‘The Haunting of Bly Manor’ Recap: ‘The Two Faces, Part Two’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Seven of 'The Haunting of Bly Manor'. 
​
Thus far, our journey through The Haunting of Bly Manor has allowed for us to explore some supremely unique concepts. For this non-traditional ghost story has taken the time to examine the nature of trauma and loss on a deep and intimate level with its characters, all while taking the time to explore what life after death might be like since that’s a topic that ignites our imagination. But while it has been quite wonderful to get to know the characters that populate this rich world and what has driven them to Bly, at some point in time the story has to begin to come together and lead us toward some kind of goal/resolution and it just so happens, that after six episodes of world-building and psychological exploration, that unity finally started to come to fruition in episode seven.

For ‘The Two Faces, Part Two’ made it clear that all of the explorations we’ve been upon were part of a grand plan. One designed to tie all of these explorations together, while finally revealing the truth about this mysterious home and why spirits roam its halls. But not before examining one last element about the Afterlife. For this story also made sure to explore the flip side of what happens when we pass on. Because it turns out that being trapped between worlds can in fact be its own unique hell, as Peter Quint’s ghostly journey in this tale taught us. Because he was miserable as a ghost, and despite doing his best to be near Rebecca after revealing himself to her, he simply had zero control over the spirit world’s ability to suck him into memories in the same manner that Hannah suffered through. Except in Peter’s case, he was trapped in dark and twisted memories, the kind that forced him to face his sorted and broken past and far worse.

Because eventually he came to discover that one of Bly’s big secrets, involves the fact that the ghosts that populate this place, eventually lose their identity for reasons unknown to us, as of yet. But the prospect of spending the rest of eternity as a lonesome and faceless spirit was more than he could bear, and he opted to do some radical things to change that little problem. Such as possess Rebecca and lead her into the water so her spirit would join his, a move she wasn’t good with after her death and to top it off, he had quite the scheme in mind to escape that horrific and empty fate… by finding a way to live again, through the children. Which is why Rebecca has been toying with Flora’s memories all this time. So that the children would be ready to receive Rebecca and Peter into their minds, so these star-crossed lovers could live a new life through Miles and Flora's eyes. 

Which is a dastardly plan for certain… one that Peter has brought to fruition, by way of the nature of trauma and loss. Because these broken kids miss their parents dearly and are desperate to see them again and locking them within a memory involving mom and dad is how Peter secured his and Rebecca’s future. But while this plan brought Peter nothing but joy after he slipped into Miles’ mind, since it gave him new life and allowed for him to cause trouble for Hannah by reminding of her true state, Rebecca decided to not follow through when it comes to her possession of Flora. For she viewed this as wrong and by not stepping into the young girl’s mind, she gave Flora a fighting chance to survive away from the madness and the evil of Bly Manor. Something that Dani became acquainted with in the closing moments of this tale, since the mysterious monster that ended Peter’s life was quick to wrap its rotten hands around her throat.

Which of course, is quite the cliffhanger to end this story upon. One that did a wonderful job of blending together so many storytelling elements. Because it was simply a stroke of genius to transform the trauma of power and loss into something quite dangerous in this particular tale and it was equally as brilliant to revisit the afterlife in order to inject a unique twist into the plot. All while taking the time to reinforce how the ghosts we carry drive us to do horrible things, even in death, as evidenced by Peter Quint's sorrowful journey here. But what matters more, is that just that like that we are now barreling toward a powerful finale. One that is going to bring everything together in a horrifying manner as Bly’s secrets and outright power are finally revealed to us. Until next time.  

---