The eighth installment of the award winning anthology premiered Wednesday, September 12th. This year’s theme Apocalypse, explores a post-nuclear world devastated by an abrupt missile attack started in San Francisco.

   The show begins with a characteristically campy tone definitive of earlier seasons, with standardized characters like “billionaire” and self proclaimed Instagram Influencer, Coco St. Pierre Vanderbilt (played effectively by Leslie Grossman) and Joan Collins’ Nana Evie introduced from the very beginning of the episode.

   These characters along with several others are whisked away to Outpost 3 by the covert “Cooperative”, which sought out individuals based on their “perfect” genetic makeup or their connections.

   Outpost 3 has a very intense and sinister structure built by Ms. Wilhelmina Venerable (one of the three characters that will be played by Sarah Paulson) and her soldier minion Miriam Mead (Kathy Bates). The rules of the Outpost set the tone with “no copulating” being a clear conflict for the genetically perfect hostages united with the rich escapees.

   The punishments for breaking the rules are harsh and disturbing but Murphy’s true sense of dark humor is never lost, especially in the disturbing scenes like the time Ms. Venerable fed the guests a dead body teasing, “The stu is Stew!”

   Overall the premiere episode alludes to a successful season for the anthology. So far the show reflects the tone and theme of Coven, which for many dedicated fans is a standout season. The sinister creepiness intertwined with sarcasm and cheekiness create an intriguing atmosphere for many viewers. With cast sensation Jessica Lange returning and the alleged crossover between the first American Horror Story season Murder House, and Coven, the show is sure to please.