Ghosts UK Season 1 Episode 1 Review: Who Do You Think You Are?

Behind almost every American sitcom is the great British series from which it was adapted. Ghosts UK is further proof of that.

Ghosts UK Season 1 Episode 1, “Who Do You Think You Are?” glides through its English countryside estate with a delightful innocence and kismet humour routed in family dysfunction.

It is a joy to fall in love with this premise from a different angle. The Button House ghosts establish the vastness of their bantering and co-habitation perils through a comedic lens equally as amusing as the US counterpart — but distinctively different.

Given how strong this pilot is and, subsequently, the Ghosts pilot was, it is about time we give praise where praise is due.

The writers and creators of this premise, Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard and Ben Willbond, deserve a slow clap for the hit concept they constructed here.

In the age of reboots, they brilliantly capitalized on our hunger for sitcoms and a fascination with the dead to fill a creative void. Rather than make something to quench corporate greed, they birthed Ghosts from public interest.

It is an incredibly versatile premise that can stand the test of time thanks to various avenues of character and supernatural-driven storytelling. It scratches the zeitgeist of the collective human experience so effortlessly while being relentlessly silly — a perfect duality.

To be a total geek about it: the concept for this show is brilliant, and I’m really happy it exists.

A Button House Homecoming

Alison might fall in love with the wrong estate initially, but Button House is still one hell of a story playground to muck around in.

In place of Woodstone’s cramped, cozy Victorian aura are expansive ballroom spaces, drawing rooms, and gardens. With its voids of space and faded palettes, this whimsical plot tool sees the lively characters constantly clashing with their setting.

It is lovely to see different liberties emerge between the lead couples as you watch each show. Sam and Jay take on stereotypical sitcom tropes in their pilot, where I find pilot Alison and Mike are a little more developed in their contemporary rom-com approach.

Also, it is a refreshing twist to see Mike just as excited as Alison to fix up the house at any cost from the beginning. Their persevering delusion is almost as adorable as their “SexyBack” road trip singalong.

But I was endeared to them the instant this series showed their relatable frustration with the current housing market.

Meeting the Ghosts

Something that made Ghosts so easy to love was its fully formed ensemble chemistry — to which Ghosts UK says, watch the master.

This cast has the sober task of setting up this world and carrying two separate storylines in their introduction. But they rely on the charming, disarming technique of irritated banter and mob mentality to cut through the heavier exposition.

Initially, Julian and Robin’s weird, one-sided rivalry is a notable running joke of the episode as the caveman bests the politician without trying. Pat’s desperation to keep storytime from derailing is also loveable.

However, watching The Captain grow increasingly fed up with Lady Button’s tragic backstory hits that comedic sweet spot.

Lady Button’s whole “my husband pushed me out the window, and now I reenact my death” fiasco is a little story-heavy for a pilot. That said, we get a better feel for who she is and, consequently, who The Captain is. And her delivery of “macaroon tea party” — hilarious!

Something to Look Forward To

It is clear why Ghosts UK is held in such high regard — this show is a treasure, even in its fresh-faced baby stage.

The pilot capitalizes on the subtle gothic undertones with that eerie opening shot of Button House concealed in a layer of fog. And don’t get me started on the plague girl — she gives everything she needs to give with that performance.

However, seeing a more boastful group when it comes to lousy ghost behaviour is especially intriguing.

Not only are they mostly down for murder at the slightest convenience, but Julian pushing Alison to her brief death is stone-cold chilling in the moment.

Yet, the comforting, innocent lens never entirely leaves us. Even as a woman undergoes a traumatic, life-altering event, you can’t help but come away with the warm fuzzy feeling that only good TV can fester.

—

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

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

 

Back-to-back episodes of Ghosts UK air Thursdays at 9/8c on CBS.

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

CBS Celebrates Ghosts UK’s American Broadcast Debut with Spirited Promo