Part 3/8:
The introduction of characters such as Alfred—the antique shop owner—and Doctor MacNeil, who fortifies the family's fears while attempting to explain away their traumatic experiences, highlights the tension between seeking psychological explanations and the potential reality of the supernatural. With both Ethan and Vera experiencing disturbing events and visions, the notion of shared trauma begins to weigh heavily on them. Vera’s protective instincts for her brother clash against the continued psychological strain that Wes, having been affected by his own past traumas, increasingly projects onto the family.