What's Going On In 'AHS 13? This Theory Could Explain Everything

So… the 13th season of American Horror Story (2011) sure is… something? To be fair to the series, and most anthological franchises in general, the quality will vary from entry to entry. Still, for a season that was intended to be a grand celebration of the franchise’s 15 years, its reception has been divisive, to say the least. All you have to do is hop onto social media to see people trying to piece together what exactly is going on and becoming frustrated with its nonsense.

The show isn’t making it easy, though. Returning characters feel off, the writing is sometimes mixing up character backstories, and there’s just an overarching sense of confusion as to what it all means. With the season consisting of 13 episodes and six of those episodes have been made available to stream on Hulu as of this writing, one theory has been gaining traction as a possible explanation for AHS 13’s odd structure, premise, and what the true threat is.

What Is the Spaghetti Code Theory in 'AHS 13'?

Originally posted on Reddit, this theory by Macelus, called the “Spaghetti Code” theory, proposes this idea: What if everything in AHS 13 so far was the product of an AI simulation?

Some cynics may laugh at that idea and simply handwave all of the poor writing decisions as the script being written by AI, but what if that’s the point? What if the inconsistencies were intentional? Normally, seeing legacy characters return seems like cool fan service. However, many of these AHS characters have died, and some of them were in entirely different continuities. So why are they here? It’s because their souls are being reconstituted imperfectly, like an AI misremembering or fabricating information to fill in a void.

What helps support this theory is the enigmatic Mr. Nas, who is almost certainly some kind of demonic figure, but he could also be a metaphor for AI. After all, NAS is an acronym for Network Attached Storage, a computer that essentially stores a bunch of files and information. The theory posits that Nas, like an AI, has compiled the information from all other seasons of the show together and is weaving them into a sloppy AI simulation/purgatory reflective of Nas’ degrading physical body. Constance praises him constantly and says he will bring about a new world order, much in the same way AI leaders claim AI will revolutionize our lives. It would tie in nicely with Ben’s AI usage in the early episodes, as well as capitalizing on society’s general fear and mistrust of AI.

'American Horror Story' Has Featured Topical Issues Before

Framing AI as the true villain of American Horror Story’s thirteenth season is a bold choice, and a topical one at that, but it isn’t the first time the show has dipped its toes into the horrors of the modern age. Probably the most famous example of that was in the seventh season, American Horror Story: Cult. In it, the show examined the fallout of the 2016 election and how the results affected a small town, from the fears some of the more liberal residents felt to the emboldened determination of the alt-right, who felt anything was possible and that they could begin enacting their hateful and violent agenda. 

It was an intentionally polarizing season, and one that wasn’t afraid to drum up controversy. The same could very well be happening with season 13, only with far more subtlety. It’s not advertising the fact that Mr. Nas could very well be a metaphor for AI or that these characters could be altered, recreated, or hallucinated by an AI model. Still, if that’s the end goal, then the show did a wonderful job of laying the groundwork without blatantly advertising it. 

Does the Spaghetti Code Theory Excuse 'AHS 13's Quality So Far?

It may be grasping at straws trying to salvage some kind of workable theory as to what’s going on in AHS 13 so far, but does it even matter? 

If the Spaghetti Code theory is correct, then it can help recontextualize a lot of the season’s events in a new light. If the cast gains sentience of their fates, how will they react? How will characters like Kai respond to the news that he’s dead and this AI simulation is purgatory? Will it change Constance’s plan to sacrifice the 13 witches? It could create a metatextual finale unlike anything the franchise has ever seen, and make the season worth a rewatch just to see where the clues are, much like Shutter Island (2010), which is just as good on a rewatch once you know the twist.

However, a twist like that won’t excuse all of AHS 13’s flaws. I don’t care who you are, dedicating most of Episode 4 to an Elsa Mars musical number is the definition of a choice, and AI simulation or not, some of the pacing of the scenes where previous villains are all talking drags. Such a twist doesn’t invalidate fans’ reactions to everything so far, but if the season can stick the landing, then it has a chance of redeeming itself. Or the season can go for the lowest-hanging fruit and just make Mr. Nas Satan. At this point, anything is possible.