Deron Generally
Deron GenerallyThe Haunting of Hill House
Netflix
Season 1 Episode 3
Touch
Theodora Crain is the focus of this episode. The middle daughter of the Crain family has a certain gift and that gift is the reason why she wears gloves, even as an adult. In the past, Theo has a knack for knowing what is inside certain objects as well as being able to touch people and get impressions or visions from them. A gift that helps her later in life when she becomes a child psychologist. Her empathic abilities manifest in Hill House in ways that reveal things about certain characters like Mrs. Dudley and her fear for the children. It also gives her a more terrifying reveal when she touches her mother Olivia.
In the present, Theo is dealing with the loss of Nell by recounting her experience at her sister’s wedding. It was the moment that her sister and older brother discover that she is a lesbian. Her gift comes into service again when she finds herself dealing with a young girl hiding a terrible secret about her Foster family. She also learns more than she wanted to about how her sister died.
This is one of the best episodes so far of the series. There are so many great moments with Theo as both a child and as an adult. The viewer gets to see how the past informs who she becomes and her point of view on the family drama from her past becomes unique among her siblings due to her gift. The acting is amazing as well. Kate Siegel is great as Theo and there are some really intense character moments in this episode that Siegel brings to life with a strong performance.
This episode also features the first real jump scares in the series with young Luke’s encounter in the hidden room as well as Theo’s vision of her mother after touching her hand. There are so many interesting moments in this episode that continue to paint an intriguing and engaging picture of this series going forward.
The Haunting of Hill House S01XE04
