‘The Haunting of Bly Manor’ Recap: ‘The Way It Came’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Four of ‘The Haunting of Bly Manor’.
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Perhaps one of the greatest mysteries out there when it comes to the human condition, is why we continually run from our problems and our feelings. Because deep down, each of us know that confronting the issues we face; will help us to grow and learn and bring us peace and strength as well. But despite knowing that, we still run and hide at every opportunity, and bury our emotions in an effort to appear strong and brave, while knowing full well that we are only delaying the inevitable. For the day will come when we can run from our problems no more. But while the reasons for such avoidances are often catered to the individual, there are some universal reasons as to why people do everything within their power to avoid dealing with those issues, and it just so happens that the next episode of The Haunting of Bly Manor takes the time to examine a couple of them. 

Which made ‘The Way It Came’ quite the poignant episode, one that was methodical in its examination of this topic. Because it genuinely took the time to help us to understand what would motivate someone to run away form their problems in the first place, and that means that Dani Clayton’s past finally came into focus, largely due to the fact that the death of Owen’s mother made her ponder upon her own loss and well, what we learned about Dani was heartbreaking for certain. Because prior to arriving at Bly, she was engaged, and preparing to spend the rest of her days with her high school sweetheart and while that should have brought her great joy and hope for the future, Dani was struggling with all of this. In part because she simply wasn’t ready, but also because… Eddie wasn’t what she wanted.

Because Dani came to discover that she had zero attraction to men and trying to navigate her newfound understanding of her sexuality and how to express that to Eddie, led to disaster. For before she could come out to him, Eddie threw a broken-hearted fit, one that eventually led to his death by way of a collision with a car. And learning of his passing and how he haunts Dani, is what led to the exploration in question. And as it turns out, our reasons for avoiding our problems or our pain relates to some supremely complex thoughts and powerful emotions. Such as fear. Because part of us believes that if we confront the ache in our heart and resolve it, the person that we are holding onto and grieving over, may suddenly leave our memories and that’s a terrifying prospect. One that we eventually learn isn’t real in the slightest.   

But truly, the most powerful part of this exploration came about when the story revealed that Dani, and in so many of us in the audience… are keen to hang onto our problems and our pain, simply because we believe that we deserve to be punished. A thought process that comes forth out of guilt primarily, since we believe that not saying goodbye properly or saying something salty before they left our lives makes us responsible for their end, and we need to carry this pain to atone for a moment that was in fact, completely and utterly out of our control. Which is something that Dani finally realizes by the end of the episode. Since we leave her in this particular tale, with a bottle of wine and her troubles and a determined look upon her face. One that speaks to how she is finally ready to make peace with what has happened. 
 
But what matters more, is that this particular tale did a phenomenal job of exploring some of the more ‘shameful’ and ‘selfish’ reasons that motivate us to avoid confronting our issues. And what it had to say here was brilliant and poignant and relevant, and kudos to this series for not passing judgment. Because this is all part of the grieving and healing process. But all therapeutic messages aside, this episode also shines for taking the time to finally fill us in on Dani’s backstory and what truly makes her tick. Because what we learned about her added depth to her already dynamic character and this grand reveal also leaves you rooting for Dani when all is said and done. For now, you want her to find the peace she craves and the right kind of love, since clearly spending time in the closet is ripping her soul to shreds and well… in the end, this episode just proves that Bly Manor really is a different kind of horror story. One that truly explores the power of the ghosts we carry and that is going to make for some incredible and moving moments as this unique ghost story continues along. Until next time.  

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