In the penultimate episode, we are transported to 1979. Auguste provides Roderick with strategic advice for an impending board meeting, where they plan to unseat the boss. Young Frederick’s playful noises irk Roderick, leading to a heated moment before Annabel intervenes. During Roderick’s absence, Annabel confides in Auguste, urging him to support her husband after his anticipated dismissal.
Auguste shares a heartfelt conversation about love and relationships with Roderick, emphasizing the value of Annabel. However, Roderick, swayed by Madeline’s counsel, ultimately betrays Auguste during the crucial board meeting. Auguste’s outrage prompts him to storm out. Madeline assures Roderick that Fortunato will secure his release, deepening Annabel’s distrust in both Roderick and Madeline.
In the present timeline, attorney Auguste’s impatience grows. Roderick promises to reveal the truth about Annabel but keeps him in suspense. As the pendulum ominously swings, Roderick hints at his son Frederick’s role in ensuring the truth prevails. Auguste, already tormented by unsettling voices, grapples with increasing fear and uncertainty. In the past, Arthur Pym and the elder Usher siblings lament Tamerlane’s tragic demise. The board faces a pivotal vote, with Frederick’s ballot carrying significant weight.
Roderick summons Frederick, urging him to endorse the structure’s demolition. Meanwhile, Madeline discusses succession plans with Arthur, contemplating her ascension to the CEO position. The dynamics within the Usher family continue to evolve. Frederick’s cruelty towards Morella escalates, culminating in a horrifying act of violence. He orchestrates the demolition, exhibiting a chilling disregard for his brother Prospero. Lenore’s discovery of her mother’s condition shocks her to the core, exposing the depths of Frederick’s brutality.
The narrative shifts to Madeline’s return to her former residence, where she encounters Verna. A tense negotiation ensues, culminating in a cryptic recitation by Verna before her enigmatic departure. Fredrick’s visit to the demolition site takes a sinister turn. He confronts his own demons, leading to a fateful encounter with Verna and a devastating outcome. Madeline, discovering Roderick in the basement, delivers news of Frederick’s demise. In the final act, she offers Roderick an escape, setting in motion a series of events that will define their fate. Verna intervenes, defying Madeline’s plan and ushering in a shocking resurrection.
The episode deftly navigates between past and present, shedding light on pivotal moments that shape the Usher family’s tragic legacy. Auguste’s counsel to Roderick unveils a tapestry of alliances and betrayals, while young Frederick’s presence underscores the weight of impending decisions. The pendulum metaphor, a potent symbol of impending catastrophe, is brilliantly executed. Fredrick’s demise beneath a colossal pendulum-like object during the demolition is a haunting visual, perfectly aligning with Poe’s thematic resonance.
The episode skillfully juxtaposes moments of vulnerability and brutality, exemplified by Frederick’s escalating violence towards Morella. Lenore’s shocking discovery serves as a gut-wrenching testament to the depths of her father’s malevolence. The climax, set against the backdrop of Frederick’s demise and Roderick’s impending fate, sets the stage for a riveting conclusion. Madeline’s last-ditch effort and Verna’s intervention culminate in a shocking turn of events, leaving the narrative poised on a precipice.
