Review: American Horror Story: Coven, Episode 4

The main focus of episode entitled 'Fearful Pranks Ensue' is relationship between Fiona and Myrtle. They meet in order to clarify what happened to Madison as she appears to be missing. However, the meeting quickly transforms into a demonstration of mutual hatred. Myrtle (Frances Conroy is really superb in this episode, especially when she loses it and starts yelling at Fiona) is almost certain that back in 1971, when both herself and Fiona were students at Miss Robichaux's Academy for Exceptional Young Ladies, Jessica Lange's character murdered the Supreme to become one herself. It is true, but obviously Fiona won't admit to that, as well as to killing Madison. But she puts off the accusation in such a cunning and cold-hearted manner that she becomes even more loathsome to the viewers. On the other, it makes her character even more interesting. Producers must really love Jessica Lange, because they keep giving her the best roles.

It turns out that Queenie was severely harmed by the Minotaur and it's Fiona's magic, not Delia's concoctions, that saves the girl's life. The Minotaur is killed (how exactly - it is not shown) and his head sent to Miss Laveau, which breaks the truce between her and Salem Witches. The Minotaur, still in his human form, was Laveau's lover. Open war between the clans is inevitable. Laveau summons zombies (just as she did in 1971 to kill murderers of a young black boy, which is presented in the beginning of the episode) to invade the Academy. The first ones to arrive are Delphine's daughters. It reminds me slightly of 'The Walking Dead', where many characters are forced to kill their loved ones who turned into zombies.

However, the writers apparently thought that all this wasn't enough as they decided to make Hank, Delia's husband, a killer. After having sex with a girl he'd met at some Internet forum he pulls out his gun and shoot her in the head. It was totally out of the blue and in the middle of a completely different story being told in the episode, but I guess American Horror Story fans should be used to being surprised almost constantly. I really loved the serial killer plot in 'Asylum' and if they develop it as deftly as Oliver Thredson then I can't wait.

Game review: Juventus FC vs Real Madrid, 06.11.13

This game was important to both team. Real Madrid could have assured the promotion to the play-off stage of Champions League. Juventus is desperately seeking points in order to maintain to chance to get to the play-offs. Unfortunately, in the first half the game was a bit disappointing. The Italians were dominating the pitch, but they couldn't really do much with it. There were very few shots from both sides and most of the first half was simply boring. The only situation worth noting is was the penalty awarded to Juventus after Varane's foul. Vidal took it away and Juventus was in the lead.

In the second half the game changed, because Real was trying to score an equalizer. The offensive trio - Benzema, Ronaldo and Bale - became much more active and managed to create some dangerous situations. Seven minutes after the break Caceres made a mistake and lost the ball about 30m from his team's goal. Benzema passed exquisitely to Ronaldo and it was 1-1. It was a well-deserved goal, as Real was definitely better in the second half. In 60' Bale proved that he is getting in shape, as he scored a goal from outside the box and having two defenders in front of him. The battle between him and Di Maria for the first squad will be interesting, as the Argentinian player has been one of the most important players this season.

However, just 5 minutes later Varane did something he doesn't do often - he screwed up. It was his foul after which Juventus got a penalty and now he didn't manage to stop Llorente from scoring after a long pass from the right corner. Young Frenchman was probably the worst player of the night, but he's still learning and has the right to make mistakes. After so many perfect or almost perfect games, especially with the likes of FC Barcelona, he's allowed to play beneath Real Madrid level.

After Llorente's goal it was still Madrid who had more energy and willingness to score another goal, but the result remained the same until the final whistle. I think that a draw is a fair result, as the Juventus was much better in the first half, while Real Madrid managed to dominate in the second half. What's really positive is that Gareth Bale seems to acquire some sort of stability. In the last 3 games he scored 3 times and had 4 assists, which is a great result. Benzema didn't give as much as he should've, but his focus was probably blocking Pirlo which he did. However, Ancelotti still has to work a lot on the defensive tactics, as the ones the team developed so far seem to fail in almost every game.

