Unseen Verna: The Haunting Demon
In October, the premiere of The Fall of the House of Usher introduced audiences to a world of macabre moments and creepy characters. Among them, the shape-shifting demon Verna, portrayed by Carla Gugino, emerged as a mysterious and terrifying figure. Throughout the miniseries, multiple versions of Verna were showcased, each one more demonic than the last. However, there is an untold tale of a cut version of Verna that still lingers as an Easter egg in the show.
This collage shows Easter eggs in The Fall of the House of Usher and Verna in a skull mask.
Carla Gugino, the star behind Verna, revealed that a further manifestation of the character was removed from the show but can still be glimpsed in a subtle Easter egg form. This unseen Verna, haunting the area where Roderick and Madeline first encountered the debt-collecting demon, was a pivotal yet unseen presence in the House of Usher timeline.
The slow revelation of Verna's terrifying nature was a key element that upheld the suspense throughout the series. The removal of this version of Verna was a strategic move by Mike Flanagan, the creator, to maintain the airtight timeline and avoid potential plot holes. Despite the character's absence in the show, the lingering presence of this cut Verna continues to pique the curiosity of fans and enthusiasts.
The Missing Verna: A Plot Hole Avoided
Further insights into the removal of Verna from The Fall of the House of Usher shed light on the storytelling reasons behind this decision. According to Carla Gugino, the absence of this manifestation of Verna was crucial to avoid a plot hole, particularly in relation to Mary McDonnell's character, Madeline Usher.
While Gugino expressed sadness over the absence of this character, she also acknowledged the validity of the decision from a storytelling perspective. The careful curation of the narrative was essential to uphold the suspense and maintain the coherence of the storyline. The revelation of Verna's true nature was a calculated move by the creators, ensuring that the impact of the character remained intact until the shocking conclusion of The Fall of the House of Usher.
The Anagram and Unseen Footage
An intriguing detail related to Verna is the revelation that her name, Verna, is an anagram for Raven. This cryptic connection adds another layer of mystery to the character, further enriching the depth of her presence within The Fall of the House of Usher.
The cut footage of this unseen version of Verna, though absent from the show, holds the potential to offer viewers a deeper understanding of the character. The hope remains that these deleted scenes, featuring the creepiest manifestation of Verna, will eventually be unveiled to the public, allowing audiences to fully immerse themselves in the eerie world created by Mike Flanagan and Carla Gugino.