American Horror Story: Murder House premiered in 2011 and immediately drew viewers in with its creepy backdrop of a haunted mansion in Los Angeles. The FX series follows the Harmon family as they move cross-country into the ominous ‘Murder House’ to make a fresh start, only to encounter numerous ghosts from decades past who still reside there.
One of the most memorable characters introduced in Season 1 is Tate Langdon, played by Evan Peters. Tate is a troubled teen ghost who begins an intimate relationship with Vivien Harmon’s daughter Violet. His dark and unpredictable nature leaves viewers constantly questioning his motives and backstory. So was Tate actually dead the whole time we saw him on screen? Let’s explore some key evidence.
When Did Tate Die?
In Episode 6, titled “Piggy Piggy”, more details are revealed about Tate’s history. We learn that he was a student at Westfield High School in 1994 and was responsible for carrying out a mass shooting there that resulted in 15 deaths before he was killed himself by SWAT officers. So Tate has been a ghost stuck in the Murder House since his death in the 90s.
Tate’s Ghostly Behavior
Throughout Season 1, there are clues that Tate is not actually a living human. For example:
- He disappears and reappears around the house randomly.
- He never leaves the property.
- He seems unaware of major current events like Columbine.
- He’s fixated on influencing the Harmons, especially Violet.
Tate being a ghost would explain his erratic behavior and supernatural abilities to vanish and materialize within the confines of the Murder House.
Tate Died On the Property
Since Tate was killed inside the Murder House in 1994, his spirit remains eternally trapped there, unable to cross into the light. This fate is revealed by Constance Langdon, Tate’s mother, who explains the dark history of the property and its ghostly inhabitants to Vivien Harmon in Episode 3.
So in short – yes, Tate was already dead the entire time we saw him in Season 1. He was a longtime ghostly resident of the Murder House who met his end there in the 90s during his school shooting rampage.
Tate’s Unfinished Business
Like many ghosts, Tate remained in the living world because he had ‘unfinished business’ tying him to the house. Some of this unfinished business included:
- His feelings of love and obsession over Violet Harmon.
- His inability to confront the gravity of his past crimes.
- His strained relationship with his mother Constance.
Tate’s attachments and emotional turmoil kept his spirit trapped in unrest at the Murder House until he could find some resolution or meaning for his afterlife existence there.
Does Violet Realize Tate is Dead?
Violet is unaware at first that Tate is actually a ghost. Over time, however, clues fall into place for her:
- He never leaves the house with her.
- He conveniently shows up wherever she is inside the house.
- He knows personal information about the home’s history and previous murder victims.
In Episode 10, Violet finally confronts Tate and forces him to admit the truth – that he is her dead boyfriend. Violent reacts with shock and anger at the realization. This admission highlights how tangled the living and dead have become inside the haunted walls of Murder House.
The House Ghosts Manipulate the Living
By the end of Season 1, it becomes clear that Tate and the other ghosts have been manipulating and influencing the Harmon family for their own purposes. Examples include:
- Tate forming an intimate bond with Violet.
- Moira seducing men who move into the house.
- The ghosts scaring away or killing anyone who tries to leave.
The blurred lines between the living and dead within the house underscores how dangerous the ghosts can be to new residents. Tate’s deception about his true nature highlights how the ghosts may not have the best interests of the living in mind.
Does Tate Find Redemption?
Throughout American Horror Story, Tate struggles to find redemption and understand the gravity of his past violent actions. In some key moments, Tate shows remorse and tries to protect Violet from harm. By the end of Season 1, Tate’s fate remains uncertain – while he is bound forever to the Murder House, perhaps his relationship with Violet gives him a chance at some inner peace and closure.
Why Did Tate Carry Out the School Shooting?
Tate’s motivations for his school shooting remain murky. Some possible insights include:
- He was a disturbed and mentally unstable teen who was obsessed with death and murder.
- He was influenced by his mother Constance’s toxic relationship with him.
