American Horror Story: NYC is (mostly) misunderstood

[@thinkingthinking6416]

5 minutes in and its nothing but anti-white rhetoric. Why are you like this?

[@cainvarner]

me wanting a show to include more POC actors to represent the VERY diverse nature of the LGBT community during the AIDS crisis (which disproportionately affected black and indigenous communities) is not anti white

[@christopherbennett5858]

@@cainvarnerwhat’s crazy is that Murphy is one of the guys who made Pose.

[@celestedivinity2178]

It’s almost like New York is an inCREDIBLY diverse city that should be reflected in media representation

[@Justitia_Nomen]

*mentioning other races exist* What is this anti white rhetoric?!

[@ennayanne]

well, if you're white, haven't you just answered your own question?

[@lesyeuxsansvisage1157]

I was a small kid during the AIDS crisis, and my parents were antique dealers/auctioneers. 99% of our family and friends are queer. I remember my parents taking care of people. I remember being very small, I’m talking 3 years old, and a friend telling me goodbye. He was so thin and emaciated, and I couldn’t make it better. We lost a lot of amazing people, that could only have made the world better through their existence. It’s hard to watch almost everyone you love, die. This season, I get what it is trying to do. I always feel a level of shock knowing how few people anymore, KNOW what AIDS of the 80’s looked like. The dismissal of the suffering bothers me quite a bit, so I’ll take anything that recognizes it. That said, EVERYTHING you’ve said about Murphy and NYC, is absolutely correct. NYC is lacking POC and trans people. One of our closest friends was trans. Her boyfriend tested positive, and she found his body. That night she ended her life. I wish they would have covered how often that happened. Also, I’ve known a lot of leather daddies (due to who my parents sold their business to and were friends with), and that villain makes me feel odd, especially since the guys in their leather gear would wave at my sister and I while they were heading in. I guess it’s just odd thinking of a leather daddy as a villain, since it contrasts with my childhood memories lol.

[@cainvarner]

that is quite the life experience you just laid down. i’m so sorry you had to live through that. with AHS it’s never going to be perfect but i felt like the ending at least took the crisis seriously which is something AHS almost never does. It could’ve been so much worse though like AHS Cult or In Asylum when they touched on the holocaust.

[@HeatherHolt]

Leather daddies ❤ love them Also, you remember being 3?! I barely remember where I am half the time. It’s crazy to think how having aids was literally a banishment from society. And how that cover of time magazine with the man and his son who was dying of aids was what got peoples hearts involved. Ugh Nancy Regan 🤡 There is a great docu about the fight to be recognized by aids patients in the 80s I think it’s called how to survive a plague, I bet you would appreciate it as it’s from that time (and I think nyc!) you mention.

[@Gee-xb7rt]

@@HeatherHolt trauma sticks with you, aids was obviously more than a 3 yr old could process.

[@Bananner94]

"Half of the gay men on this board could've been an email."

[@cainvarner]

i think you misheard me because i don’t remember saying that😭😭

[@Bananner94]

@@cainvarner Hahahah that's just where my brain went lol

[@KFresh1026]

sounds fitting..Im here for cain to explain 🤓 💜

[@briannaobrien4419]

I just wanna say homie isn't into BDSM, he's into torture. Not the same. BDSM is all about consent, he does not care if the men consent.

[@cainvarner]

i can’t say that on this platform

[@briannaobrien4419]

@@cainvarner that's fair, I forget they don't censor the comments so we can say the things but you can't.

[@HeatherHolt]

@@briannaobrien4419until you get auto deleted bc KZbin does that so much. Sometimes I get auto removed bc I say d i e like wow I just d i e d of laughter and I get a pop up that says “you might have posted a comment that goes against our community rules” or something. Or when I jokingly called someone a dummy (their screen name was crash test doll something or other) and I got a “hate speech” pop up alert 😂

[@cainvarner]

this fossil of a website is silencing us

[@TheWholeEntireCake]

@@HeatherHoltI stood up for another user in the comment section of a video like two months ago and I got a notification I was reported for “harassment and cyber bullying” and had my ability to comment suspended for 24 hours. Every time this happens I reply to the pop up and send them a message regarding the violation and ask them to please send me an email with a snapshot of the Community Guideline or ToS violation in it. I ask them to please inform me of what it is I commented that was deemed harassment and cyber bullying. I’ve had my KZbin account for 11 years, how am I supposed to know what I said that was flagged? They never reply, never send me the specifics of the comment I made. Go figure.

[@ericmabry1752]

The fact that Ryan Murphy was lucky enough to get Ms Broadway Icon Patti LuPone just to give her 4 scenes in a 10 episode season is perhaps one of the greatest sins he has ever committed

[@rt3593]

On the other hand, count her short screen time as a blessing. The song she sings as her last is the worst song and the shrillest, sharp-noted death knell ever. Grade: what's worse than Grade Z?

[@fosternova4434]

I loved the finale. Those last two episodes hit me like a truck, especially the montage. I just had to sit there in silence for a few minutes once it ended. Whenever AHS lets its characters have genuinely emotional moments I remember why I like the show. Stuff like NYC's ending, Madison crying in the shower after the frat party, Liz Taylor reuiniting with her son, Anna's miscarriage in the hospital, Violet's suicide, and Elsa performing for the last time with her freakshow at the end of that season all really hit me.

