American Horror Story is a fantastic anthology series that year after year creates these wonderfully complex and hauntingly gritty seasons. Murder House is probably still my favorite, followed closely by Asylum. In my honest opinion, I think that Coven and Freak Show are tied for third place (and that is not to say that they aren't great, because they are) it is only because they were affected (ever so slightly) by some inconsistent storytelling for certain plot points (not all) and suffered (again, ever so slightly) from an overstuffed narrative and an over-abundance of characters. Having said that (and I know how hypocritical I am going to sound) there were so many excellent MOMENTS that were produced by the plethora of characters and story arcs that made them worth it and is why I have given this season a five star rating. Moving on from the season as a whole; Jessica Lange gives a characteristically FLAWLESS performance as the Freak Show ring-leader, Elsa Mars a German expat who longs for movie stardom. Lange offers her fourth (and for now her last) incredible character in this anthology series. Kathy Bates as Ethel Darling (the Bearded-Lady), Sarah Paulson as Bette and Dot (the two-headed twins), and Angela Bassett as Desiree Dupree (the three-breasted hermaphrodite) offer just some of the many phenomenal supporting cast of characters that make it well worth the price of admission to this world of freakish curiosities. Finn Wittrock who plays Dandy Mott and Frances Conroy who plays his mother, Gloria Mott offer some of the most excellent acting TV has ever seen, so keep an eye out for their scenes. Also worth noting is that Freak Show received 19 Emmy nominations (more than any of its previous seasons) and six of these nominations were for acting and I absolutely understand why – watching this season is like watching a masterclass in acting. If I could grade Freak Show I would give it A- (on the verge of an A). It is pure fun so I definitely recommend it!