Ep 2. Open Casket

As a warning to viewers, this show may be too intense for some. If you're looking for a spooky show that leans more towards psychological horror, The Haunting of Hill House is for you. Season one episode two, Open Casket, follows the Crain family in both present day and as children. In the present day, they are preparing for their mother's funeral. It is here where we see how each member of the family is handling it. The youngest Crains, Nell and Luke, are struggling the most, as their mother's death has brought up old fears and traumas related to Hill House.

Cut to their childhood, where their funeral director father Hugh Crain is fixing a casket. This leads to a conversation between him and his son Steve about what happens after we die. Steve, being the cynic, believes that there is nothing after death. This is juxtaposed with Nell's belief that people turn into trees after they pass away. It's a sweet moment that reveals the innocence of childhood.

As the Crain family prepares for their mother's funeral, we see how each member copes with loss differently. Shirley, the eldest, is practical and keeps busy by managing the funeral home. Theo, the second eldest, works as a child therapist and wears gloves everywhere she goes. This part is interesting because it's revealed that she can "read" people's emotions through touch. Steve, the only boy in the family and a writer, is in denial about his grief and mostly keeps to himself.

There are a few creepy moments in the episode, as to be expected with a show called The Haunting of Hill House. There's a scene where Steve's daughter starts seeing things and is unable to sleep. Steve brushes it off as a side effect of the medicine she's on, but as the episode goes on it seems that there is something more sinister at play. Nell also has a few encounters with a ghostly woman in a wedding dress, although it's left up to interpretation as to whether or not it's real or just in her head.

One of the standout moments of the episode is a monologue delivered by Shirley to her husband as she's trying to convince him to let her embalm their mother's body. She talks about how death should be beautiful and peaceful, not something to be feared. It's a poignant moment that shows how passionate she is about her profession and brings a level of humanity to a task that many would consider gruesome.

In conclusion, The Haunting of Hill House season one episode two, Open Casket, is an emotional rollercoaster that takes the viewer through the highs and lows of grief. It's an episode that chooses to focus on character development rather than jump scares, which is refreshing for a horror show. The moments of suspense are balanced out with moments of tenderness, making it a well-rounded viewing experience.