The Mysteries Lingering in the Wake of The House of Usher's Demise

Warning: Spoilers ahead for The Fall of the House of Usher Episode 8.

WARNING: This article includes mentions of suicide.

Summary

The Fall of the House of Usher leaves many unanswered questions about the Usher family, its past, and the supernatural elements of the story.

Verna, a enigmatic figure, possesses the ability to metamorphose into a raven and plays a significant role in the Usher family's affairs, as well as other prominent individuals.

The disclosure of Roderick's confession to Auggie serves as an ideal culmination, symbolizing justice. However, its significance is ultimately futile due to Roderick's death and Auggie's decision to leave the confession engraved on his tombstone.

The Fall of the House of Usher, directed by Mike Flanagan, captivates its viewers with a blend of enigma and fascination throughout its eight episodes. Based loosely on Edgar Allan Poe's eponymous short story, the Netflix miniseries skillfully incorporates references and adaptations from the iconic horror writer's other works. Centered around the affluent Usher family, led by Roderick and Madeline Usher, the narrative unfolds as their heirs meet mysterious deaths. The tragic loss compels Roderick Usher to reflect on his past and the choices that propelled him to power.

Limited by the format of a miniseries, The Fall of the House of Usher introduces a variety of intriguing characters, yet some remain underdeveloped, leaving numerous unanswered questions about the Ushers and their history. Additionally, the supernatural aspects of the story are deliberately left vague, adding to its mysterious allure. The conclusion of The Fall of the House of Usher offers the audience ample food for thought, ranging from thematic concepts to specific plot details.

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10 What Exactly Is Verna?

Verna, a character from The Fall of the House of Usher, remains enigmatic, her true nature shrouded in mystery. She possesses the ability to transform into a raven, suggesting an immortal existence. For decades, she has been intertwined not only with the Usher family but also with numerous influential figures such as tycoons and politicians. With qualities comparable to those of fictional demons or even Death itself, Verna embodies a sense of justice rather than inherent evil.

9 Why Did Roderick Confess To Auggie?

8 Who Was Madeline Married To In House Of Usher?

The majority of The Fall of the House of Usher revolves around Roderick's admission to Auggie Dupin. Sadly, the recording of this confession proves useless as Roderick's demise leads to the case being closed, with Auggie inscribing it on his tombstone as a closing remark. If Verna symbolizes justice, then Roderick's sincere disclosure of his misdeeds to someone prior to his death brings about a fitting resolution.

Madeline's personal life in the series is portrayed as complicated, although it is not explored as much as Roderick's due to her lack of heirs. Following their agreement with Verna, Madeline took the precaution of using an IUD to ensure she would not have any children. While she briefly mentions being married, her strong focus on her personal and family goals suggests that she does not prioritize long-term romantic relationships.

7 Why Does Roderick Try To Kill Madeline?

The final episode witnesses Roderick Usher's sinister attempt to murder his sister before she reawakens and slays him as well. Not only does Roderick administer poison to her, but he also preserves her body, adorning her eyes with vibrant blue Egyptian stones. Recognizing the imminent demise, Roderick intends to inter both himself and his sister in a manner reminiscent of ancient Egyptian rulers. Nevertheless, he carries out this plan against her wishes, and she arises to strangle him, ultimately succumbing to death together as he had devised.

6 Why Did Verna Kill Innocents At Prospero's Party?

Verna's objective is to eliminate the successors of the Fall of the House of Usher lineage. During Prospero's event in episode 2, Perry Usher perishes, along with numerous other individuals, presumably innocent. Verna generally did not intend for the Ushers to suffer dreadful fates and even displayed mercy on occasion. The responsibility for the additional deaths at the gathering falls upon Perry, as he neglected to verify the content of the liquid substance within the tanks. Verna even advised Perry to cancel the event, offering him an opportunity to prevent the massacre.

5 Was Gris's Body Ever Found?

Rufus Griswold obstructed the path to power for the young Roderick and Madeline Usher, resulting in his demise. In Episode 8, the siblings eliminate him and conceal his body behind a brick wall, while disguised as a jester. The body remains undiscovered, as its revelation could have had severe repercussions for the siblings. Presently, they consider it a strictly confidential matter, refusing to even broach the topic with Arthur Pym.

4 Who Were Vic, Camille & Leo's Mothers?

During an Usher funeral, a group of mothers can be observed sitting together, casting disdainful glances towards Roderick. It is uncovered that Perry's mother worked as a blackjack dealer, while Vic's mother pursued a career as a nurse. However, no information about the other mothers is disclosed. Roderick Usher, known for his charismatic charm, seemed to have a lackadaisical attitude towards the women he was involved with. Tragically, his first wife, Annabel Lee, appears to have met an unfortunate fate following their separation.

3 How Did Madeline Usher Come Back To Life?

In the climax of The Fall of the House of Usher, Madeline Usher appears to resurrect from the dead to exact revenge on her brother, only to ultimately perish by his side. The series establishes a precedent for such occurrences in the first episode, where the siblings' mother emerges from her grave to kill William Longfellow. However, while their mother's return can be explained convincingly, Madeline Usher's resurgence can either be left as an enigmatic, mystical element of the show or attributed to Verna's extraordinary abilities.

2 Why Couldn't Roderick Die By Suicide?

In episode 7 of The Fall of the House of Usher, Roderick makes a desperate attempt to end his own life. His aim is to evade the impending fate shared by his fellow heirs. However, Verna intervenes and restores him back to life, expressing regret for not accepting his resignation. Just as Madeline Usher is resurrected for similar reasons, it is likely that Verna brought Roderick back because suicide did not align with her plans for both of them. Rather than being able to choose his own demise, Roderick is destined to let events unfold and ultimately perish alongside Madeline.

1 What Was The Significance Of AI?

Madeline Usher is consumed by her desire to achieve immortality. Her fascination lies specifically in the realm of AI technology, which she believes can offer her the potential to live eternally. While AI is a widely discussed and pertinent topic, Madeline's personal motivation stems from the possibility of attaining influence and authority even after her demise. Nonetheless, the true significance of AI remains one of the lingering enigmas surrounding the conclusion of "The Fall of the House of Usher."