13 Reasons "American Horror Story" Doesn’t Suck This Season

FX’s American Horror Story: Asylum has all of season one’s craziness without being garbage.

1. Way more Sarah Paulson.

She’s great in everything, so it’s nice to see her in a leading role instead of relegated to the background.

Image by Frank Ockenfels/FX

2. Creepy religious people.

If there’s one thing Season 1 needed, it was more Catholic iconography.

Image by Michael Yarish/FX

3. Adam Levine got killed off quickly.

Sorry, spoiler. But seriously, there was no reason for him to stick around. If he wants to come back as a naked ghost, we can revisit the subject.

Image by Frank Ockenfels/FX

4. Evil nun.

OK, she’s not evil so much as possessed but the end result is still someone doing terrible things while wearing a habit.

Image by Byron Cohen/FX

5. Way more Lily Rabe.

Like Sarah Paulson, she’s no longer playing a bit part. Now we can finally see her impressive range.

Image by Frank Ockenfels/FX

6. Believable sexual tension.

Will they or won’t they (murder everyone)?

Image by Byron Cohen/FX

7. Anne Frank is a character.

Or is she? Either way, you have to admire the audacity.

Image by Byron Cohen/FX

8. Awesome guest stars.

Ian McShane as a homicidal maniac wearing a Santa suit? Yes.

Image by Byron Cohen/FX

9. Not afraid to make Christmas terrifying.

I don’t think I even want to celebrate this year.

Image by Byron Cohen/FX

10. No Dylan McDermott.

And you know what that means: no tearful masturbation. Yet.

Image by Robert Zuckerman/FX

11. Chloe Sevigny’s haircut.

Her punishment for being a nympho just makes her look even cooler. I don’t know how she does it.

Image by Frank Ockenfels/FX

12. Lots of spanking.

You know, if you’re into that sort of thing.

Image by Byron Cohen/FX

13. Jessica Lange.

Duh. Yes, she was in the first season, but she still deserves credit for being flawless and amazing always. Bow down.

Image by Frank Ockenfels/FX