American Horror Story returned Oct 9 for its third season with “AHS: Coven” and airs weekly on FX at 9 p.m. Wednesdays. Series creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk bring us another season of compelling television that, so far, has already exceeded its high expectations.

AHS is an anthology series and is unique as each season is entirely different in terms of setting and plot. Many of the actors return every season as a main character, giving the audience a sense of familiarity.

“Coven” begins in 1834 New Orleans where we meet Madame LaLaurie, played by Kathy Bates, a very wealthy and truly heinous woman who goes to extremes to look younger in an attempt to keep a husband that is already seeking the company of younger women. It is too bad Neutrogena wasn’t available in pre abolition New Orleans.

Perhaps she wouldn’t have resorted to cutting out the pancreases of her tortured slaves to make her night cream. Then again, it seems she delights in torturing them. She even makes a minotaur of one. It’s as creepy as it gets and when asked why she’s doing it, LaLaurie simply replied, “because I can.”