The Secret Alliance: Unraveling Madeline's Separate Agreement with Verna in House of Usher

Spoilers ahead for Netflix's The Fall of the House of Usher, including the show's finale.

Article Overview

Madeline may have made a secret agreement with Verna. She manipulates her brother Roderick as part of their plan to gain control of the company, but still depends on him to make important choices.

Madeline's insatiable quest for eternal life is revealed through her AI project and her unwavering desire to never die, ultimately resulting in her final act of murdering her own brother to assert her independence.

A captivating theory surrounding Edgar Allan Poe's Fall of the House of Usher proposes that Madeline struck a secretive agreement with Verna, potentially leading to disastrous consequences for the Usher siblings. In the opening episode of the Mike Flanagan series, viewers are enlightened to Madeline Usher's (portrayed by Mary McDonnell and later by Willa Fitzgerald) childhood revelation: William Longfellow (played by Robert Longstreet) is her and Roderick's (depicted by Bruce Greenwood and later by Zach Gilford) estranged biological father. Despite Eliza Usher (played by Annabeth Gish), the twins' mother, working as Longfellow's secretary at Fortunato, the heartless CEO wanted nothing to do with his own flesh and blood. In a cruel twist, Eliza, buried alive, summons her last ounce of strength to escape her makeshift coffin and strangle Longfellow.

It is evident that Madeline's perception of "powerful men" was influenced by her relationship with Longfellow. Believing that they are entitled to fortune, Madeline constantly devises schemes to overthrow Rufus Griswold, their father's successor, and hand control of the company to Roderick. After successfully portraying Roderick as a dependable employee, Madeline and her brother bury Griswold alive during a New Year's Eve celebration. To create an alibi, the Usher siblings visit a local bar, which is coincidentally managed by Verna, an immortal being with connections to death within the House of Usher. The events that unfold at the bar drastically alter the Ushers' destiny.

House Of Usher Theory Reveals Madeline & Verna Made A Deal Before The Usher Siblings

As the Usher siblings step into Verna's bar on New Year's Eve, Madeline secretly hopes that their presence will be noticed by the other revelers. This would provide a potential alibi in case Griswold's death becomes known. However, Verna's bar is no ordinary local hangout; it exists beyond the confines of space and time. Just before midnight, Roderick abandons Madeline at the bar to dance with another bar-goer. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Verna engages in a private conversation with Madeline. She asks Madeline about her aspirations and desires for her future. In rapid response, Madeline expresses her strong desire to be free from any man's control and her wish to live an eternal life.

When the clock strikes midnight, Madeline turns to face the crowd before once again confronting Verna. In that very moment, a foreboding expression crosses Verna's face as the immortal being leans in to share a kiss with Madeline. While the tradition of sharing a New Year's Eve kiss with someone is well-known, some viewers have speculated that the conversation preceding the countdown is actually Madeline striking a separate deal with the devil - and the kiss serves as its seal. Nevertheless, Verna later insists that the Usher siblings publicly declare their binding agreement and toast to it, raising doubts about the authenticity of the earlier interaction between Verna and Madeline.

Madeline Manipulates Roderick, But She Also Relies On Him

Madeline may be seen as submitting to her brother, Roderick, in certain respects. It was Madeline who initially conceived the plan for the Usher siblings to overthrow Griswold and claim dominance over Fortunato, before encountering Verna. However, when the two siblings come together to negotiate their pact with Verna - one that trades their bloodline for prosperity and "certainty" - Roderick appears to be the one taking charge. Madeline hesitates, while Roderick exudes confidence and eagerness. It is plausible that Madeline simply wants Roderick to feel as though he has control over their destinies. After all, Madeline never had children in House of Usher, so Roderick has more at stake.

After witnessing the events unfold between her mother, Eliza, and Longfellow, Madeline was resolute in forging her own path. Although the Usher sister may never again submit to a man, she still depends on them. While it had always been part of her plan to place Roderick in the CEO position, she finds herself bound to him and his decisions. Furthermore, Madeline also relies on Arthur Pym (Mark Hamill), the trusted advisor of the Usher family. Despite the resources she obtained through the siblings' pact with Verna, Madeline still allowed Roderick to make a consequential decision on her behalf. Given the aspirations she expressed to Verna, this proved to be Madeline's significant misstep.

Madeline's AI Program Is Her Path To Immortality

Although there are various interpretations of Madeline and Roderick's relationship, the Usher sister's quest for immortality — as she explained to Verna — is more straightforward. Madeline, who is forward-thinking and knowledgeable about technology, believed that Fortunato's future relied on tech rather than pharmaceuticals. While Roderick saw House of Usher's Ligodone drug as the solution to pain and suffering, Madeline was convinced that artificial intelligence could not only provide an escape but also everlasting life. The Usher sister is now on the verge of completing a project that will generate A.I. consciousnesses of humans, allowing individuals to continue their existence (albeit in algorithmic form).

In the show's initial episodes, Madeline showcases her advanced technology to Roderick's granddaughter, Lenore (Kyliegh Curran), but the project remains unfinished. Madeline's fixation on immortality is evident through references to House of Usher's Queen Twosret legend and other instances. Her desk even features an Egyptian sarcophagus, indicating her fascination with the afterlife practices of the culture. Despite not completing her A.I. project, it can be argued that Madeline is afforded a disturbing opportunity to achieve everlasting life. Following the poisoning of his sister, Roderick attempts to mummify Madeline, planning to inter her in a basement tomb akin to that of an Egyptian queen, complete with all the necessary treasures for her afterlife.

Killing Roderick Is Madeline's Last Act (& Why It Matters)

There are numerous intriguing theories surrounding Madeline and Verna in the House of Usher. One such theory suggests that the two secretly struck a deal, excluding Roderick. However, Verna's favoritism towards her "Cleopatra" does not necessarily imply that she promised Madeline anything more. In fact, the arrangement between the siblings contradicts any notion of a binding promise that Madeline may or may not have made with Verna. It is more likely that Verna's private conversation with Madeline was simply a way to understand her desires and intentions. Furthermore, considering that Verna's bar exists beyond the constraints of time and space, it is also plausible that the siblings' agreement enabled them to orchestrate the demise of Griswold.

Disregarding the chronological order of events in the House of Usher, the deal was made outside the normal progression of time. In other words, the Ushers only achieved their plans because Verna had already given them certainty, but at the cost of the Usher family lineage. Regardless of the circumstances, Madeline Usher's final action carries great significance. Mirroring Eliza's killing of Longfellow, Madeline seemingly comes back to life to strangle Roderick. This startling moment fulfills both of Madeline's desires: she not only defies death, albeit temporarily, but she also ensures that a man does not have the upper hand during her ultimate moments in the Fall of the House of Usher.

Editor's P/S

In the captivating series, The Fall of the House of Usher, we witness a tale filled with gothic mystery and supernatural elements. One intriguing theory that has emerged revolves around the character of Madeline Usher and her potential secret alliance with Verna, an immortal being with connections to death. This theory suggests that Madeline may have struck a separate agreement with Verna, unbeknownst to her brother Roderick.

If this theory holds true, it adds a layer of complexity to Madeline's character and sheds light on her motivations throughout the series. It could explain her unwavering determination to gain control of the Usher company, as well as her willingness to manipulate and deceive those around her, including her own brother. The idea that Madeline would make a pact with Verna to achieve her goals, regardless of the consequences, reveals a deep-seated desire for power and immortality.