The Fall of the House of Usher: Who is the jester-like figure that Roderick sees at the funeral?

In the haunting and macabre finale of The Fall of the House of Usher, titled "The Raven," we finally discover the identity of the jester-like figure that Roderick Usher sees at the funeral of his children. This ominous and enigmatic figure is revealed to be Rufus Griswold, who wore a court jester costume during a New Year's Eve party in 1979. The costume serves as a symbol of deceit and betrayal, mirroring the events that unfold within the Usher family.Griswold's presence at the party becomes significant when Madeline Usher, the disturbed and vengeful sister, decides to lure him into the basement of the Fortunato building, where he is subsequently walled alive. This horrific act emulates the tale of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado," in which a man is tricked and entombed by someone he considers a friend. Here, Madeline and Roderick Usher become the perpetrators of this chilling crime, solidifying their descent into darkness.As the episode progresses, we witness the consequences of the Ushers' pact with Verna, a mysterious woman who represents death itself. In exchange for power and wealth, Verna demands that the Usher bloodline ends with Madeline and Roderick's deaths. This leads to a series of tragic events, including the death of Lenore, the final remaining member of the Usher family. However, it is revealed that Lenore's AI version continues to exist, albeit malfunctioning and repeatedly sending the message "Nevermore," reminiscent of Poe's famous poem "The Raven."In a gripping and climactic twist, Madeline attempts to escape her predetermined fate, resulting in Roderick poisoning and embalming her. Yet, Madeline, filled with rage and a desire for retribution, manages to break free from her grave and ultimately kills Roderick. This echoes the earlier murder committed by Eliza in the show's first episode, symbolizing the cyclical nature of violence within the Usher family.With the Usher bloodline extinguished, the series concludes with an epilogue that explores the aftermath of their demise. Juno inheriting Fortunato Pharmaceutical chooses to dissolve the company and establish a foundation to help individuals battling addiction. Arthur Pym, who resisted the temptations offered by Verna, becomes the only person arrested in the government's case against Fortunato. Auguste Dupin, the investigator who unraveled the Ushers' secrets, retires peacefully and leaves behind a recording of his conversation with Roderick at their childhood home. This recording serves as a haunting reminder of the Ushers' dark legacy.The eerie and mystical Verna, now in the form of a raven, returns the belongings of her victims to their graves, allowing their spirits to find closure. Each item represents their identity and the manner of their demise, tying together the intertwining threads of their tragic stories. Ultimately, "The Raven" signifies the fall of the House of Usher, a tale of deceit, revenge, and the inescapable grip of destiny.In this gripping finale, The Fall of the House of Usher not only unravels the mystery surrounding the jester-like figure but also explores the consequences of the Ushers' pact with death. Through symbolism, allusions to Poe's works, and a hauntingly atmospheric narrative, the episode offers a compelling and chilling conclusion to this mesmerizing miniseries.