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Fall 2015

Veronica Garcia
Assignment One

The figured world I chose to observe is the unpleasant, gruesome environment that lies
behind the doors of an insane asylum called Briarcliff, hence the title of the second season of the
American Horror Story series, Asylum. Although not every scene is set in the asylum itself
because some scenes switch back and forth between the past and present; the past being the main
time setting which is in the early 1960s*. And almost every character has a connection with the
mental ward itself. The mental institution is epitome of the inequality that persisted. It is a mad
house filled with a staff that cares for patients who are mentally unstable as well as mentally
deranged criminals who have been convicted. The staff consists of people in religious positions
such as the nuns who assist in running the mental ward. There are two health personals whom
supposedly treat the insane patients but in fact have every evil intention behind their actions. But
throughout the season, we see that some staff has treated these patients unfairly or
inappropriately and even a couple of patients have been convicted to the ward in an unjust
manner. Throughout the series one can notice that the patients are treated as if they were actually
prisoners with no way out. These patients were locked in their own cell, and are often verbally if
not physically abused. Most patients were expected to behave inappropriately because of their
state of mind. For example, there was a patient in the first episode who constantly banged her
head against the wall. Being that most of the show was dated back before technology became
more advanced, the effective forms of communication was through speech or face-to-face
communication. Any type of loud unpleasant noises was always to be expected since it created
the form of suspension in the shows eerie setting. It was unacceptable to act against the staff
since they had the authority over how the institution was maintained. Of course any act of
violence was prohibited as well as trespassing or entering any part of the ward that was off
limits. And any violation against the rules of the institution resulted in further harsh punishment.
Communities of practices are displayed through the actions of the leading staff members such as
Sister Jude, the Monsignor and the staff members also referred to as the orderlies who
maintain order around the ward. The three main protagonists, who have been convicted and
enclosed in the ward against their own will are another example of community of practice as they
each try to work their way through escaping the ward. The three have collaborated in their effort
to escape but have failed in their attempts.
* One important thing to mention is that the 1960s was a decade when new movements were
developing in a society that was yet to consider all genders, minorities, especially blacks, and
homosexuals equal. The early part of the decade remained unequal because of segregation and
other expected norms which included heterosexual marriages/relationships ONLY.
Figured World: It is the society or complex structure that includes an array of conventions
which people follow in order to fulfill the expected norms. They can range from various settings
in societies, such as a school, work environments, or even the streets of the city.
Artifacts: They are symbols, ideas, emotions and/or objects that possesses a value to the people
within the figured world. An example could be a rosary that a Catholic based family all own.
The Aliens: The audience is first introduced to these foreign creatures in the first episode where
Kit Walker becomes a victim of an abduction along with his wife. They have become a crucial

