Season 2 of AHStories is proving to be much better written, focused, and presented than Season 1. Collectively, these first 2 episodes are so far making the sophomore season exceed the freshman one. While I think Ba'al and Dollhouse are still the best so far, this second episode AURA is a strong addition to the AHS-universe and is probably the third best of the series overall at this point. This episode stars AHS alum Gabourey Sidibe (who first premiered as Queenie in Coven, then a different character in Freak Show). Sidibe acquits herself very well here as Jaslyn, a meek married woman who also runs her own online jewelry service. Jas and her successful husband Bryce (well played by Max Greenfield) have just moved into an affluent gated community and for an extra level of security, Jas buys a new and popular home security app-controlled device called "Aura" which is placed on the front door and allows the resident to see potential intruders. Jas has bad memories from a childhood trauma so the Aura device gives her personal comfort. She is visited by an eerie old man one night and calls the cops, but the neighbor's camera system shows that no one had visited her, so no one believes her, including her husband. But the intruder keeps appearing on her phone and at the door, so the episode plays out as a mystery as to what is going on. The writing does a good job of not giving away anything too early and plays out as a solid mystery with satisfying conclusion akin to such iconic anthology sci-fi/horror series like Tales from the Crypt and Black Mirror. My one minor gripe is I feel like the writing had perhaps a few too many MacGuffins, but most of it made sense. Two episodes into Season 2 and Stories is all of a sudden looking very promising anthology series after a dismal first season.
