Created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk for cable network FX, the series is produced by 20th Century Fox Television. Apocalypse set in 2026 was broadcast between September 12 and November 14, 2018,[1] consisting of 10 episodes. The season was announced in January 2017[2] and received positive reviews from critics, with many considering it an improvement over previous installments. In April 2019, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, which presents the Primetime Emmy Awards, announced that, for the first time in the series' history, a season would not qualify for the Limited Series categories, and would instead be moved to Drama.[3]Apocalypse was ultimately nominated to five categories, including Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for Jessica Lange.
In the near future, nuclear missiles destroy the world and start a nuclear winter. Thanks to her family's private plane, billionaire socialite Coco St. Pierre Vanderbilt manages to escape the destruction of Los Angeles with her assistant Mallory, her hairdresser Mr. Gallant, and his grandmother, Evie. Coco's boyfriend Brock tries to meet with the plane but is stranded in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, an organization known as "The Cooperative" selects young adults to save from the apocalypse, based on their genetic makeup. Two of the selected, Timothy and Emily, are sent to Outpost 3, an underground base led by Ms. Wilhemina Venable and her assistant Ms. Mead. There, they are reunited with other survivors, including Coco, Mallory, Mr. Gallant, and Evie. Life at the Outpost includes strict rules and severe punishments. Eighteen months pass and the situation and food supplies are in critical condition at the Outpost. A man from the Cooperative, Michael Langdon, arrives and announces that he will judge who deserves to be truly saved.
Langdon introduces himself to the guests of Outpost 3 and explains his duty. He asks Mr. Gallant about his sexual orientation and his hatred towards his grandmother. Later, the Rubber Man approaches Gallant in his bedroom, and Evie catches the two having sex. She reports their insubordination to Ms. Mead. Timothy and Emily discover recent Cooperative e-mails detailing Venable's transgressions against proper Outpost protocol. Gallant refuses to reveal the identity of the Rubber Man to Venable. Gallant assures Langdon that he did not reveal his identity, and Langdon asserts that he is not the Rubber Man and would never have sex with him. Timothy and Emily cast aspersions on the rules of Outpost 3, and they have sex for the first time. The Rubber Man attempts to seduce Gallant once again, and Gallant stabs him with scissors. Langdon appears, and Gallant finds himself looking upon his grandmother's bloody corpse. Timothy and Emily are caught in bed and are sentenced to death. Timothy shoots Mead in the stomach, and her wound reveals internal wiring and white liquid.
Langdon unveils his true demonic form to Mallory, and she makes flames shoot from a fireplace. Venable confides to Mead that she has not been selected to move on to the Sanctuary and Mead suggests they kill everyone. Brock navigates a nuclear wasteland and guns down a cannibalistic tribe. He then beholds a horse-drawn carriage pass by. The carriage delivers apples to Outpost 3, and Venable resolves to inject them with venom. Brock infiltrates Outpost 3 and attends Venable's Halloween masquerade ball. Coco, presuming Brock to be Langdon in costume, seduces him back to her bedroom. Brock then reveals himself to Coco and stabs her in the forehead. The Outpost 3 guests bob for poisonous apples. Venable instructs everyone to wait to eat simultaneously. The guests comply and concurrently succumb to the poison. Venable and Mead confront Langdon, and Venable proclaims that they will be making the selections. Mead attempts to shoot Langdon but finds herself turning the gun on Venable against her will and shooting her, under the order of Langdon. Langdon reveals that he created Mead and that she was modeled after a caregiver from his childhood, which consoles her. Later, Cordelia Goode, Madison Montgomery, and Myrtle Snow descend upon Outpost 3 and Cordelia resurrects Mallory, Dinah, and Coco.
Three years before the nuclear blast, the Hawthorne School for Exceptional Young Men (a school for warlocks and the future Outpost 3) seeks out Michael Langdon, who has been arrested for killing a man who insulted the woman Mead is modeled after, as well as the arresting officer. He is put through several tests and displays tremendous abilities. At Miss Robichaux's Academy, Zoe is impressed by Mallory's skill at witchcraft. The Coven is summoned to Hawthorne for a meeting, and Cordelia scoffs at the Grand Chancellor's suspicion that Michael may be the first male Supreme, known as the Alpha. To prove his power, Michael saves Queenie from eternal damnation at the Hotel Cortez (which Cordelia was previously unable to do) and fetches Madison from her personal hell.
Cordelia has a frightening vision of a destroyed Miss Robichaux's Academy and being attacked by disease-ridden people. Later, she announces that Langdon will take the Seven Wonders, something that she is berated for by Myrtle. Mallory's abilities soon intensify, and Cordelia reveals that she is dying and slowly losing her Supremacy. John Henry Moore discovers Langdon's true self, but Mead interferes before he can warn anyone and kills him. During the test, Cordelia asks Langdon to bring Misty Day back to life, so he breaks her out of her personal hell. It is revealed that Cordelia has been planning an army against Langdon and used him to resurrect her students. Later, Cordelia asks Madison and a suspicious Behold to investigate Langdon's origins at the Murder House.