[@madeleine61509]

I was far too young to experience the AIDs crisis myself (97 baby), but my grandmother was an active civil rights protestor and ally of LGBT people at the time. She worked in media and news which was absolutely filled with gay men at the time. She has spoken to me about how she witnessed all her friends and colleagues dropping like flies. She said me that there was a long period of time of at least 1-3 years where it was more rare to get through a week without hearing about how someone she knew died. She would go into work on a Monday and the water cooler discussions would be about who passed away over the weekend. Again, while I didn't live through it myself, the ending really got me. It just reminded me of everything that she had said. I could understand if people who did experience it firsthand find that ending (or the entire season) to be either traumatic or tasteless, I personally feel like the only way to really make these sorts of events sink in with newer generations is by showing a gruesome and real side of it.

[@HeatherHolt]

Bless your grandmother for her social work. ❤❤

[@RemusHolt]

As someone who watched and loved pose. This just feels like a less emotional not as diversified horror pose. Pose was able to talk about these exact same problems, like the aids crisis, which they were able to talk about over the entire runtime of the show, where they actually told the story of hope and how people can live long happy lives if they have the treatment needed they told stories of tragedy while telling that story of hope and I know American horror story isn’t a happy ending show but if you like this season pose is 100 times better💕🖤 And if you have never watched pose, I want to elaborate, but I mean on diversity (it’s also set in like 1980s) they talked about stories of black trans women and they also talked about the fetishization of trans women about how trans people so often are kept a secret and they were also able to bring up the relationship between queer people and the police during this point and they were also able to show the flaws of these people in such an amazing way

[@Snitchdust]

So if you think about the leather daddy entity, the only people who ever saw it were the people infected (yes Barbra and the lesbian trio were infected as well). The leather daddy was at the bar the night of the fire because he was spreading, the disease wasn’t yet known and a lot of people who were there were already infected and could have transmitted it at any point if in contact with other injured person, or those who donated blood to the others afterwards. Then in the ending montage he was there following Geno, spreading with him, and surrounding him because that’s what the virus did. And it was a shared hallucination as a side effect of becoming sicker.

[@somethingclever8916]

Until the scene where Patrick and Big Daddy where in the same shot I was beginning to they were the same person

[@renL99]

this season was missing some factors without a doubt (people of color, casting the wrong actors as the wrong characters, leaving out other members of the lgbtq+ community, etc.) but the ending BOY THAT ENDING had me crying and sitting in silence for at most 10 minutes and for that it’s in my top 5...this season gave us some good cinematography tho and they totally poured more effort into some characters than others and it showed terribly I will say Joe mantello (Gino) was a wonderful addition his acting was some of the best we’d seen in awhile! The who done it or who’s behind it all made me forget that’s why I was watching in the first place bc it got so good and I was so caught up in it. Good on you for catching a lot of the symbolism this season bc that’s what really separates it from being a hit or a miss. THANK YOU CAIN✨

[@cainvarner]

it’s almost in my top 3. if it had been more inclusive and a bit longer it would be pretty damn perfect for a season of AHS

[@renL99]

@@cainvarnerEXACTLY!!

[@somethingclever8916]

I came out in the late 1990s. Even in the gay community it was hard to have any real sexual activity other than massages. That's how scary this was. Most of the people I knew back then died a long time ago.

[@fayelitzinger9824]

I was very pleasantly surprised by NYC. The ending was excellent, and since AHS tends to botch the finale, I have to give this season props.

[@Yousifdiyab]

Yeah NYC was written quite well and I enjoy it. I just prefer Delicate 10x better. I feel the writing in that season is also great, the characters hit more, the mystery is better and the cinematography, outfits and score all just hit way better. I love the style of Delicate and there is much more gore. The story and the plot twists are sooo good

[@fayelitzinger9824]

@@Yousifdiyab I like delicate too, and I know it’s out of their control, but the big gap between parts 1 & 2 of the season is messing with my viewing experience

[@colin2590]

Even though it’s not the “”best”” season to exist it’s definitely one of the most consistent I think

[@oscardepaz3063]

So, here is my opinion on the season. It is my second favorite season of the series. I like how it incorporates the neo-noir crime/serial killer genre of films from the 1980s and 1990s. Films like Manhunter, The Exorcist 3, The Silence of the Lambs, Copycat, Seven, and Cruising (this season's main inspiration). I also like how gritty this season. It's a contrast to the pop 80s tone of 1984. This 1980s is unapologetically cruel. I also think this is my favorite ending to any season of this show. It shows the unfairness that HIV/AIDS victims go through. There are some things to criticize the show about, but all in all, I enjoy this season.

[@luna444luna]

If this season had the og cast everyone would say (this was the best season) The cinematography and the story is very interesting and look so much like asylum A very underrated season But I can understand why some people don’t like it Very different from the others because this talk about a real horror story Like for some storyline on asylum

[@cainvarner]

100% agree

[@robbie9628]

I never realized how there’s not much diversity within the characters 😭 even though the majority of people fighting for gay rights in NYC WERE Pocs.

[@cainvarner]

the season has background characters that are POC but literally none of them are dark skinned and none of them are important 😭😭😭

[@robbie9628]

It’s crazy that Ryan Murphy helped make Pose which was made up of such a diverse cast BUT he did not deliver that here in AHS nyc even though both of them are in the same place, same time, and same virus being spread.

