Checking In (American Horror Story)

"Checking In" gained a 3.0 18–49 ratings share and was watched by 5.81 million viewers, leading the night on cable,[1] about a 5% dip from the American Horror Story: Freak Show premiere.

[3] The episode averaged a 3.0 rating in the 18–49 years adult demographic, the most sought after by advertisers, and ranked second among all primetime series aired on Wednesday night, only behind Fox's drama Empire.

The critical consensus reads: "American Horror Story: Hotel opens spectacularly with "Checking In," though its shocking moments and stylistic flourishes outweigh a compelling narrative."

Amber Dowling of TheWrap gave a positive review, saying, "It's a visual, visceral romp into what is being set up to be another haphazard foray into the world of horror, as imagined by Murphy and his writing counterpart Brad Falchuk.

"[5] Writing for Variety, Brian Lowry praised Gaga's character as "gloriously photographed" and felt her addition to the show was "extraordinarily well-timed".

"[8] On the other hand, Dan Fienberg of The Hollywood Reporter gave a negative review, writing, "If last year's installment, Freak Show, was too frustratingly literal in terms of plot points and its freaks-as-all-outsiders metaphor for some viewers, Hotel will be a welcome return to oblique storytelling, loopy Freudian psychobabble and addiction undertones".

"[12] David Weigand of the San Francisco Chronicle said Gaga "makes an enormous visual impact, but the minute she opens her mouth to deliver a line, it's obvious that acting just isn't one of her many talents.