Madison and Behold buy the Murder House on behalf of the Coven, under the pretense that they are a married couple. They cast a spell to force the spirits of the house to appear to them. They encounter the ghost of Constance Langdon, who agrees to provide information on her grandson Michael if they banish her old nemesis, Moira O'Hara, from the house. Madison and Behold exhume Moira's bones and bury them with her mother's; Moira is then set free from the house. Constance tells them that she sensed evil in Michael from very early on. In his youth, he began killing animals and then his babysitter. After Michael ages ten years overnight, Constance enlists the help of a Catholic priest, whom Michael kills. Constance, out of hopelessness, commits suicide in the Murder House, where she is reunited with Tate, Beauregard, and her fourth child, a little girl with no eyes. Madison and Behold then interview Ben and Vivien Harmon, who further reveal the evil in Michael's soul. Vivien tells them that Michael's father is neither Ben nor Tate but the evil of the Murder House. Before leaving with Behold, Madison reunites Tate and Violet.
With the help of voodoo queen Dinah Stevens, Cordelia arranges a meeting with Papa Legba in an attempt to prevent Langdon's plans. Legba reveals that he owns Nan's soul and agrees to help entrap Langdon under the condition that Cordelia give him the souls of the remaining girls. Cordelia refuses, and Legba disappears. To learn more about the warlocks and their plans, Madison enlists the help of Myrtle's long-time friend, witch-actress Bubbles McGee, who specializes in reading the thoughts and souls of others. At a dinner party held by Myrtle, Bubbles discovers that Ariel and Baldwin know about the death of John Henry and that they are planning to kill the women of the coven. Zoe suspects Mallory to be the true next Supreme after she saves Coco from choking, and confides in Cordelia. Later, Mallory passes the Seven Wonders after successfully resurrecting John Henry. The coven then captures Ariel, Baldwin, and Mead and burns them at the stake for their betrayals.
After breaking down over Mead's charred remains, Langdon is confronted by Cordelia, who informs him that a spell hides Mead's soul. Langdon, unable to bring her back, flees into the forest seeking guidance from Satan. Unsuccessfully, Langdon remains strong but confused and is led to an obscure Satanic church in the city. At the church, he meets Madelyn, who takes him to her home and offers him food. At her house, Madelyn tells Langdon that she has secured everything in life by selling her soul. Langdon reveals that he is the Antichrist, and Madelyn takes him back to the church, where the congregation falls at his feet in worship. Langdon tells his followers that he has no ambition or plan now that Mead is dead, despite their willingness to help usher in the end of times. Madelyn takes Langdon to a robotics corporation run by engineers Mutt and Jeff, who have sold their souls the same way the other Satanists have. It is revealed that Ms. Venable worked for the corporation before the nuclear blast and that Mutt and Jeff were responsible for creating Mead's android.
Dinah helps Langdon and Mead infiltrate the Coven in exchange for Satan green-lighting her talk show. Mead kills most of the witches, including Queenie, Bubbles, and Zoe. Cordelia is unable to resurrect them as Langdon destroyed their souls. The remaining girls take refuge in Misty's swamp-shack, where Myrtle tells them of an ancient spell that can undo past events. Myrtle asks Mallory to travel to Russia in 1918 and save Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna, a witch, from her execution. Mallory's attempt to save Anastasia fails, although Myrtle notes that she is the first witch to travel through time successfully. Because of Mallory's near-success, Cordelia contemplates her own death so Mallory can rise as the new Supreme, but Myrtle discourages her. Cordelia and Myrtle find that Langdon has murdered all the warlocks, including John Henry and Behold, at Hawthorne's School. Mutt and Jeff, who have been controlling Mead the whole time, meet with Langdon and inform him that the Cooperative is the ancient Order of the Illuminati, an organization made up of world elites that have sold their souls to Satan. Langdon meets with the Illuminati, informing them of the Outposts and plans the end of times.
After discovering Langdon's plan for the Outposts, the Coven decide to hide Coco and Mallory in Outpost 3 by giving them new identities and making sure they survive the apocalypse while Mallory's powers are growing. After discovering Dinah's involvement with Langdon, Cordelia, Myrtle, and Madison bury themselves in the swamp mud to survive the nuclear blast. After the apocalypse, the Coven faces Langdon. As Dinah pledges allegiance to Langdon, a newly regenerated Marie Laveau kills her for her betrayal. Cordelia then destroys Mead while Madison shoots Langdon to buy Mallory's time travel spell. While Langdon kills Madison, Marie, and Coco, Mallory is stabbed by Brock, prompting Cordelia to sacrifice herself to allow Mallory's rise as the new Supreme. Mallory casts the spell and returns to 2015, where she runs over a younger Langdon multiple times. Michael begs Constance to take him to the Murder House to preserve his spirit, but she refuses, thus preventing the apocalypse. Mallory eventually returns to Miss Robichaux's Academy, saving Queenie and Misty from their future fates. Meanwhile, Timothy and Emily meet in the new present and, years later, have a son together, who later kills his nanny. Anton LaVey, Samantha Crowe, and Mead visit them, claiming they came to help.
