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The Best Episodes of American Horror Story Season 1

Genres:DramaMysterySci-Fi & Fantasy
Network:FX

Every episode of American Horror Story Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of American Horror Story Season 1!

An anthology horror drama series centering on different characters and locations, including a house with a murderous past, an asylum, a witch coven, a freak...
Episodes
12
Avg. Rating
8.0
S1
S2
S3
S4
E1
E2
E3
7.9
7.9
8.0

Filter By Season (12)

  • Smoldering Children
    8.4/10(6,136)
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    #1 - Smoldering Children

    Season 1 Episode 10

    Aired 12/7/2011

    Violet learns about the rules of the house. The truth about Larry's condition is explained. Constance is interrogated by the police.

    Director: Michael Lehmann

    Writer: James Wong

    Comments

    0
  • Birth
    8.3/10(5,983)
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    #2 - Birth

    Season 1 Episode 11

    Aired 12/14/2011

    Vivien gives birth. Tate and Violet attempt to rid the house of some of its ghosts for good.

    Director: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon

    Writer: Tim Minear

    Comments

    0
  • Halloween (1)
    8.1/10(6,550)
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    #3 - Halloween (1)

    Season 1 Episode 4

    Aired 10/26/2011

    The line between the living and the dead blurs on Halloween. Two of the house's previous residents give the Harmons decorating advice.

    Director: David Semel

    Writer: James Wong, Tim Minear

    Comments

    0
  • Halloween (2)
    8.1/10(6,364)
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    #4 - Halloween (2)

    Season 1 Episode 5

    Aired 11/2/2011

    Tate comes face to face with his past, and Ben and Vivien are haunted by a new houseguest before Halloween night comes to an end.

    Director: David Semel

    Writer: James Wong, Tim Minear

    Comments

    0
  • Murder House
    8.0/10(6,997)
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    #5 - Murder House

    Season 1 Episode 3

    Aired 10/19/2011

    Vivien learns the horrific truth about the house's first residents and Ben's visitor causes him to further unravel about what really happened in the haunted house. Constance and Moira have their history revealed.

    Director: Bradley Buecker

    Writer: Jennifer Salt

    Comments

    0
  • Pilot
    7.9/10(9,382)
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    #6 - Pilot

    Season 1 Episode 1

    Aired 10/5/2011

    A therapist and his family move across the country to escape their troubled past but quickly discover that their new home comes with its own horrific baggage.

    Director: Ryan Murphy

    Writer: Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk

    Comments

    0
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  • Home Invasion
    7.9/10(7,130)
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    #7 - Home Invasion

    Season 1 Episode 2

    Aired 10/12/2011

    Vivien and Violet get themselves caught in a dangerous situation. Meanwhile, Ben goes back to Boston to fix a mistake that he made.

    Director: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon

    Writer: Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk

    Comments

    0
  • Piggy, Piggy
    7.9/10(6,188)
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    #8 - Piggy, Piggy

    Season 1 Episode 6

    Aired 11/9/2011

    Constance enlists Violet's assistance with Tate. Ben helps a new patient confront his fears.

    Director: Michael Uppendahl

    Writer: Jessica Sharzer

    Comments

    0
  • Rubber Man
    7.9/10(5,837)
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    #9 - Rubber Man

    Season 1 Episode 8

    Aired 11/23/2011

    The man in the rubber suit is revealed.

    Director: Miguel Arteta

    Writer: Ryan Murphy

    Comments

    0
  • Afterbirth
    7.9/10(6,175)
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    #10 - Afterbirth

    Season 1 Episode 12

    Aired 12/21/2011

    In the aftermath of family tragedy, Ben tries to take his child out of the Murder House. Meanwhile, Violet and Vivien accustom themselves to their new living arrangements, Constance raises Tate's child as her own and a new family buys the house.

    Director: Bradley Buecker

    Writer: Jessica Sharzer

    Comments

    0
  • Open House
    7.8/10(6,133)
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    #11 - Open House

    Season 1 Episode 7

    Aired 11/16/2011

    Moira persuades a buyer to make an offer while Constance and Larry work against her efforts.

    Director: Tim Hunter

    Writer: Brad Falchuk

    Comments

    0
  • Spooky Little Girl
    7.8/10(5,757)
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    #12 - Spooky Little Girl

    Season 1 Episode 9

    Aired 11/30/2011

    One of history's most famous murder victims pays the house a visit. Constance discovers more of Tate's bad behavior.

    Director: John Scott

    Writer: Jennifer Salt

    Comments

    0

Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Smoldering Children" is the best rated episode of "American Horror Story" season 1. It scored 8.4/10 based on 6136 votes. Directed by Michael Lehmann and written by James Wong, it aired on 12/7/2011. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Birth".