Ep 1. An Invitation
- June 22, 2016
As the sun sets on the picturesque estate, the stars align for a night of mystery and adventure as ten YouTube personalities gather for a dinner party - having answered an invitation sent by the enigmatic host, the Society Against Evil. The guests arrive in period dress to find their host, Joey Graceffa, awaiting them full of joie de vivre. However, the festive atmosphere quickly turns tense as Joey reveals that they are all trapped in a deadly game of life and death.
The premise is that there are a series of rooms full of puzzles and clues that they need to solve in order to move on and survive. Soon, they learn that only one person will make it out alive as a reward for defeating the evil forces within the mansion. The guests are given specific roles based on their knowledge or expertise in a variety of subjects - such as survival skills or literature - and are expected to work together to solve clues and find a way out.
The episode sets up the intrigue, introducing the guests one at a time with their own little bios and how they will potentially provide a benefit to the group. The dinner party begins and the guests start getting to know each other, however, they soon realize that the party is not just any party, and that they are all embroiled in a mysterious and spooky situation they cannot escape.
As the guests begin to explore the mansion, they soon realize they are in a desperate situation. Armed with a mysterious book, they begin to solve the clues that will help them escape the night and defeat evil. The first room they encounter is a guest bedroom filled with puzzles and riddles. There are clues everywhere, but some of them seem more deadly than others. The group has to work together, putting their individual strengths to the test, to avoid falling into traps that will be fatal.
The episode features quick transitions and an upbeat tempo, with the guests starting to bond over the absurdity of what they're dealing with. There’s a distinct sense of playfulness in the first half of the episode, with guests trying to outsmart one another by solving the puzzles, before realizing that there are stakes to the game that are much more serious than anyone had initially thought.
The second half is where the show starts to really take off, as the guests face real danger as they encounter challenges that are beyond their capabilities. They are forced to make difficult decisions under time constraints, as the danger around them continues to mount. The characters are likeable and relatable, with viewers rooting for them to escape and lamenting the ones who don't make it.
The puzzles and challenges in this first episode are a perfect encapsulation of what’s to come in the rest of the season, cleverly designed and incredibly intricate. The show plays with genre conventions, mixing elements of horror, suspense, and adventure into one thrilling package.
Ultimately, the first episode sets a high bar for the rest of the season, introducing the audience to a set of lovable characters who are forced to work together to survive against all odds in a mysterious and perilous environment. The combination of puzzles, mystery, and drama make it a must-watch for fans of the genre.
