In the first episode of the series, we are introduced to the Crain family, both past and present. First we are shown the young Crain family being awoken by the young Nell (Violet McGraw) who apparently had seen “the bent neck lady”. 



Her father Hugh Crain (Henry Thomas) explains how her dreams spilled over and that she was just imagining seeing the scary lady.



Jumping forward, we see all the children now as adults with adult problems and an extreme amount of baggage in relation to the Hill House. 



Something terrible happened in the past that led the family to flee from the house, and now in the present, it seems it is calling back to them.



The Haunting of Hill House