As with Hill House, or Flanagans other work really, it really indulges itself far too much in the literal plotpoints and events of whats transpiring. There's no room for anything remotely resembling surrealism or anything, because every single piece of thing needs to be explained in the show at some point, and i really don't jell with it. I think its also the main reason for why the show just dips in quality in the second half for me. Half of the things explained didn't need explaining or could have been revealed in far less "bonk you over the head with it" manner, or any more interesting way really. Drama elements didn't strike me as well as in Hill House, but other than that i did like this more however. Old-ass british mansions and those working there is a soft spot for me there i guess. But uh yeah, not really scary outside of one scene that got me, so Flanagan continues to not be able to make scary films or tvshows. As with all of Flanagans other works, its heaps and heaps of intriguing horror elements just wasted, every damn time.