American Horror Story- What Lies Ahead

American Horror Story was easily one of the most anticipated new shows of the year. Now that it's over, there are some questions over what lies in the future for the show. Will there be a second season? Of course. Will they bring in a whole new family or stick to who's currently in the house? Will the show work now that audiences know the majority of the house's residents? How can the show sustain itself on the same interpersonal drama now that the fate of the Harmon family is sealed? These and several other questions arise now that American Horror Story has come to a close.

After the season finale of the show, it seems unlikely that a new "permanent" family will be established in the house come next season. There is certainly opportunity for a family to be introduced in the midst of the season to add some drama, provided the right cast came along. But with all the people currently residing in the house and the Harmons remaining as a primary focus, it seems unlikely that it would be disrupted by a new main family.

However, if the Harmons continue to be the focus family, the fear factor lessens now that they're clued in on how the house works. There are still uncertainties for the audience, but the thrill of the show is having it all revealed to the audience as the family experiences it. As the audience, we are frightened and thrilled by living vicariously through the Harmon family. But now that they've become a part of the house as haunters as opposed to the haunted, there is much less to be afraid of. We are left with the interpersonal drama of the house with Hayden and Tate being the main sources of conflict. But is this enough to carry on future seasons? If the show relies on the same occupants of the house season after season, it will feel more like a supernatural version of The Real World with dozens of housemates who all hate each other.

The future of the show, therefore, relies on time gaps, future residents, and the ill-fated baby. There are periods of time unaccounted for and therefore there must be ghosts that we have not been introduced to as of yet. This will help in keeping a shock factor for audiences as well as providing fresh material. Future residents are inevitable, even if only for a day or week in television time. The past century can only provide so many stories for the house and sooner or later audiences will want to live in the present. If writers decide to utilize the benefits of a temporary residential family, they will have to find incredible actors that audiences will want to see even more than Dylan McDermott, Connie Britton, and Taissa Farmiga (not an easy feat). But the true tie that audiences are clinging onto for next season is the baby. The writers chose a great way to end the season because the main focus of the first season, as seen through marketing and plot, was the anti-Christ child. Audiences want to know what happens with the child, how he grows up and what effect he has on those around him. That is the ultimate factor in the continued success of American Horror Story.

So while the question of both living and past residents is definitely a major factor in the American Horror Story, the real issue at hand is the child living next door. He is the sure and true answer for what will keep the show running for at least another season. We know that we will be seeing more of the boy, which is enough to keep our interest, and the rest of the questions will be answered as the second season plays out.