"American Horror Story Double Feature: Red Tide" Review: The Price Of Fame

Unlike previous seasons (which tell a single story), "American Horror Story: Double Feature" tells two. The first is "Red Tide" and the second is "Death Valley".

"Red Tide" focuses on a group of people wintering in Pronvincetown (P-Town), Massachusetts. Gone are the throngs of summer tourists and party goers. Left are a few die-hards. There's writers Belle (Frances Conroy) and Austin (Evan Peters), a transient women they call Tuberculosis Karen (Sarah Paulson) and a grifter named Mickey (Macaulay Culkin).

A young family arrives in town. Father Harry (Finn Wittrock) is a writer as well. We also meet his pregnant wife Doris (Lily Rape) and their nine year old daughter Alma (Ryan Kiera Armstrong). Alma wants to be a world famous violinist. Ursula (Leslie Grossman) later shows up. She's Harry's agent.

The family notices strange happenings right away. Some pale bald people hang out around the cemetery. One follows them home and is killed by Harry. We later learn the town's secret.. Someone called The Chemist (Angelica Ross) has developed a pill that can greatly enhance talent.

There are of course a few side effects. The people whose abilities are enhanced by the drug develop a thirst for blood (ie they all become vampires). Those without talent turn into "Pale People". They find blood wherever they can-- including from road kill.

We also get quick appearances by a few other "AHS" regulars including: Billie Lourd (Lark), Adina Porter (Chief Burleson), Denis O'Hare (Holden), Robin Weigert (Martha). and Dot-Marie Jones (Trooper Jan).

Is there a moral to "Blood Tide"? What is Ryan Murphy and company trying to tell us? Maybe it's to consider what the price of fame will be? Some thought it too high a cost (Karen). Many believed in their talents so much that they didnt care what the consequences were-- only to find out they were decidedly average. A few pursued excellence at all costs-- regardless of how inhuman they became.

"AHS" is notoriously bad at sticking the endings. Typically what should have been the finale is 2-3 episodes before the actual ending. Did the new shorter format (six episodes total) fix that problem? The finale is a bit muddled. I could have done without the whole trip to LA. But it's still an improvement. There was much less time for meandering off in directions that have nothing to do with the main plot.

Grade: 4 1/2 Monsters (out of 5). How will the 10th season rank amongst the others? I'd like to wait until the second half "Death Valley" before making any judgments. I liked "Red Tide". The plot was compelling. The characters were interesting. The actors were great (as always). One standout this season is Ryan Kiera Armstrong as Alma. Great little actress. Evil children are MUCH scarier than adults.