The Haunting of Bly Manor

Netflix

Season 1 Episode 2

The Pupil

In the aftermath of Dani’s harrowing first night at the manor, the nanny decides to forgive the children for locking her in the closet. Unfortunately, her forgiveness does not come without punishment for the deed. An act that has an endearing effect on the rest of the staff, especially groundskeeper Jamie.

More strange occurrences happen when Miles chucks one of Flora’s dolls and Dani goes after it only to find herself in the basement of the house and not alone.

The story then shifts in focus to Miles and his time at boarding school. The troubled boy is having a hard time being away from the manor and his time there is spent trying to hurt himself and others in what are desperate calls for help. Calls that are answered by a sympathetic teacher who tries to reach out to the young boy. After Miles receives a letter from Flora begging him to come home, the boy’s behavior becomes more erratic and we see the events that caused him to be expelled.

Benjamin Evan Ainsworth gives an awesome performance in this episode as Miles. His emotional range and mannerisms make him both an object of sympathy and fear. Hannah finds herself becoming increasingly distracted by mysterious cracks in the walls and Dani becomes more disturbed by Miles’ behavior towards her. That evening, a simple game of hide and seek showcases that there are more entities in the manor and that the children know about them. Dani also discovers a secret in the forbidden wing and sees her first ghost.

THE HAUNTING OF BLY MANOR (L to R) AMELIE BAE SMITH as FLORA in episode, 202 of THE HAUNTING OF BLY MANOR. Cr. EIKE SCHROTER/NETFLIX © 2020

The second episode expands the mystery and begins a series of new ones as Dani discovers that there is something strange about the manor and Miles. The performances are great throughout and the plot and its pacing keep you engaged to the end and hungry for more.

The Haunting of Bly Manor S01XE02

8.5

8.5/10

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