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factor to the border between his own sanity as well as the idea if there is any spiritual God in this
world. In essence, they have become nothing short but an idea that they are God.
The Record Player and the song Dominique: The record player in the common room plays
and repeats the same upbeat French melody throughout the season, which is ironic for the likes
of the eerie setting that is the asylum. The record player and the song itself has become a melody
that keeps those in the common room at a sense of peace and harmony, despite the chaos in the
minds of the patients. The patients not only are accustomed to the tune but the know if anyone
were to stop the record player then they would have to face the consequences.
The Secret Tunnel: The secret tunnel was originally a secret short route for Sister Mary Eunice
from the asylum and out into the woods. But eventually, it takes on a symbol of hope for those
who were trying to escape (Lana, Kit and Grace). It is not just a simple shortcut to the woods, but
a gateway to freedom and escape from the hell and corruption within the ward.
Sanity: Being sane held much value to those who were institutionalized in the asylum for unjust
reasons. Characters such as Kit Walker, who has experienced an alien abduction is being blamed
for the gruesome murder of his wife Alma and obtaining the reputation of the killer Bloody
Face. Lana Winters who risked hunting down Kits cell by trespassing the ward, has been
unfairly admitted to Briarcliff because of her homosexuality. Both characters are now having to
encounter the mistreatment within the ward and somehow fight to stay within the borderline of
their own sanity.
Trust: Trust became a key factor to the characters Kit, Lana and Grace in order to find their their
way out of the institution. Kit and Grace both created a bond out of their desperation of escaping
the asylum and feeling as if they had each other to rely on. Even though they had no one to
grieve for them, they built a trust between each other especially believing that they were
admitted in the asylum for the unfair reasons that they were accused. Lana on the other hand was
convinced that her girlfriend has betrayed her by putting her in the ward and she had no one else
to confide in. Grace seemed to be the only person she could trust but failed in trying to convince
Grace of her beliefs about Kit. All in all, ones own trust was fragile thing that could easily be
tampered with.
Skepticism: Despite the supernatural theme that surrounds the show, skepticism was a quality
that the majority of the characters seem to uphold. There was a major doubt over the possibilities
of a supernatural world, for example, Kits alien abduction seemed to be nothing short but a sad
cover up for a murder scene to those that convicted him. Kit very much believed that he had
came in contact with alien creatures that took his wife. That possibility seemed outrageous to
anyone, especially skeptic individuals such as Sister Jude, Dr. Arden and Dr. Oliver Thredson.
Anyone was inclined to question Kits sanity because of how impractical his story was and
because of that, he was convicted of his wifes murder and accused of being the infamous
Bloody Face.
Wine and Alcoholism: Wine serves a significant importance in the Catholic church since it used
for sacrifice of Jesuss blood. But in Sister Judes case, it represents the sin of her past as an
alcoholic. Her alcoholism contributed to her past behaviors which included nights at the club and
sleeping with multiple men. Because of her night of drinking while driving, she ran over a girl
and left her at her deathbed on the side of the road. It was her guilty conscience that lead her to
renounce from her alcohol consumption.
Red Lipstick: Red lipstick has been associated with the lack of modesty. Sister Mary Eunices
use of it was deemed unacceptable by Sister Jude since it was impure. Prior to her possession,
Sister Mary Eunice used to be a woman of purity with much innocence. Since Dr. Arden

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witnessed the way she has changed, he has become distraught over this loss. He ends using the
red lipstick and drew on the statue of the Virgin Mary that he ended up breaking.
Actors: They are people who have a particular function and play a role amongst those in the
community of practice. An example would be the role of an employee who not only works for
his employer, but serve the customers.
Kit Walker: He is the main protagonist of the show and a man that has defied the norms of
society in that period because of the fact that he eloped with an African American. And he has,
above all, become a character that has been subjected to much abuse since he has been accused
of being a serial killer called Bloody Face. Bloody Face is known around town to kill only
women. And it was Bloody Faces long awaited capture that placed Kit as a target to much
abuse within the ward. Not only does he want to clear his name in wake of these murders, he will
do anything to escape the torture that he endures in the asylum.
Lana Winters: She is journalist who is determined to write a successful story but she is stopped
in her pursuit since she has become a prisoner of Briarcliff. Because of the time period being in
the early 1960s, it was not only unacceptable to associate with blacks openly, but being
homosexual was just as worse. Like Kit, Lana has also defied societys norms, by living in secret
as a homosexual with her girlfriend who is a 3rd grade teacher. After coming under the care of
the institution, Lana works her way through escaping the institution with the help of Kit and
Grace.
Sister Jude: She is a nun who runs the institution and maintains order within the ward. She is
cold, strict and is unforgivable in her punishments. She is the reason that Lana became trapped in
the institution after she has black mailed her girlfriend Wendy into signing legal documents that
would put her under the care of the institution. She also holds concerns over the acts of Dr. Arden
as she feels threaten by his authority in the medical treatment of his patients. Sister Jude was not
always a pure woman since her past proves the opposite.
Sister Mary Eunice: She is the purest and most innocent soul that would hesitate to harm a
thing. She fears the authority of Sister Jude and is careful in following her orders. She may have
been a nervous wreck in the start, but after an exorcism which proved to be a failure, she became
possessed by a demon which completely changed her attitude. Her acts of purity have turned into
immodest behavior and she even taunts Sister Jude about her past as an alcoholic.
Grace: She is a patient at the ward who acts anything unlike the rest of the patients there because
she behaves as a sane person. Kit first meets her in the common room when she stops him from
turning off the record player. Needless to say, she has endured the reality behind the gates of
Briarcliff and she is well aware of the punishments that patients receive when they break the
rules. She understands that reality of never being able to leave the doors of Briarcliff, that is until
she meets Kit and Lana. And she becomes involved in their plan to escape the institution. She
also claims to have been put in the asylum because she was accused of murdering her family.
Dr. Arden: He is a physician at Briarcliff who was appointed by the Monsignor. He has become
a threat to Sister Judes authority and he is suspected of performing gruesome practices on the
bodies of patients who have fallen sick and apparently died of natural causes. He also seems to
become lovesick over Sister Mary Eunice because of her innocence and pure spirit. And he even
uses her to deliver the feed to the creatures that hide in the woods. These creatures are a result of
the procedures he has done to the patients of the institution which brings further suspicion that he

