Ep 2. Home Invasion

The episode "Home Invasion" of American Horror Story season 1 begins with a flashback to 1968, showing a couple in a house talking about a break-in that happened the night before. They start hearing strange noises and soon find themselves being stalked by three masked intruders, who brutally attack them, killing them both.

In the present day, the Harmon family has just moved into the infamous "Murder House" in Los Angeles. Unaware of the death that occurred in the house, the Harmons are settling in when they hear a knock on the door. It's a young girl named Adelaide, who claims to live next door and has Down syndrome. She asks if she can come inside and the Harmons reluctantly oblige.

As they are chatting, Adelaide tells them about the previous owners of the Murder House, the Montgomerys, and how they had a daughter named Thaddeus who was born disfigured. She tells them that Thaddeus died in the house and that the Montgomerys tried to bring him back to life using "dark magic." The tale unnerves the Harmons, but they brush it off as Adelaide's overactive imagination.

That night, Vivien, the mother of the family, is awoken by a noise and discovers that the front door is unlocked. She assumes that her husband, Ben, forgot to lock it and goes back to bed. But as she lies there, she hears more noises and sees a figure in a black hood standing over her. Terrified, she wakes up Ben and they both go investigate.

They find that the intruders have cut the phone lines and disabled the security system. They also find that they have blocked all the doors and windows, trapping them inside the house. As they start to panic, they hear a voice over the intercom that belongs to one of the intruders. He demands that they give him Vivien and threatens violence if they don't comply.

The rest of the episode plays out as a suspenseful, tense game of cat and mouse. The intruders taunt and terrorize the Harmons, breaking into the house despite their attempts to barricade it. Ben tries to reason with them, pleading for their lives, but the intruders show no mercy. The violence is brutal and unrelenting, as the Harmons fight for their survival.

As the episode draws to a close, the Harmons are left battered and traumatized. They come to realize that the house is not just a simple dwelling, but a sinister presence that is intent on destroying them. They vow to leave, but it quickly becomes clear that the house has other plans. The tension builds and the horror escalates, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats.

In conclusion, "Home Invasion" is a gripping, terrifying episode of American Horror Story that expertly sets the stage for the rest of the season. The skillful storytelling and strong performances make for a chilling viewing experience that is not to be missed.