Review: American Horror Story: Murder House, Episode 3

This episode introduces us to yet another story of the house previous residents. In 1920s a Frankenstein-like doctor was conducting macabre experiments as well as abortions in the basement. His wife, Nora,  turns out to be another ghost haunting the ‘murder house’. She is played by Lily Rabe, who gave one of the best performances in ‘Asylum’ as the nun possessed by the Devil. Nora seems to be planning to take back the house, but it’s far too early to state how exactly she’s going to harass the Harmon family.

We also learn how the maid was killed. Constance used to live in the mansion and when she found out her husband was cheating on her, she killed both the maid and her husband. Even though over 30 years have passed, Jessica Lange’s character still cannot forgive the girl. What’s interesting, Moira appears as a young, attractive girl only to men, while women see her aged version.

After the invasion, Vivienne is desperate to move someplace else. However, her husband and daughter are reluctant to do so. Ben feels that the mansion is perfect as his workplace and Violet perceives getting rid of the invaders as a victory and doesn't seem to realize how dangerous the place actually is.

Ben starts to have visions and being partly controlled by the house. At first she is to some extent responsible for his patient’s suicide when he refuses to listen to her. And when it turns out that his ex-lover didn’t have an abortion and wants to move in and have Ben be a true father to the child. He kills her with a shovel. Well, in theory it was Larry played by Denis O’Hare, but it is quite obvious he is a ghost as well, se Ben must’ve done it himself. Larry, with a 70% of his skin burnt and triple homicide on his conscience, is constantly warning Ben about the house, but the current resident doesn't seem to care. I’m waiting for some more incidents that make him change his mind.

Review: American Horror Story: Murder House, Episode 2

The second episode starts with a flashback to year 1968, when a nurse and a student are slaughtered in the  'murder house'. In present time, it turns out that a group of youngsters decided to reenact the murder on the current dwellers of the mansion, which are the Harmon family. Tate's relationship with Violet is getting more intensive and forces Ben to refer him to another psychiatrist. As well, girl with with Ben slept is pregnant and he goes back to Boston to help her get through abortion.

The first scene from 1968 is extremely good, it reminds me of that episode of 'Asylum' when a man dressed as Santa Claus invaded a home and tortured its residents. Knowing latter seasons I need to acknowledge producers' skill in recreating United States from different periods. And that girl turning down The Doors concert? If she knew what would happen to Jim Morrison she'd probably be in the first row. On the other hand, if she knew she was going to get killed that very night she would also probably choose the show.

With the home invasion, the house seems to attract danger from outside apart from hiding deadly secrets inside. It really seems like a trap and no wonder at the end of the episode Vivienne tells her husband that they have to leave this mansion as soon as possible. They can try to repair their marriage in a house that's not haunted and the therapy will surely be more effective there.

The most fascinating part of 'Murder House' is figuring out which characters are ghosts and which are real. My guess would be that Tate and the maid are definitely dead, while Addie and Constance are rather very much alive.

Review: The Walking Dead, Season 4 Episode 4

Episode 4 focuses on Rick and Carol going on a scavenger hunt. The epidemic is getting worse and any form of medication is priceless. On the way they find a young couple, who are desperate to join the group in prison. After so many deaths in the first three episodes (even though they were mainly tertiary characters the fans didn't even have time to come to like) and Rick refusing many people to join them throughout the series one might think that these will finally be some characters that will stay longer on the show. But the girl gets killed easily a couple of minutes after meeting the prison leaders.

In the beginning of the series it seemed to me that Carol had a huge influence on the group, despite Darryl being the new leader. Teaching kids how to use weapons, taking care of the sick and finally killing and burning two people in order to stop the disease from spreading. When she was explaining herself to Rick, she seemed like female and post-apocalyptic version of Jack Kevorkian. No remorse was found in her words and that's probably one of the things that made Rick do what he eventually did - he cast her out of the group. At first I thought she could take some of the burden off Rick, who seems more and more eager to reclaim his leader status. Carol could sacrifice herself for the group and do the work that nobody else would be willing to do, just as with killing off two sick group members. However, to do that she'd have to obey Rick and I don't believe it would be possible. Besides, Rick was right - if other found out that she was responsible for the murders, she wouldn't live long anyway. Especially considering condition Tyreese is in. And if Rick decided to keep the killer's identity to himself he would simply prove he's not worthy of leading the group again as he wasn't able to catch the culprit.

