The Haunting of Bly Manor —like it’s anthology predecessor, The Haunting of Hill House — left fans stunned with it’s shocking midseason twist. Episode 5 changes the entire story, and makes you look back on what you’ve already seen with new eyes.
Warning: spoilers for the first five episodes below!
Fans have been waiting for what seems like an eternity for Bly Manor to be released, and the wait was over this weekend. Netflix unleashed the season season of it’s original horror anthology, and fans were immediately sucked in. However, it was Episode 5 that really spun the series into a new direction.
Another midseason twist, just like ‘The Haunting of Hill House’
Much like Hill House, where fans found out that the Bent-Neck Lady was really the ghost of one of the show’s main character’s traveling through time to haunt herself in an attempt to warn of her impending death, Bly Manor also delivered with an unforeseen twist with “The Altar of the Dead.”
Here’s what happened during Episode 5 of ‘The Haunting of Bly Manor’
The episode focuses mainly on the house’s wise, yet weird, housekeeper, Hannah Grose. During the back and forth of the show, it’s reveals what Hannah had been through before fans met her. She was newly divorced after finding out that her husband had been cheating on her.
Her interactions with Peter Quint and Rebecca Jessel are also seen. It’s more than clear that Hannah doesn’t like Peter, and she’s not a fan of his romantic relationship with the sweet and kind Rebecca.
Flashing back and forth it’s revealed that the ghost of the home, The Lady in the Lake, isn’t the ghost of Rebecca at all, but a terrifying, faceless woman who killed Peter and dragged his body into the lake with her.
Now that we know that Peter is dead and that Dani has been seeing his ghost lurk around Bly Manor, it’s also revealed that Peter’s spirit has been inhabiting little Miles, which explains for much of his odd behavior such as wanting to smoke and drink.
The Ghosts of Bly Manor are making themselves known
Sadly, Peter did get his revenge for Hannah’s meandering in his relationship. While possessing Miles, he pushes Hannah down a dry well, where she falls and breaks her neck.
Looking back on the first four episodes, it’s clear that Hannah has been dead the entire time. She avoids physical touch with the other characters, and has refused food and drink on multiple occasions. She’s also admitted that she’s having trouble sleeping, and is often spotted rubbing her neck.
The realization that Hannah is dead, and that her spirit continues to walk the halls of Bly Manor is a total game changer for the series going forward, leaving fans with a fresh perspective on the story as they watch the final four episodes.
Emma Taylor 
Sofia Bassett 
Joshua Dale