Ghosts Season 2 Episode 20 Review: Woodstone’s Hottest Couple

Ghosts Season 2 Episode 20, “Woodstone’s Hottest Couple,” is a friendly reminder these ghosts are just bored children masquerading as adults.

The sitcom studies that sentiment in a literal sense with the resurrection of Stephanie, a 54-year-old teen spirit incapable of growing up.

This couple-centric episode uses Woodstone’s resident drama queen to stir up romantic conflict effectively, but Ghosts doesn’t quite sweep us off our feet with this sequel to “Attic Girl.”

Ghosts Season 1 Episode 17, “Attic Girl,” was arguably one of the best episodes of this show’s two-season run.

It paid homage to the rom-com genre, peppering the mansion with sweet sentiments and glittering prom decorations that gave a whimsical glow to Stephanie’s first appearance.

“Woodstone’s Hottest Couple” leans into the bitterness of Stephanie’s last appearance, with all the mean girl manipulation and no colorful streamers to hide the episode’s inability to make room for the full wrath of her shenanigans.

This sequel has good bones with a premise rooted in the established conflict between Trevor and Stephanie, and the grand gestures that close out this episode are pure Sixteen Candles bliss.

But the lack of devotion to the main event does result in a disjointed sideshow.

The Teen Terror

It is easy to get wrapped up in disliking Stephanie rather than recognizing how effective Odessa A’zion is at channeling such a reactionary teen persona.

She is one of the sitcom’s secret guest star weapons, and her late-season havoc has proven to elevate any sappy sentiments. So it’s a disappointment the episode doesn’t emphasize her crusade to break up the ghosts.

Instead, Stephanie spends a few fleeting moments pestering the couples before she is cast away for drama unaffected by her meddling.

If this show wants to threaten the ghosts’ relationship dynamics, I expect more than an annoying buzz in their ear. 

What we see of Stephanie is executed well, as she pokes at Sam and the other couples with her unnerving teen energy.

The fact that she can disarm months of development with minimal effort toys with the layers of stereotype comedy at play here in thoughtful ways.

That moment where she screams, “I hate you!” and storms away, her teen tantrum framed by the horrendous site of blood running down her back, is such a sinister touch.

Stephanie may not shine during this episode, but her character has new ground to tread with a teen basement ghost. The adorable ending includes a slow-mo glasses reveal and a steamy make-out session because Ghosts is nothing if not on theme.

Sneakers and Soulmates

Speaking of pulling plot points from thin air, Sam and Jay continue to triumph in this quirky premise.

The reveal that Jay interviewed for his old job while in New York City is fantastic because we are too wrapped up in his sneaker lies to see the truth coming — and it is a juicy one!

But it’s in that aftermath where two skilled actors prove they can sell anything, including a new set, that this sudden revelation clicks.

Jay has been long overdue for a reckoning with his wife and her ghost pals. So to see Utkarsh Ambudka deliver his character’s grief in such a vulnerable tone establishes what Jay has sacrificed for this premise to work — and why we should care.

When McIver’s Sam blows past anger to ask Jay how she can fix his grief, it is clear where the magic of this premise lies. Sam and Jay are the beating heart of this sitcom, and Stephanie’s shenanigans put that into glaring focus.

A Couple of Comedians

What is so excellent about Ghosts is even when the plot isn’t as strong as it should be, all the little moments still come through.

The episode utilizes Thorfinn’s love for mimicking in dangerous ways as he gravitates toward Stephanie’s mean-girl tactics. But it is Florfinn realizing they don’t have much in common that provides the best material as the two cling to owls for dear life.

I love that we get a call back to Jay’s fear of the ghosts watching him in the bathroom with Pete would take up the charge to protect his friend.

As for who deserves the title of best line delivery, that’s tough.

Isaac casually introduces Nigel to Stephanie as “He’s British, and I killed him.” But Alberta comes out swinging with, “It’s going to be a bummer when they wither and die,” If that’s not a proper homage to this show’s sick rom-com themes, what is?

Ghosts‘ ability to keep its momentum going regardless of pitfalls is one of the many mysteries hidden behind Woodstone’s walls.

However, it’s safe to say three storylines make for a crowded mansion — and if one has to go, it is Tretty.

We have had opportunities to explore these two in a relationship. So to introduce that on the cusp of two storylines with main-plot energy is unfortunate timing.

That aside, Trevor and Hetty deciding to go back into the shadows is a relief. These two work better as a low-stakes side fling, and arguably it’s just more fun to see them try to hide a secret everyone already knows about.

They are silly ghost children, but they are our silly ghost children.

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

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