‘American Horror Stories’ Season 3 Episodes Ranked: Which Spooky Tale Should You Watch First?

American Horror Stories has streamed its special Huluween event, which consists of four brand-new episodes of Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk‘s popular anthology series. As expected, all the episodes fall within the horror realm, but in an unanticipated way.

The new season, Season 3, is packed with stories about grief, desperation, and technology, rather than the sexy paranormal stories we’re used to. The change would be fun and all, if we didn’t already have a show that tackles these themes in the same manner.

Unfortunately, Murphy’s latest release emulates Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror, and doesn’t quite do it justice.

But nonetheless, American Horror Stories still delivered four new episodes — all unique and multi-layered — for us to evaluate. With writers like Falchuk, the late Manny Coto, and Joe Baken, directors like Max Winkler and Alexis Martin Woodall, and starry casts, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Lisa Rinna, and Emily Browning, the season gave us lots to contemplate.

Continue reading to find out how we ranked all the Season 3 episodes.

1. Season 3, Episode 4: “Organ”

   “Organ” was a bit of a letdown, especially in American Horror Story lore. The episode — which began with a rich incel being mysteriously robbed of an organ while on a hot date — had so much potential to turn into something creepy, and instead, it relied on the high-technology, futuristic gags of Black Mirror. Genuinely, I want to know what was the direction of this entire season, as it carried odd, sour note. Was there no supervising director? Was there no… showrunner? That could be the case since Murphy has already said “sayonara” to the namesake show. Not even Raul Castillo’s beautiful face can save this one from being a disappointment.

2. Season 3, Episode 1: “Bestie”

   “Bestie” was fine, at best. The episode was the most juvenile piece of entertainment put out by Murphy and Falchuk since the beginning of their careers — and they did Glee. The episode follows a teenage girl who befriends an internet creep while grieving the death of her mother. As you might guess, her virtual friend encourages her to behave inappropriately, which lands her in trouble. The twist at the end was ridiculously predictable and cliche. Though, Emma Halleen and Allius Barnes delivered memorable performances, and are two talents to keep an eye out for.

3. Season 3, Episode 2: “Daphne”

   “Daphne” gets bonus points for having Gwyneth Paltrow as the title character, and for also featuring a bizarre sex scene and the most deaths in the season. Sorry, but that’s the way the world works. The episode follows a wealthy art dealer who is gifted a smart assistant device prototype from a friend, who seemingly grows infatuated with him. Ultimately, the story is a rip-off of Spike Jonze’s Her and Black Mirror‘s “Rachel, Jack, and Ashley Too” episode, but with added murder and chaos, so it’s a win in my books. Someone send Falchuk flowers for pulling Paltrow out of semi-retirement!

4. Season 3, Episode 3: “Tapeworm”

   Ding ding ding! The best episode of American Horror Stories Season 3 is “Tapeworm,” which follows an aspiring model who puts her health at risk to grow in fame and land a Vogue cover. With terrifying visuals and a brilliant performance from Laura Kariuki, the story delves into pure horror as the young woman loses control of her sanity. It also features a cameo from Lisa Rinna as a model agent, who like Kim Kardashian in American Horror Story: Delicate, plays a heightened version of herself. Cheap tricks are nothing new to the franchise, as long as they’re coupled with a major scare, which this episode has locked and loaded.