Channel Zero: No End House (Syfy)
Episode 1: This Isn’t Real

Full of guilt and grief after the death of her father, Margot has withdrawn from the world. Her friend Jules stops by to break her out of this funk. Both get a weird video announcing the arrival of No End House.

Jules convinces Margot to go to a bar where they meet J.D. (a childhood friend) and Seth (handsome stranger). J.D. knows all about No End House and fills them in on the lore. Basically, it’s a highbrow pop-up haunted house that is the stuff of legends. There are six rooms. Each successive room gets weirder, more frightening. People who are brave enough to make it into the sixth room are never seen again.

The gang goes back to Margot’s house and end up discussing their nightmares and fears around the pool. Margot sees a commercial for No End House that finally reveals its location. The group ventures to NEH and despite seeing people leaving the house sick/vomiting, they go in…and life will never be the same.

My Thoughts:
Overall, it wasn’t a bad first episode. It left me with a lot of questions and I’m willing to stick around for the answers. I don’t think the following is spoilery, but if you haven’t seen the 1st episode this probably won’t make much sense. 🙂

How is No End House related to Candle Cove?
The series have at least two things in common right off the bat:
#1 words carved on flesh.  (Mike from Candle Cove had carved “Come Home Mike” into his arm. Lacey, the very first person we see in No End House, has “This Isn’t Real” carved into her arm.)
#2 the long hallway of dread/
Will all of the stories in the Channel Zero series have a big, overarching story attached to them? Could No End House be a manifestation of Eddie and/or Mike from Candle Cove?

No End House
-I like that they turned the haunted house into and art installation. It gives the event an air of pretentiousness and explains why no one is disturbed about this structure appearing out of the blue.
-The house generously gives you an exit door for the first three or four rooms. There is more than enough warning, it essentially says to them, “I know what you are afraid of and you will meet your nightmares here.” The gloves come off when you miss your last chance to leave.
-I do wonder if people who take the exit really do get to leave, but I like to think the house plays fair.

Can We Trust The Narrative? (Or the incredible moving car)
I have a strong suspicion that we aren’t watching a linear narrative.

Quick Character Notes
J.D. – I think his bust did not change because, while others hide their fears inside, he wears his on his skin (tattoos). [Funny how he is the most enthusiastic about NEH but, per Jules, is the only oen of the group who hasn’t received an invitation.]
Jules – I hope her fears don’t have anything to do with succubi/sexuality.
Margot – I wonder if she has other reasons to feel guilty.
Seth – Um, he’s cute I guess. In a puppy dog way.