[@cainvarner]

@robbie9628 i have not watched pose but i don’t think it would be a stretch to say he purposefully didn’t diversify this season because he didn’t want to “copy” Pose. Although he’s copied his own work before so idk 😭

[@somethingclever8916]

Not really. That's a myth by the media for entertainment purposes only. It's about as true as Christopher Columbus and Pilgrims Thanksgiving

[@ryanhall7607]

“Ryan Murphy just constantly lets everybody down” That’s literally all you needed to say. He should have been kicked upstairs a decade ago and left creative choices to someone else.

[@gerbil_is_typing]

I really appreciate your insights on this one. I had a friend who contracted HIV in the mid-2010s, but medicine has come such a long way that the impact on the immune system is nearly non-existent. If you are interested in exploring other creative expressions about this topic, I highly recommend Angels in America if you haven't checked it out. I've only read the play, but I believe RM adapted it as a mini-series some years ago. And for the musical lover, Falsettos is an incredibly moving show with a (legit) recording.

[@kateorgera5907]

No but what's weird is Ryan Murphy had already worked on a prominent work of television about AIDS before this - he directed the TV movie of "The Normal Heart" in 2014, which was very well regarded. You know what he biggest difference is? Murphy didn't WRITE The Normal Heart. He had no hand in the script. And in fact his directing got mixed reception. Variety's review even mentioned AHS: "Murphy being Murphy, he can't resist throwing in moments that drift toward an American Horror Story vibe". Maybe those reviews gave him some not-so-great ideas...

[@somethingclever8916]

AIDS pandemic was truly a horrifying time. It's a story that needs to be told and retold. The idea now is "AIDS isn't a big deal" is erasing these people's lives for liberal comfort

[@thatlemonadeguy6742]

When it was announced that NYC was going to be about the AIDS crisis I remember I didn't even bother to watch the season for 2 main reasons: 1. Death Valley was just awful and I was basically done with the show after that 2. I saw "Dahmer" and thought that he was just in his torture porn era, so I didn't want to see him tackle real life events and issues (I know Pose exists but that's just a different genre). But after this video I might give it a try.

[@cainvarner]

i’d give give it a shot but it’s definitely not for everyone! the ending is very very gut wrenching imo but some people didn’t. like it

[@HeatherHolt]

Dahmer is so gross. Not bc of the story or gore but, it’s so gross. Exploitation esp knowing the family of many victims asked Murphy NOT to do the show. And I only saw the first two episodes I couldn’t watch anymore and I love horror but there was something just icky about it, you can tell a true crime story and it be done well but this was just a cash grab that was as gross and weird as possible for clicks.

[@tendreverveine2553]

I mostly agree with everything, but I love what Isaac Powell is doing in AHS. He brings a sensibility, a fragility to his characters that makes me attached to them, and is my favourite among the recent additions to the cast.

[@JC_Cali]

Plus he's hot lol

[@harlequinade2709]

I was about to protest that Gino was the only good character, but then you made that caveat. Thank you for dissuading my fears 😂

[@kenziekimble7479]

I really did not enjoy this season but despite that, the finale montage had me sobbing uncontrollably. Even just watching that section of your video made me cry a little

[@dianar9446]

Ryan Murphy was prob like "I already gave POC and trans ppl a story with Pose, now it's time for us whites to have a story"

[@somethingclever8916]

Didn't the media and activists say that white people shouldn't write about other races? Painted yourself in box there

[@MoonStone_Empress]

I didn't even know this season existed until recently. I can't recall seeing any advertising for it or any of the usual things that come with a new season. It's like they just swept it under the rug.

[@cainvarner]

so it’s bc there was a huge fan account boycott in the months prior to the release of the season, demanding proper advertising because we didn’t know a singular thing about it. All we got was a shitty photo shoot with none of the characters present. I remember there being some talk that they purposefully didn’t release a trailer to spite the fans that were boycotting.

[@MoonStone_Empress]

@@cainvarner That is just wild to me.

[@wholenewparadigm]

i remember watching this season for the first time and being pleasantly surprised after the dumpster fire that was double feature (i only dislike one season more than that and it's apocalypse), it felt closer to the what made me like ahs. nyc definitely is not one of my favorite seasons by any means, but in comparison to double feature & delicate, oh this was a breath of fresh air. there's a few MAJOR things that could've been done better, but it was still enjoyable and regained my interest in continuing to watch the series after flops like apocalypse & double feature. (also the timing of this video is crazy i was just discussing this season yesterday with a friend😭)

[@cainvarner]

i understand why people dislike the season but i rank it in my top 5 or 6

[@kodamckenzie]

the intro of this vid was pure cinema babes im so excited for the rest of it 😁😁

[@theealiennreview6912]

I was disappointed because Two reasons. Ryan Murphy canceled pose to make a white version of it's was Nyc. To me I was disappointed in the fact that they're were no Poc and he didn't use any black actors and actress even from pose for this script. And I just didn't really like how he used HIV/ AIDS story as a horror element. I think it's more of a tragedy and shouldn't be used as a horror but more of a unfortunate story

[@cainvarner]

i’m gonna slightly disagree with the fact that he used it only for horror. this is 100% presented as a tragedy in the end. the final 3-4 episodes really point the finger at the government and society for ignoring the gay community. the season is still far from perfect. the lack of diversity is so unfortunate and tone deaf, but they definitely don’t shy away from the fact that the AIDS crisis as a whole was a tragedy.

