Join or Sign In
Sign in to customize your TV listings
By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.
American Horror Story Season 1 Episodes
Season 1 Episode Guide
12 Episodes 2011 - 2011
Episode 1
Pilot
Wed, Oct 5, 201151 mins
Vivien and Ben Harmon and their daughter Violet relocate to Los Angeles from Boston and buy a large old house. As required by law, the real estate agent discloses that the previous occupants were the victims of a murder-suicide. The Harmons think nothing of it and concentrate on repairing their marriage that has come under strain following Vivien's miscarriage and Ben's subsequent infidelity with one of his students. Ben is a psychiatrist and will meet his patients in the house. They meet the neighbors, the eccentric Constance and her daughter Adelaide. Vivien also hires a housekeeper, Moira, but Ben and Vivien don't quite see the same person when they look at her. Violet is bullied at school and befriends one of her dad's patients who has serious psychological problems. Strange events begin to occur.
Episode 2
Home Invasion
Wed, Oct 12, 201143 mins
Ben gets a new patient, Bianca Forest, something of a murder groupie who is just amazed that he lives in the house that has been the scene of so many famous murders. Ben has his own problems when the student with whom he was having an affair in Boston calls to tell him she's pregnant. He lies to his wife Vivien saying he's got to return to Boston to deal with one of his old cases. While he's away however, Bianca and two of her friends stage a home invasion intent on recreating a murder of two student nurses in 1968.
Episode 3
Murder House
Wed, Oct 19, 201142 mins
After their home invasion, Vivien insists that they move out but their finances are such that there's no possibility of moving into a new place unless they can recoup what they've paid out. Vivien soon learns that selling isn't going to be easy given the long history of murders which go back to 1922 when an abortionist and his wife lived there. Ben is having blackouts, waking up in the backyard and is shocked when his ex-girlfriend from Boston shows up. Larry Harvey gives him a hand. Vivien gets an interesting visitor from the past, though she doesn't realize who the woman is.
Episode 4
Halloween: Part 1
Wed, Oct 26, 201139 mins
A flashback to to 2010 shows the previous owners of the house, Chad and Patrick, who are attacked by the man in the rubber suit. In the present day, it's Halloween and Vivien and Ben are getting little interest in the house. Their real estate agent, Marcy, suggests they hire a fluffer, someone who can give the house a little something extra. Tate tells Violet about the abortionist and his wife, Charles and Nora Montgomery, whose baby was kidnapped and murdered by a boyfriend seeking revenge. Addie wants to dress as a pretty girl for her trick or treating but tragedy ensues. Vivien realizes that Ben has been in touch with his ex-girlfriend in Boston. When she suffers severe abdominal cramps Ben rushes her to the hospital where a scan reveals her to be in an advanced state of pregnancy and not the few weeks she thought. While they're away, Larry Harvey shows up at the house demanding his money.
Episode 5
Halloween: Part 2
Wed, Nov 2, 201141 mins
Vivien and Ben race back home to find Violet missing. She's off with Tate and is apparently alright but they get bullied at the beach by a gang of students. Ben has something of a surprise when the dead and buried Hayden knocks at his door. He goes after Larry and accuses him and Hayden of trying to con him. For her part, Hayden is intent on ensuring Vivien knows about her pregnancy with Ben. Chad goes on a rant and blames Vivien for causing his break up with Patrick. Constance blames Violet for what has happened to Adelaide.
Episode 6
Piggy Piggy
Wed, Nov 9, 201144 mins
Ben is now living elsewhere but still meets patients in the house as they can't afford anything else. It doesn't sit well with Vivien who would like him to just go away. Ben's latest patient is someone who thinks he can conjure up an urban legend, a killer with the head of a pig. Vivien has an amnio and traces the technician who did her first ultra sound. She scoffs at what she hears. Moira tells Vivien what she thinks about her marriage and Vivien asks her to leave. Violet meanwhile learns of a massacre at her high school in 1994 and Tate's role in it. She also learns about Tate's mother.
Episode 7
Open House
Wed, Nov 16, 201141 mins
Vivien and the real estate agent Marcy may have someone interested in the house but Vivien insists on being completely honest about the history of murders there. The buyer doesn't seem to be bothered by it all and on his second visit, Moira goes to special lengths to make sure he likes it there. Larry also shows up posing as a buyer and gets a tour. Ben makes it clear that he's not welcome at the house. When Larry learns that the prospective buyer plans to tear the house down, he and Constance set out to make sure it doesn't happen. Meanwhile, Ben and Vivien are concerned about Violet who now never leaves the house and barely eats. She's spending time with Tate who teaches her how to get rid of the ghosts around them. A photo of Nora Montgomery shocks Vivien.
Episode 8
Rubber Man
Wed, Nov 23, 201143 mins
Hayden has a plan drive Vivien crazy so she and Nora Montgomery can each keep one of the twins Vivien is expecting. After getting information from Moira, Vivien tries to flee with Violet. Worried about her safety, she steals Marcy's gun but shoots someone by mistake. Ben feels he has no choice but to commit her to an institution for evaluation. The origin of the rubber suit is revealed as is the identity of the man who wore it to make love to Vivien and to kill Patrick and Chad. Ben learns that Violet hasn't been to school for two weeks. She says she just doesn't like it there. Hayden has an encounter with Constance's boyfriend Travis. Ben begins to understand what is going on.
Episode 9
Spooky Little Girl
Wed, Nov 30, 201140 mins
One of history's most famous murder victims pays the house a visit. Constance discovers more of Tate's bad behavior.
Episode 10
Smoldering Children
Wed, Dec 7, 201142 mins
In a flashback, the origins of Louis' burn are revealed. Ben visits Vivien in the psych ward and admits to her that he now believes she was raped. The police interview Constance over Travis' death. She has little to tell them - other than she didn't do it - but her history of accidental deaths leave the police highly suspicious. She's off the hook when someone unexpected confesses to the crime. Ben is still upset with Violet for missing so much school and they agree that a new school has to be found. Tate has something to show her however. Violet learns about the rules of the house. Larry's condition is explained.
Episode 11
Birth
Wed, Dec 14, 201142 mins
A flashback to 1984 shows young Tate's first encounter with ghosts in the basement. In the present day, Tate tells Nora Montgomery that she can't have one of Vivien's babies. Several of the ghosts have their eye on Vivien's twins and Constance faces off against Chad. She suggests that she keep her grandchild while he take Ben's child but Chad insists he wants both children. Violet tries a spell to get rid of some of the ghosts. After Ben collects her from the hospital, Vivien goes into labor at the house but only one child survives. Violet learns who fathered one of her mother's babies.
Episode 12
Afterbirth
Wed, Dec 21, 201152 mins
Ben is in mourning following Vivien's death and plans to take his own life. Constance schemes to raise Tate's baby as her own. Constance is taking care of the newborn but Ben wants him back so the child can be raised by his sister. Vivien and Violet purposely avoid him - he could only see them if they choose to allow it - thinking they don't want to give him any reason to stay. Hayden has her own plans however for Ben and his spirit soon joins that of his now dead wife and daughter. When the house is sold and a new family moves in, the Harmons ensure that they don't fall into the same trap they did.