Production
Development
On January 12, 2017, the series was renewed for an eighth season, which premiered on September 12, 2018.[2][1] In October 2016, series co-creator Ryan Murphy announced a "crossover" season between previous cycles Murder House and Coven.[14] In January 2018, he stated that the ninth season would most likely feature the crossover;[15] however, in June 2018, he announced that the eighth season was chosen instead.[16] Murphy has also stated that the eighth season would be set 18 months in the future and would feature an Asylum and Coven tone.[15][17] In July 2018, it was announced at the San Diego Comic-Con that the title of the season would be Apocalypse.[18]
In April 2018, it was revealed that series veteran Sarah Paulson and Evan Peters would make their directorial debut in an episode.[19] It was later revealed that Paulson would direct the sixth episode.[20] Peters, in the end, did not direct an episode.
As with previous seasons, several teasers were released.[21] On September 4, 2018, a short trailer was released, followed by a longer trailer the next day.[22][23]
Casting
In October 2017, it was announced that series mainstay Sarah Paulson would return for the season. In March 2018, it was announced that Kathy Bates and Evan Peters would also return, leading the season with Paulson.[24] In April 2018, Joan Collins joined the cast as the grandmother of Peters' character.[17] In April and May 2018, Cult actors Adina Porter, Cheyenne Jackson, Billy Eichner, Leslie Grossman, and Billie Lourd were also confirmed to return.[25][26]
In June 2018, Emma Roberts revealed that she would return for Apocalypse, reprising her role as Madison Montgomery from Coven.[27] That same month, Murphy revealed that other witches from Coven had all been invited to return,[27] and also stated that he had asked Anjelica Huston to join the cast,[28] while Paulson confirmed that she would reprise her Coven role, Cordelia Goode.[20] In July 2018, it was reported that Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman and Kyle Allen would guest star in the season.[29] Later that month, Murphy revealed via Twitter that American Crime Story actor Cody Fern joined the cast as a grown-up Michael Langdon, the Antichrist born during the events of Murder House.[30]
In August 2018, Pose actor Billy Porter announced via Instagram that he would appear in the season.[31] Later, during the Television Critics Association press tour, it was announced that Jessica Lange would appear in the season's sixth episode as her Murder House character, Constance Langdon.[20] After FX released the season's first teaser, actress Lesley Fera revealed via Twitter that she would appear in the season premiere.[32] Later, Ryan Murphy confirmed via Twitter that Taissa Farmiga, Gabourey Sidibe, Lily Rabe, Frances Conroy, and Stevie Nicks would all appear during the season,[33] and that they would all reprise the roles they played in Coven.[34][35] In the same month, Angela Bassett, who appeared in four previous seasons, confirmed that she would not appear in the season;[34] however, Bassett appeared in the last episode of the season, playing Marie Laveau, the role she played in Coven. Later, Finn Wittrock, who appeared in three past seasons, confirmed that he would not appear in Apocalypse.[36] The same day, it was announced that original cast members Connie Britton and Dylan McDermott would be returning for the season,[37] and Ryan Murphy later confirmed that they would reprise their Murder House roles, Vivien and Ben Harmon, respectively.[38] Later, Murphy revealed that Evan Peters and Taissa Farmiga would be reprising their Murder House roles, Tate Langdon and Violet Harmon, respectively.[39]
In September 2018, it was revealed that Erika Ervin would be returning for Apocalypse after having a recurring role in Freak Show.[40] It was also reported that actress Ash Santos would appear in the season.[41]
Filming
In April 2018, Murphy revealed that filming for the season would begin in June 2018.[17]
Reception
Critical response
American Horror Story: Apocalypse received positive reviews, with many considering it as an improvement over the recent seasons. The review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes gave the season a 79% approval rating, with an average rating of 6.95/10, based on 8 reviews. The critical consensus reads, "Ryan Murphy and his murderers' row of witchy performers literally save the world -- and franchise -- in Apocalypse, the series' most ambitious crossover swing yet."[42] On Metacritic, the season was given a score of 63 out of 100 based on 6 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[43]
American Horror Story(season 8): Critical reception by episode
Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org.
Season 8 (2018): Percentage of positive critics' reviews tracked by the website Rotten Tomatoes[42]
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