[@theealiennreview6912]

@@cainvarner actually you know what your right I love your videos btw

[@MarsMellow84]

I loved this season. Especially the ending. The song at the end really stayed with me and had a sad but moving message.

[@fishsoadas]

confession I haven’t watched a single ep of ahs yet (planning to) but I LOVE these vids sm

[@HeatherHolt]

He’s so good at summarizing with style and sass - I haven’t watched many of these seasons (season 1,2,3 and esp 5 are my favorites. Stopped watching after 6.) so it’s nice to know what happened without having to actually watch it bc … it’s … meh so often

[@morticiax540]

This is one of my favorite seasons ever and one that I feel people didn't give enough of a chance.

[@Hotcommodity24]

You vouching for more people of color got me feeling all types of happy. I appreciate that. 👏🏽❤❤❤

[@WishMish15]

Im with you on liking the ending montage of this one, I was happy to see a finale to an AHS season that felt like there was an actual intention and vision carried out until the end and I can respect that greatly. After watching Double Feature and then American Horror Stories I had lost faith that they were trying to write a show through to the ending at all. And I also agree there were a lot of issues with this season's representation as a whole though. The fact that they lampshade the lesbian issues by having the lesbian characters talk about how underrepresented they are, and then continue to underrepresent them in the show baffles me.

[@lauryntonio]

Once again thank you for your service 😭 i couldn't finish this season after the scene with the deer bc AHS (and most Ryan Murphy shows) have some weird internalized homophobia issues or smth - and I REALLLLY wasn't strong enough when it was airing to hear them talking abt killing these diseased deer for the good of everyone else right next to a plot line that was obviously going to be about AIDS also I had just revisited Falsettos and the quality drop to AHS regarding AIDS storylines was actually insane 😭 😭 And at first i was disappointed bc im a HUGE fan of Russel Tovey (Patrick) from his performance in Being Human UK, and i was full vibing with Gino tbh but tbh I'll probably keep putting it off and save myself the genuine frustration

[@cainvarner]

they handled aids very well in the last few episodes in my opinion. like it’s not a AHS Cult situation which felt like a parody of the election. NYC actually takes itself seriously for the most part. It could’ve been way better but it’s ryan murphy it’s never going to be the best. i just thought the last 5 episodes really hit

[@lauryntonio]

@@cainvarner Thank you for saying this!!!! This is probably gonna be what changes my mind and convinces me to watch it I admit i was also recovering from Death Valley and american horror stories season 1 and couldn't bring myself to trust the quality with smth so personally sensitive I really appreciate all the effort you put into these videos and the effort in your replies too!!! Ive caught myself rewatching episodes just to better understand yours and other comments opinions and this series has really given me an opportunity to revisit AHS and find new things to appreciate :')

[@cainvarner]

just be aware there are still some goofy side plots and random other issues lol

[@righthere4068]

yeah half thw characters are serial killers torturers and perverts it goven half the killing was done by gay men to gay men it had a very strong "they had it coming" vibe sometimes it feels like a conservative wrote it.

[@Hotcommodity24]

Theo and Patrick’s death had me crying irl 🥺

[@darththespian4856]

this is the first season I’m coming into a video of yours without having some sort of reference for the season so this is gonna be interesting

[@spookyshy9154]

okay maybe i need to rewatch this season because i kept falling asleep

[@ryanhall7607]

Continually falling asleep is the most honest reaction to AHS I have ever heard.

[@notshylo]

I’m just now watching this season and haven’t finished it yet, but I really like it so far. That era of NYC and gay men is so fascinating to me.

[@ana-mariafiat1364]

mother fed us this week🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@sweetandsavoury]

I actually really really enjoyed AHS NYC it was a great season, usually AHS fizzles out later in the season but every episode had me captivated

[@candicehaviland1828]

I honestly loved this season because it felt like it was going back to the roots of ASH with exaggerated “real life horrors” - I loved the montage scene in particular, was so moving and emotional to me. Truly seemed like a horrific time to be alive for the gay community and they captured that really well.

[@cainvarner]

I have such a soft spot for simple things like that but i understand why people hated it

[@jalapeno1119]

Like how Murder House intertwined the real life fears of Columbine

[@lauren1779]

Sarah Paulson has played a lesbian (and is a lesbian) twice but she isn’t here

[@Ilovebrushingmyhorse]

holy shit you’re right it has only been twice- it felt like she always plays the lesbian but she mainly has played hetero roles 😭

[@HeatherHolt]

She’s gay irl? I had no idea. That Tracks bc she’s gorgeous and I almost always seem to think gay women are hot (except Ana de armas and Ava green … yet … lol)

[@SapphireChristella]

This is so interesting! I really didn’t know this season existed. I’m not an American horror story fan I just enjoy your recaps so I’m learning a lot about the fandom and seasons through it. It seems like this season was trying to do a lot to varying degrees of success. A story doesn’t have to tell every perspective but there’s a different between that and complete erasure of marginalized groups which is an act of violence. I can’t think of a piece of specifically white gay or cis gay shows that doesn’t perpetuate misogyny, transphobia, and racism. Just because gay men aren’t attracted to women doesn’t mean there still can’t be loving and deep human connections between communities. (If anyone has any suggestions for media like this I’d love them) I have that in real life with my other queer and gay friends and would love to see representation that matches how lovely queer community is and that doesn’t use anyone femme presenting as butt of a joke or little worth nothing. Even if those spaces are hard to find in real life tv and other forms of media are literally there to help us imagine a see a better future and world. Anyhow I’m excited to see your video on Delicate. I enjoyed the book a lot but couldn’t stand the show I only got through an episode or two. If you have time I recommend the book!

