These early episodes try to make a lot out of a little: a simply storm, a creaky door opening, etc etc. Compared to later episodes that are sometimes a whirlwind of activity, it's almost cute at what they attempted pre-Barnabas. Though I will note that some stretches of the later episodes (particularly where 1897 is concerned) can tend to go on and on for too much time just repeating the same plot lines.
I can appreciate the more simple approach in the earlier episodes when I watch them because they truly are working to set up the atmosphere.