Previously on "Ghosts": There’s a new 1940s Hollywood ghost in town named Joan (Taylor Ortega), and she’s got the hots for one sexually frustrated ghost of the Lenape Tribe (Román Zaragoza). But could Sas’s 500-year-long crush on a ghost bound to another property stand in their way?
Flower the
Much like last week, this episode's B storyline focuses on a seemingly mundane dispute among the ghosts. While Sas's decision regarding Joan and Shiki is the obvious main event, the ideological clash between Trevor (Asher Grodman) and Flower (Sheila Carrasco) over money is also delightfully fun.
Of course, any ruse designed by Trevor and Hetty (Rebecca Wisocky) is bound to be entertaining, but pitting the two against Flower in a battle of wits ultimately proved comedy gold. Trevor and Hetty’s overconfidence in their deceit, paired with Flower’s quiet realization and eventual turnabout, is hilariously well-played.
For all her self-righteous declarations that “capitalism isn’t fair” and branding Trevor a "capitalist pig," it is genuinely fun to see Flower reveal her true colors—doing so in a way that not only preserves her dignity but also effectively shuts down Trevor and Hetty’s own self-righteous attempt to "teach her a lesson." Trevor will (probably) get his skates and the narwhals will be saved! Everyone (mostly) wins!
Also, as the only ghost with an income and the ability to spend it (save for using Sam as an intermediary), it is amusing to think about the different props Trevor might have purchased over the years beyond Moira Kelly's ice skates from "The Cutting Edge." Is the banner from Jurassic Park in another room at Woodstone Mansion? Or perhaps Sarah Michelle Gellar’s rosary necklace from "Cruel Intentions"? What would be on Trevor’s ’90s movie prop inventory? Let the theories fly.
Flower: "Instead of being a capitalist pig, why don’t you donate your money to charity?"
Trevor: "Do you think I’m a selfish capitalist pig?"
Hetty: "Of course, it’s one of your only redeeming qualities."
Flower: "Oh, sorry, were we playing hide and seek? I forgot."
Alberta: "There’s a spot on my wall that would be perfect for a life-sized Momoa poster."
Hetty: "We were outsmarted by a half-wit, which makes us not even quarter-wits."
Is Thor a coward?:
As the show’s stereotypical Viking, Thor (Devan Chandler Long) devotes a good chunk of his afterlife to recounting his days as a proud warrior. Nary an episode goes by without a colorful story involving the brutal murder of some ancient Dane—usually told with a laugh. In fact, Thor's quick temper and fondness for violence are a big part of what makes his relationship with Flower, the show’s peace-loving hippie ghost, so amusing.
But for all the self-aggrandizing about battle prowess, to my memory, we’ve never actually seen Thor in action… until now, and it's not pretty. Faced with Yanis the Ghost Hunter, Thor finally has the chance to live up to his own legend… and it’s not a great look at first. Needless to say, hiding behind a civilian ghost doesn’t exactly scream battle-hardened hero.
The real frustration, though, lies in how the Yanis confrontation is shot. The wide shot dulls the impact of Thor cowering behind Alberta, turning what could have been a standout visual gag into background noise. A tight focus on Thor would have elevated the moment, but the wide shot instead captures all six ghosts running around aimlessly. The scene practically begged for visual punch to highlight a character moment, and instead this detail just felt a tad glossed over.
Fortunately, Thor’s hilariously weak attempts to justify his cowardice (see the quote below) land perfectly, and his redemption scene plays much better (more on that later).
Thor: "Thor was trying to protect your backside from potential laser beam ricochet, unlike Sas, who cowardly used Joan to protect himself from ricochet." (This logic is undeniable, right?)
Smushing:
Of course, it only makes sense to leave the big story for last. After Sas spent last week falling for Joan, only to discover that Shiki actually might have feelings for him (it was extremely noncommittal), his plan to use the ghost trap from Season 2, Episode 13 ("Ghost Hunter") was an excellent cliffhanger, an awesome throwback, and now serves as an amazing setup. Of course, Yanis the Ghost Hunter (who sports a vocabulary and speaking cadence not unlike Thor, actually) throws a minor wrinkle in the plan when he suggests that such a move could actually result in "smushing" Sas, rather than essentially setting him free.
Joan shines in the aftermath of this discovery. Although she’s clearly concerned for him and wishing he would just forget about Shiki, she continues to support him. It reflects an emotional maturity and level of consideration that perfectly matches what viewers have come to expect from Sas. In fact, Joan possessing these rare qualities makes the two feel like an even more perfect match because the writing knows exactly how to make them click.
The one weak point in this particular arc is Sas overhearing Joan’s conversation with Pete and immediately misinterpreting her intentions. It’s a familiar misunderstanding trope and feels a bit too predictable, especially for a character like Sas who’s usually more thoughtful. Luckily, Sas’s realization that his feelings for Joan—and hers for him—are real, and his last-minute decision to stay, make for an exciting and emotionally resonant climax (especially with an extremely well-timed save from a very brave Thor!).
Score: 8.8/10 - This episode's race-against-time climax was a lot of fun. While there are a few nitpicks—the camera work in one scene, an overly simplistic misinterpretation in another—none are significant enough to warrant a low score because this episode does what "Ghosts" always does best. It told a fun story and produced laughs.
Thor: "And finally end centuries of tortuous sexual frustration. We are rooting for you."
Sas: "Do you think I’m rushing into things?"
Thor: "Well, it’s been 500 years so… Thor gonna go with… No."
Joan: "Well, off the top of my head, you could have an annoying friend burst in and ruin what could have been a very special moment."
Isaac: "She looked upset. I assumed, per our conversation, you told her how you felt, and she rejected you. It’s a reality I accepted without question."
Thor: "Thor have your front too, and top and bottom."
Sas (awkwardly): "Oh-kay."
Flower: "Have sex now! Please, just end this!"
