Really Internet: Every Season Of ‘American Horror Story’ Is Another Circle Of Dante’s Hell

What’s Season Six of American Horror Story going to be about? That’s the question that’s been plaguing the internet for over a week now. FX has released a variety of trailers and has teased that out of all the new content it has released so far, only one of those trailers is the theme of this new season.

I’m just as excited as everyone else to learn what our new televised horror obsession is going to be. Never before has AHS held out on divulging its theme for this long. While I could focus on my personal speculations for this new season, I think when American Horror Story is concerned, it’s always more interesting to look at the bigger picture. The much bigger picture. It’s officially been confirmed that all of the American Horror Story seasons are connected, and according to one dedicated fan theory, we have an idea how.

WHAT’S THE THEORY?

Not only is every season of American Horror Story connected. Every season represents a different circle of Dante’s hell.

WHY IT’S NOT THAT CRAZY

The idea that every season of the horror anthology series is connected isn’t crazy fan speculation. It’s a theory that’s been confirmed by the show’s creator, Ryan Murphy. In an interview with EW in 2014, Murphy said about the show’s seasons:

Thanks, Murphy. Ever since that interview ran, the speculation about this show has revolved around how this universe is connected, and according to blogger Red Herry, that connection has everything to do with Italian author Dante Alighieri. In Dante’s epic poem, Divine Comedy, the author outlines the nine levels and the center of hell. Each level is defined by a different sin and a different punishment for said sin. So how does Sarah Paulson fit into all of this? Here’s the breakdown according to TV Guide’s Sadie Gennis:

Season One: Murder House (Lust) — There’s always been a ton of crazy sex in AHS, but the show’s first story was all about the dirty. Ben cheating on Vivien with Hayden was the secret that drove most of the series, and who could forget how Tate raped Vivien? In fact, one of the most defining symbols of that first season was that gimp suit. Really, it should be renamed Sex House.

Season Two: Asylum (Fraud) — The entire existence of this season’s central asylum was based on fraud. That’s why too-good Lana risked everything and lied her way to become a patient — so she could expose this asylum for the torturous madhouse that it really was. Add in Sister Mary Eunice and Dr. Thredson’s equally disturbing revelations, and this was a season all about lies. So far, this theory is looking legit.

Season Three: Coven (Treachery) — This is where things start getting hairy. What distinguishes fraud from treachery is the strength of the relationship being broken by the betrayal, and Coven was all about breaking incredibly strong relationships. After all, isn’t it Cordelia who betrays her mother, Fiona? And doesn’t Fiona betray basically everyone? That says nothing of how many times the witches in the coven betray one another.

Season Four: Freak Show (Greed) — Whereas the rest of these themes applied to the season as a whole, the central sin of Freak Show has everything to do with one character. However, that character is fittingly played by Jessica Lange. Elsa Mars will sacrifice anything and anyone in her quest for fame and fortune, and that often means her monsters. Greedy, indeed-y.

Season Five: Hotel (Gluttony) — Even the casting of this season screams gluttony. There are few pop stars as insanely over-the-top as Lady Gaga, but all of Hotel is defined by excess. Drugs, sex, alcohol, violence — all of the key players are there in full force. There’s even a literal addiction demon. The only way it could get more gluttonous is if it featured Gaga in another meat dress, this time one made of perfectly cooked Kobe beef.

WHAT THIS COULD MEAN FOR SEASON SIX

If this theory is accurate, then that means there are three circles of Dante’s Inferno that Season Six can portray, four if you count the first circle. Those circles are Limbo, Wrath, Heresy, and Violence. I think we can safely rule out Limbo. Set photos and ambiguous trailers have led several fans to posit that Season Six will be about Charles Manson. If that’s the case, it would make sense that the theme of this upcoming season would be Heresy.

This theory also has larger implications. If Ryan Murphy is really dedicated to his theme (and history has proven that he typically is), then we have anywhere from three to five more seasons of AHS to look forward to. That five seasons estimate includes a season dedicated to limbo and an additional season in the center of hell, wrapping everything up.

WHY IT’S QUESTIONABLE

This theory is just so very intricate and relies on so many seasons. The intense amount of screen time this theory requires makes me hesitant to believe it, but it works incredibly well. But there’s another reason I don’t want to believe in this intricately connected universe. Murphy is historically incredible at universe building and terrible at sticking the landing. If he’s attempting to execute this vast and deeply connected universe, then prepare yourself for a lot of excitement followed by a fair amount of disappointment and obsessive re-watching.

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