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is not the physician that he has taken the role of. All of his acts explicitly show he no good
intention for the patients he puts under his care.
Dr. Oliver Thredson: He is a psychiatrist that has been ordered by the court to review the
condition of one patient (Kit Walker) at the institution. But during his time at the institution he
grows dissatisfied with the state of the institution as well as the mistreatment of the patients. And
despite his skepticism he even helps in the exorcism of Jed. He thoughts and actions during his
time at the institution shows his dedication to his job as a psychiatrist. He demonstrates his
concern for the patients especially since he participated in helping with an exorcism. But despite
all these seemingly courageous actions, the end of the season reveals his true character and
identity as the complete opposite of what is considered good.
Shelley: She has been admitted to the institution having been diagnosed as a nymphomaniac or
one who is referred to as a sex addict and is often ridiculed as a whore. She even helps Kit, Lana
and Grace in their attempt to escape the institution but eventually falls under the hands of Dr.
Arden.
The Monsignor: He, along with the help of Sister Jude have established the asylum as well as
the vision behind that the mentally ill lack a presence of a holy spirit in their lives. He has also
become a target of Sister Judes infatuation but unfortunately for her she cannot act upon it. He
also appointed Dr. Arden as the head physician of the institution being that he was aware of his
inhumane practices.
Literacy Practices: It is the way that people interact with one another within the figured world.
For example, the emails that are sent between college students and their professors. Or most
commonly, the text messages that friends send to each other.
Face to face communication: Throughout the episodes the most common form of
communication is face to face conversation. And sometimes secretive conversations that wasnt
expected to be overheard.
Telephone calls: Since there was no form of texting back in the 1960s, telephones calls were a
common form of communication but is rarely used in the show. For example, Sister Judes
anonymous phone call from what she believes to be a victim of her past.
Radio broadcast: When there wasnt a TV, radio was another form of not only entertainment but
a way to connect with people for live updates, such as the weather broadcast in episode 3.
Writing on paper: After Lana was admitted to the ward, she wrote on small scrap pieces of
paper as a way to document her experience in Briarcliff. She also writes small notes as a way of
remembering things as well.
Domain: The common goal that the members of the community seek or what they attend to in
order to learn more and gain skills from that certain knowledge they are determined to obtain.
For example, a group of civilians who get stranded on an island becomes a part of a community
that has to interact efficiently in order to survive in the wilderness that surrounds them.
Escaping the institution: Those of the patients who have been ensnared in the cells of the
institution, especially for those who believe that have no just reason to be there, have sought out
escaping the ward. And this commonality between the three victims, Kit, Lana and Grace is what
has brought about their collaborative efforts in order escape Briarcliff.

