I wish they'd used the conversation between Cole and Lance at the top of the stairs, filmed for the un-aired pilot by Alex Singer, during the re-shot version of it used later in Season 1... It's more ominous.
I wished that, too. The predecessor wasn't very good, but that scene you described is excellent.
Lorenzo's and Billy's playing is equally good in # 004, but the set — as nicely as they tried to build the upper hallways in this very gothic and eerie way — didn't transport the very same ominous atmosphere as the actual upper hall in Villa Miravalle did. Of course, we all now that Spring Mountain's owners refused further filming in the house after the hardwood floors were scratched during filming "The Vintage Years", so Lorimar had to use the set they build for season 1. In my opinion, they should have replicated the upper hall with the stairway window on the sound stage with the landing and the second flight of stairs. It could have been used to create some more dramatic effects.