The show, "My Roanoke Nightmare" is within
the actual series American Horror Story: Roanoke. It’s as
surreal as it is brilliant and makes it difficult to review. Within the
program, they compare My Roanoke Nightmare to Empire and The Walking Dead
as if "My Roanoke Nightmare" shares the same airwaves. Sidney, the "creator"
of "My Roanoke Nightmare," visits the actors and re-enactors,
recruiting them for the sequel. Each person speaks about what playing their
part meant to them and what they have been up to in convincingly candid
performances. The show ended, but like all reality television, the fictional fans
want more. We watch as the producers try to scrounge up a sequel – fittingly
called, “Return to Roanoke: Three Days of Hell,” involving not only the
re-enactors, but the real life Matt and Shelby Miller who experienced the
terrors of the mansion on Sappony Road.
As production on the sequel begins, strange
occurrences start happening. Sidney ignores the signs and continues production
as planned. The most intriguing part about this "sequel" is that as
everyone returns to the house from the "original series," we are
witnessing the now "real" events unfolding with the actors and crew. Cameras
are set up all over the house, running 24/7 in hopes to capture any real
experiences even though no one but the real Lee, Matt, and Shelby know the
truth. Just like a real TV show, clever disclaimers and filler information
guide the audience along. One in particular states that “the show planned by
producers never aired.” What we are watching is “the assembled footage" of
the horrifying events that will unfold involving the "real" actors. Right
away, the scares are laid on thick. You completely forget you’re watching a
show within a show as tensions between cast, crew, and the "real
life" married couple, Matt and Shelby, erupt into chaos. After
participating in "My Roanoke Nightmare", Matt and Shelby thought that
it would be healing to relive the experience, but they soon realize that
they've probably bitten off more than they can chew.
With only six episodes left, I think AHS fans can expect the rest of this
season to continue the show within a show format. Personally, I'm confident in this
bizarre structure, but understand why creators might not do it again. I still
think season 6 will be among the favorites. Chapter 6 is where the real season begins. We get to watch all
of our favorite actors together just as we hoped.
Score
-H