[@LiterallyJustMyThoughts]

I think that AHS has never been very diverse in representation.. Like there were definitely interesting people and SOME variety, but not a lot..

[@GodsFaveSim]

The perfect video for my 2 hour bus ride home. Cain delivering quality content as always 💕

[@DanielCostadaSilva]

I really enjoyed this season and I’d dare say it was the best one ever. The thing is, there are many nuances and details in each scene, things that might just fly over your head if you don’t know their meanings or if you don’t make the right connections. For instance, the deers are a representation of gay people. In the beginning of the HIV crisis, when it was called GRID, there were talks of actually isolating gay people on an island and letting them to rot. Plus, the juxtaposition of Theo and that guy in the bathouse with the scenes of the deers being shot while Calling You was playing didn’t make much sense at first, but then when we see Patrick’s death we understand that that was the calling of the death angel.

[@mariesueme8807]

Honestly I think Big Daddy being in that kind of costume is a bit meh. The Bdsm community really did a lot for stopping the aids crisis (a lot of stuff doesn't include exchanging fluids) and that's why it rose in popularity during this time. So putting the representation of aids in a bdsm inspired costume just for shock value only contributes to villanize that community when actually they actually saved so many lives during the crisis. Idk, when you only take these events to capitalize on the controversy and shock value you cheapen them. That's my problem with the season and I think you described it so well by talking about the lack of lesbians and people of color. There's so much interesting stuff snd symbolism you could use but they end up always doing the same stuff based of the same stereotypes.

[@graywithana127]

I loved NYC. The finale really fucked up my head. It was my first time crying while watching AHS

[@BRIANNA_00]

As a trans girl, i felt really let down by this season. I was hoping to see someone like me :(

[@notshylo]

People get shouted down about this, and I’m not at all trying to be rude, but…there weren’t very many actual trans women during this period of time. The rewriting of history by certain people has made them think otherwise, but reality, from many people of varying perspectives I’ve spoken to, was very different.

[@BRIANNA_00]

@@notshylo Maybe not *open* trans women, but we definitely existed at that time. I wish there was, like, one trans lady as a character. There aren't many of us on TV, and I want that to change.

[@mandoz353]

I think that would’ve felt like Ryan Murphy was pulling too much inspiration from his other series Pose, which centers all around trans characters, during the 1980s-90s, during the AIDS crisis in NYC.

[@mandoz353]

@kgjames3603historically tho, and this was also depicted in pose, trans people were often excluded purposefully from gay men’s circles, and since this season primarily focused on gay men it really wouldn’t have made that much sense.

[@HeatherHolt]

@@notshyloI think people get trans women and drag queens mixed up. They think all drag queens are trans women and since the drag scene was growing in the 80s/90s people associate the two tho they’re not mutually exclusive. Paris is burning is a good example. The ball scene. There most certainly were and always have been and always will be trans women everywhere and there’s nothing wrong with someone wanting to see a relatable character in a show they enjoy that deals with lgbt exclusively however.

[@joannawheeldin3774]

i love your recaps. thank you for dropping so much AHS content!

[@Momofan69]

Big daddy was like interesting, I preferred him as the metaphor, obviously the firebombing and apartment messing up indicates more, the firebombing is more like a common hate crime so that kinda makes sense but the apartment messing up just seems like bad writing to spook the audience. Ultimately I did enjoy the season there were issues (as said, big daddy did some weird stuff for something supposed to be a metaphor, classic AHS sex stuff, lesbian rep despite their positive role in the aids epidemic, rep in general) but the last 2 episodes kinda made me forget about that for a moment, beautiful cinematography, and a really respectful last episode representation of the aids epidemic, genuinely cried when Patrick died. This season really improves if you are aware of the aids epidemic and what happened, I saw a lot of people confused by some stuff that is quite obvious if you know the history. Also like ppl being mad at the "bad ending" like, yeah there wasn't a good ending in real life.

[@Stormpen2010]

Great recap, I'm so happy to have found your channel! Now to binge the back catalogue:3

[@stevie4406]

honestly, what I hate most about the season is that it’s called NYC, and then the next season took place in NYC

[@cainvarner]

they both take place there

[@AsterisSleeping]

Somehow I have never had your recap for NYC pop up for me and i've been subbed for several months now. I definitely feel like this season renewed my affection for the show. It was the best they put out in a long time. Flawed? Yes. But still better than they had been doing. I had also just learned that my little sister (MTF), tested positive after a nonconsensual encounter - add to that having had terminally ill family members and I did actually get a bit emotional at the end. I think the fact that I'm finishing up a journalism degree endeared me to Gino (sp?) and his actor is honestly phenomenal. It is so wild to me that Ryan Murphy is just one of those stereotypical gay men who most of the time does not seem to give a shit about the rest of the queer community. You would think, having worked closely with Sarah for such a long time, that he'd be better but...alas. They also really need to stop type-casting Zachary Q because even if he's an asshole in real life, he's actually a pretty good actor. Anyway - thank you as always for your work on these. Saves me the trouble of going back and putting myself through these shows all over again.

