In Episode 6 of "The Fall of the House of Usher," the turmoil encompasses Tamerlane Usher as sleep evades her, pulling her into a vortex of insanity and spectral visions. A distinct episode unfolds with her discovering an emerald box, adorned with her company's logo, and teeming with insects upon opening - a harrowing symbol that her mind is pleading for rest.
Meanwhile, Roderick Usher, stained in fresh blood, converses, exuding pride over his priceless antiquities, his demeanor oddly juxtaposed with the macabre visual of his attire.
As Madeline enters the scene, a horrific revelation is presented by Roderick - Victorine has committed suicide, additionally claiming Alessandra's life. Shocking yet another admission follows, Roderick confesses to removing the cardiac mesh device and taking it as a trophy. Verna, another Usher, is implicated, stirring Madeline to urge Roderick to confront her, demanding retribution.
Juno, in solitude the following day, cannot connect with Roderick, swallowing several Ligodone pills to drown her desolation. Tamerlane, seeking her father, leaves a message with Juno upon finding his absence.
Frederick, appearing mindlessly distant and unbothered about his spouse, meets with his daughter Lenore. She engages with her grandfather, Roderick, feeling uneasy about her father’s bizarre behavior. Roderick, attempting to assure her safety, suggests life alters individuals, yet his own erratic, rambling speech unnerves Lenore deeply.
The episode intertwines with law enforcement combing through a crime scene, with Pym securing evidence and discovering paperwork containing Verna’s image and residence - a dwelling that once belonged to a young Roderick.
In a twist of temporal shifts, a current-day discussion between Roderick and Detective Charles becomes disoriented by Roderick’s hallucination, visualizing a lifeless, blood-soaked Tamerlane.
A retrospective scene emerges with Roderick, Charles, and Madeline conspiring to topple their existing boss. The plan necessitates Roderick to retrieve critical documents from the company, a task he navigates slyly, evading the boss during a tense moment in the office basement.
Arthur Pym then shares his investigative findings with Roderick and Madeline, revealing photographs of Verna amidst influential figures from the 1990s. Madeline urges Pym to pursue this lead, although Roderick remains skeptically nonchalant about the impending severity of the situation.
As the narrative veers towards the unveiling of the Goldbug product, Tamerlane is burdened with worry due to the absence of Billy and Roderick. Nonetheless, Madeline instills a belief in her that her capabilities extend beyond her current realization.
An unsettling hallucination of Candy (Verna) plagues Tamerlane during her presentation, causing a chaotic outburst that inadvertently injures Juno. The trauma propels Tamerlane to withdraw, seeking refuge first in her dressing room and then her bedroom.
In a disturbing finale within her room, Tamerlane, haunted by recurring visions of Candy in the mirrors, engages in a destructive frenzy that ultimately leads to her own death amidst shattered glass.
Edgar Allan Poe's works, notably “The Gold-bug” and “The Fall of the House of Usher,” play an inspirational role in this episode, primarily focusing on Tamerlane's tragic downfall. The character’s name and narrative arc also draw inspiration from Poe’s poem "Tamerlane," which explores themes of abandonment and the pursuit of power at the expense of love.
Throughout the episode, Tamerlane’s gradual mental disintegration culminates in her unfortunate demise. Concurrently, the elder Usher siblings, with aid from Pym, delve deeper into unraveling Verna's involvement in the unfolding tragedies.
While this episode might lack the startling horror or unsettling disquiet of its predecessors, it still harnesses a compelling narrative that leaves a potent, lingering impact on its audience. Tamerlane's death, though less eerie compared to other Ushers’, remains a pivotal moment in the unfolding drama.
