American Horror Story - Season 3: Coven
★ ★ ★ - Good
I'm amazed by how unrestrained this series is. The amount of violence, sex and overall transgressive material - this season has a lot of uncensored racism and incest - isn't seen in mainstream Hollywood entertainment, with big stars and high production value. It's something an indie horror would do to help get its name out there, and here it's overwhelming enough to keep away moral watchdogs who would condemn it on every level. So, for a fan of Horror like me, this is like inheriting an ice cream shop, and I am enjoying all the flavors.
The cast is outstanding, but special mention must go to Jessica Lange for making this her Baby Jane. It helps that she most of the best scenes and delicious lines, but Lange just dives head first into the diva insanity. It's not even the best performance of the series - Sarah Paulson anchors this ensemble solid - but she's reason enough to binge.
My favorite touch this season, and evidence that the writers leave no stone unturned, is the swamp witch (Lily Rabe) whose craft descends from the gypsy style of Stevie Nicks. I didn't expect Nicks to turn up in the Season, but I totally should have expected it with all the mentions and the songs. It doesn't even feel like a guest star forced into the Season, but more like this story would've been incomplete without her participation.