Ep 1. Checking In

The show American Horror Story is known for its captivating, eerie episodes that keep audiences on the edge of their seats. In season 5 episode 1, titled "Checking In," viewers are introduced to the Hotel Cortez, a run-down hotel that serves as the backdrop for the season. The episode opens with a couple checking in to the hotel, unaware of the horrors that await them.

The hotel is run by the glamorous yet mysterious Countess (played by Lady Gaga), who oversees a staff of quirky and menacing characters. Among them is Liz Taylor (played by Denis O'Hare), a transgender bartender, and Iris (played by Kathy Bates), the hotel's manager and mother to drug addict Donovan (played by Matt Bomer). The episode follows their interactions with the guests and their own personal struggles as they navigate the dark world of the Hotel Cortez.

Meanwhile, Detective John Lowe (played by Wes Bentley) is investigating a series of gruesome murders that seem to lead him directly to the hotel. As he works to uncover the truth, he becomes more entangled with the hotel's strange inhabitants and the deep secrets that lurk within its walls.

Throughout the episode, viewers are given glimpses into the dark and twisted history of the hotel, including its use as a playground for serial killers and the presence of a supernatural force that haunts its halls. The tension builds as the various storylines converge and the true horror of the Hotel Cortez is revealed.

Overall, "Checking In" is a chilling and intriguing episode that sets the stage for the rest of the season. The performances are captivating and the plot is full of twists and turns that keep viewers guessing until the very end. American Horror Story fans are sure to be hooked from the very first episode.