Ghosts Season 2 Episode 4 Review: The Tree

Ghosts Season 2 Episode 4, “The Tree,” is the kind of episode that grows on you in unexpected ways.

It lulls viewers into a false sense of tranquility as the ensemble bands together, and Sam goes through the motions of leading the charge in their latest after-life adventure.

Then chaos in the form of our scheming storyteller Sasappis happens, and it offers Ghosts an opportunity to shake the foundation of this sitcom in exciting (all be it, uncomfortable) ways.

One must appreciate how Ghosts continuously finds ways to remind us why these spirits are flawed beings, knowing their likeability makes us easy targets.

Because we know Sas loves drama almost as much as he loves lying. Still, surely he wouldn’t force Sam into an uncomfortable situation under false pretenses, not after everything they have been through? However, his mere existence in limbo reminds us he very much would.

Perhaps the best part of crossing the line with these characters is seeing how they can be pulled back from the brink of redemption a second too late; how it spins the most selfish reactions into a group learning session every damn time.

The actual supernatural threat here is well-rounded characters.

If this is a game of anti-hero roulette, Ghosts is cleaning up!

Not many shows portray their protagonists in such problematic lighting and become more likable for it. They are certainly not doing it with Native characters while delivering meaningful commentary on Lenape culture.

Morally wrong and culturally accurate is not a combination TV often comes away from unscathed. Yet, this show’s hands are clean despite murdering our pleasant, neat perceptions of these sitcom characters every episode.

The pristine storytelling is a comfort blanket of assurance when watching these ghosts act out.

Sasappis most problematic episode yet does not disappoint. It’s hilarious, but the edge produced from a sad, slightly jaded arc for our storyteller is the poignant footnote.

When it comes to chaos, this gaslighting ghost provides results (as we recently witnessed with Pete’s personality and Thorfinn’s therapy sessions). He is arguably the best when he’s out here doing the worst, and that’s fascinating from a character standpoint to watch.

Sas crosses the line this time, but his secret weapon? His chaos has a cause. He deceives Sam in the name of something he cares to protect. No matter how trivial that reason might be, Sas is in a position to lose the last remnants of his people. His actions are grounded in that fear and preservation of identity.

He may lose his way, but we never lose sight of what makes Román Zaragoza’s Sas a fan favorite amongst the ensemble. He presents a dynamic, driven character who embraces his Lenape character. All while ensuring Sas is a flawed human being with fulfilling side hustles and motives beyond that label.

Sas is a compelling dark horse character and a powerful weapon for the comedy to reconcile as it descends further into this sequestered madness. “The Tree” proves there’s no protagonist on TV quite as engaging as Sasappis.

Wanting more from this episode and its intoxicating trappings isn’t exactly a reasonable ask. Not for a sitcom that shows incredible pacing restraint and could keep this story youthful well into senior seasons.

That said, Sam certainly goes easy on Sas, given how dirty he did her. The secondhand embarrassment could have benefited from Ghosts further exploring the fallout of the storyteller’s actions.

Because the lack of repercussions is somewhat underwhelming, especially with the Woodstone ghosts now relying on the materialistic flourishes of modern-day more and more.

At the least, let Sam bring up Sas’ betrayal for the next 1-8 episodes in the same vain as Jay did when he had to pull that pocket watch off Elias’ dusty corpse. It would be the petty thing to do, and we all know how Ghosts feels about pettiness.

The ensemble offers this bold outing the reassuring embrace it needs to go forth.

Thorfinn and Flower act as a worthy counterbalance to Sas’ tree storyline, and nothing defuses tension faster than Thorfinn announcing, “TREE DEAD!” to the group. The Viking accidentally complimenting Flower’s bloody fingernails is also a delight.

Then we see Ghosts mobilize the spirits and Jay’s presence in intriguing ways. Sam sending a reluctant Jay on ghost business is adorable as always, but it’s funny to think she posts ghosts all around the property to spy on their neighbors.

And that land acknowledgment from Lenape Bob (Reservation Dogs‘ Dallas Goldtooth) that holds Sam and Jay accountable to acknowledge Woodstone’s Lenape legacy — what a beautiful, grounding addition to this fiction world’s representation!

Even at their worst, these ghosts are still scaring up stellar television.

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What did you think of this episode of Ghosts? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

And if you want to hear more about this episode and the story evolution of Sasappis, check out our interview with Román Zaragoza right here.

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Ghosts airs Thursdays at 8:30/7:30c on CBS.

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Ghosts: Román Zaragoza Discusses the Story Evolution of Sasappis [Interview]