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Maintain orderly conduct: Sister Jude has made herself to be a strict nun who helps run
Briarcliff. Her strict attitude and unforgivable acts of punishment which includes whipping the
bare behinds of the inmates is what has shined light on maintaining order throughout the
institution.
Communities of practice: When multiple people or members who all have the same goal,
work together in order to learn and achieve their intended purpose (the domain). For example a
group of doctors who work together in research to create vaccination for a new disease.
The three innocent inmates: Kit, Lana and Grace are all victims of their own community
after having been admitted to the institution despite their innocence and their obvious sanity.
Each one of them has endured the harsh treatment that the staff members or orderlies of
Briarcliff have given them. They each refuse to be trapped in the institution any longer and make
long awaited attempts to escape through the secret tunnel.
The visionaries of Briarcliff: The Monsignor and Sister Jude both have built the vision behind
the institution of Briarcliff together. The institution was built upon the base of Catholicism as the
institution is run by nuns and a staff of orderlies who maintain the state of the ward. The
practice is to care for these victims under the holy environment that surrounds the institution.
But in reality, the patients are often mistreated by staff members and punished whenever they
have committed a small misdeed.
Practices of the community: They are all the means, which the members of the community
have obtained through their experiences and how they have dealt with an issue pertaining to their
domain in the past. A practice is not something you can learn from someone, it is something that
is developed overtime because of how that one member has attended to certain challenges in the
past, not just by themselves, but with members of their community of practice. And by applying
previous experiences, members of the community can in turn create a successful practice.
Trusting one another: Having trust issues is what kept Kit, Grace and especially Lana from
being able to find their way through the secret tunnel. Lana was convinced that Kit was a
manipulative murderer who was only trying to use Grace as a means to escape the institution.
And after their first attempt of escaping, it was Lanas distrust in Kit that caused her to yell for
help so that they wouldnt get out. But in the second attempt, Lana has changed her mind about
Kit after she has been convinced that he may indeed be the wrong Bloody Face. And it was not
only an act of desperation but an act on trust that allowed Kit to let her come with Grace and
him.
Observations:
Episode 1 Welcome to Briarcliff
8:00: Kit Walker (main protagonist) arrives home where his wife Alma waits for him as she is
about to prepare dinner for him. Kit then puts on his wedding ring that he intentionally left at
home and then he tells his wife Lets tell everyone where he is referring to his marriage that

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they have kept a secret due to the fact that his wife is African American. He wants to let all his
family and friends know of their marriage but his wife disapproves of his idea.
10:10: While Alma goes to the kitchen, he remains smoking in his bed while the radio is playing
music. Radio static begins abruptly and he sees bright white lights shine through his doors. He
then retrieves a rifle and proceeds with caution ordering Alma to stay in the kitchen. As he walks
outside the door with his rifle in hand, a bright white light flashes over him as he hears Alma
screaming for help. He then goes inside the house searching for her as all the furniture has been
scattered all around the house while the series of bright lights continues until an unbearable noise
has him on the ground covering his ears. As the noise and lights come to a sudden stop, Kit
notices that the objects surrounding him are rising to the ceiling as he follows behind and drops
back to the ground and flips over on his back. The scene then changes and he is seen without
clothes in an empty room filled with bright white lights that illuminate throughout the setting
where he is struggling to move and ends with a bizarre hand appearing before him.
11:30: The scene begins with Lana Winters arriving at the mental institution called Briar Cliff
who claims shes writing a story on the bakery there. As she is walking up towards the entrance,
a patient by the name of Pepper gives her a rose asking Lana to play with me. Then a nun who
works at the ward proceeds to guide Lana to Sister Judes office who is the head of the
institution. Both ladies walk in to find Sister Jude attempting to shave off the hair of a patient
named Shelly, who Sister Jude claims is a victim of her own lust or rather a nymphomaniac.
As Sister Jude is explaining the story behind the bakery which was an idea that she purposed
based off of the philosophies of the visionary of the institution, the Monsignor Timothy
Howard. The bakery was basically a place for productivity and the purifications of the patients at
the ward. Her assistant interrupts the interview and informs her that the killer nicknamed
Bloody Face will arrive at the institution any minute. Lana then begs permission from Sister
Jude to meet Bloody Face.
15:57: Outside the entrance of Briarcliff, staff members including Sister Jude and journalist Lana
are outside waiting for the arrival of Bloody Face where Sister Jude explains that he is to be put
under the institutions care until it is determined whether he is fit to stand trial. Upon entering
the institution and being brought out of the car, the man behind the infamous name is no other
than Kit Walker who is cuffed at his feet and arms while being escorted inside by police
authorities. Following his entrance, he has been strapped to his bed as he continues to struggle
for release where he has been injected with a syringe by a staff member and blacks out. Sister
Judes speaks as she then appears sitting beside Kits bed while he remains strapped down. Their
confrontation was very brief as Kit said it wasnt him that committed any crime and expressed
his belief there was no God, simply because of what he experienced as what we assume to be
what occurred earlier in the episode. Sister Jude refutes such a claim saying All monsters are
human. As she is about to leave the room, she then asks a question to which Kit takes offense
and spits in her face. Sister Jude then opens a cabinet where she stashes multiple crops and whips
Kit as punishment.
18:10: Kit enters what seems to be the common room of the institution where he witnesses the
various odd behaviors of the patient at the ward. All while a record player that repeats the same
French song throughout the room which Kit could not tolerate any longer and attempts to turn it
off. But to his surprise, a seemingly sane patient immediately stops him from turning off the
record player warning him that he will be subjected to punishment and that it is a rule that as
long as the common room remains open, the music is to be playing at all times. A male patient
intervenes on their conversation and bullies Kit about skinning a colored woman because he

