Ghosts UK Season 2 Episode 3 Review: The Ghost of Christmas
Ghosts UK Season 2 Episode 3, “The Ghost of Christmas,” is a sweet dose of festive serotonin during that stressful holiday season.
The storylines are brimming with heartfelt sentiments and heartwarming action-takers as Ghosts UK focuses on two equally odd but staggeringly different family dynamics.
The cold, selfish tendencies of the Button House residents are set aside in the name of Christmas, and as a result, the ghosts experience several gratifying lessons.
Ghosts UK continues to find fun ways to introduce new living dynamics into this house of bored ghosts.
Mike’s family is the latest in that long list, but their arrival marks a significant milestone for the series. Until now, Alison and Mike’s lives outside of owning this property have been a mystery to viewers. So, expanding that lore with not one but multiple family members is an exciting concept.
The execution of this concept leaves us desperate for more chances to get to know our titular couple in the presence of people who know them a little too well.
Watching the ghosts’ found family dynamic clash with an actual family dynamic is a delightful way to spend the holiday special.
The Ghost of Christmas Past
We were long due for a reason to root for Julian’s pantless ass, and this holiday special gives it to us.
Rightfully so, because Julian is the perfect personification of Scrooge to do a “Ghost of Christmas Past” bit, complete with a bah humbug and transforming inspirational speech from the sleazy politician.
The floating heads haunting him as he runs screaming through the woods is a nice touch.
It is also delightful to see Julian earn his life lesson and the respect of Leia’s baby. The moment he realizes he has won over the trust of this innocent little creature, it cracks this silly co-parenting storyline wide open as the emotions Julian spent four years avoiding come flooding in.
His speech to rally the ghosts around the spirit of Christmas is as uplifting as it is mournful.
Mike’s New Years Resolution
Ghosts UK doesn’t need the sitcom punching bag, but there are times when I wonder if Mike is secretly occupying the role.
After two seasons, it was expected he would grow into his role at Button House. However, while Alison’s development raced ahead, he is still very similar to Pilot Mike.
The hope was his family would spur new developments, and the heart-to-heart with his dad certainly does that. However, his sisters calling forth the bumbling idiot act that the show often leans on is tiresome. We love goofball Mike, but can he be more than the punchline?
Especially when you look at Jay’s triumphs on Ghosts or that Kitty is also reduced to being the dopey punchline. It is time Ghosts UK steps up its game and gives these actors material that does not hinge on mocking their lack of sense.
He still doesn’t take priority for an episode meant to put Mike and his family at the forefront.
Gifts that Keep on Giving
Twister is the gift we never knew ghosts that go bump in the night needed.
Logically, it doesn’t require a human to be present to play (brilliant!), and comedically, it subjects the ghosts to the psychological warfare of family game night.
Captain and Thomas spoiling Pat’s excitement to teach the others Twister by taking it too seriously is too accurate. It’s not a real family Christmas without a board game-induced tantrum. Plus, seeing that pairing one sexual position away from killing each other is a bonus.
The subtle threads of Alison’s sorrow woven throughout the episode, festering more as her traditions are pushed to the side to accommodate the others, are beautifully played out.
The best gift Ghosts UK could provide us with is the spirits coming to Alison’s aid to sing her the carols she missed out on.
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Ghosts UK airs on Thursdays at 9/8c on CBS.
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Alicia Gilstorf
Alicia is a Rotten Tomatoes Certified Critic and a Critics Choice Association member. She credits her passion for TV to workplace sitcoms, paranormal dramedies, and coming-of-age stories. In her free time, Alicia loves to curl up with a good book and lose herself in a cozy game. Keep a lookout for her coverage of Ghosts. You can also find her work on Eulalie Magazine and Cool Girl Critiques. Follow Alicia on social media: @aliciagilstorf