- He was haunted by his father Hugo’s abuse and by having a stillborn brother named Beauregard.
- He was bullied and ostracized at school, giving him a grudge against his classmates.
The show leaves much open to interpretation around what exactly drove Tate to commit such a horrific crime. In the end, he remains one of Murder House’s most mysterious and sinister ghosts.
Constance Plays a Role
Constance Langdon, as Tate’s mother, seems to have at least some knowledge of his mental instability and murderous plans. Early on in Season 1, Constance implies that she knows Tate is not truly ‘alive’ anymore when she tells him to ‘go away’. She also does not seem surprised when the truth comes out about his school shooting.
While Constance’s involvement is not clear, she likely at minimum had some sense of Tate’s darkness brewing under the surface in life. As a fellow permanent inhabitant of Murder House, she must continue her complicated relationship with her son in death.
Tate Repents to Ben
In a striking scene, the ghost of Tate visits Ben Harmon’s office to confess his regret and remorse for the school shooting. He admits he had no good reason for what he did and that he thinks about it all the time. Tate also asks for Ben’s forgiveness, showing his desire to repent in some way was part of his unfinished business.
This confession to Ben represents one of the few times we see Tate openly grappling with the magnitude of his past actions, suggesting he may be on the path to some sort of redemption after all.
Tate’s Character Arc
Over the course of Season 1 of American Horror Story, Tate undergoes a subtle character arc and transformation. In the beginning, he is a mysterious, mentally unstable ghost focused on Violet. By the end, he is forced to confront his past crimes and seek some form of repentance. While limited in how much he can grow while trapped as a ghost, Tate shows hints of remorse and attempts to protect Violet from the other spirits of the house.
Tate’s Impact on Popular Culture
As one of the standout figures from American Horror Story’s first season, Tate left a lasting impression on popular culture. Elements of his character that drew interest included:
- His ‘tortured bad boy’ personality.
- His star-crossed romance with Violet.
- His edgy 90s grunge look and style.
- His complex backstory and morally ambiguous nature.
Tate was a departure from cliche horror tropes, given psychological depth by the show’s writing and Evan Peters’ performance. Many viewers continued to be intrigued and compelled by him even after his ghostly nature was revealed.
Symbolism of the Murder House
On a symbolic level, the Murder House represents:
- The darker parts of American history and society
- The cycle of violence perpetuated over time
- The inability to escape the past
- Being haunted by old mistakes and regrets
Tate as the psychologically damaged school shooter tied to this setting represents these unresolved issues around violence, guilt, and suffering passed down through generations.
Tate’s Character Represents 90s Teen Angst
As an embodiment of the grunge period of the 1990s, Tate’s jaded, angry teenager persona connected with the spirit of that time. His youthful brashness and disillusionment symbolically channel a frustrated generation’s feelings of alienation and aimlessness.
While taken to an extreme through his crimes, Tate’s apathy, sensitive side, and interest in morbid themes aligned with traits of some rebellious 90s youth subcultures.
Tate Highlights the Blurred Line Between Good and Evil
While clearly guilty of terrible deeds, Tate as a character is more nuanced than a simplistic villain. His love for Violet and moments of remorse show he is not entirely bad or good. This blurring of morality is emphasized by having him initially present as a living teen.
Tate represents how the ghosts of the past are not entirely good or evil. By making such an ambiguous figure sympathetic at times, the show asks viewers to consider difficult questions about human nature, violence, forgiveness, and redemption.
Conclusion
In the disturbing world of American Horror Story: Murder House, Tate Langdon represents one of the most complex and fascinating characters. His introduction as an angsty love interest takes a dark turn when the truth about him as a ghostly mass shooter comes to light. But Tate defies simple labels of good or evil, showing glimmers of humanity even in death.
Ultimately, Tate’s character arc stands as a morally ambiguous exploration of guilt, trauma, and the possibility of redemption. His impact on audiences is a testament to the depth and nuance of American Horror Story’s twisted take on the haunted house genre.