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didnt like it. A fight then starts between the two and then Sister Jude enters and blows her
whistle interrupting the brawl. Two staff members proceed to get Kit and the scene ends with
him getting hit.
20:50: The same patient who has warned Kit to not turn off the record player snuck in food to a
cell he has been locked in with a straight jacket on. While her visit remained short, she explained
that she volunteered at the kitchen and the reason she was convicted to the ward was because
they thought she killed all of her family. When they hear someone enter the hall, she leaves Kit
telling him her name is Grace.
22:00: Sister Jude confronts Dr. Arden at his wing of the institution because of a patient that has
recently died and whos body that has been taken under his care. She also mentioned that three
other patients have disappeared under Dr. Ardens watch to which he simply explains they died
and their bodies have been cremated. All this while a graphic image of red flesh in a bowl is
dropped into someones cell and someones hand is digging into it. Sister Jude also continued to
say how that each patient that disappeared coincidently had no family or friends that would
grieve over them. She expressed her suspicion that he was indeed hiding something then leaves
his office.
32:00: Sister Mary Eunice who is followed by Lana who has encountered her outside in the
woods, is leading her down toward an eerie dark hallway which is her shortcut down woods. As
they enter upon a room, the Sister blocks off the door behind them as Lana asks why she was out
in the woods by herself, especially what exactly she was feeding. Lana then threatens the sister
that she will tell Sister Jude about her nightly ordeals and her secret shortcut if she didnt let her
look around the institution to look for Kit Walker. The scene then switches back to Dr. Arden
and Kit who he has taken under Dr. Ardens watch. Kit is wheeled in a room where Dr. Arden is
about to perform a medical procedure on him. Meanwhile both Sister Jude and Lana are trying to
see where Kits cell is located. Lana then confronts Shelley in a hallway and asks her where Kit
Walker is being placed at, then Sister Jude enters the hallway as Lana immediately hides inside
Shelleys cell.
36:20: While Kit is strapped down to a bed, Dr. Arden is preparing to perform a procedure on
him. Images then flash back to Kit, when he was abducted as the strange alien like creature
appears before him. Then Alma face appears right before him as she disappears screaming for
help. Dr. Arden continues to debrief on what happened to the victim (Almas) body. While Lana
is still searching for Kit, she comes upon an enclosed cell where she hears someone muffling,
and as she peaks through an opening something grabs her by the neck and the scene ends.
39:30: Lana wakes up with Sister Jude before her. She is strapped to the bed with head gear on
her. Sister Jude hints that she wont be getting out anytime soon as the scene switches to a
flashback where she has met with Lanas partner who is a female and a teacher to 3rd grade
students. Sister Jude threatens Lanas girlfriend that if she does not sign a legal document giving
the court permission to remand Lana to the institution, then she will expose their relationship
ultimately causing her girlfriend to lose her job as a teacher. Lanas girlfriend falls under the
threat and signs the document. Sister Jude shows Lana the signed document telling her that she
will be cured of her homosexuality in time.
Episode 2 Tricks and Treats
1:20: Back at Lanas home, her girlfriend Wendy grieves over having Lana locked up in
Briarcliff to her friends. And she plans on getting her out of the asylum. Later that night, after a
hot shower, she then encounters a someone with a bloodied mask who then kills her.