There are also some scenes in this episode telling a bit about the group led by Darryl. After losing their car to a horde of walkers they seek a new vehicle to get back to the prison. And the main two things in these scenes are Tyreese's apparent wish to kill himself while fighting the zombies. He lost his beloved one (to be more precise, she was killed by Carol) and Sasha is sick, so it's quite understandable that he's spiraling down. However, after losing so many people a good soldier is worth even more, so that's why I don't understand why only Michonne is trying to sooth him. On the other hand there's Bob, an alcoholic who deserves to be thrown out of the group just as much as Carol. He endangered the group and instead of looking for medicine, he focused on finding some booze for himself.

Review: American Horror Story: Murder House, Episode 1

After falling in love with 'Asylum and really enjoying the first episodes of 'Coven' I decided that it was time to check where it all began. After watching the first of twelve episodes the overall concept is one of the major horror cliches - a haunted mansion. Harmon family - marriage Ben (Dylan McDermott) and Vivien (Connie Britton) and their daughter Violet (Taissa Farmiga) - decide to move to Los Angeles to begin a new life after some severe personal issues (husband's infidelity and wife's miscarriage). They buy a house and as it turns out, in the building there were homicide and suicide committed not so long ago. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that the place is haunted.

Even though it was the first episodes, many characters already showed a lot of potential to become extremely interesting as the story will progress. The two-faced maid, Jessica Lange's Constance or Tate played by Evan Peters were a lot more interesting than the main couple, whose problems seem brutally too realistic to be a true part of such a series. But maybe later on they will fit better.

I believe we can expect more interesting characters, as Ben is a psychiatrist who consults his patients at his house. So far Tate is the only one that's come to visit him, but he shows most of the characteristics of a serial killer. And the way he intimidates Violet's bully just proves that he's far from sane.

Game review: Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid, 02.11.13

                 

After 7 goals scored against Sevilla at Santiago Bernabeu three days before, hopes were high for another display of offensive power. Goal scored by Ronaldo in the 3rd minute made the fans believe that away game against Rayo would prove the amazing potential of the team built by Carlo Ancelotti. What’s more, the first half was in great part dominated by Real Madrid, which was proved by their second goal (Benzema in 31’). And when Ronaldo scored again 4 minutes after the break, probably everyone was expecting the game to end at that point. However, after two well-deserved penalties awarded to Rayo after stupid mistakes from Real Madrid’s defense the home team started to put extreme pressure on the guest players.

                  

It seemed unreal, as within two minutes Viera scored twice and Real Madrid’s offensive potential completely vanished. Team that is trying to win La Liga was desperately trying to defend against the team that’s fighting to evade relegation. The second half showed how much there is to improve when it comes to Madrid’s defensive playing. It was complete chaos, and the only parts that were not disappointing were Diego Lopez and centrebacks’ headers. Except for that, it was mostly luck that allowed Madrid players to keep three points after the final whistle.

                 

When Xabi Alonso was on the pitch, the offensive and defensive parts of the team were mostly well-balanced. However, when he was substituted by Asier Illarramendi the became utter chaos. This young Spanish has still a lot to learn and the gap between him and Alonso has to diminish quickly if Alonso wants to leave Real Madrid next summer. Modrić is a different type of player and it showed, he was more responsible of creating counter-attacks (most of the times ineffective, unfortunately).

                 

Experiment with Angel Di Maria playing behind Benzema was unsuccessful. He seemed lost and definitely he would be of better use on the right wing where he usually plays. The offensive trio - Cristiano Ronaldo (2 goals), Karim Benzema (1 goal) and Gareth Bale (2 assists) - didn’t disappoint, but they could’ve played better in the second half when the team needed some break from Rayo’s constant attacks.

Rayo Vallecano – Real Madryt 2:3 (0:2)

0:1  Cristiano Ronaldo 3' 

0:2 Benzema 31' 

0:3 Cristiano Ronaldo 49' 

1:3 Viera 53' 

2:3 Viera 55'