Since season 1/Murder House first premiered in 2011, every season of Ryan Murphy's American Horror Story has been entertaining fans of the genre. Whether focused on a haunted house, circus, or New York City, AHS is always memorable and worthy of discussion. Season 2, American Horror Story: Asylum, offers up the creepiest setting of all: Briarcliff Manor, which used to be a mental institution.
Murphy casts the same actors in several of his seasons, including Evan Peters, Sarah Paulson, and Jessica Lange. They all show up here as unforgettable characters who move the plot along. Here's what happens during American Horror Story season 2 and how the season ends.
What Is American Horror Story Season 2 About?
For many fans of the TV show, American Horror Story season 2 is the most terrifying season of AHS. This is thanks to the setting of Briarcliff Manor. American Horror Story season 2 moves between the past and the present, which works well as a smart narrative device. It allows viewers to learn more about the dark history of this terrible place while fleshing out the main characters.
The main storyline is set up in American Horror Story season 2, episode 1 called "Welcome to Briarcliff." In the past, which is set in 1964, Kit Walker (Evan Peters) is thought to be "Bloody Face," a dangerous serial killer and one of the best American Horror Story villains. When he ends up at Briarcliff, he gets to know Grace Bertrand (Lizzie Brocheré), who is there because she was accused of murdering relatives. They both have a lot in common, namely that they are considered killers and keep claiming that they did nothing wrong. Evan also meets one of the most memorable American Horror Story season 2 characters: a nymphomaniac named Shelley (Chloe Sevigny).
Also in the past timeline, Lana Winters (Sarah Paulson), a reporter, wants to write a story about the horrors inside the institution. But Sister Jude Martin (Jessica Lange) finds Lana and, because Lana is gay, forces her to become a patient. Finally, the first episode also shares the chilling story of Teresa and Leo, who are married in 2012 when they want to explore Briarcliff. It becomes even more obvious that this visit was a terrible idea when something or someone cuts off Leo's arms. Teresa then sees Bloody Face and his mask of skin.
The main mystery in American Horror Story season 2 is the identity of Bloody Face. Enough details are sprinkled throughout the episodes and the season is as compelling as it mysterious. For many fans, it's the best season of American Horror Story for that reason. As the season continues, Teresa and Leo are tormented by Bloody Face, and it turns out that there are a few. In episode 9, "The Coat Hanger," Johnny Morgan (Dylan McDermott) is revealed to be the second Bloody Face villain. His parents are Lana Winters and Dr. Oliver Thredson (Zachary Quinto), who is the original Bloody Face.
How Does American Horror Story Season 2 End?
The American Horror Story season 2 ending might even be darker than the other seasons. In episode 13 called "Madness Ends," Lana Winters's present timeline is explored and it turns out that she is now a famous TV journalist. In an interview, she explains that she wanted to share the evils of Briarcliff with the world. Johnny then shows up and explains that Lana is his mother, and while he tries to kill her with a gun, she turns the tables on him and kills him instead. This is a disturbing scene and because Lana was assaulted, that is why she makes this decision. There are many recurring AHS cast members and Sarah Paulson delivers a strong performance in every season that she is in.
AHS is one of the most captivating 2010s thriller TV shows and the season 2 ending proves that. It turns out that Kit and Jude have bonded, with Jude loving Kit's kids and the characters becoming big parts of each other's daily lives. Jude then passes away from a brain tumor. In a memorable plotline, aliens kidnap Kit when he learns that he has pancreatic cancer. Despite how it might appear at first, the aliens in American Horror Story season aren't villains. It turns out that Kit's two kids are alien/human hybrids.
The last scene of American Horror Story season 2 features a conversation between Sister Jude and Lana. Jude says that Lana shouldn't focus on Bloody Face and says, "If you look in the face of evil, evil's going to look right back at you." This scene proves that Lana Winters is one of the best American Horror Story characters as she is strong and stays true to herself. The American Horror Story season 2 ending wraps everything up, with Briarcliff closing down for good.