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4:40: Back at the asylum, security officers/guards go around the cells for an inspection. As an
officer inspects Lanas room, Sister Jude suggests for him to check her pillow case where they
discover small entries that she has written throughout her stay. As Sister Jude walks off, Lana
claims she didnt need the entries because of her excellent memory.
6:25: Sister Jude visits Dr. Ardens office to make a request for him to perform an electroshock
therapy on Lana in order for her forget memories that Sister Jude suggests may be terrorizing
her.
7:25: Lana screams for help as she struggles against the staff members who are buckling her to a
bed as Dr. Arden is about to perform the electroshock therapy on her. Sister Jude is then asked to
hold a tool against Lanas temples as Dr. Arden turns on an instrument which induces the shocks
to the patient.
8:50: Kit who is cuffed at hand enters the common room area along with two staff members at
his side. Dr. Oliver Thredson, a psychiatrist, awaits Kit and introduces himself. The scene
alternates from his own review of Kits behavior and his confrontation with him. While Kit tries
to convince Dr. Oliver about how they (the aliens) have Almas body, Dr. Oliver concludes
Kits diagnosis of having acute clinical insanity.
10:30: While Sister Mary Eunice is taking a stroll through the woods with a basket at her hand,
Dr. Arden appears before her. She tells him of her unexpected surprise about the basket not being
torn into pieces and how they had a ferocious appetite the night before to which she asks what
these creatures are. Dr. Arden responds with a simple reply saying All in good time. He then
offers a her a caramel apple as a token of his gratitude but Sister Eunice tries to reject the offer
by saying that Sister Jude told her sweets lead to sin. She gives in to the offer after he insists
on her taking a small taste. And they both walk back to the institution together as Shelley
witnesses them from above the window.
11:56: Lana sits quietly in the common room as a close up of her face reveals healing burn marks
at her temples from the aftermath of the electroshock therapy. She recalls back to seeing Sister
Judes face as the electroshock therapy is performed on her and she writes on a scrap piece of
paper Dont forget. Burning flesh. Sister Judes face. Meanwhile she sees Kit enter the room
and sit before Grace. She listens in on their conversation hearing Grace ask a series of questions
when Kit says he cant fake being crazy. He suggests escaping the ward before Dr. Oliver files
a report of Kits so called diagnosis. Grace tries to convince him that there was no escaping.
And Lana then writes down the word tunnel on her paper.
12:50: Dr. Oliver introduces himself to Sister Jude while she is walking through the ward. They
both discuss Kits case, whether he will officially become patient at the ward or go to trial. But
Dr. Oliver reveals he has yet to determine Kits condition. Dr. Oliver discusses the conditions of
the institution, mentioning that he is appalled by the abuse he has witnessed, as well as the
malpractice they have issued for these patients. But Sister Jude responds with much apathy
reassuring him of the reason he came to the institution which was to report the recommendation
to the court regarding the sanity of one patient. She excuses herself and goes back to her office
to meet with a family who are in need of their assistance.
14:07: Sister Jude meets with two parents in her office but Dr. Oliver then interrupts their
meeting and introduces himself as the psychiatrist of the institution. The mother (Mrs. Potter)
asks for his assistance and goes on to explain her sons condition. Her son Jed apparently has
seen strange things, or hears voices and never gets out of bed for days. The father interrupts by
expressing his fear that his own son will bring harm to both of them. He then tells his story of
how he heard cries from their barn only to find Jed inside speaking an unrecognizable language

