The 7 Deadly Sins According To ‘American Horror Story: Hotel’
By Teresa Lobos
Last week’s premiere of American Horror Story: Hotel held captive 12.17 million viewers, making it one of the top television premieres this Fall. But did the second episode, “Chutes and Ladders,” hold up to its stunning beginning?
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I found “Chutes and Ladders” to be somewhat lacking in the magic that drew me into the spell of the premiere. The scenes were somewhat choppy and lacking direction, giving way to all style and no substance while delivering a bit too much repetition through its mise en scene.
That being said, I did become more interested when they revealed that the killer Detective Lowe is investigating is, in fact, basing his gruesome murders on the ten commandments. Of course, this is a shout out to David Fincher’s 1995 flick, Se7en, but American Horror Story is all about references so I’m okay with that.
American Horror Story: Hotel is indeed an exploration of sin and excess, the ten commandments tie in nicely to the direction it’s heading, but we can also have some fun with the seven deadly sins that seem to be so irresistible to our tortured, ghastly, and downright terrifying Hotel Cortez residents.
The seven deadly sins according to American Horror Story: Hotel:
Lust: This is an easy one. The Hotel Cortez is a veritable hotbed of crazed lustiness from the blood-soaked orgies of The Countess and her paramour to Iris’ burning desire for Detective Lowe.
Gluttony: The Countess is guilty again with her insatiable hunger for the red stuff.
Greed: This episode we were introduced to the crazed psychopath, James Patrick March. Greedy as they come, he had money, he had power, and he still wanted more…
Envy: Back to ol’ JPM: “I envy you,” says James Patrick March, “My curse was making my fortune too early. My point being, that the appetites of the filthy rich are specific, altered from that of the common man.”
Sloth: Sloth is still hiding a bit, but we still lots of characters lazing about in bed and little vampire kiddies spending their days playing video games. All right, it’s a bit of a stretch, but I bet you it will come up before the end of the season!
Get out of bed, lazy bones!
Wrath: Like lust, AHS: Hotel is chock full of wrath. Everyone hates someone else and there’s always this undertone of seething, vengeful danger.
Nothing like the wrath of a lover scorned.
Pride: Proud new owner of the Hotel Cortez, Will Drake, has thus far strutted around like a peacock. If we know anything about the way this show goes, we know that things are most likely not going to end well for this guy. And you know what? I’m okay with that.
Next: 5 Reasons the American Horror Story: Hotel Premiere is the Best Yet