Misty Day was a fictional character on the TV series American Horror Story: Coven. She was portrayed by actress Lily Rabe. Misty Day was obsessed with bringing things back to life, as she had the magical power of resurgence. This allowed her to revive dead or injured creatures. Her obsession originated from her lonely childhood and lack of parental love.
Misty’s Childhood and Discovery of Powers
Misty Day grew up in a backwoods area of Louisiana. She was isolated from other children and lacked parental affection. To combat her loneliness, Misty would go into the swamp and attempt to revive injured and dead creatures she found. She discovered she had the power to heal fatal wounds and even resurrect small animals and insects. This made her feel special and gave her a sense of purpose. As she got older, her powers grew stronger.
By the time she was a teenager, Misty could bring back creatures that had been dead for days. She took great pride in nursing birds with broken wings back to health or giving lizards new life after they had been stepped on. Misty felt it was her calling to protect vulnerable swamp creatures. She grew to despise hunting, fishing, and any human activities she felt disrupted the balance of nature.
Relationship with Stevie Nicks Music
Another one of Misty’s obsessions was the music of Stevie Nicks. As a lonely child, she would escape into Nicks’ songs about magic, spirits, and returning from the edge of death. Misty felt a powerful connection to the swirling, mystical themes in Nicks’ lyrics. She would twirl around the shack where she lived, getting lost in the guitar solos.
Misty believed she shared a spiritual bond with Nicks and that the singer was passing along ancient secrets in her songs. Whenever Misty brought a creature back to life, she would hum “Landslide” or another Fleetwood Mac tune. To Misty, Stevie Nicks’ music encapsulated everything about her own magical gifts and destiny.
Arrival at Miss Robichaux’s Academy
When her power was discovered by members of the witch community, Misty Day was brought to Miss Robichaux’s Academy in New Orleans. Here she joined other young women with supernatural abilities. Under the guidance of headmistress Cordelia Foxx, Misty hoped to find her tribe and further explore her powers.
However, conflicts quickly arose when she learned of the ritualistic practices and animal sacrifices used in the Academy’s magic. Misty clashed with the other young witches over her desire to revive a frog that had been killed. She often felt ostracized for her preference to connect with nature over practicing dark witchcraft.
Relationship with Madison Montgomery
Misty Day also had a difficult relationship with Madison Montgomery, a young witch with the power of telekinesis. Madison had been raised in Hollywood and liked to use her powers for selfish reasons and to get ahead in her acting career. She and Misty argued over their differing value systems related to magic and witchcraft.
Their rivalry came to a head when Madison participated in a deadly frat party prank that killed several men. When the Academy’s students were tasked with bringing the men back to life, Madison refused due to her callous nature. Misty volunteered to revive the men, as she believed all life was sacred. This act of kindness further highlighted the contrast between Misty and Madison’s approaches to their powers.
Relationship with Fiona Goode
When Fiona Goode returned to the Academy after Cordelia was blinded in an attack, Misty was immediately distrustful of her motives and attitude. As the Supreme witch, Fiona represented the vanity, selfishness, and ruthlessness Misty despised about mainstream witch culture. Fiona also mocked Misty’s swamp-dwelling background and made snide comments about her Stevie Nicks obsession.
Their relationship grew even more tense when Misty resurrected Fiona’s dead lover. Fiona wanted him back mainly so he could fetch her cigarettes and alcohol. Misty was frustrated that Fiona took her powers for granted and only wanted to use them for her own benefit. Their differing perspectives on magic led to heated arguments and prevented them from finding common ground.
Obsession with Myrtle Snow
Misty became fascinated with Myrtle Snow when she first encountered the eccentric, stylish witch at Miss Robichaux’s. Myrtle immediately appreciated Misty’s abilities and her unique way of thinking. When Myrtle was unjustly burned at the stake for alleged treason, Misty brought her back to life. She was unable to stand seeing this kindred spirit persecuted by her peers.
Misty looked up to Myrtle as a strong female role model who embraced her magic. Myrtle encouraged Misty’s unconventional ideas in contrast to the Academy’s rigid teachings. The two bonded over their mutual love of fashion, horticulture, and the magic arts. Myrtle became Misty’s mentor and closest friend within the coven.
Relationship with Nan
Another key relationship for Misty Day at Miss Robichaux’s was with Nan, a clairvoyant young witch. Nan’s mind reading abilities allowed her to understand Misty on a profound level. She could comprehend Misty’s loneliness and appreciation for the natural world in a way others could not.
Misty and Nan bonded over feeling like outsiders due to their unconventional powers. They would have long talks about the unique connection Misty felt with the swamp’s creatures and plants. Though Nan was killed by Fiona, Misty remembered her kindness and hoped to maintain a spiritual connection to her departed friend.
Obsession with the Swamp
Throughout her time at the Academy, Misty remained fixated on her Louisiana swamp origins. She kept jars of swamp mud in her room for healing purposes and often escaped back to the marsh to commune with nature. Misty felt most at peace when surrounded by fireflies, cypress trees, and Spanish moss. The mysteries and magic of the swamp called to her soul.
No matter how immersed she became in the Academy’s world of incantations and voodoo, Misty wished to return to the primal, earth-based craft of her childhood. She practiced herbalism and potion-making using plants found in the waters and mud of the marsh. The swamp remained Misty’s true obsession as it shaped her powers and purpose as a witch.
Death by Descensum
Ultimately, Misty Day met her fate after becoming trapped in Descensum, a netherworld of eternal suffering. This occurred during the test of the Seven Wonders to determine who would be the next Supreme. Despite her best efforts to escape the nightmarish realm through her Stevie Nicks visions, Misty became stuck and disintegrated into dust.
Her death was a shock to the Academy’s students who had witnessed her powerful resurgence abilities firsthand. It appeared that while Misty could easily bring others back from the dead, she could not conquer death when it came for her. Her obsession with preserving life tragically could not preserve her own life.
Conclusion
In summary, Misty Day had many obsessions that defined her magical existence. Her supreme fixation was using her power of resurgence to revive deceased animals and connect with the spiritual essence of the natural world. This originated in her lonely childhood and led her to idolize Stevie Nicks’ mysticism-infused songs.
At Miss Robichaux’s Academy, Misty clashed with fellow witches over her desire to nurture life versus their more destructive practices. She only bonded with those who appreciated nature like Myrtle Snow and Nan. Though a fish out of water at the Academy, Misty remained enchanted by the primal magic of her beloved Louisiana swamp. Sadly, her singular obsession could not overcome the nightmarish trap of Descensum that took her life. But Misty Day’s tender soul and reverence for revival will never be forgotten.