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and witnessing the aftermath of his gruesome act to their farm animal. He describes this act as
something unholy. Dr. Oliver who stands speechless, suggests to see their son in order to make
a diagnosis for himself. They all enter a cell where the son (Jed) sits cringing with fear. Suddenly
his persona changes after he growls at Dr. Olivers attempt at examining him. He then speaks the
same unrecognizable language. And Sister Jude then realizes medication is will not be the
solution to Jeds condition.
17:50: Both Lana and Grace are both in a bathing room. Lana asks Grace if she ever dreamt of
escaping the ward but Grace simply mocks the idea of ever escaping the facility saying there was
no way out. Lana mentions the tunnel that she came through and asks her to plan an escape.
Grace replies by saying that Kit had to come along but Lana insists on making the claims of his
murderous acts and saying any killer will manipulate anyone.
21:30: Dr. Oliver tries to convince both parents of Jed that is is better for the county hospital to
treat their sons condition but the mother informs him that the so called specialist has already
been called in. The monsignor who holds an honorable title as the clergy of the Roman Catholic
church at the institution, meets Dr. Oliver as he expresses his disbelief over the exorcism that is
about to be performed. The monsignor expects the psychiatrists presence at the exorcism since
he is a medical personnel as well. He threatens the monsignor that he will report his findings of
the institution if he is expected to assist in such an act. The priest who is in a wheelchair
interrupts them acknowledging the fact that Dr. Oliver is an unbeliever but will in turn allow
him to do better during the exorcism.
24:07: The monsignor and Dr. Oliver both strap Jed onto the bed as he begs them to stop. The
priest advises them to continue to act against the possessed patients wishes as it is the demons
way of manipulating them. After Sister Jude hands the priest the prayer book she is then asked to
leave the room meanwhile Jeds appearance and behavior has taken on a completely disturbing
turn.
28:30: Monsignor returns and requests for Sister Judes presence once again since the other
Father has been taken to the infirmary because of an injury that occurred during the exorcism.
While Sister Jude looks over the Jed, he cries out saying the light is burning his eyes. And while
Sister Jude tries to help him, his persona changes once again to the demon inside him. He taunts
Sister Jude with claims about her past of being a whore. And then Jed asks about the girl who
Sister Jude accidently ran over while she was driving drunk.
32:08: The power goes out after Dr. Oliver tries to sedate Jed and everyones cell doors come
open with the sound of a fire alarm going off in the distance. Lana and Grace immediately run
off together since it is their chance to escape.
33:00: Sister Mary Eunice enters the room of the exorcism informing Sister Jude of the problem
that occurred at the ward. The scene switches back to Grace and Lana trying to find their way out
when the encounter Kit. Lana refuses to let Kit go with them and when Grace and Kit go their
own way to find an escape route, Lana screams for help catching the security guards attention
and catching the two in their attempt. And while the exorcism is continuing, Jed is going under
cardiac arrest and finally he rises and looks directly at Sister Mary Eunice. She suddenly falls
back while Jed lays dead on the bed.
40:00: Sister Jude and Lana are both in her office. The Sister then acknowledges Lanas
bravery saying she did the right thing by stopping both Kit and Grace from trying to escape.
And she rewards Lana by letting her witness the punishment theyll endure. As Kit and Grace
prepare for the punishment, Kit interrupts saying that he is the only one who should be punished

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and Grace was simply a pawn. And the scene ends with Kit receiving his punishment (a
whipping) from Sister Jude.
Episode 3 Noreaster
3:30: Sister Mary Eunice enters with a mail that she leaves on Sister Judes desk. While Sister
Jude goes through the small pile her attention falls upon a newspaper with an article that includes
a picture of a familiar face (the girl that Sister Jude ran over prior to becoming a nun). And she
notices that the newspaper dates back to well over ten years before.
7:00: Sister Mary Eunice enters the common room and stops the record player which captures
the attention of everyone in the room. She announces the movie night that Sister Jude has
planned to arranged in order to distract the patients from the big storm that will hit them later in
the evening. One patient looks at the Sister in worry and fear as she is being approached and
begs her to Go away and calls her Satan.
8:45: Sister Mary Eunice enters Sister Judes office with a bottle of wine and pours her a glass.
She suspects that someone has been drinking the communion wine and offer Sister Jude a taste
of it but she refuses it reminding her that she doesnt drink anymore. But Sister Mary Eunice
innocently taunts what her reason was and mentions that in 1949 Sister Jude renounced from
alcohol in response to the calls of Jesus Christ. And she leaves after giving Sister Jude red
lipstick that Dr. Arden apparently wanted her to have.
9:55: Meanwhile in Dr. Ardens operating room, he holds up a mason jar to Kit and asks him if
her recognizes the small bug like creature that he cut out of his neck on his last procedure. Dr.
Arden notices that the bug wants to get back inside Kit, and he asks a series of questions that
revolve around him being sent to spy on the Dr. Arden himself.
11:17: The same patient who referred to Sister Mary Eunice as Satan, sits in her cells praying
with a rosary in her hand. Sister Mary Eunice interrupts her prayer and approaches her once
again as the patient begs her to go away. Sister Mary Eunice commands the fearful patient to get
on her knees and pray with her. But while praying, the Sister pulls out a pair a scissors and stabs
the patient to death.
15:10: While the movie night is being arranged in the common room with the assistance of Dr.
Oliver, Lana asks him to speak in private. She asks him if he can be able to send a message to her
girlfriend (Wendy). She expresses her concern over having zero contact with Wendy and tries to
give him a note that she has written for her. Dr. Oliver gladly takes the note in satisfaction of
betraying the authority of Sister Jude.
18:30: Sister Jude confront Dr. Arden in his office about the lipstick that he wanted her to have.
He responds with his disbelief over the purity that has been taken from Sister Mary Eunice. He
believes she has been corrupted by the influence of those around her such as Shelley. Sister Jude
refutes such a claim and blames him for her behavior. And Sister Jude leaves being convinced
that Dr. Arden is trying to take away her position.
20:18: Sister Jude is alone in her office praying when the telephone rings. She answers only to
hear a girl on the other line saying you left me there. She then asks who the person was, and
the girl responds by saying you never even bothered to get out of the car, Sister Jude then
apologizes and cries in disbelief after she sees a pair of glasses with cracked lenses on her desk
(the same pair that the girl she ran over was wearing).
21:55: While Sister Jude sits alone, her guilty conscience has resulted her in giving in to her old
habit of drinking alcohol once again. She eaves her office after having finished an entire bottle of
wine.

