Lisa Tsai

I am a huge Mike Flanagan fan. Always have been and always will be. However, I am going to have to say this work was not his best.... everything out of his production is usually top notch. Netflix later series are always terrible, maybe because they are always rushed to push content. I would have gladly waited longer for a better quality production and narrative. The first few episodes were terribly slow. Character development (even main character) was lacking and the bulk of the storylines started weaving only in later half (starting in Ep 5 on). This was a serious departure from what I expected (as in Season 1 where there was immediate complexity to each and every one of the characters). I expected more twists and turns that accompany Flanagan's usual productions or even an intensity that is usually palpable. Instead, the whole thing fell a little flat. I feel the tie-in to historical storyline could have been pushed up (Viola's story was a bit wasted and dry, if you ask me). Many of the outcomes were just rather predictable, which I usually don't find Flanagan's productions to be. I have a feeling this series will not be renewed. The demand won't be as strong because it just was not as powerful this time around with Bly Manor.