Episodes 1-4

I see Dead People.

Bly Manor started out strong for me, but began losing it’s momentum quickly. I enjoyed the subtle scares in the first few episodes (the shot below is my favorite) and was prepared for a slow burn. There was a lot of unexplained hysteria and outbursts that didn’t make sense for a bit, though some gets unveiled as you go.

I was prepared to call it by the end of episode three, but a reveal explained why the Nanny was continuing to endure what she’s been enduring. However, that same reveal was a big one. There’s a lot going on, and a lot that seems present to feed extra “shocks” along the way without evolving organically.

I’m really tired of shows feeling the necessity to “up” the stakes with each season. That attracts a lesser (and different) audience than these tales began with. Hopefully I’m wrong and this is just a hiccup along the way. I thought this break and acknowledgement was necessary though.

Also, every time I see Sin City’s Kevin in reflections I keep laughing. I don’t think that is the intent.

Bly Manor Episodes 5-9

Okay, I can admit when I’m wrong. I prefer a slow burn when I can give it my attention, but yesterday was met with multiple pauses because of work and dragons and life. This can make it difficult to invest where you need to give your full emotional attention. I rose at 5 and concluded the tale while working this a.m. and I thoroughly enjoyed the last 3 episodes.

This was character and story driven. It’s not as scary as “Hill House” and I have no issue with that, but the pieces wove together like a seamless puzzle and the episode where we backtrack to the origin of Bly Manor’s curse was probably my favorite.

Super scary? No, but The Haunting of Bly Manor was a lovely, oddly romantic, spooky little story.

Also, I love Jamie, Owen and Hannah so very much.