'The Haunting of Hill House': All the episodes ranked
16 October 2018, 20:05
What's the best episode of Netflix's 'The Haunting of Hill House'? The series is solid, but some episodes are stronger than others. Here's how we ranked each episode.
The Haunting of Hill House is Netflix's latest and greatest in horror television. The 10-episode series has no shortage of ghosts and will leave you thoroughly spooked and ready for a season 2. Despite being a solid series from start to finish, some episodes are undeniably stronger than others.
We decided to order the episodes from worst to best, according to our own humble opinions. So, how does our ranking compare to yours?
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10) Silence Lay Steadily (Episode Ten)
Silence Lay Steadily tries its best to wrap up the series and manages to do so quite tidily. The end of the final episode strikes a markedly different tone to the rest of the series and is, perhaps, genre appropriate in its mission to clean up the messes of our protagonist's lives.
Though there was very little obvious angling for a second season, the episode does offer up a nice jumping off point for a second or companion series.
9) Steven Sees a Ghost (Episode One)
Steven Sees a Ghost is a solid start to the series but suffers from a bit of first-episode-itis in that it takes a while to lay the groundwork for the rest of the series. Luckily, the episode is sufficiently gripping, especially in its final 10 minutes which are, arguably, a first episode's most crucial.
8) Eulogy (Episode Seven)
Unfortunately, Eulogy is a bit of a rambler, though it does set up some important themes and plot points heading into the final few episodes.
7) Witness Marks (Episode Eight)
Far less haunting than much of the series, Witness Marks acts as a bridge episode, setting up a few crucial details for the 9th and 10th episodes. Witness Marks also clarifies some plot points before heading into Luke's failed arson attempt.
6) Open Casket (Episode Two)
Open Casket draws a direct line from Shirley's childhood to her chosen profession. Her relationship to death and grief is explained by traumas during her formative years. The episode is strong and sets up the character quite well.
5) Touch (Episode Three)
Theo as a character, is compelling and her origin story is made better by the talent of young McKenna Grace. Of course, Kate Siegel is remarkable as the closed off and prickly Dr. Theo Crain.
4) Screaming Meemies (Episode Nine)
Screaming Meemies is the big reveal. In this episode, we finally understand what has plagued the matriarch of the Crain family and drawn Olivia so thoroughly into darkness. Carla Gugino is terrifying and compelling as a woman consumed by fear and delusions.
3) The Twin Thing (Episode Four)
Oliver Jackson-Cohen gives a moving performance as Luke Crain in The Twin Thing episode. Up until that point, Luke's drug addiction has been seen through the lens of his long suffering siblings. However, in this vignette we understand more about Luke's bond with his sister and see this character experience the heartbreaking disappointment of betrayal.
2) Two Storms (Episode Six)
Two Storms is a beautifully constructed and masterfully acted episode. After five episodes that zeroed in on individual Crain family members, Two Storms pans out (literally and metaphorically) for a wider glimpse at the family, both in Hill House and as they prepare to bury Nell.
The episode offers uninterrupted moments of family drama in a way that bridges the gap between the first and second part of the series.
1) The Bent Neck Lady (Episode Five)
The Bent Neck Lady episode is the most jarring episode of the series. It's also the best. The Haunting of Hill House spends five episodes carefully crafting this shadowy foil that follows Nell her entire life.
When the true identity of the Bent Neck Lady is revealed, you're instantly flooded with an overwhelming sense of disbelief and sadness for the character. The reveal is so well executed and it manages to speak to the larger idea of inadvertently terrorising one's self when processing grief.