[@bradharrah3339]

Radioactivity....by Kraftwerk. Classic. And as a reference to an energy/poison that you can't see.

[@bigbadsauce92]

Another banger video Cain

[@rpproductions6241]

I hate to say this, but I really didn't like this season. It wasn't the subject matter, I'm glad that it recieved attention (even though this season neglected other important factors). I think it was a mix of the story and characters. They should have cut down the cast and let the show breathe some more. Andd that frankly, it's American Horror Story. It's so far removed in a lot of ways from what epitomizes AHS, it was jarring.

[@cainvarner]

yeah this cast a is a big problem. if it was 6-8 main characters and an episode or two longer it be a lot better

[@rpproductions6241]

@@cainvarner I think they were just trying to do too much, and I had such a hard time even remembering how some characters were involved with others.

[@akaLaBrujaRoja]

New subscriber here 🙋🏼‍♀️ I cried hard at the finale. My main complaint for this season though, was that it was too rushed, there were so many interesting characters and subplots and I wanted to know more.

[@csgn3351]

Thank you for this detailled analysis ! I think the fire was also a metaphor for AIDS striking gays at the time, espacially when they were in such huge gatherings.

[@ayooandy]

its so misunderstood but i grew up in nyc .. and around gay men and saw in real time my aunt lose her friends due to the lack of care from the heath industry and the govt

[@chiot888]

Just starting this, absolutely love your recaps so far. You should use white string if you don’t have markers 😊 it’d add a bit to the vibe too

[@rachd1887]

i completely forgot that this season existed

[@jobitobijo8856]

apart from some weird shit with AIDS-man I mostly really enjoyed this one. It was a nice surprise actually liking one of the later seasons lol. great vid, as always !

[@cainvarner]

this season is about the horrors of the AIDS epidemic why would they get rid of “the weird AIDS” shit

[@jobitobijo8856]

@@cainvarner I mean things like aids putting fire to a building as you mentioned

[@JC_Cali]

I probably had the thought while watching, but in retrospect, I know 1,000% why I don't like this season is because of how damn WHITE it is, which itself is ahistorical to NYC - and just plain insulting. So kudos to you for fronting that criticism. But structurally, making the big bad villian ONLY an obvious metaphor for AIDs instead of sticking to the established ethos of AHS of having a classic or innovative reason for the supernatural entity to exist is my main criticism. Once I realized that, it just became how to tear apart the metaphor, cuz the characters were awful or uninteresting and/or mishandled. And I feel for y'all that liked the last ep, but I was so tuned out it just didn't hit. So yeah, Pose does this topic and cinematography better in everyway. AHS creators need to listen to fan ideas for seasons cuz there's truly some amazing, haunting ones out there.

[@bradharrah3339]

Was looking forward to this one!

[@allangochin3760]

Honestly, I did enjoy NYC. It was HELLA sad af. Though i wasnt born during the aids crisis, I'm glad there was season built on LGBTQ issues and the aids crisis. However, I was mad on the lack of diversity. Like Ryan you did POSE. common. like honestly this could have been a POSE and NYC crossover that could had been interesting. It could have a backstory on characters in POSE that were not touch upon and expand the universe of Pose and other characters or even main. I honestly might do a paper on NYC and pose for an assignment for class im taking when we get to the topic of LGBTQ. Anyways, I felt this season was really good. Hence it should had been an earlier season because it premiering right after the pandemic ending. It was a bit to soon like with cult (fav season) That ENDING holy hell.. was just amazing, that was AHS. So depressing, I was crying. z Characters I liked: (who i can remember atm) Gino - Liked him Hannah - I just loved billie but was really not much of a character, mad we only just get told how she died. (billie was pregnant or just had a baby so she probably was able to do so much) Barbra - Im glad leslie was given another serious character. She needs more serious roles Adam - He was interesting and can be relatable Sam - im 50/50 The BDSM i mean was fine, i wasnt really bothered. It did feel like just a crime movie. Overall a good season

[@glipgloppapi9959]

this was probably the only season i’ve never tried watching, i never finished double feature but i at least started it

[@ellabrooke03]

that intro is incredible

[@cainvarner]

it’s getting harder and harder each time to make them haha i’m glad you like it!

[@RawTimee]

OH MY LORD. i hated this episode on ahs bc after a few episodes i checked out. Idk what it is with NYC ahs but its all over the place

[@Yousifdiyab]

I liked AHS nyc actually. I was one of the defenders of this season when the episodes were airing. I just feel after ep 7 it all was just about the aids epidemic and for a horror show that usually deals with monsters, ghosts, vampires, witches etc this didn’t feel like AHS and is why I’d put this lower on my list. There’s a lot of pros about this season definitely but I am way happier with the latest season Delicate. Absolutely in love with it. My fav szn in a long time and if the finale ends up being great enough then Delicate could likely either in my top 3 or my fav season of AHS ever.