Fall 2015

Veronica Garcia

23:00: Sister Jude who appears at disarray enters the common room and blows her whistle in
order to get the attention of the patients who are bringing about the chaos in the room. The
patients are ordered to sit down. Sister Jude then walks in an unstable manner towards the front
of the audience (the patients and staff) and reads from a piece of paper explaining what they are
about to see in the movie. Sister Jude leaves the room to look for the Mexican patient who Sister
Mary Eunice has killed earlier. While the movie begins, Lana speaks to Dr. Oliver and asks about
Wendy. He explains what he has encountered the empty house and expresses his concern over
finding clues that lead him to believe that the police may not have found the right Bloody Face.
Meanwhile Grace asks the security guard if she can use the bathroom as a mean of distracting
him from while Shelley and Kit walk out the door. Grace then follows. The film then shows
images of women which gives Lana the opportunity to go to the bathroom since it is
inappropriate to be watching it.
29:45: Sister Jude enters and searches the ward for the Mexican patient. Then the high pitched
ringing starts to which she tries to find where it is coming from.
30:15: Meanwhile, as Kit, Grace and Shelley plan on going through the doors that will lead them
through a tunnel, Lana appears asking to go with them. Kit agreed to let her join them since she
knew the exact way out and through the secret tunnel. When they see that a staff member is in
the hallway, Shelley volunteers to be a distraction in order for the other three to go through the
doors.
33:26: (Scene change) As Sister Jude is trying to look for a strange figure she spotted, she turns
around to see an alien like figure looking down at her.
34:00: (Scene change) The three patients come to the idea that Shelley may not have found her
way out, so they continue with their escape route. They find their way outside in the midst of the
storm.
37:00: As they are running towards a nearby road, the three find the body of the Mexican patient.
After hearing growling in the distance, Kit looks for where it is coming from only to find a
hunger ridden creature feeding on body parts. The three immediately run from the creature and
back into the tunnel ironically for safety in the institution.
Interview
I conducted my interview over a phone call with a friend of mine who has in fact suggested for
me to start watching the American Horror Story series. And she has always said that the second
season was always her favorite out of all the four seasons that have premiered which is why I
chose to interview her.

1) Describe the key features of the show has kept your interest throughout the season,
such as the plot, setting or characters.

Fall 2015

Veronica Garcia

I liked the setting and the fact that the plot took place in the 1960s, all the characters such as
the nuns and even the doctors had an insane feature to them. I also liked the plot twists that
took place throughout the season.
2) How would you compare this season of American Horror Story to the others you
have watched?
I liked the second season the most because it was gory and there was a scary aspect that
actually kept me on my toes. The others werent as scary enough as the title appeared to be.
3) Who was your favorite character in the season and why has that character appealed
to you the most?
Kit Walker because he was rebellious in the fact that he was going against societys norms
because he was married to an African American. He tried to rebel and escape from the
asylum and also he is a classic favorite to those fanatics of the series in general.
4) Are there any aspects of the show that you werent satisfied with?
I didnt like the sexual harassment that happened near the end of the season. I didnt like the
fact that the aliens became such a big factor in the show and how they made the plot of the
show jump around abruptly. And I didnt like that the plot moved from one thing to another,
such as going from the asylum to focusing on the aliens.
5) Were you satisfied with the season finale?
No because it was not what I really expected and it got too bizarre for me to really try and
understand what was going on.

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