TV - Movies
The American
Horror Story
Episode That Was
Too Dark Even For
FX
By C.M. CROCKFORD
Co-created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, "American Horror Story" has been a wild success for FX since it began airing a decade ago. Still, there was one "American Horror Story" episode that made even FX, the network that aired "Nip/Tuck" and "The Shield," a bit anxious.
While giving an interview in 2013, Murphy recalled one instance in the series' second season, "Asylum," where he received a pointed note from FX executive John Landgraf. He explained that, "John Landgraf said, 'I just want to tell you one thing: I'm feeling that it's really heavy, and I want to make sure some of those characters have a happy ending."
Episode 10 of "Asylum," titled "The Name Game," is a harrowing hour that features sexual assault, Sister Jude having electroshock therapy, the aftermath of a crucifixion, and finally, Dr. Arden immolating himself in the furnace where the possessed Sister Mary Eunice was cremated. It’s hard to blame Landgraf for feeling like the misery was overkill.