[@cainvarner]

i have the opposite opinion of delicate lol

[@HeatherHolt]

I hear nothing but negative things about delicate. And I swear I saw a still and Kim k was in it?? Eeehhhh. That makes me raise an eyebrow. I just wish they’d bring back Jessica Lange. She. Was. The. Best.

[@Yousifdiyab]

@@HeatherHolt Kim is actually a really good actress. At first the reviews were half negative half positive but more leaning to positive. Now, it’s mostly just negative due to the finale. I love the finale but it’s not for everyone. That doesn’t change my opinion. I say, watch the season and don’t let my opinion or anybody else’s effect yours. I agree Jessica Lange was great but those days with her in AHS are over.

[@TheLovelyLadybug]

Ryan Murphy paid Patti LuPone to come to set, sing, then go away.

[@thiagobarbosa1265]

I feel like it’s unfair to criticize Ryan Murphy production’s for a lack of inclusivity after he gave us Pose, a brilliant TV show where all the main characters are trans women of color (most of which have also worked in other of his shows including AHS) and that also dealt with the AIDS crisis from a queer POC perspective. In this show they’re covering the same historical event from a gay male perspective, and there’s nothing wrong with that considering most of the people affected were of that demographic. That being said I do agree he should have included gay men of color to the main cast.

[@gregallnatt2486]

I'm currently halfway through this season, and it isn't as bad as I was lead to believe. My only problem is it feels more like a true crime drama than horror.

[@thixiemattel]

miss denis o’hare is being miscast for years and he’s maybe the most talented (next to kathy bates and miss jessica) actor they have in this series. and you would not know this based on this show??

[@renesmee_0666]

8:40 I think they tried to do like a younger/older storyline, kind of like a coming of age show, when they have the adult and teenager story-lines.

[@doorattachment6926]

Love your reactions babes

[@fionatoot]

ugh I knew I wasn't crazy... the song in the last like 10 minutes or whatever really captured the scene for me... had to sit in silence for a bit. I converted the lyrics and it really does coincide with the AIDS, and the fact that gay men could get it at any point. this season really just spoke to me on a different level in a way. maybe because I'm a gay man LMAOO but like for real, although it had its lacks, this season was super good. The symbolism of AIDS with the "Big Daddy" and the Jeffery Dahmer story knock-off like.... not my favorite but def top 5 for me

[@LisaMarieYlva]

Just 14 min in, but wow that ADR really was jarringly bad! For a second I thought you had gotten someone else to do a voiceover, because that audio was not even close to the show audio. I don't usually notice stuff like that, so how can they miss it?

[@HeatherHolt]

Just think… someone got paid big bucks to do the audio and it turned out that bad

[@AbsintheandAgony]

I know he didn’t just compare my boy Big Gay Bane to the rubberman

[@cainvarner]

well they’re both supernatural figures that kill people and are dressed similarly

[@Trendsetter5420]

I watched nyc fully as well, and some parts were ok. But this, unfortunately, is when I knew I was slowly becoming uninterested in AHS and I tried to watch delicate, but I just Couldn’t do it. It was boring. But I was watching NYC and the dhamer story at the same time bc they came out around the same time, crazy.

[@MALS010]

I binged most of your Ahs recaps so now I have to go back and comment on them lmao. I feel like this season fell short for me because it wanted to be a supernatural horror show AND Pose for White gay men (they even copied the partner expiring via bdsm storyline). The lack of POC, trans, and lesbian characters in the MELTING POT AND BIRTHPLACE OF BALLROOM CULTURE was flagrantly disrespectful and that scene where they acknowledged it showed that Ryan don't give af (he also made Dahmer despite the victims' families and Black queers' protests). While Pose focused on Black trans women, they also had scenes showing how every member of the LGBT community fought against the Aids crisis. I didn't connect with many characters outside of Gino because I felt like they were terrible people lmao but the actors ate DOWN!!! EVERY scene was filled with actors aiming for an Emmy imo. I loved loved LOVED the ending as it was done with so much love and care and I think it perfectly nailed what they wanted the season to represent despite some wackiness. I loved what Big Daddy represented but I feel that his methods goes back to my first statement because why is the personification of Aids throwing molotovs, hacking heads and graping?! If he was more Angel of Death coded and took them via adult fun time? That would've ATE!!! Lastly what tf is up with Frankengay? How and why did they decide to become a protector of the girlies???

[@locrpg]

Do you have an Amazon wishlist so we can just send you markers and poster boards?

[@cainvarner]

omg 😭😭😭 that’s so sweet yall don’t have to do that i only have 1 more season to do of AHS

[@locrpg]

@@cainvarner yeah, but you're going to keep making videos... At some point you'll need more stuff!

