The Fall of the House of Usher | Episode 2 Reaction | What Masque Would You Wear?

[@jeffmartin1026]

Each episode is based on a story by EA Poe, this one was Mask of the Red Death. In medieval times the elite were invited to live in a castle, locked in to keep them safe from the Black Plague. They hold a masquerade party but of course Death still comes in. If you are familiar with the stories, it adds a bit in that you know (basically) how each child dies but not knowing doesn't detract from the episodes. Verna is not the devil per se, she is closer to karma.

[@sebastianemond5313]

I didn't see it until later, but I like that Verna is an anagram for Raven. She is the embodiment of Death, and she comes to collect her due from The Ushers.

[@mnomadvfx]

"Verna is not the devil per se, she is closer to karma" There's definitely something more than mere karma going on with her. She's neither Lucifer, nor 'Death' nor some manifestation of karma. None of these limited descriptions fit her actions directly given the full events and interactions with all the Usher family members in the series. She's placing her hand on the scales of world events in specific places of influence.

[@thectyptid00]

@@mnomadvfxI think she is an ancient entity, that gives potential powerful people the opportunity to become their most powerful selves. She doesn’t pressure them and discloses what they will get and what the payment would be. She watches over humanity and sees past, present, future and potential (things that could have happened but never did). She also isn’t evil and sticks to the deal - she didn’t go after the Ushers until Rodrick found out he was dying. She gave every Usher kid ample amount of warnings and opportunities to make their end easier, and only did what she had to do, also punishing them for their flaws (i won’t say sin, because she isn’t connected to any religion). She is both the opportunity and the consequence

[@tonygriffin_]

When I watched this episode at home, I sat staring at the screen as the credits rolled (in total silence as they used no music) with my jaw on the floor.

[@screamingcolormusic]

me too. one of the most out of the left field, incredible, gorgeous, perfect endings to an episode i've ever seen. just glorious.

[@khughes1997]

The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allan Poe is one of his best works. Good adaptation from Mike Flanagan!

[@yvonnejaime1266]

❤❤ She is not the devil, she's not even evil. Verna is an anagram for Raven. She is the raven. She is the executor of fate or executor of karma. Verna is a shape shifter. She manifests to each person at the moment before their death, as they can see her. Verna is offering each person the most honest conversation they will ever have in their life. She offers them the opportunity to do good things. To make a different decision. She is like a raven also looking into people's lives. What they are, what they will become, what they would have been in a different life. She sees you from the inside as well. She allows people to tell the truth in a way I think we rarely do. The Usher kids are like different instruments Verna is like a symphony she Ties them together. Verna and Juno are my favorite characters on this show. I love it! The ending was the Cuddle Puddle!

[@cassandramcbride7007]

and how allow them to discover the things... since we do not know, if they already finish the show or no

[@raven2435]

So to save some trouble, each episode is named after and loosely based on a Poe stories. This one is Masque of the Red Death. It's the story of a bunch of rich people hiding from a plague by having a Masquerade Ball, when I cloaked figure with a skull mask shows up, who happens fo be Death, and kills them all.

[@tremorsfan]

There's a very subtle reference to another Poe story in this episode. Throughout the episode Camille says "Toby, Damn it". This is the name of a character in one of Poe's stories "Never Bet the Devil Your Head".

[@randallwilliamson3838]

She is unable to have real intimacy so watching a domestic situation with intimacy is her thing.

[@shellylynn1293]

This story is based on “The Masque of the Red Death” by Poe.

[@romanandrew9176]

I barely noticed Madeline’s older self is Jill’s Mom (Sidney’s aunt) in Scream 4 lol

[@user1927]

I don't view her as the devil either. I think she is far more primordial, maybe Death/Fate personified

[@przemekkozlowski7835]

She does not really fit into our Western view of these concepts. She is not neutral as we see Death but she is not malevolent as we see the Devil. After each episode you wonder if the deceased Usher really deserved what happened to him or her. Was Perry evil enough to deserve his horrible death and how bad were the guests at his party? Why did Verna only try to save the employees and the sister-in-law?

[@mnomadvfx]

She fits the Faustian archetype though. The kind who makes deals, only you don't get out of hers.

