‘The Haunting of Bly Manor’ Recap: ‘The Altar of the Dead’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Five of ‘The Haunting of Bly Manor’.
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It is a common belief that this age of information and technology, has more or less removed our ability to believe in matters of the supernatural or the unexplained and it is understandable as to why folks stand by that. For the internet is able to explain to us why certain strange phenomena happen, and science has in fact, solved a great many of the mysteries that plagued us ages ago. But in reality, there are still plenty of us out there who hold to those all-important elements because we don’t have the answers to all of our questions just yet. For example, while we fully understand why our bodies have to expire on a biological level, we are still quite curious as to what exactly happens to us after we die. 

Because thankfully, no one has returned from the grave to offer up a detailed report on what awaits us in the beyond. And if they did, then we have bigger problems on our hands. But all of that aside, we truly are curious as to what happens when we close our eyes one more time and take our final breath, and the endless possibilities of what could occur, has enticed creative minds to explore such matters, more times than we can count. And it just so happens that this particular concept is explored in great detail in the next episode of The Haunting of Bly Manor. A feat that ‘The Altar of the Dead’ accomplishes, by allowing for the viewer to spend time with one of the friendlier ghosts that populates this ancient and mysterious home, one Hannah Grose. 

Yes, that’s right, in this particular tale we come to learn that Hannah is in fact, dead and roaming the halls of Bly Manor and how and why that happened, we will get to in just a moment. Because what matters more about this exploration is that writer Angela LaManna postulates that death is something that is akin to a dream. For Hannah spends a lot of time reliving important moments that she experienced at Bly, the kind that helped to form her love of the children and her job, and that’s quite the unique way to present death. As a series of collected moments that feel familiar yet distant and the show gets serious props for not presenting anything too complex in regard to this notion. Because to do so would have removed the gravity of the moments that followed Hannah’s loose understanding of her current situation.

Because eventually her time in the world between worlds, allowed for her to understand that she can be anywhere she wants in time and see whatever she wants to see. Which in turn gives her purpose and reason to stay at Bly Manor as a spirit, since a great threat roams its halls at night. For his episode also revealed that the muddy tracks she’s cleaned up before, belong to a powerful spirit. One that is quick to cause harm when it sees fit, since it brutally murdered Peter Quint and trapped his spirit at Bly as well and that’s a noble and just reason to stick around, one that is further reinforced by the fact that Peter’s ghost is a threat in its own right as well. For he is able to inhabit Miles when he sees fit, and that’s why we’ve seen some odd and dark behavior from this young man and that is also related how Hannah died. Since Peter used Miles as a vessel for murder and well, that revelation and everything that precedes it makes for one unique episode when all is said and done. Simply because… it’s so outlandish and unlike anything else in this story. For the narrative is all over the place, in a purposeful fashion so that we are as confused as Hannah, lending credence to the notion that death is a dreamlike state.

Which is a brilliant way to explore a concept that so many of us ponder upon and the wonder of this tale doesn’t there. Because it also deserves serious kudos for finding a way to drop some surprises in our laps without telegraphing them in the slightest. Since everything involving Peter Quint and his fate comes out of the blue and takes you completely off guard. But truly, what makes this particular tale so worth the audience’s while, is that it postulates the theory that not all ghosts are evil, and that some are genuinely eager to save lives and help the innocent. Something that is a rarity in horror and really, in the end, this stunning tale definitely leaves the viewer out of sorts when it comes to a close. For we haven’t a clue what to expect from this show going forward since clearly, nothing is quite what it seems and that is a wonderful way to set up the second half of this season. Since it leaves us eager to continue the journey and see what other surprises await us as we explore the shadows of Bly Manor. Until next time.

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