[@jessicajohansson]

I'm very torn about this season. I understand what they were trying to do, but I don't think they managed to convey the idea properly and I completely agree with you about the lack of diversity and character growth. If anyone is interested, there's an absolutely beautiful TV mini series called "Torka aldrig tårar utan handskar" (in English it translates to "Don't ever wipe tears without gloves"), which is based on a book-series by Jonas Gardell. It's about the AIDS epidemic in Stockholm, and the group of people we get to follow are based on Jonas' real life friends who passed. It's in swedish but I'm pretty sure you can find it with english subtitles. It really is worth watching. I don't think I've ever cried to any other film/series as much as I did to this. Like I said - just a tip in case anyone is interested in more films/series about this (very important) topic. :)

[@heeeeeeuuuuhh]

love ur videos! keep it up!!! ur doing so good

[@anambito]

Ryan is a genius when it comes to historical events. The cinematography and such. But when it comes to creative freedom...hoooonnnney!!! Its like a cat with a laser. That said i went down a rabit hole and have been watching all your videos. Brava my dude much kudos to you on the time and effort put into these. This season hit so effing hard though and youre right about poc and new york when we got the first 2 episodes introducing everyone i was like...mmm its nyc in the 80's why is it soooo...white...lol and i had the opposite feelings with gino lol i liked him from the get go and hated tovey's. The last 2 episodes i was crying and by that montage sobbing. Is it his best work? No. But im glad he got to give some omage to the aids crisis.

[@alienovel]

This season ending made me depressed and motivated me to quit smoking😭

[@leannestirling9556]

i actually loved this season after a few past bland seasons

[@Trendsetter5420]

Maybe the fire was like, metaphor for the disease infecting and spreading people? Idk

[@AutisticAl]

It wasn't misunderstood, it was boring and frustratingly bad. I've seen every season and this was a solid 1.5/10 for me. It made the aliens season look like a masterpiece by comparison 😅

[@cainvarner]

well it’s okay to be wrong

[@AutisticAl]

@@cainvarner Wrong is an objective absolute and I stated an opinion, so rather ironic considering you're the only one who's wrong here 💀 Objective morality is the idea that right and wrong exist factually, without any importance of opinion 👏

[@cainvarner]

are you a robot? take a joke.

[@AutisticAl]

@@cainvarner Usually jokes are funny

[@cainvarner]

@@AutisticAl well usually AI is supposed to be smart

[@carmencorona8]

SO SO EXCITED

[@liamroberts2576]

Oh it’s like the addiction demon honestly Theo’s death is really sad.

[@Ilovebrushingmyhorse]

This is like the cis white male, more graphic version of pose tbh, I mean it’s a decent season, but y’all know I’m right

[@dogpolice]

the shirt is giving

[@ottozeman3260]

i got bored with this season but i gotta say having original broadway cast of angels in america louis ironson as an out character dating a closeted man played by west end revival joe pitt is one of the funniest fucking casting choices possible. ryan murphy owes tony kushner tbh

[@ottozeman3260]

it's as if ryan murphy was like "ok i put queer teens on network tv (dont look at how i handled the black transfemme character), i made pose, i can do no wrong"

[@rafaelprado7156]

Hell yeaaaah new video🎉🎉🎉

[@Trendsetter5420]

Pose was amazing but I guess two diff levels. This is horror. Idk idk

[@HeatherHolt]

I’m here I’m late I’m here I’m late I’m ready tho…(fixes hair, fixes bodice, fixes skirt, applies lip gloss) Ok babes. LETS FKN GOOOOO ❤❤

[@societycrumbles]

NYC is my least favorite season. I really appreciate it tackles a very real horror of AIDS and homophobia, which are such important topics to talk about, but that is just not enough to make something good. This season was just a chore to get through, and decent performances from some actors were the only thing that made it bearable.

[@cainvarner]

interesting take. i personally love NYC. Only issues for me are the lack of representation and some of the early episodes feel really fast paced

[@societycrumbles]

@@cainvarner I totally forgot about the cinematic montage in the last episode tho. I thought it was touching and quite beautiful.

[@BRIANNA_00]

NYC as a place scares me so much. Idk why, it's just... so many people Anxiety go BRRR

[@luthientinuviel3883]

As an autistic persin with sensory issues i think I would simply die

[@HeatherHolt]

@@luthientinuviel3883plz don’t die ❤ imagine China, there are so many people cramped together and they’re so used to it they prefer it. My calculus professor is from China and she said the whole stuck in a crowd sensation is something they actually appreciate. I’d lose my mind I’m too claustrophobic.

[@kateorgera5907]

NYC isn't as scary as a lot of media makes it out to be overall, though there may be scary moments. There are some lovely quiet parts too. Central Park. Greenwich Village on a Sunday. The waterfront. Libraries. Museums. And honestly, at night, I'd rather there be people around than not!

[@hunterkenobi983]

I just finished watching this season. There’s so much I could say about it. As a gay man I obviously love the queer aspects. But in the fire island episode Sam says “no fatties or fems” and wow did that feel like a statement and not a depiction of a deplorable judgmental jerk. The lack of representation in this season is mind boggling. Forget the bears, trans people, drag queens, people of color, and other branches of the LGBT+ community. Making the mai tai killer a gay man was not a great choice. The buff rubber man did make for an okay metaphor for aids, except when he inexplicably burned down the gay club. If one of the killers was a hetero homophobe then that would have made more sense for the fire. I mean hate crimes like that we’re not unheard of in those times. Even though I think there was too much sex, it was a great visual to see how aids spreads so wildly. I liked the ending montage but it did feel lazy. Honestly through in my opinion this season seemed like a lazy excuse to get mostly white older men to make out with younger fit mostly white guys.

[@thomasmurray5721]

it’s a painful watch, forever waiting for it to become ahs and it just never does

[@cainvarner]

i loved it

[@JohnnyWasabi]

Yea have a friend that skip this season because he said it was to gay for him. 😂 But really that was a really sad ending.