[@Baliizadon]

I definitely think you’re on the right track. She really doesn’t seem to push people towards “sin” or vice. She is just the natural consequences of their actions. Fate or some sort of entity of fate for sure.

[@cynthiaschultheis1660]

Detective Augusta Dublin is character is Poe's detective in his stories "Purloined Letter" and "Murders in Rue Morgue" POE'S WISE DETECTIVE BEFORE SHERLOCK!!!!👍👍👍👍

[@SM-BSW]

He was one of the inspirations for Sherlock, in fact! *Cue "The More You Know" shooting star*

[@number1fool]

Blackmail is a fantastic business strategy bc it’s a lifelong commitment. As long as you have leverage, and as long as someone doesn’t want other people to know something, it’s endless incentive for them to keep paying

[@RealBradMiller]

24:44 Omg, it's Gerald's Game all over again! I frigging love callbacks and Easter eggs like this.

[@cynthiaschultheis1660]

So strange seeing actor playing Frederick was boy in "E.T. TERRESTRIAL"

[@user-cu9dl8pz4z]

7:33 I misheard masquerade as mass grave 😅

[@gacchan]

So, so so glad you're doing this series. Looooved this react.

[@cynthiaschultheis1660]

JUNO IS MY FAVE CHARACTER❤

[@marklouis1890]

Perry has RIZZ

[@ElmStReactions]

This show is amazing

[@mnomadvfx]

Ended up more scared than watching Haunting of Hill House, and that's really something.

[@ElmStReactions]

@mnomadvfx i thought hill house was scarier but this was freakier and loved the story

[@SM-BSW]

The less you know about Poe's writing, The less the plot will be spoled for you. Because most of the episode titles give the death away.

[@system0fadowner251]

True but I also think having knowledge of the stories Flanagan is pulling from actually gives a far richer experience.

[@SM-BSW]

@@system0fadowner251 he does, but it's not as much of a surprise

[@marklouis1890]

I know some of Poe's work but not that well, so nothing was spoiled for me, not even episode 5

[@cynthiaschultheis1660]

IN THE POE STORY...USHER HAS NO KIDS...JUST HE AND MADELINE.❤

[@cynthiaschultheis1660]

Seen Griswold actor in Big Bang Theory!!😅😆😃

[@nickb5371]

29:00 this was horrific oh my god

[@CrownlessKing88]

The female version is called a Cuckquean.

[@seancarletonzero]

It's not practical, but I'm a big fan of Scream, so I'm going as Ghostface.

[@cynthiaschultheis1660]

MESH HEART LIKE AN ARTIFICIAL HEART\PACEMAKER.😵😵😵😵

[@martinbraun1211]

🖖

[@takewhataway]

It's very subjective ofc but Prospero's death for me is the worst way to die compared to the other siblings. And I wish the show didnt show the mangled bodies of the siblings in the beginning because then it's quite easy to guess what's gonna happen to them. And for me it lessened the fun. Also again, this is for me personally, Poe's works are so amazing that I'm not impressed with Flanagan's take lol This is Flanagan's weakest work out of the three House series. But I really like his social and pop culture commentary in this one. We'll see if you share the same sentiment by the end of the show

[@robaer8d]

Teeth are fixed

[@CLFmoto87]

She is devil/demon imo. Some of her comments in the show rule out the fate/karma idea other folks seem to have. She’s not very well thought out. A bit inconsistent for a devil.

[@TotallyNotLoki]

because she is not a devil. She is The Raven. Ravens are commonly associated with death but also prophecy and fate, so I think just calling her a devil is not quite accurate.

[@number1fool]

Man so judgmental

[@cherrybomber69]

Rotting babies were just found left in a hospital... they just left the babies to slowly die on their own...I really dont want to live in this world anymore.... how do this things happen and most people dont even care...

[@cynthiaschultheis1660]

I FIND IT INTERESTING WOMAN (EVIL) WAS IN PICTURES WITH OTHER WEALTHY, CRAZY, CORRUPT FAMILIES!!!👍👍👍😵😵😵😵😵😵

[@kea6067]

this is def a spoiler

[@raianthony8492]

Spoiler