins
  • "Harsh Realm" by Widowspeak
  • "I Want a Little Sugar In My Bowl" by Nina Simone
Production code 1ATS06
Original air date November 16, 2011 (2011-11-16)
Running time 41 minutes
Guest appearance(s)
Episode chronology

"Open House" is the seventh episode of the first season of the television series American Horror Story, which premiered on the network FX on November 16, 2011. The episode was written by co-creator and executive producer Brad Falchuk and was directed by Tim Hunter. This episode is rated TV-MA (LSV).

In this episode, Violet (Taissa Farmiga) is confronted by a revelation, while Vivien (Connie Britton) learns she is pregnant with twins.

In 2012, this episode was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries or Movie.

Plot

1994

Constance (Jessica Lange) learns that Beau, her deformed son who lives chained in the house's attic, may be taken away, due to her neglectful parenting. In love with Constance, Larry (Denis O'Hare) euthanizes Beau, in order to prevent it. Larry's wife later immolates herself and their daughters in the house after learning about his relationship with Constance.

2011

Violet (Taissa Farmiga) takes solace in Tate (Evan Peters), who reveals that he is aware of the ghosts, and says they will not harm her if she just tells them to leave her alone. He shows her some old photographs he found of the Montgomerys. Vivien (Connie Britton) learns that she is pregnant with twins. Resolved to be up front with prospective buyers about the house's past, she learns of the Montgomerys and learns that Charles (Matt Ross) revived their son into a monster, causing his wife Nora (Lily Rabe) to go insane and kill Charles and herself. A sleazy developer (Amir Arison) becomes interested in the house, and reveals his plan to tear down the gazebo and build a pool, leading young Moira (Alexandra Breckenridge) to seduce him in hopes that he will buy the property and her remains will be discovered. Ben (Dylan McDermott) confronts Larry at his home, and learns that Larry wants the house so he can be with Constance. Ben mocks him by saying the developer will buy the house and tear it down to build condominiums. Constance learns of this and attempts to appeal to the developer, but he cruelly rebuffs her. She informs Moira (Frances Conroy) that he lied to her about the gazebo and intends to build condos instead, which would seal Moira on the grounds forever. They put aside their enmity, and with Larry's help, lead the developer into the basement and suffocate him. They quickly take him off the grounds before he dies. Violet shares the photos of the Montgomerys with Vivien, who is shocked to find that she recognizes Nora (from Episode 3) as one of the interested buyers.

Production

Series co-creator Ryan Murphy has admitted his obsession with the character of Marcy, the realtor, played by Christine Estabrook, who was more prominent in "Open House". He stated, "I love her! I love her! Every episode we're like 'We're killing Marcy this episode. This is the episode.' And then we get to writing her and she's too hilarious to kill. I think she's been a great source of levity and I think she's a terrible person. She's a racist and a homophobe and the worst realtor in the world. She's that incompetent bumbler. I like to imitate her in the writer's room."[1]

Reception

Rotten Tomatoes reports a 90% approval rating, based on 10 reviews. The critical consensus reads, ""Open House" wraps up the first half of the season and blazes a cringe-worthy path towards the finale."[2] New York Magazine's Julieanne Smolinski said of the episode, "I don't know...but I love this show as though it were the deformed attic monster I asked my disfigured boyfriend to lust-murder."[3] James Queally of The Star-Ledger called the episode "another average episode of what's becoming in my eyes, just an average series."[4]

In its original American broadcast, "Open House" was seen by an estimated 3.06 million household viewers and gained a 1.8 ratings share among adults aged 18–49, according to Nielsen Media Research. The episode rose two tenths from the previous episode, becoming a series high.[5]

References

  1. ↑ Stack, Tim (November 16, 2011). "'American Horror Story': Ryan Murphy on Constance's brood and next week's Rubber Man reveal -- EXCLUSIVE". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  2. ↑ "Open House – American Horror Story: Murder House, Episode 7". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
  3. ↑ Smolinski, Julieanne (November 17, 2011). "American Horror Story Recap: How Deep Is Your Swimming Pool?". New York. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
  4. ↑ Queally, James (November 16, 2011). "American Horror Story 'Open House' Recap: Bit off more than you could chew". NJ.com. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
  5. ↑ Gorman, Bill (November 17, 2011). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'American Horror Story' Series High + 'South Park,' 'Psych,' 'Real World,' 'Ultimate Fighter,' 'Mythbusters' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
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