TV Geek Out 229: American Horror Story - The Final 4, Part 1

The TV Geek Out crew is back to discuss the last third of American Horror Story's spectacularly crazy first season. We're joined again by horror expert Stever as we cover the final four episodes, "Spooky Little Girl," "Smoldering Children," "Birth," and "Afterbirth," though the finale chat will be a part of the second half of our epic discussion, coming soon. If you've listened to our previous AHS podcasts, it'll be no surprise that we enjoyed the hell out of these episodes. Ryan Murphy et al. really outdid themselves, raising the crazy bar, packing in the surprises, and managing to keep us guessing right to the end. Listen in to hear the first half of our chat here!

TV Geek Out 228: American Horror Story Chat, Part 2

We're back with the second half of our American Horror Story discussion, again with special guest horror geek Stever Neither! This podcast covers episodes 4-8 ("Halloween" 1 & 2, "Piggy, Piggy," "Open House," and "Rubber Man"). Listen in to hear what the TVGO crew thought of the middle section of the AHS season, which included some of the best episodes, the most frightening moments, and the most controversial reveal of the season! Check it all out here.

Also, stay tuned for our upcoming coverage of the end of the season!

TV Geek Out 227: American Horror Story Chat, Part 1

Given Ryan Murphy's track record with Glee and especially Nip/Tuck, it wasn't surprising that American Horror Story pushed boundaries with every episode. Still, even for seasoned viewers, just how hard AHS pushed at TV conventions was something of a shock. Never mind swearing, the series showed male and female masturbation in the pilot -- and that was just the start of American Horror Story's flirtation with controversy. TV Geek Out's Dana and Heather welcomed horror buff and AHS fan Stever Neither to this extensive chat, which covers 2/3 of the show's first season. In the first part of our chat, we get to know the family who currently inhabits "The Murder House": conflicted wife Vivien, self-centered husband Ben, and their angsty daughter, Violet. We also meet some of the house's long-term residents, including brooding Tate and matriarch Nora. A special shout-out must be given to Jessica Lange, whose incomparable Constance seems beamed directly from planet Tennessee Williams. In all, American Horror Story is easily Murphy's most bonkers offering yet, and Dana, Heather and Stever had a ball analyzing it to pieces! Check out the first part of our talk here.

Note: This portion of the discussion covers the show in general and the first 3 episodes ("Pilot," "Home Invasion" and "Murder House") in particular.

TV Geek Out 226: Boardwalk Empire, "A Dangerous Maid"

Nucky sends a lobster flying, a Victrola saves a life, and Van Alden learns what a script is -- "A Dangerous Maid" has all this and more, and it's only the third episode of Boardwalk Empire's second season! Both Eddie Cantor and Al Capone are in A.C., the former to see the cooped-up, pregnant showgirl Lucy, the latter to deliver some bad news to Nucky and to visit "Jimmy Irish." There's plenty of disheartening news to go around, as Nucky learns that Attorney General Daugherty can't help with his election-fraud case, Rothstein forces Lucky and Meyer into a harsh deal with Joe Masseria to keep the peace, and Margaret's roundabout attempt to reach out to her estranged family leaves her in tears. Meanwhile, the Commodore Conspirators Club continues their attack on Nucky, this time foiling his bootlegging business via the Coast Guard, but Nucky has a new secret weapon, badass Irishman Owen Sleater, whose special skill of getting people to stop "whatever it is you don't want them to be doing" is already coming in handy. Listen in as TV geeks Heather, Dana, and Perry discuss all the goings-on here!

TV Geek Out 225: Boardwalk Empire, "Ourselves Alone"

“Ourselves Alone,” episode two of Boardwalk Empire's second season, finds our favorite corrupt New Jersey politician (sorry for the redundancy) getting help from an expected source in unexpected ways, while Chalky White masterminds the beat-down of a prisoner who can’t resist taunting Chalky’s aspirations for respectability. Meanwhile, Eli attempts to end his relationship with his brother in a fatalistic phone call, Jimmy and the Commodore continue to plot against Nucky, and a young Irishman finds himself working for Nucky after a deal is struck to send funds to the IRA. Join TV geeks Perry, Dana, and Heather as they toast another fine episode of Boardwalk Empire. Listen in here!

TV Geek Out 224: Boardwalk Empire, "21"

The second season of HBO’s Boardwalk Empire begins with confrontations of various sorts including Chalky White vs. the KKK, Van Alden vs. his own sense of morality, and Jimmy vs. Nucky -- even though Jimmy doesn’t seem totally sold on turning against his mentor. Join TV Geeks Dana, Perry, and Heather as they analyze the premiere, wonder what the season has in store for these characters, and shed a tear for the LOR (lack of Rothstein) in this episode. Check it all out here!

TV Geek Out 223: Boardwalk Empire, "A Return to Normalcy"

Boardwalk Empire’s freshman season comes to a conclusion with “A Return to Normalcy,” an episode that wraps up all those pesky plot threads that seemed impossible to bring together when they first started to unravel back in the Martin Scorsese-directed pilot. Rothstein and Nucky make peace, the D’Alessios meet their grisly end, and Nucky remains in power in Atlantic City while enjoying a nice walk along the Boardwalk with Margaret. However, the episode also brilliantly sets up a number of new plot elements that promise for an amazing second season, including the possibility that Nucky will have to treat old friends as enemies, Val Alden’s learning about some unintended consequences for his actions, and Angela using her hair to let Jimmy know their relationship is in serious jeopardy. Join the TV Geeks as we rave, rant, and relive the wrap-up to the Emmy-winning show's first season. Check it all out here!

TV Geek Out 222: Emmys 2011 Chat

TV Geek Out discusses this year's recent Emmys broadcast in this brief chat. Listen in to hear what Perry, Dana, and Heather had to say about the festivities, from our favorite wins and most frustrating losses to our thoughts on Jane Lynch's hosting skills and the layout of the show. Check it all out here!

TV Geek Out 221: Boardwalk Empire, "Paris Green"

Murder in various forms hangs over "Paris Green," the penultimate episode of Boardwalk Empire’s first season. Starting with a doozy of a twist regarding the revelation of Jimmy’s father and ending with an even bigger announcement about the true cause of the Commodore’s season-long illness, this episode also features Van Alden performing a decidedly un-Christian act during a baptism ceremony. Listen in as TV geeks Heather, Perry, and Dana unravel one of the most explosive episodes in the show’s history. Check it out here!

TV Geek Out 220: Boardwalk Empire, "The Emerald City"

The Wizard of Oz allusions that have weaved through Boardwalk Empire’s first season grow even more pronounced in its tenth episode, “The Emerald City,” when the deformed Harrow pronounces he’s like the Tin Woodsman. The gangland maneuvers continue as Rothstein gets even angrier than he usually is over the failed hit on Nucky, Al Capone learns to grow up, and the women of America earn the right to vote. Join TV geeks Dana, Perry and Heather as they follow them all down the yellow-brick Boardwalk. Check it out here!